| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.57 |
| Liaison | Yaffa Grossman |
| Submission Date | March 16, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Beloit College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.33 / 4.00 |
Lindsay
Chapman Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability |
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | No | No |
| Air and Climate | No | No |
| Buildings | No | No |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | No | No |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | No | No |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | Yes | Yes |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
Within our 3-year campus Sustainability Plan, we aim to impact the Curriculum by offering more courses through the following program:
Execute the Pathways to Sustainability Leadership Program, which aims to:
• embed sustainability in the liberal learning of our students;
• prepare our graduates to exercise sustainability leadership in their careers through the development of expertise and individual capacity for action around sustainability;
• link learning opportunities—including those associated with campus operations, residential living, and the greater Beloit community—with the creation and implementation of solutions in pressing areas of sustainability; and
• through this synergy, promote an intentional long-term approach to sustainable living more broadly and deeply among our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the larger community.
Beloit College will accomplish these aims over the next three years by establishing three tiers of increasingly sophisticated project-based student learning pathways: Sustainability Citizens, Sustainability Fellows, and Sustainability Leaders.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our sustainability curricular offerings.
a. Provide four Sustainability Citizen opportunities in each of first three years (first year: 2014-15 academic year). Sustainability Citizen opportunities include courses and course modules that empower students with the conceptual, empirical, and creative tools they need to be effective environmental citizens and to develop into responsible and capable leaders.
b. Provide twelve Sustainability Fellow opportunities during the summer of each of the first three years (first year: 2014-15 academic year). The Sustainability Fellows Program provides students the opportunity to contribute their expertise to a sustainability project on campus or in the Beloit community. Fellows are full-time interns, paired with faculty and community mentors for two months during the summer.
c. Provide four Sustainability Leader Team opportunities each year for first three years (first year: 2014-15 academic year). Sustainability Leader Teams are three- or four-member collaborative teams charged with completing a sustainability project that is usually full-time for two months in the summer or part-time for an entire academic year. Student team members consult regularly with their Faculty and Staff Mentors to discuss their projects, including the ethical, creative, economic, political, and cultural dimensions, as well as how others may be persuaded to pursue their recommended solution(s).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, Beloit challenges itself to offer incentives and support to students, staff, and faculty to take on sustainability research, both during the summer months and during the academic year. Those types of support are outlined in the Sustainability Plan through Sustainability Fellows and Sustainability Leader Teams.
b. Provide twelve Sustainability Fellow opportunities during the summer of each of the first three years (first year: 2014-15 academic year). The Sustainability Fellows Program provides students the opportunity to contribute their expertise to a sustainability project on campus or in the Beloit community. Fellows are full-time interns, paired with faculty and community mentors for two months during the summer.
c. Provide four Sustainability Leader Team opportunities each year for first three years (first year: 2014-15 academic year). Sustainability Leader Teams are three- or four-member collaborative teams charged with completing a sustainability project that is usually full-time for two months in the summer or part-time for an entire academic year. Student team members consult regularly with their Faculty and Staff Mentors to discuss their projects, including the ethical, creative, economic, political, and cultural dimensions, as well as how others may be persuaded to pursue their recommended solution(s).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our progress on furthering Sustainability research at Beloit College.
b. Provide twelve Sustainability Fellow opportunities during the summer of each of the first three years (first year: 2014-15 academic year). The Sustainability Fellows Program provides students the opportunity to contribute their expertise to a sustainability project on campus or in the Beloit community. Fellows are full-time interns, paired with faculty and community mentors for two months during the summer.
c. Provide four Sustainability Leader Team opportunities each year for first three years (first year: 2014-15 academic year). Sustainability Leader Teams are three- or four-member collaborative teams charged with completing a sustainability project that is usually full-time for two months in the summer or part-time for an entire academic year. Student team members consult regularly with their Faculty and Staff Mentors to discuss their projects, including the ethical, creative, economic, political, and cultural dimensions, as well as how others may be persuaded to pursue their recommended solution(s).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
The Beloit College Sustainability Plan includes goals directed at raising sustainability literacy through on-campus activities and through the development and strengthening of mutually beneficial community partnerships. It is the intent of the engagement goals to meet members of the Beloit College community where they are in terms of understanding sustainability concepts and to help them build upon their knowledge.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
1. Increase sustainability literacy throughout the Beloit College community.
a. Launch and sustain a multi-faceted communications strategy, driven by the Sustainability Coordinator. Communications will consist of social media utilization, website development, monthly success stories of projects on and off campus, town halls, promotion of sustainability campus events, and sharing best practices and opportunities for involvement to all faculty, staff, and students. These efforts will be documented in a database in development during the 2014-15 academic year by the Sustainability Coordinator.
b. Include the College’s sustainability goals, initiatives, and progress in new employee training, new student orientation, and campus tours.
c. Conduct an annual survey and focus groups to determine if the communication strategy is positively affecting sustainability literacy. Surveys and focus groups will be conducted by the Sustainability Hall Director and the Sustainability Coordinator.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee, Residential Life
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our progress in sustainability through dining services.
a. During the 2013-14 academic year, Beloit College Bon Appetit sourced 27% of its food through Bon Appetit Management Company’s Farm to Fork program, a companywide initiative requiring chefs to buy at least 20% of their ingredients from small farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food producers within 150 miles of their kitchens. Over the next three years, Beloit College Bon Appetit will source 37% of its food through the Farm to Fork program.
b. Beloit College Bon Appetit will purchase all of the Beloit Urban Garden’s (BUG) produce, as long as BUG members are willing.
c. Decrease food waste by 10% over the next three years.
i. Finalize a baseline of food waste in the 2013-14 academic year.
ii. Decrease food waste through a combination of education, employee training, community partnerships and technological advances.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our sustainability progress in dining services.
a. During the 2013-14 academic year, Beloit College Bon Appetit sourced 27% of its food through Bon Appetit Management Company’s Farm to Fork program, a companywide initiative requiring chefs to buy at least 20% of their ingredients from small farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food producers within 150 miles of their kitchens. Over the next three years, Beloit College Bon Appetit will source 37% of its food through the Farm to Fork program.
b. Beloit College Bon Appetit will purchase all of the Beloit Urban Garden’s (BUG) produce, as long as BUG members are willing.
c. Decrease food waste by 10% over the next three years.
i. Finalize a baseline of food waste in the 2013-14 academic year.
ii. Decrease food waste through a combination of education, employee training, community partnerships and technological advances.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee, Bon Appetit (Dining Services)
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
Within Beloit's 3 year campus Sustainability Plan, the Operations section covers energy, water, waste & recycling, landscaping, purchasing, dining services, and transportation. This section covers goals directed at improving resource efficiency and responsibility. First and foremost, Beloit College must understand its impacts and therefore many of the goals articulated in this section begin with the creation of a baseline, or a year’s worth of information from which to assess achievement levels. The goals set here are believed to be achievable based on the region and other institutions similar in size. The comfort of faculty, staff, and students is important and through these Operations goals the College seeks to improve comfort levels by implementing energy efficiency measures in its buildings (e.g. adding insulation to walls and attics, upgrading outdated HVAC systems). Tracking the progress of these goals will be accomplished through a close partnership between the Sustainability Coordinator, Physical Plant, Dining Services, Residential Life, Office of Finance, and other relevant departments.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our progress on energy intensity.
a. Create a baseline of usage (2013-14 yr) and determine a best-fit energy intensity metric for the College (MMBtu/sq. ft.).
b. Reduce energy intensity by 2.5% each year for first 3 years (2014-15 yr - 2016-17 yr).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee, Facilities Department
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Within Beloit's 3 year campus Sustainability Plan, the Operations section covers energy, water, waste & recycling, landscaping (Grounds), purchasing, dining services, and transportation. This section covers goals directed at improving resource efficiency and responsibility. First and foremost, Beloit College must understand its impacts and therefore many of the goals articulated in this section begin with the creation of a baseline, or a year’s worth of information from which to assess achievement levels. The goals set here are believed to be achievable based on the region and other institutions similar in size. The comfort of faculty, staff, and students is important and through these Operations goals the College seeks to improve comfort levels by implementing energy efficiency measures in its buildings (e.g. adding insulation to walls and attics, upgrading outdated HVAC systems). Tracking the progress of these goals will be accomplished through a close partnership between the Sustainability Coordinator, Physical Plant, Dining Services, Residential Life, Office of Finance, and other relevant departments.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
a. Catalog current landscaping practices and create a Beloit College policy of best-practices to further healthy grounds.
b. Increase the area of campus planted with native species over a 3-year period (2014-15 yr - 2016-17 yr).
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Commitee, Grounds Department, Facilities Department
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Within Beloit's 3 year campus Sustainability Plan, the Operations section covers energy, water, waste & recycling, landscaping, purchasing, dining services, and transportation. This section covers goals directed at improving resource efficiency and responsibility. First and foremost, Beloit College must understand its impacts and therefore many of the goals articulated in this section begin with the creation of a baseline, or a year’s worth of information from which to assess achievement levels. The goals set here are believed to be achievable based on the region and other institutions similar in size. The comfort of faculty, staff, and students is important and through these Operations goals the College seeks to improve comfort levels by implementing energy efficiency measures in its buildings (e.g. adding insulation to walls and attics, upgrading outdated HVAC systems). Tracking the progress of these goals will be accomplished through a close partnership between the Sustainability Coordinator, Physical Plant, Dining Services, Residential Life, Office of Finance, and other relevant departments.
Within the Operations section of the 3 year Sustainability Plan, the following goal will help us further our purchasing ambitions as they relate to sustainability.
a. Create and adhere to a Sustainable Purchasing Policy that will promote purchasing options that minimize costs and promote a positive ecological impact.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our progress in sustainable purchasing.
a. Create and adhere to a Sustainable Purchasing Policy that will promote purchasing options that minimize costs and promote a positive ecological impact.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee, VP Finance
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Within Beloit's 3 year campus Sustainability Plan, the Operations section covers energy, water, waste & recycling, landscaping, purchasing, dining services, and transportation. This section covers goals directed at improving resource efficiency and responsibility. First and foremost, Beloit College must understand its impacts and therefore many of the goals articulated in this section begin with the creation of a baseline, or a year’s worth of information from which to assess achievement levels. The goals set here are believed to be achievable based on the region and other institutions similar in size. The comfort of faculty, staff, and students is important and through these Operations goals the College seeks to improve comfort levels by implementing energy efficiency measures in its buildings (e.g. adding insulation to walls and attics, upgrading outdated HVAC systems). Tracking the progress of these goals will be accomplished through a close partnership between the Sustainability Coordinator, Physical Plant, Dining Services, Residential Life, Office of Finance, and other relevant departments.
The following are Beloit's measurable goals for waste.
a. Create a baseline of trash disposal (2014-15 yr) and determine a best-fit waste intensity metric for the College (tons/sq. ft.).
b. Create a baseline of Beloit College’s recycling rate (2014-15 yr).
c. Increase Beloit’s recycling rate by 2.5% each subsequent year (2015-16 yr - 2016-17 yr).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our progress towards waste minimization.
a. Create a baseline of trash disposal (2014-15 yr) and determine a best-fit waste intensity metric for the College (tons/sq. ft.).
b. Create a baseline of Beloit College’s recycling rate (2014-15 yr).
c. Increase Beloit’s recycling rate by 2.5% each subsequent year (2015-16 yr - 2016-17 yr).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee, Facilities department, student clubs.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Within Beloit's 3 year campus Sustainability Plan, the Operations section covers energy, water, waste & recycling, landscaping, purchasing, dining services, and transportation. This section covers goals directed at improving resource efficiency and responsibility. First and foremost, Beloit College must understand its impacts and therefore many of the goals articulated in this section begin with the creation of a baseline, or a year’s worth of information from which to assess achievement levels. The goals set here are believed to be achievable based on the region and other institutions similar in size. The comfort of faculty, staff, and students is important and through these Operations goals the College seeks to improve comfort levels by implementing energy efficiency measures in its buildings (e.g. adding insulation to walls and attics, upgrading outdated HVAC systems). Tracking the progress of these goals will be accomplished through a close partnership between the Sustainability Coordinator, Physical Plant, Dining Services, Residential Life, Office of Finance, and other relevant departments. The goals below are specific to water consumption.
a. Create a baseline of usage (2013-14 yr) and determine a best-fit water intensity metric for the College (gallons/sq. ft.).
b. Reduce water intensity by 2% each year for first 3 years (2014-15 yr - 2016-17 yr).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
As outlined in our campus 3-year Sustainability Plan, the following measurable goals will help us gauge our progress in water consumption.
a. Create a baseline of usage (2013-14 yr) and determine a best-fit water intensity metric for the College (gallons/sq. ft.).
b. Reduce water intensity by 2% each year for first 3 years (2014-15 yr - 2016-17 yr).
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Committee, Facilities Department
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
Within Beloit's 3 year campus sustainability plan, there are also goals around the conservation and documentation of what we call "cultural resources." Beloit is unique in that it has on its campus extant, historic, and prehistoric structures and features. To fully appreciate this vast history, Beloit felt it necessary to set goals around the documentation of these structures and features to continue to educate the next generation and continue to uncover the culture of past generations and peoples.
Those goals are:
a. Create a geospatial database that incorporates extant, historic, and prehistoric structures and feature locations, archaeological testing locations, collections, and associated data.
b. Assess current practices and develop long-term cultural resource conservation plans, preservation plans, and best practices to preserve extant, historic, and prehistoric structures and features.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
The following goals on Cultural Resources are part of Beloit's 3 year sustainability plan.
Cultural Resources
a. Create a geospatial database that incorporates extant, historic, and prehistoric structures and feature locations, archaeological testing locations, collections, and associated data.
b. Assess current practices and develop long-term cultural resource conservation plans, preservation plans, and best practices to preserve extant, historic, and prehistoric structures and features.
Date Revised: May 26, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
Sustainability Steering Commitee, Faculty in GIS, Anthropology, History, and Biology, Residential Life, and the Operations Department.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability requires that we meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs by focusing on the environmental, economic, social and ethical aspects of human decision-making and action.
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Beloit College is committed to sustainability. Sustainability requires that we meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs by focusing on the environmental, economic, social and ethical aspects of human decision-making and action. Beloit College realizes its commitment to sustainability through this Sustainability Plan and related programs, which include the Pathways to Sustainability Leadership Program (for more information, see the Beloit College Sustainability homepage).
Dedicated faculty, staff, and students have worked diligently to realize progress in the Beloit College community. Some of the more recent endeavors include the Sustainability Fellows program, a summer research opportunity for students who are paired with staff, faculty, and community mentors, now in its fifth successful year; a LEED-platinum certified Science Center that opened in 2008; the formation of a Sustainability Steering Committee; the hiring of a Sustainability Coordinator; and the establishment and demand for student-led clubs focused on environmental and social issues, such as the Outdoor Environmental Club, Beloit Urban Garden Club, Peace & Justice Club, Geology Club and others. The foundation for these sustainability endeavors is Beloit College’s mission statement, which outlines a living-learning environment for its students:
Beloit College engages the intelligence, imagination, and curiosity of its students, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives marked by high achievement, personal responsibility, and public contribution in a diverse society. Our emphasis on international and interdisciplinary perspectives, the integration of knowledge with experience, and close collaboration among peers, professors, and staff equips our students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and thoughtfully.
With Beloit College's demonstrated history and direction, the Sustainability Plan described here provides a structured approach that helps articulate goals and initiatives that span across departments and programs, embedding sustainability into our curriculum, operations and culture.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.