| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.72 |
| Liaison | Debbie Liddick |
| Submission Date | April 22, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Black Hills State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.33 / 4.00 |
Katie
Greer Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Services |
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 | No |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | No | No |
| Transportation | No | No |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | No |
| Diversity and Affordability | No | No |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
South Dakota Board of Regents
New Graduate Degree Program application for the Sustainability Masters program describes how BHSU will grow the new Sustainability Masters program to capacity and graduate the first class in Spring 2015.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Establish and enroll 20 students in the Sustainability Master program.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Sustainability Masters program
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
In BHSU's Research Strategic Plan, Sustainability is listed as an institutional core value, "Black Hills State University will foster a culture of sustainability by developing a sustainable university enterprise, employing and showcasing sustainable practices and growing research that contributes to a sustainable future."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Some of the objectives from the Research Strategic Plan include:
-Develop mechanism(s) for faculty release time for research, scholarship and creativity and grant activity by 2015.
-Provide seed grant funds strategically to support university research priorities.
-Create a task force to develop university-wide research, scholarship priorities by 2015.
-Direct intramural funds for interdisciplinary research projects in 2013 and ongoing.
-Conduct a needs assessment to determine space and facilities needs and develop a prioritize list of research infrastructure needs in 2014 and updates ongoing.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Center for the Conservation of Biological Resources
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
From BHSU's Climate Action Plan, "Education and awareness about climate action and sustainability is perhaps the most important task for climate action. Saving energy and preventing excess waste can be as easy as teaching a sustainable lifestyle. Learning about sustainability and climate action can take place both in the classroom and in other areas of campus life including awareness events, student organization meetings and activities, residence life activities, communications through the school newspaper and radio station, and modeling behavior by faculty, staff, and other students. BHSU has provided many awareness activities in the recent past and will continue to promote sustainability through future activities."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
BHSU's Strategic Plan calls for us to increase faculty, staff, and student involvement with the community and to enhance community and regional relations. BHSU's Climate Action Plan specifies the need to build awareness of sustainability in the community.
BHSU plans to begin its first summer camp as a part of the BHSU's Educational Outreach Department Summer Camp program, Sting's Eco Explorers in the Summer of 2014. This day camp will be available for ages 4-6 and 7-12. Kids will become Eco Explores, witnessing sustainability in action at BHSU. We will use the campus as a learning laboratory with age appropriate games and activities that highlight how the school intersects with science and nature. Kids will interact with the whole campus from the science labs to the vegetable garden and the underground tunnels.
BHSU is also working to apply for funds for a collaboration with the community and Spearfish city government that will encourage public participation to grow the local food economy and city walkability as well as connect students with internships in the community.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
We plan to have at least 50 kids registered for Sting's Eco Explorers in summer 2014 and intentions to grow this number each year.
BHSU has applied to two funding opportunities in Spring 2014 to begin the partnership to grow the local food economy and increase public participation in the planning process for city walkability. Whether or not we are awarded funds, we will kick-off this community partnership, called Spearfish Local, by June 2014 and create a Spearfish Local Advisory Council.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Office, Sustainability Committee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
BHSU has signed the President's Climate Commitment to become carbon nuetral by 2050. Part of this plan includes intermediate goals to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
95% reduction in Purchased Heating Emissions by 2020 relative to baseline emissions in 2008.
5% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, and 3 Emissions by 2020 relative to baseline emissions in 2008.
10% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2040 relative to baseline emissions in 2008.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Vice President of Administration and Finance, Facilities Services Department
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
All new buildings are required to be, at a minimum, LEED Silver certified.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
The Crow Peak Residence Hall, which broke ground for construction in Feb 2014 and is scheduled for completion before the Fall 2015 semester, will achieve a LEED Silver certification.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Office of the Vice President of Finance and Administration, Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
BHSU's Dining Services has developed a plan with the Green Restaurant Association to advance their sustainability initiatives in order to qualify for Green Restaurant certification. The plan details recommendations for food and supply purchases, building and equipment water and energy use.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Dining will reach Green Restaurant Certification in Spring 2014 with a goal of a three star certification (175 points required) by implementing a majority of the recommendations in the plan including discontinuing Styrofoam purchases for to-go containers and replacing the kitchen equipment suggested.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
A'viands, BHSU's contracted Dining Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
The Climate Action Plan details goals for reducing energy use by retrofitting lights, appliances, and other equipment, specifically lighting replacements, utilization of biomass in place of natural gas, and HVAC control for the Young Center pool. To this end, BHSU recently developed a contract to replace current outdoor lighting with LED in 2014.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
From BHSU's Climate Action Plan,
"Donald Young Center High‐Bay Lighting Retrofit ‐ This lighting project would replace
400 watt Metal Halide fixtures with high bay fluorescent fixtures in the gym, upper gym
and field house. Automated lighting control is already in place and will be used with the
new installed fixtures. This installation would save $14,691 in energy costs per year and
would have an installation cost payback in 9.7 years."
"Donald Young Center Pool HVAC Control ‐ The heating and ventilation units on the
swimming pool run 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Installation of variable
frequency drives to these units will assist in comfort control as well as utility savings.
This installation would save $3,400 annually in energy savings and would have a payback
period of 7.5 years."
Additionally, campus outdoor lighting will be replaced with dark-sky compliant LED lighting in summer 2014 in accordance with contract specifications.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
BHSU's Landscape Master Plan requires "all planting designs for the campus to be simple, sustainable, and easily maintained". The Landscape Master Plan discusses tree and plant choices that will best fit our climate.
In addition, the Climate Action Plan includes a goal to assure that all future landscape work is evaluated for irrigation needs, storm water
reuse, and sustainable maintenance.
In order to ensure goals for tree planting and maintenance are accomplished, BHSU plans to apply to become a Tree Campus USA.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
In order to apply to become a Tree Campus USA, we formed a Tree Advisory Council in the Spring of 2014 comprised of students, facilities staff, and community members. By Spring 2015, we plan to have a Campus Tree Plan developed and organize an Arbor Day observance and service project. We will apply to the Arbor Day Foundation to become a Tree Campus USA by the end of 2015.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
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:
BHSU's Strategic Plan and the Climate Action Plan both call to increase recycling collection to reduce landfill waste.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Waste reduction goals from the BHSU Climate Action Plan are to use the Student Union as pilot program for recycling efforts and add one or two buildings
to the recycling program each year through 2013. The Climate Action Plan also calls to reduce paper usage on campus by instituting scanning equipment and electronic
workflow.
The waste-related goals of the Climate Action Plan have both been implemented and progress has continued with additional goals, which are currently being formalized in the 5-year Climate Action Plan update in 2014. Further increase of recycling collection is limited by storage space. To increase space of the recycling collection facility, BHSU plans install a tent outside of the recycling collection building in 2014. Once the collection area is larger, space for new gaylords will be available for collection of additional recyclable materials such as newspaper and magazines.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
The BHSU Climate Action Plan calls for xeriscape landscape practices and to assure that all future landscape work is evaluated for irrigation needs, storm water
reuse, and sustainable maintenance. The Climate Action Plan also sets a goal to transition custodial services to green cleaning supplies and institute water saving
procedures.
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
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:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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:
Goal three in the campus wide strategic plan calls for BHSU to be an inclusive and socially responsible learning community. This goal includes action steps to create, foster and support an inclusive environment through increased diversity of students, faculty, and staff, celebrate cultural diversity in programming, lectures, and events, and support policies, dialogues and accountability activities that address civility and justice. We will advance ecological energy saving initiatives by reducing our dependence on non‐renewable resources and consumables, increasing recycling and use of sustainable products when economically feasible, and expanding the campus garden and use of local products.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Date Revised: June 25, 2014
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.