Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.00
Liaison Debbie Liddick
Submission Date April 21, 2020

STARS v2.2

Black Hills State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 4.00 Deborah Liddick
AD of Facilities Services and Sustainability
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:

Goal 1: Create a Sustainability Master program. Established a Sustainability Master program that currently enrolls up to 20 graduate students per semester.

Goal 2: Develop a coalition of faculty by 2017 to work to incorporate sustainability across disciplines throughout campus with the intent to increase sustainability as a learning objective in more undergraduate classes.

Goal 3: Strategic Plan: Align degree programs with high priority, academic values including social responsibility, active and authentic learning, sustainability, diversity, critical thinking, and ethical behavior.


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:

Climate Action Plan: Continue to increase awareness of the sustainability program on campus through events, social media, Sustainability Day, Earth Day, summer camps, outreach material and publications, and other programming. Establish a place on campus for a permanent sustainability display and utilize BHSU Marketing’s video production abilities to reach more people. Impact will be measured through increase in points earned in STARS engagement.


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:

Climate Action Plan: Continue to increase campus energy efficiency by following through with previous and future energy audit recommendations, especially areas where electricity or heating demands can be significantly reduced. Ensure that efficiency measures are well maintained and continue to work properly to save fiscal resources. Completed an upgrade of the building automation system in 2018.


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
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Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Minor theme

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

One of BHSU's four core values is "Authenticity: Leading with integrity and sustainable best practices; honoring our heritage, celebrating our diversity, serving our community and thriving in the Spirit of the Black Hills."


The institution’s definition of sustainability:

Sustainability is part of who we are at Black Hills State University. We live, work, and educate in the Black Hills of South Dakota—an area that has been sacred to our Native American brothers and sisters for centuries. Rich in ecological resources as well as in recreational opportunities, our natural surroundings infuse our community with heritage, culture and values. At BHSU, we bring the
world into the classroom and the classroom into the world—an educational mindset
that allows us to incorporate many facets of sustainability into student learning. We take pride in the importance of protecting our environment, and we encourage our students to engage in sustainability issues, using their intellectual capital to solve problems here and abroad.


Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) No
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability No
SDG Accord No
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) No
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) No

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:

BHSU is committed to practices which are cost efficient and good for the environment. Our goal is to be carbon neutral by 2050 and zero waste by 2030.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.