Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.99
Liaison Denice Koljonen
Submission Date Feb. 6, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Boston College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.25 / 4.00 Jennifer Foley
Project Manager
IRPA
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

The Boston College Institutional Master Plan (BCIMP) (valid through 2021) was a result of the Boston College Strategic Plan which set institutional goals for the next decade and beyond. Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability (see attached), includes sustainable principles and goals that guide BC's long-term planning and the University's current activities and future plans for on-campus sustainable practices.


A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
No

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability (attached above within PA-2).

Yes, BC seeks to maintain good air quality on campus through the calculation of greenhouse gases, including CO2 emissions, by tracking fuel usage and by employing other methods used to measure success in meeting benchmarks, targets and goals as well as continuing to explore best practice measures to reduce emissions from diesel construction equipment and vehicles.
- Goal - Evaluate mobile source emissions generated on-campus.
- Goal - Explore the following best practice measures to reduce emissions from diesel construction equipment and vehicles, by requiring contractors to:
- Install emissions control devices to reduce particulates and other tailpipe pollutants.
- Burn only ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Green Buildings (attached above within PA-2).

Goal ─ The University will meet LEED Certified status and will strive to achieve LEED Silver status for any new construction project. Where economically feasible, higher LEED status will be sought when consistent with project program and design objectives.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Energy and Climate Change (attached above within PA-2).

Goals/Objectives:
1) Continue to promote energy conservation and installation of energy efficiency measures.
2) Pursue opportunities for onsite renewable power and cogeneration.
3) Conduct an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions on campus.
4) Develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of the existing and proposed campus footprint.
5) Conduct an inventory and condition assessment of trees on campus.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Dining Services (attached above within PA-2).

Five of the Goals/Objectives (see the attached Master Plan, Chapter 10, page 24 for the full list):
1) Purchase Certified Fair Trade and Fairly Traded coffee at all restaurants.
2) Provide 100% rBST-hormone free milk.
3) Incorporate sustainable criteria in RFPs for vendor analysis and selection
4) Offer reusable dinner ware that is strategically placed to be the primary choice for users whenever possible
5) Research energy and water efficient technologies when replacing food service equipment and purchase Energy Star or equivalent equipment when possible.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Landscape and Natural Features (attached above within PA-2).

Goals/Objectives -
1) Conduct an inventory and condition assessment of trees on campus.
2) Develop a plan to increase the number of trees on campus and replace any tree that is removed with at least two trees.
3) Increase the use of native species.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Procurement (attached above within PA-2).

Goal/Objective: Develop a fiscally responsible procurement policy for the purchase of environmentally-preferable products and services.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Transportation (attached above within PA-2).

Goal/Objective:
1) Maintain the transportation demand management system
2) Expand the alternative fuel and high efficiency vehicle pilot program


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Waste Reduction and Recycling (attached above within PA-2).

Goal/Objective:
1) Recycle 75% of all waste materials generated in construction and renovation projects (C&D waste).
2) Recycle at least half of non C&D waste and continue to identify opportunities to implement programs to improve performance.
3) Actively promote reuse of unneeded goods through the Clean Sweep initiative and other programs.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The following information is from Boston College's Institutional Master Plan, Chapter 10, Environmental Sustainability, Water Conservation (attached above within PA-2).

Goals/Objectives:
1) Install low-flow or waterless fixtures
2) Enhance low water use irrigation systems with advanced control technology.
Phase in alternative water management systems over time as new buildings are constructed and infrastructure demands increase. The University will evaluate rainwater harvesting, gray water reuse, and innovative techniques for water conservation.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
No

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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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.