| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.97 |
| Liaison | Tom Hartzell |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Calvin University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 4.00 |
Becky
Haney Associate Professor Economics |
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Strategic Theme 3.6 in the 2019 Strategic Plan: "Embrace and enact environmental sustainability as a core value."
The two objectives under this goal are:
3.6.a Calvin will develop an internally consistent and externally valid set of measures to track progress toward the sustainability goals of its Statement on Sustainability.
3.6.b Environmental sustainability will be developed as a valued theme in Calvin’s educational framework, scholarly agenda, and operational practices. Assessment of this outcome included in educational framework.
A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
A copy of the sustainability plan:
The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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)? :
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
See Taskforce Recommendation 4: Commit to achieving sustainability literacy for all graduates and begin assessing sustainability literacy SLOs as part of the core curriculum in AY 2018-2019: The taskforce recommends, pursuant to Strategic Plan I.1.d, that the CCC and EPC review and adopt the taskforce-recommended SLOs and curriculum plan that will collectively guide sustainability literacy for all graduates, with implementation beginning in AY 2018-2019.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Strategic Plan II.1.a:
Secure stable support for faculty scholarship.
The annual investment in sabbatical and Calvin Research Fellowships will be restored to a level equivalent to 6.5% of the total expenditure on the salaries of tenured and tenure-track faculty.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taskforce Recommendation 5, pg. 21: "Expand incentives and awareness-building initiatives for lifestyle choices that align with the college's sustainability goals."
Taskforce Recommendation 6, pg. 23: "Align campus messaging with a cohesive sustainability narrative..."
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Strategic Plan 2019: VI External Partnerships
3. Enhance partnerships that fulfill the college's broader mission in community.
a. Calvin will review its partnership with churches and other Christian organizations in key areas of expertise, such as public health, social justice, sustainability, anti-racism, and leadership development, to maximize its ability to fulfill its mission.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taskforce Recommendation 2: Sign the Second Nature Carbon Commitment (formerly the ACUPCC) and begin tracking Calvin's carbon reduction and financial savings:
The taskforce recommends that President Le Roy sign the Second Nature Carbon Commitment by February 1, 2017, pledging Calvin College to act on the task-force recommended implementation plan to achieve net carbon neutrality within 40 years. By pledging to eliminate the college’s direct carbon contribution to climate change, President Le Roy will affirm and deepen the college’s commitment to creation care and social justice, as well as set in motion actions that will lead to long-term financial savings.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
See Taskforce Appendix 1 (pg. 24.)
See also Recommendation 5, paragraph 3 (pg. 21)
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
See Taskforce Appendix 3 (pg. 37): Contains suggestions and initiatives to contribute directly to food waste reductions.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
See Taskforce Appendix 3 (pg. 37): includes a number of initiatives and goals to reduce carbon emissions and encourage sustainable transportation.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
(From 2019 Strategic Plan) Strategic Theme IV: Calvin's Pursuit of Diversity and Inclusion
IV.1 : Deepen understanding within the Calvin community of diversity, inclusive excellence, cultural competency, and global awareness.
IV.1.b : Each Calvin staff person, faculty member, administrator, and BOT member will be expected to participate in at least one of the core workshops annually.
IV.2 : Increase the proportion of underrepresented populations on campus, and raise measures of student and employee satisfaction in these populations to levels similar to those in majority populations.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Technology, from Strategic Plan 2019:
V.3.b : Calvin's CIT will launch a lifecycle approach for a sustainable technology infrastructure that provides, services, upgrades, and keeps secure technology and data according to best practice guidelines.
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)? :
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
Sustainable living is the daily working out of the stewardship mandate. We seek to live
as part of the natural world in ways that mirror the care and love God has for the creation. To live in a sustainable fashion means our daily activities will be conducted in such a manner that they do not seriously jeopardize, but instead promote, the well being of other people, other species, and the ability of future generations of all creatures to flourish.
(Note 4.26.19 from Calvin's Statement on Sustainability https://calvin.edu/dotAsset/dc0a78fe-0730-44c5-8184-12ea766eba3b )
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 |
| 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:
Calvin College President signed the Second Nature's Climate Commitment in December 2017.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
In AY 2018-2019, the EESC adopted a new definition for sustainability that will be published in AY 2019-2020.
In AY 2018-2019, the EESC adopted a new definition for sustainability that will be published in AY 2019-2020.
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.