Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 53.91
Liaison Tom Hartzell
Submission Date Dec. 21, 2022

STARS v2.2

Calvin University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Tom Hartzell
Campus Sustainability Program Coordinator
Ecosystem Preserve
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

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:
In the current Strategic Plan Scorecard (Internal dashboard only), Initiative 9.3 is to "Incorporate sustainability student learning outcomes, as described in the "Environmental Sustainability Roadmap," into the curriculum and develop an assessment plan to measure progress." This was initiated in July of 2021.
The "Calvin Core" curriculum was reconfigured to have four essences - one of which is environmental sustainability. To help achieve this, all students are required to take at least one "environmental sustainability" tagged course. See AC-1 for current list.

Engagement 

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:
In the Strategic Plan Scorecard (Internal dashboard only), Initiative 9.4-7. Includes the appointment of a Director of Sustainability and creation of sustainability-related policies and practices.

These are based on the 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..."

Operations

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:
In the Strategic Plan Scorecard (Internal dashboard only), Initiative 9.1-2. Planned replacement of inefficient boilers, lighting, etc.

Taskforce Recommendation 2, pg. 9: Sign the Second Nature Carbon Commitment in February 2017 and begin tracking Calvin's carbon reductions and financial savings.

Administration

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?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Yes, In the Strategic Plan Scorecard (Internal dashboard only), Initiative 9.7. Achieve STARS Gold rating, which includes Diversity, etc.

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

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?:
Major theme

Optional Fields

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:
https://calvin.edu/dotAsset/dc0a78fe-0730-44c5-8184-12ea766eba3b.pdf

See also: https://calvin.edu/dotAsset/f294c564-3660-47fc-aa72-0b5baeea94c2.pdf

The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability emerges from choices that, on balance, promote economic vitality, social equity, and a flourishing natural environment both now and for generations to come.

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:
Calvin College President signed the Second Nature's Climate Commitment in December 2017.

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:
Much of this information originally comes Matt Heun, EESC Chair. Updated and supplemented by Tom Hartzell, Campus Sustainability Program Coordinator.

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.