Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.57
Liaison Jennifer McMillin
Submission Date June 15, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Cleveland State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 4.00 Jennifer McMillin
Director of Sustainability
Facilities l Architect l Safety l Technology
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

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:
Cleveland State University’s Strategic Plan includes priorities grouped within seven key areas: enhancing undergraduate student education; enriching research in priority areas; pursuing initiatives in signature programs; increasing tuition revenue through focused growth initiatives; implementing strategies to maintain a stable budget model; fostering leadership within the University community; and improving the physical environment of campus. Several priorities relating to sustainability in the curriculum are included in the Strategic Plan. Strategy D: Pursue Initiatives in Signature Programs xiii. Expand the focus on Urban Education and Sustainable Communities Strategy B: Develop and Promote Signature Programs to Distinguish CSU from Other Universities vii. Expand focus on STEM programs, Urban Education, Culture, and Sustainability

A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
https://www.csuohio.edu/sites/default/files/Summary-Goals-Strategies-Tactics-FINAL.pdf

Sustainability Plan 

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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Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
CSU Climate Action Plan 2013.pdf

The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Other Published Plans 

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)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Campus Master Plan Recommendations within the 2014 Campus Master Plan are in support of the university’s vision and sustainability practices. Plan concepts include maintenance and renovation of existing facilities for greater utilization and energy efficiency; inclusion of alternative transportation to and around campus; adoption of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) practices for new construction; and, exploration of alternative energy systems. Best practices for managing urban storm water, including green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, and underground retention, are suggested for incorporation into campus landscape improvements. https://www.csuohio.edu/architect/csu-master-plan Cleveland State University Diversity Plan: Pursuing Inclusive Excellence https://issuu.com/csudivisionofuniversityengagement/docs/diversity_plan Architect/Engineer Design Guidelines https://www.csuohio.edu/sites/default/files/AE%20DESIGN%20GUIDELINES_2017.05.05.pdf

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Strategies relating to curriculum in the CSU Climate Action Plan include the following: Develop new and extend campus-wide curriculum development programs featuring the following: a. Design and deliver faculty workshops on sustainability and energy. b. Develop a 2 + 2 undergraduate program on energy systems to educate energy professionals to frame the value proposition of advanced and distributed energy generation in light of the entire system, including regulatory, environmental, and business considerations. c. Develop a cross-disciplinary program at the graduate school level involving business, law, policy, engineering and environmental sciences on clean energy. Note, the 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan is due to be refreshed in 2018.

Research 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan encourages the development of a framework and strategies by which the university can fulfill its commitments and transform the campus, its academic programs, and its research agenda to meet the economic and energy challenges of the 21st century by developing a unified vision of sustainability, a set of goals and objectives, and a set of policies, programs and practices. One of the CAP's research goals is to develop a campus-wide program with external funding to support research on energy and sustainability topics across campus and to carry the results to the region and nation. Note, the 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan is due to be refreshed in 2018.

Campus Engagement 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan outlines the following strategies for campus engagement: Build enhanced engaged learning opportunities and workforce development/co-op opportunities on and off campus for students through campus and community partnerships. Make available for resident life co-curricular best practices and collaborate on developing on-campus activities to educate students about sustainability, energy and their implications for the future through collaboration with the student life office. This will support the university’s retention programs. Note, the 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan is due to be refreshed in 2018.

Public Engagement 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan outlines the following strategies for public engagement: Build enhanced engaged learning opportunities and workforce development/co-op opportunities on and off campus for students through campus and community partnerships. Enhance community partnerships through collaboration with institutions in the surrounding Campus District (a region of downtown Cleveland featuring a mixture of residential, commercial and educational communities) in areas of energy conservation and production, shared purchasing, composting, food, etc., thereby reducing costs, supporting local businesses, and engaging students and faculty in applied research opportunities. This will build on existing partnerships with Cuyahoga Community College and other institutions working on the Campus District. These collaborations will develop sustainable practices internships and cooperative opportunities to provide students experiential learning and job-skill enhancement. Note, the 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan is due to be refreshed in 2018.

Air & Climate 

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 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan outlines a carbon neutrality (Scopes 1+2) target date of 2030. Note, the 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan is due to be refreshed in 2018.

Buildings 

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:
Recommendations within the 2014 Campus Master Plan are in support of the university’s vision and sustainability practices. The Plan supports maintenance and renovation of existing facilities for greater utilization and energy efficiency; adoption of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) practices for new construction; and exploration of alternative energy systems. A/E Guidelines specifically require a number of building related measures that must meet or exceed the latest version of the USGBC’s LEED rating system Silver level or better. Per the University’s sustainable initiatives, each new building construction project, renovation, or retrofit, will require a life‐cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to be undertaken by a qualified engineer or architect and in accordance with the standards established in ORC 3345.69. This will include an energy systems analysis and the results of these analyses will be a primary decision in developing the project design. The purpose of this section shall be to minimize energy consumption in University facilities in a cost effective manner and to make decisions of the most effective ways to reduce energy

Energy 

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 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan outlines a carbon neutrality (Scopes 1+2) target date of 2030. CSU's last stated energy goal was to reduce building energy consumption by at least 20% by the end of FY 2014 compared to FY 2004. Note, the 2013 CSU Climate Action Plan is due to be refreshed in 2018 and the Director of Sustainability is reassessing all sustainability targets in order to establish new goals and strategies for energy efficiency and conservation.

Food & Dining 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Written by the President's Council on Diversity, the plan reinforces how inclusion and diversity enhance the University's performance in eight strategic areas: Enhance Undergraduate Education - Develop a faculty that represents the diverse makeup and experience of the student body. Enrich Graduate Education and Research - Recruit a diverse pool of students to participate in graduate research by welcoming all students who are interested and prepared, leveraging diversity to enhance the research focus, and, where appropriate, appealing to students’ cultural expertise. Pursue and Enhance Programs of Distinction - Increase participation of underrepresented students in the University’s most distinctive programs by generating avenues for broad access and interest to a diverse group of students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. Promote Engaged Learning to Connect Students to Real-World Experiences - Increase opportunities, access and incentives – through recognition, credentialing and scholarships – for students to take advantage of Engaged Learning opportunities with all sectors of the community that stretch their perspectives beyond their personal experiences. Maintain a Steady Budget Model - Increase business with minority vendors to improve the University’s credibility with and investment from diverse entrepreneurs, companies and communities. Stabilize Revenue through Increasing Enrollments - Aggressively recruit, attract and retain diverse and underrepresented populations through targeted marketing strategies and intentional student support efforts Create Leadership Development Opportunities - Include cultural competence as a core component of all comprehensive leadership development programs on campus. Improve the Physical Environment of the Campus - Orient the use of campus space to accommodate specific populations of students – such as those who observe specific religious practices, veterans, and those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning– to effectively connect them to the broader campus community.

Investment & Finance 

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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Wellbeing & Work 

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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Other Impact Areas 

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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Optional Fields 

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 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:
CSU originally signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) on 2/7/2011 and is a current member of the program, now renamed Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment.

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:
The Director of Sustainability is currently assessing all campus sustainability initiatives and targets in order to establish new goals and strategies relating to campus operations.

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.