| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.65 |
| Liaison | Maddie LoDico |
| Submission Date | Dec. 12, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Colby College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 4.00 |
Kevin
Bright Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | No | No |
| Campus Engagement |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Energy |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Grounds |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Purchasing |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Transportation |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Waste |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Water |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015
|
| Diversity and Affordability |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
|
No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
Colby recently formed a strategic partnership with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and added a marine conservation track in environmental studies. Additional opportunities exist to expand environmental studies offerings, and additional resources also are needed to foster richer interactions between environmental studies and traditionally strong science programs. The College also provides and continues to evaluate ways to provide specific Sustainability programming during the fall, January and, Spring semesters.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
The College went through a Strategic Planning Process, where sustainability was recognized as an official priority of the Institution in 2000. Since then, the College has been implementing the Strategic Plan into the Curriculum in a number of ways. One example is to reinforce the depth and quality of the Environmental Studies Program and the Environmental Science concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, and Geology, and, as an integral part of this effort, commit the College to the development of a sustainable campus greening initiative.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Russ Cole and the Dean of Faculty
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
One of the primary plans to advance campus engagement around sustainability was the recent hiring of a Sustainability Coordinator. In the past year, a number of engagement programs have been developed including a peer to peer sustainability education program among students, a Green Office Certification program, and improved recycling processes.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
The Engagement Plan is in the process of being implemented. The main focus of the plan is to find ways to engage the larger campus community in sustainability activities through action and conversation. The Environmental Literacy assessment is one method the Office of Sustainability is going to track progress within the student population.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Kevin Bright, Russ Cole, and the Environmental Advisory Group
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
The two major methods of Public Engagement around sustainability at Colby are through academic coursework and the Office of Sustainability. One primary example of engagement through coursework is the Environmental Studies Senior Capstone course where students focus on local, regional, national, and international sustainability engagement issues. Through the Office of Sustainability, a number of staff engage with local environmental groups in order to promote sustainability at a local and regional level.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Academically, the objectives and strategies for Public Engagement are included in the College's Strategic Plan. As the Office of Sustainability was formed last year, the Public Engagement plan is still being developed.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Kevin Bright, Russ Cole, EAG
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Environmental sustainability is one of Colby’s seven core values. As part of Colby’s institutional commitment to reducing its environmental impact the College has committed to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other gasses that contribute to climate change. In April 2013, the College declared carbon neutrality. The College's formal Air and Climate plans are captured in its Climate Action Plan created in 2010.
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
The major goal the College set to advance sustainability in Air and Climate was to reach Carbon Neutrality by 2015, which the College achieved in 2013. This goal is outlined in the College's Climate Action Plan which was published in 2010.
Date Revised: Jan. 9, 2015
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Physical Plant Department, Office of Sustainability, and the Environmental Advisory Group
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
The College formally integrated a comprehensive set of Green Building Standards for all future construction and commercial interior projects. These Standards set goals for efficiency, as well as outline various requirements for energy modeling, life cycle costing, and LEED certification. As part of the design process, Colby College seeks to ensure that the design of projects is in keeping with our sustainability goals.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
See Above
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Physical Plant Department, Office of Sustainability, and the Environmental Advisory Group
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
By beginning sustainability efforts in 2000, Colby College’s Dining Services, run by Sodexo, is now on the cutting edge of the top food trends, many of which speak directly to sustainability in food service. As evidenced by the Top 10 trends list for 2011 published by the National Restaurant Association, Colby is already there. However, this year, Dining Services and the Office of Sustainability will work to evaluate purchases and identify areas where the College can make more sustainable choices.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Dining Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
The College continuously identifies ways to mitigate energy consumption and inherent emissions. The most recent example is from 2011, when the College opened its biomass heating plant that provides heating and hot water for approximately 80% of the campus load. Starting in 2014, the College is looking into ways to generate more electricity on campus, including solar photovoltaics.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
A formal energy management plan is under development in 2014-2015.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Physical Plant Department, Office of Sustainability, and the Environmental Advisory Group
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
The College seeks to plan and manage the growth of the campus in ways that complement the Strategic Plan while incorporating contemporary values and the principles of campus greening.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
The College is still in the process of implementing its Campus Master Plan, that identifies methods and means to construct and maintain grounds in an environmentally-friendly manner.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Physical Plant Department, Office of Sustainability, and the Environmental Advisory Group
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Colby College is a carbon-neutral campus. Colby has leveraged this achievement to encourage campus preferred Contractors to review the College's on-going energy and resource reduction priorities and to strive to implement efforts to further those priorities. These are outlined on this website: http://www.colby.edu/green/buildings/operations/
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
When evaluating preferred vendors, Colby first identifies and solicits local vendors in order to procure local products and support local businesses. As a result of this evaluation process, about 30% of the College's purchases are from local businesses.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Administrative Financial Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
With each new vehicle the Physical Plant Department purchases, it improves the fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions. The Office of Sustainability is also administering a commuter survey to evaluate and improve upon the ways students, faculty, and staff travel to the College.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
See Above
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Office of Sustainability, Physical Plant Department
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
The Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Physical Plant Department and Dining Services is working to improve recycling and composting and to reduce waste.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Through a combination of waste audits, participation in RecycleMania, and greenhouse gas accounting, the College continues to measure and identify ways to reduce their waste contributions.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Office of Sustainability, Physical Plant Department, Dining Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
We only use native and naturalized species throughout our grounds. Additionally, in accordance with our Green Building and LEED standards, we are installing water saving fixtures in order to continue to reduce consumption.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
NA; however, these will be included in the College's energy management plan.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Office of Sustainability, Physical Plant Department
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Admissions and Financial Aid is trying to increase the diversity of our applicant pool and to make the College more affordable to a wider range of students.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
The College continually measures and reports on the Diversity of the applicant pool and student body.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Admissions and Financial Aid
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The College provides free access to the greater Colby community to its athletic facilities.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
N/A
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Human Resources
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
NA
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
N/A
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
Board of Trustees
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is defined as the ability to meet society’s current needs without compromising the environmental health and needs of future generations. It is a prudent approach to resource use that recognizes the interconnections of social, economic, and environmental systems and earth’s finite capacity to satisfy human needs and desires.
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The Strategic Plan aims to increase the size and scope of the Environmental Studies Department and to improve the greening of the campus grounds. In regards to expansion, the College's Green Building Standards provide a process in order to identify, evaluate and implement sound green building strategies. With the new President, the College will undergo an update to its Master Plan.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.