| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.56 |
| Liaison | John Pumilio |
| Submission Date | Oct. 11, 2022 |
Colgate University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
John
Pumilio Director of Sustainability Sustainability Office |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Third-Century Sustainability Plan (Colgate's 3rd published climate action plan since 2011)
One mechanism to further promote sustainability in the curriculum is through the annual faculty retreat held at the White Eagle Conference Center. In Spring 2011, the first sustainability in the curriculum seminar was held at White Eagle. During this discussion, faculty shared best practices about how they incorporate sustainability into their programs and explored the meaning of sustainability as it relates to their area of expertise. There have been sessions at the faculty retreat most years since 2011 and in the years ahead, the Sustainability Office will continue to work with faculty and the faculty retreat organizers to enhance and expand the sustainability session at White Eagle.
Also, since 2018, Colgate's Sustainability Council has hosted a number of teaching tables led by faculty for faculty who are interested in integrated concepts of sustainability into their existing or new curricula.
Additionally, as outlined in the climate action plan, our Patagonia Sur Carbon Offset project intended to create an opportunity for student engagement. In January of 2018, students visited Chile and the reforestation project as a part of an "Extended Study" Class.
Third-Century Sustainability Plan, 2021-2025
Summarized Campus Goals and Commitments for Curriculum and Academics:
Commitment: Identify and encourage courses on sustainability and climate change in the curriculum, ongoing.
Lead responsibility: Sustainability Council Curriculum Subcommittee.
Colgate Sustainability Courses AY 2019-2020
Sustainability Focused: 42 (4.4%)
Sustainability Inclusive: 81 (8.2%)
Not Applicable: 824 (87.7%)
Total courses: 994 (100%)
Commitment: Continue working towards inclusion of sustainability in the CORE Revision by September 2021.
Lead responsibility: Sustainability Council Curriculum Subcommittee.
Commitment: Increase faculty awareness of teaching to sustainability, ongoing.
Lead responsibility: Sustainability Council Curriculum Subcommittee.
Commitment: Enhance co-curricular education/experiential learning that foregrounds sustainability, ongoing.
Lead responsibility: Sustainability Council.
Additional Goals in the Third-Century Plan that indirectly link to co-curricular and curricular living and learning:
April 22, 2021
Sign Second Nature's Climate Resilience Commitment
August 1, 2021
Establish asynchronous learning options for employee sustainability passport program
August 1, 2021
Full formal assessment of sustainable food and beverages and a establish a new goal
August 1, 2021
Determine food waste tracking system
December 31, 2021
Institute optional graduation pledge for the class of 2022
January 1, 2022
Further integrate sustainability education into employee orientation, governance, and development opportunities
April 1, 2022
Relocate community garden to new on-campus location
April 22, 2022
Complete a final resilience assessment
Commence in Spring 2022 - Ongoing
Lead campus-wide outreach and feedback process for carbon offsets every three years
July 1, 2022
Create and implement a viable composting program
July 1, 2022
Complete and implement Sustainable Purchasing Policy
July 1, 2022
Eliminate purchase of non-recycled and post-consumer content paper on campus
July 1, 2022
Link sustainability to on-campus living, learning, social, and athletic communities
September 1, 2022
Complete a sustainability audit of dining-related water and energy consumption
December 31, 2022
Organize an annual sustainability alumni event
January 1, 2023
Invest in local carbon offset projects
July 1, 2023
Integrate sustainability into new student orientation
April 22, 2024
Complete a comprehensive climate adaptation plan
August 1, 2024
Complete and pilot employee commuting behavior assessment
July 1, 2025
Revise and improve existing Energy Master Plan
July 1, 2025
Implement variety of projects to reduce energy consumption and create efficiencies in five buildings on campus
July 1, 2025
Reduce water consumption in five buildings on campus
July 1, 2025
Expand Carry-In, Carry-Out Classroom Recycling Program to six new buildings
July 1, 2025
Implement programs to reduce food waste by 15% by 2025
July 1, 2025
Reduce paper consumption by 15% from FY 2020
July 1, 2025
Reduce water and energy usage related to dining services by 5%
July 1, 2025
Reduce Colgate's vehicle fleet emissions by 15%
July 1, 2025
Reduce emissions from the Cruiser, On-Demand Service, and Charter Service by 15%
August 1, 2025
Eliminate one-time use disposable plastics (including biodegradable plastics) in Dining Services and all catered events
Ongoing
Expand Green Bike fleet by five bikes annually through 2025
Ongoing
Continue to improve lighting controls and upgrades
Ongoing
Continue development and implementation of the Green Cleaning Program
Ongoing
Continue utilizing GRLF to finance campus sustainability projects
Ongoing
Explore federal, state, and local funding opportunities
Ongoing
Carbon offsets should be purchased annually after the GHG inventory each fiscal year
Ongoing
Purchase RECs or green tags each year to offset 100% of annual electricity consumption
Ongoing
Maintain and continuously update a carbon offset website for communication and transparency
Ongoing
Formally update faculty, students, and staff on progress through presentations at faculty and staff meetings, the annual GHG inventory, and annual sustainability report.
Ongoing
Link student work-study and academic experiences to on-campus operational practices
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Third-Century Sustainability Plan (Colgate's 3rd published climate action plan since 2011)
Colgate has a goal to reach 70% of the student body through the green living program. Colgate plans to engage the campus with the following actions:
1. Establish an Eco-Rep training program that facilitates student ambassadors for sustainability on campus. (Complete)
2. Hire student interns to help research, promote, and implement programs in specific living areas. (Complete)
3. Install building dashboard energy monitoring system in first-year housing in FY 2013 and in second-year housing in 2014. (Complete)
4. Establish Eco-Olympics and Race-to-Zero Waste as annual spring semester events with broad awareness and participation. (Complete - Eco-Olympics was replaced with 13 Days of Green)
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Third-Century Sustainability Plan (Colgate's 3rd published climate action plan since 2011)
Commitment: Revise and improve the existing energy master plan by July 1, 2025.
Lead Responsibility: Director of Facilities, Director of Facilities Operations, Director of Sustainability
Now that the Energy Master Plan has been developed, the subcommittee would like to periodically review and update the plan. During review, the subcommittee will assess the feasibility and implementation of recommendations made within the plan.
Commitment: Implement projects that help reduce energy usage and create efficiencies in five buildings on campus by July 1, 2025.
Lead Responsibility: Director of Facilities, Director of Facilities Operations, Director of Sustainability
Some projects that might be considered and implemented include:
Developing a Building Recommissioning Plan.
During the recommissioning process operational systems and equipment within buildings are reviewed and reset to ensure that the building is operating as designed. This process will help Facilities identify where there are opportunities for energy savings.
Conducting Building Envelope Studies.
Assessment of building envelope systems can help identify areas where there are opportunities for improvements that create energy savings.
Developing a Temperature Standard Policy.
Reducing the heating plant MMBTU by creating a utility setback model for campus that would be implemented during times when campus occupancy is low.
Reducing Fuel Oil #2 emissions by conversion of additional campus buildings to natural gas or electric boilers.
Increasing efficiency of electricity by:
Installing LED lights in Alumni Hall.
Installing occupancy sensors on lighting systems in campus offices.
Upgrading the lighting in Case-Geyer Library with LED lights, installing occupancy sensors on lighting systems and daylight harvesting sensors.
Collaborating with Dining Services to reduce waste energy and water consumption in their processes.
Commitment: Continue with improved lighting controls and upgrades on an ongoing basis.
Lead Responsibility: Director of Facilities, Director of Facilities Operations, Director of Sustainability
Colgate has been replacing incandescent and fluorescent lighting throughout campus with LEDs. This process should continue whenever a renovation is planned or when a complete lighting upgrade makes sense as a standalone project.
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?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Third-Century Sustainability Plan (Colgate's 3rd published climate action plan since 2011)
GREEN REVOLVING LOAN FUND
Commitment: Continue utilizing the Green Revolving Loan Fund (GRLF) to finance campus sustainability projects.
Lead responsibility: Sustainability Council.
The GRLF is at its best when the university is routinely investing in new projects while also receiving returns from savings from previous projects. This helps to ensure a healthy fund balance while also making an ongoing impact in operational efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. Additionally, the fund continues to benefit from alumni who donate to contribute to a more sustainable Colgate. Taken together, we anticipate that the GRLF will continue to grow and finance ever more projects in the years ahead.
It will be the work of the GRLF Committee in collaboration with other campus stakeholders to determine the best possible way to identify, evaluate, and invest in new projects in the years ahead. With this being said, the Sustainability Council and the GRLF Committee hope to expand the awareness of the GRLF and solicit project ideas from a broader range of campus stakeholders.
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Long-Term Goals and Vision: Colgate contributes research, fosters innovation, and models environmental sustainability to the community and beyond. Accordingly, Colgate strives to build a responsible and sustainable campus environment. Colgate must continue to mitigate its impact on the climate and to strive to be a model of environmental responsibility.
In 2012, Colgate committed to becoming carbon neutral by the time of the University’s Bicentennial. To meet this goal, the University has adopted green building standards and fuel usage guidelines. It has recently committed itself toward a significant restoration of the campus tree canopy. As part of third-century planning, Colgate will continue its efforts toward environmental sensitivity and green practices.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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:
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.