| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85.56 |
| Liaison | Tonie Miyamoto |
| Submission Date | Feb. 7, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Colorado State University
EN-10: Community Partnerships
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Nik
Olsen Assistant Director of Administrative Communications Office of the President |
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus?:
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above:
Colorado State University has been a City of Fort Collins ClimateWise partner since 2000 and has been a Platinum partner since 2009. ClimateWise is a program to engage the business sector in climate action planning and project implementation. The university has representation in all of the planning of the City's Climate Action Plan including the most recent Road to 2020 Framework. CSU has modified our campus Climate Action Plan to better reflect alignment with the timeline in Fort Collin's plan. CSU continues to implement energy efficiency, energy conservation, waste reduction, transportation options, and renewable energy projects to reduce GHG emissions – helping both the university and the community reach our shared climate goals.
As an example of this partnership, in 2016 CSU, Fort Collins Utilities (the local city-owned electric utility) and Platte River Power Authority (wholesale electric supplier to the City) combined financial and professional resources to undertake a study of Combined Heat & Power (CHP) for the CSU main campus. While the study showed that a CHP plant was not feasible at this time, it identified the gaps that could be filled to make this a viable project in the future.
The City’s (most recent) 2014 Climate Change Adaptation assessment identifies the relevant risks from a changing climate at a local level that includes a range of impacts from forest stress to wildfires, extreme temperatures, and declining water availability. With the community air quality survey reporting that 84% of surveyed residents feel a personal obligation to reduce GHG emissions, the City has the opportunity to mobilize even more support for climate protection including leveraging the partnership with CSU as our climate goals closely align. Aggressively reducing GHG emissions now may help avert more of the extreme predicted impacts of climate changes in the future. Success will bring welcome co-benefits in new economic development, jobs, technological innovations, and cleaner air and water.
http://www.fcgov.com/climateprotection/pdf/2014_CAPStatus_WebFinal.pdf
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (2nd partnership) (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (2nd partnership):
Colorado State University (CSU) has formed a task force to examine the issue of affordable housing for CSU employees. The CPD (Center of Public Deliberation) is assisting the Affordable Housing Initiative. Forums were held in the fall of 2015 and January of 2016. The Affordable Housing Initiative is a partnership with the City of Fort Collins.
Affordable housing is an environmental, economic, and social justice issue that is a strong focus for both CSU and the City. It is a point of pride that the vast majority of CSU employees live and work in Fort Collins and as the cost of living increases, CSU wants to ensure that employees can continue to live close to campus with easy access to alternative transportation.
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (3rd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (3rd partnership) (Yes, No, or Unknown):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (3rd partnership):
CSU is an active partner in the Road to Zero Waste and we regularly work with the City on initiatives. The plan addresses environmental, economic, and social aspects of waste diversion and related impacts in our community.
http://www.fcgov.com/recycling/pdf/RoadtoZeroWasteReport_FINAL.pdf
A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:
Bikeshare/ Alternative Transportation Partnerships –
Transfort - http://pts.colostate.edu/transportation-options/transit-general/
Bikeshare/Zagster – http://www.fcgov.com/transportationplanning/bikeshare.php, http://zagster.com/fortcollins/
Zipcar - http://www.zipcar.com/universities/colorado-state-university
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:
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.