| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.10 |
| Liaison | Ciara Tennis |
| Submission Date | Jan. 11, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Eastern Connecticut State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.83 / 4.00 |
Laura
Miller Energy Technical Specialist Institute for Sustainable Energy |
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 | No | No |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | No |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | No |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | No |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | No |
| Purchasing | Yes | No |
| Transportation | No | No |
| Waste |
No
Date Revised: Jan. 29, 2016
|
No |
| Water | No | No |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | No | No |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
Here is a link to Eastern's strategic plan which includes information about plans for many areas outlined by AASHE: http://www1.easternct.edu/president/files/2014/07/StratPlan6-3-2013.pdf
Eastern has goals in the climate action plan including providing more students with sustainable energy opportunities and education on campus through more climate change and climate neutrality focused courses, a sustainable energy major, and an opportunity for students to intern at the Institute for Sustainable Energy.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Strategic Planning Committee.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Eastern Connecticut State University
Strategic Plan
10
Objective 3
Enhance Learning through Campus and
Community Engagement in Integrative
Learning Experiences
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Provide a liberal arts education with practical applications through integrative learning.
Provide meaningful connections between residence halls and the larger community.
Provide integrative learning experiences for Eastern students by supporting the Windham community with early childhood social and cognitive development programs.
Provide integrative learning experiences for Eastern students by supporting the Windham community with coordinated engagement programs for Windham Public School students.
Provide integrative learning experiences for Eastern students by providing health and wellness programs for Windham Public School students and their families.
Benchmarks
3.1.
Increase the number of Liberal Arts Work
approved opportunities across all majors
3.2.
Increase the percentage of students
graduating
with the Liberal Arts Work attribute
3.3.
Increase the percentage of students
presenting
or publishing their undergraduate
research or creative work
3.4.
Increase the percentage of students
completing
Global Field Courses or Study Abroad
3.5.
Increase the percentage of students engaged
in
integrative learning experiences within the
Windham community
3.6.
Increase the number of Windham Public
School
students attending Eastern activities
3.7.
Increase the number of Windham Public School
students enrolling at Eastern or another university
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Housing, Admissions, Institute for Sustainable Energy, Faculty and Staff.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Eastern has the Center for Community Engagement which is very involved in getting students involved with public engagement in the local and surrounding community.
The objectives of the Center for Community Engagement include: Assist Eastern students in volunteer placements based on their schedules, interest, and reason for volunteering
Work with faculty to incorporate service learning into their courses
Provide Eastern students with training, orientation, and reflection activities to improve their skills and make them effective volunteers
Empower students to be proactive and develop their own personal volunteer interest
Assist campus clubs, student activities, and housing with implementing community engagement events and fundraisers
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Eastern also has formal commitments to enhancing public engagement which are linked to the Strategic Plan http://www1.easternct.edu/president/files/2014/07/StratPlan6-3-2013.pdf
Objective 3: Enhance Learning through Campus and Community Engagement in Integrative Learning Experiences.
Key strategies:
• Provide meaningful connections between residence halls and the larger community.
• Provide integrative experiences for Eastern students by supporting the Windham community with early childhood and social and cognitive development programs.
• Provide integrative learning experiences for Eastern students by supporting the Windham community with coordinated engagement programs for Windham public school students.
Benchmarks:
• 3.1. Increase the number of Liberal Arts Work
approved opportunities across all major.
• 3.2. Increase the percentage of students
graduating
with the Liberal Arts Work attribute
• 3.3. Increase the percentage of students
presenting
or publishing their undergraduate
research or creative work
• 3.4. Increase the percentage of students
completing
Global Field Courses or Study Abroad
• 3.5. Increase the percentage of students engaged
in integrative learning experiences within the
Windham community
• 3.6. Increase the number of Windham Public
School
students attending Eastern activities
• 3.7. Increase the number of Windham Public School
students enrolling at Eastern or another university
Date Revised: Jan. 29, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Center for Community Engagement, University Relations.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Eastern has adopted a climate action plan that has key areas in which Eastern can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to become a carbon neutral institution by 2050.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
The climate action plan has measurable objectives including buildings, energy, grounds, transportation, waste, and education and research.
http://reporting.secondnature.org/ghg/3470/
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Institute for Sustainable Energy, Facilities, Center for Sustainable Energy Studies.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Eastern has a plan for energy efficiency improvements for the buildings to lower the greenhouse gas emissions that include adjusting the temperature of the buildings during the summer and winter, implementing lighting controls, and building any new building on campus to LEED standards.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Eastern’s commitment to advancing sustainability in buildings can be found within the most recent 2015 Master Plan linked here http://www1.easternct.edu/facilities/files/2015/12/Master-Plan-Presentation-November-2015.pdf
Within the campus Master Plan there are recommendations for advancing sustainability including:
• Buildings are required to be built to CT High Performance Building Standards
• There will be added storm water management techniques that will retain, treat and slow infiltration.
• Compact land development is needed, minimizing the need for additional parking
• Landscape reducing the mown and irrigated areas
The plans then detail how each of these recommendations will be achieved.
In addition to the information above, it is both State of CT and university policy that new construction must meet LEED silver or equivalent (the state's high performance building standards). Sustainability measurements are incorporated within the LEED rating system.
Date Revised: Jan. 29, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Facilities staff, Institute for Sustainable Energy
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Eastern’s formal commitments to advancing sustainability in dining can be found within the Campus Master Plan linked here: http://www1.easternct.edu/facilities/files/2015/11/2015-11-18-Town-Hall-Final.pdf Other programs offered by Chartwells and their sustainability commitment can be found here: http://www.dineoncampus.com/easternct/show.cfm?cmd=sustainability
Master Plan Objective: Expand and renovate Hurley Dining Hall. Within a 10 year plan replace dining hall with new facility.
Key strategies:
• New buildings will be built to CT High Performance Building Standards.
Chartwells Sustainability Commitment Objectives: Minimize impact on the environment, include and encourage informed food choices, volunteer and reinvest in the local community.
Key Strategies:
• Purchasing social and ecological certified coffee
• Purchasing local products as often as possible
• Offering a Balanced Choices program which involves group nutrition and wellness.
• Operating Project Clean Plate on a monthly basis to help customers reduce food waste.
• Offering Project Green Thumb which is designed to teach students, faculty and staff to dispose of recyclables/food scraps in appropriate receptacles.
Benchmarks:
• Increase the percentage of local products purchased
• Decrease the amount of food wasted from customers
• Increase composting on site
• Increase the number of students engaged with community volunteerism.
Date Revised: Feb. 2, 2016
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:
Eastern discusses energy improvements to the campus buildings and dormitories including replacing chillers, fans, heat exchangers, improve insulation, lower infiltration, and design and construct any new buildings up to LEED standard. The Facilities Management includes future plans of energy use highlighted in the climate action plan.
URL for access to the climate action plan:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Connecticut General Statutes Section 16a-37u(b) sets a goal of reducing energy use in State buildings by 10% by 2013 and an additional 10% by 2018.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Facilities and the Institute for Sustainable Energy
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Within the area of grounds Eastern has always had a planning guideline that enhances sustainable landscaping, incorporation of vegetation across campus, and considers storm water management during various construction phases on campus. Here is a link to the 2012 Landscape Master Plan: http://www1.easternct.edu/facilities/files/2014/02/ECSU-landscape-master-plan-final-report.pdf
Objectives include:
Develop strong consistent High Street and Prospect
Street image
– Maintain streetscape / corridor focus
– Reduce / eliminate visual auto “dominance”
– Insure high quality focal points
– Insure recognizable high quality primary entrance points
and sequences
– Maintain strong and constant verticality at travelway
edges (focused view)
– Minimize auto oriented pavement to only that necessary
for emergency / travel.
–Buffer and break up large expanses of asphalt with
landscape / features
– Eliminate, reduce or mitigate pedestrian / vehicular
conflicts.
– Convenient / safe and aesthetically pleasing drop off
areas
– Insure comfortable and aesthetically pleasing transit
stops
– Insure directional clarity (wayfinding)
– Insure adequate safe light levels
In the summer of 2015 a Master Planning Committee was appointed to consider changes to the campus over the next 10 years which includes sustainable construction and advancing sustainability in grounds.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Facilities, and Master Planning Committee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Eastern is developing a green purchasing policy, based on research of other universities and State of CT purchasing laws and practices.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Purchasing Department
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Eastern students have been conducting visual waste audits of campus dumpsters for the past year. We have improved recycling collection systems and increased outreach and education through the development of new recycling can labels, videos explaining single-stream recycling, website explaining how to manage all types of waste, etc. We will be setting a goal for recycling.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Facilities staff, Institute for Sustainable Energy
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Eastern's Office of Equity and Diversity is focused on increasing faculty and staff diversity. Each year there is a diversity questionnaire that is conducted to get an idea of the campus climate that exists on the campus and is designed to help future programming to meet the needs of diverse populations.
The Advising Center also runs programs for first time students that are focused on affordability. One such example is the STEPCAP program which is designed to offer students who were in High School access to classes and credits before they begin full time at Eastern.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Eastern also has formal commitments to diversity and affordability which are linked to the Strategic Plan http://www1.easternct.edu/president/files/2014/07/StratPlan6-3-2013.pdf
Objective 5: Increase Public Awareness of Eastern’s Unique Mission and Community
Key strategies:
• Attract talented and diverse students who are prepared to succeed at Eastern.
• Attract a talented and diverse faculty whose exceptional scholarly and pedagogical abilities strengthen Eastern’s liberal arts education.
• Increase public awareness of Eastern’s unique mission and vision
Benchmarks:
• 5.1. Increase the yield rate of admitted applicants
• 5.2. Increase the average SAT scores and percentage of students from the top 10 percent and 25 percent of their high school class
• 5.3. Increase the percentage of students receiving merit aid
• 5.4. Increase the amount spent on merit- and need-based aid
• 5.5. Increase the percentage of out-of-state and international students
• 5.6. Increase the diversity of the student body and diversity across all majors
• 5.7. Increase the number of full-time/tenure-track faculty
• 5.8. Reduce the average class size
• 5.9. Increase the percentage of courses taught by full-time/tenure-track faculty
• 5.10. Increase the productivity in research and creative activity of faculty
• 5.11. Increase the resources available for marketing
Other objectives outlined on Eastern’s websites include:
• Increase the percentage of students utilizing the
Academic Services Center http://www1.easternct.edu/asc/
* Increase the percentage of students meeting the
standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress and
good academic standing http://www1.easternct.edu/asc/
* Increase student, faculty and staff awareness of
Counseling and Psychological Services http://www1.easternct.edu/counseling/
* Increase the number of counselors in Counseling
and Psychological Services http://www1.easternct.edu/counseling/
* Increase the retention and persistence rates of
first-time, full-time and transfer students http://www1.easternct.edu/pir/files/2014/11/grad-retention-by-ethnicity.pdf
*. Increase student satisfaction with academic
advising as measured by the National Survey of
Student Engagement
* Increase number of faculty and staff participating in professional development programs
Date Revised: Jan. 29, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Office of Equity and Diversity
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The Office of Wellness Education and Promotion works to support ECSU students, enhancing the capacity for academic and personal success by emphasizing physical, emotional, intellectual, financial, occupational, environmental, social and spiritual well-being.
Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS): A one-to-one program to discuss substance use/abuse, and to determine if there is a possible concern. The student will meet with the Coordinator twice to review patterns of substance use.
Wellness Warriors: Students who are interested in being trained to identify and intervene when concerned about a peer.
Wellness Wednesday: During select Wednesdays specific programs will be made available to students, such as: aromatherapy, relaxation exercises, Tails of Joy Pet Partners and others. Each program will provide information for increasing coping strategies and resiliency and at times will include promotional items.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Eastern’s formal commitments to advancing sustainability in the area of Health and Wellbeing can be found within Eastern’s Strategic Plan http://www1.easternct.edu/president/files/2014/07/StratPlan6-3-2013.pdf
Objective 4: Assist students, staff and faculty in achieving their full potential.
Key strategies:
• Increase student success through targeted support and improved support services including counseling, advising, tutoring, library services and financial aid.
Benchmarks:
4.3 Increase student, faculty and staff awareness of counseling and psychological services
4.4 Increase the number of counselors in counseling and psychological services
4.7 Increase the percentage of faculty and staff participating in professional development programs
In 2014 the establishment of an Office of Wellness Education and Promotion was created. Some of the formal programs can be found here: http://www1.easternct.edu/wellnesspromotion/programs-and-services/
Objective of the Office of Wellness Education and Promotion: to support, educate and mentor students, providing strategies to increase resilience while eliminating harmful behaviors.
Key strategies:
• Wellness Wednesday’s: During the semester select Wednesday programs will be made available to students including aromatherapy, relaxation exercises, pet therapy and more.
• Tell somebody: If a member of the University community observes any behavior that is concerning and that needs to be brought to the attention of the Student Intervention Team (SIT), individuals may report the behavior by using the online incident reporting form. The offices and individuals reviewing these reports will triage to the most appropriate unit to handle the situation and/or convene the entire SIT as necessary. Individuals may use the online incident reporting form to report concerning behavior. You have the option to fill in your contact information or submit the report anonymously. Once a report is submitted online, a copy is e-mailed to the appropriate team member for review and action.
Date Revised: Feb. 2, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Office of Wellness Education and Promotion.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
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:
The term "sustainability" is not specifically defined in Eastern's planning documents, but concepts of sustainability are woven into the strategic plan, climate action plan, work of the Green Campus Committee, courses offered through the Center for Sustainable Energy Studies, and work of the Institute for Sustainable Energy.
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:
Eastern Connecticut State University’s 2013–18 Strategic Plan is designed to provide students with rigorous and affordable academic programs and pre-professional experiences that prepare them for careers and graduate school. The plan promotes a diverse campus culture through which students are inspired by outstanding faculty and motivated classmates, develop a lifelong network, take on leadership roles, and become responsible and engaged citizens. Eastern continues to advance its position as a university of first choice, attracting students, faculty and staff who value its mission as a public liberal arts college. Sustainability is integrated throughout the plan - see http://www1.easternct.edu/president/strategic-planning/
In addition, Eastern's annual report includes a section on Sustainability - see
http://www1.easternct.edu/annualreport201415/sustainability/
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
This credit was completed by ISE staff Laura Miller based on collected information from Eastern's Climate Action Plan, Strategic Plan, and Master Plans.
This credit was completed by ISE staff Laura Miller based on collected information from Eastern's Climate Action Plan, Strategic Plan, and Master Plans.
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.