Eastern Kentucky University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

EKU's strategic plan specifically outlines sustainability as an overarching commitment to improving our environmental impact. "Strategic Goal #5: Campus Revitalization" Goal (5.1.5) Prioritize sustainability

EKU Campus Master Plan: financialaffairs.eku.edu/sites/financialaffairs.eku.edu/files/files/CampusMasterPlan2016.pdf EKU Sustainable Building Guidelines: http://projectadmin.eku.edu/capital-construction-and-project-administration-procedures-manual EKU Stormwater Quality Management Plan: http://facilities.eku.edu/sites/facilities.eku.edu/files/eku_2014-19_swqmp_012814.pdf#_ga=2.138690803.1180748795.1519045929-1716650205.1512748340

EKU has set a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2036. http://sustainability.eku.edu/energy-climate

• All new construction and major renovation building projects for the amount of $5 million or more in budget shall be designed, built, and submitted for certification to achieve a rating of Silver or higher using the LEED V4 - New Construction Project Scorecard. • All new construction or major renovation projects for the amount of $600,000 - $5 million shall be designed, built, and submitted for review by a member of EKU’s Capital Construction & Project Administration (CCPA) team involved with the project to achieve the rating of Certified or higher using the LEED V4 - New Construction Project Scorecard. o Projects should follow the same procedure outlined in Section 106.6, as if they were to be submitted to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), but instead be submitted, reviewed and approved by the EKU LEED AP or LEED GA involved with the project. o It is expected that the Architect/Engineer will prepare an appropriate LEED checklist and review with the EKU LEED AP or LEED GA involved with the project. (http://projectadmin.eku.edu/sites/projectadmin.eku.edu/files/00106.7_sustainability_building_guidelines.pdf)

EKU's Climate Action & Resiliency Plan includes objectives and goals that address energy as follows: 1. Disseminate & Promote Goals of Comprehensive Climate Action Plan to Campus Community: • Publish Climate Action Plan both in print and digitally. • Implement climate action education campaign: a. Train key stakeholders in the fundamentals of the Climate Action Plan. b. Deliver Climate Action Plan presentation to classes, faculty, and University leadership. c. Present Climate Action Plan at Kentucky-based events and organization meetings. d. Attend national higher education events and present goals and strategies within Climate Action Plan. • Submit plan to Second Nature to satisfy Climate Commitment requirements. 2. Implement 2.02 Summer Building Electricity Reduction Plan (FY2017 – FY2018): • Adjust summer classroom and office occupancy levels and hours for savings as outlined in the 2015 EKU Energy Infrastructure Investment & Master Plan. This will require a large change in campus use, expectations and culture during the summer months. The steps include: a. Consolidate summer activities in residence halls. b. Consolidate summer class activities into occupied buildings. c. Arrange remote work for faculty. d. Modify set-back schedules to match building occupancy. 3. Prepare Financing & Implementation Plan for implementing Carbon Reduction Opportunities (CROs): • Form Committee to evaluate, further develop, and oversee the implementation of the targeted CROs outlined in this plan. • Establish green revolving fund and explore the dedication of a portion of energy savings for implementing carbon reduction opportunities (CROs). • Evaluate third-party energy savings p 4. Implement 1.01 Centralized/Decentralized Geothermal • Incorporate geothermal for all new construction and major building upgrades or remodels in place of cooling towers. 5. Implement 1.10 Steam/Chill Water Efficiency Projects – EKU Campus Buildings • Empower EKU Facilities Services with resources to develop, plan, and implement efficiency projects. • Provide adequate funding and staffing for EKU Facilities Services to better manage energy and to make needed repairs and ongoing upgrades. 6. Implement 2.01 Electricity Conservation Strategies – EKU Campus Buildings • Empower EKU Facilities Services with resources to develop, plan and implement energy efficiency projects. • Initiate peak demand shaving initiative with EnerNOC and KU and recommit funds from savings to support other energy efficiency projects. • Undertake comprehensive LED retrofit of campus buildings. 7. Implement 3.11 Reduce Water Consumption • Work with EKU Facilities Services to develop water cost savings and implementation plan. 8. Implement 4.01 Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) • Sign contract with KU to purchase RECs on the order of 50% of campus electricity usage at a locked-in rate for an extended term. 9. Implement 1.06 New ESPC Contract – Central Plant • Select performance contract company to propose and implement upgrades to EKU's Central Heat Plant (given the overall existing infrastructure and efficiency of the plant, it is not recommended that it be fully decommissioned for alternative decentralized heating and cooling options). 10. Implement 2.03 Efficiency Standards for Building & Construction Projects – Build to LEED Silver Standards • Work with key stakeholders to establish efficiency baselines for all new construction projects and large-scale remodels. 11. Further Evaluate 2.07 Large Scale Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or Energy Hedge • Potentially commit to investment or hedge mechanism for 50% of electricity footprint.

EKU is committed to reducing municipal solid waste sent to landfill by 20% by 2022, from a 2017 baseline. http://sustainability.eku.edu/waste-management-recycling

EKU has committed to reducing its water intensity per campus user by 10% by 2020 (from 2016 baseline). http://sustainability.eku.edu/water-management

(Excerpt from EKU's strategic plan) Create a Dynamic, Diverse, and Inclusive University Culture (3.3) Strategies: • Foster pride in EKU by developing a distinctive University experience for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. (3.3.1) • Create and support learning, work, and living environments that fully welcome and support diversity, inclusion, and equity. (3.3.2) • Build can-do spirit among faculty, staff, and students with an emphasis on superior customer-focused service and adaptability. (3.3.3) • Reward, recognize, and celebrate faculty, staff, and student achievements. (3.3.4) • Promote opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to participate in significant and conscientious shared governance. (3.3.5) • Ensure transparency in operations in order to unite the University communities. (3.3.6) • Promote positive relationships between the University and the local community. (3.3.7) • Create an institutional diversity plan that develops and implements comprehensive initiatives to promote access, diversity, intercultural competence, equity, inclusiveness and mutual respect for all members of the campus community. (3.3.8) (http://strategicplanning.eku.edu/sites/strategicplanning.eku.edu/files/strategic_plan.pdf) Excerpt from EKU's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan (2016-2021): Objective 1: Increase enrollment of Black/ African American undergraduate students by 1% annually Objective 2: Increase enrollment of Latino undergraduate students by 3% annually Objective 3: Increase enrollment of URM undergraduate students by 2% annually Objective 4: Increase enrollment of URM graduate and professional students by 1% annually For complete list of objectives and details visit: (http://diversity.eku.edu/sites/diversity.eku.edu/files/diversityblueprint_digital_3-1-8.pdf)