Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 38.32
Liaison Rachelanne Knoll
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Eastern Kentucky University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 4.00 Debbie Namugayi
Sustainability Manager
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

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


A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:

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


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

• 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)


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

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.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:

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


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

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


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:

(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)


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
No

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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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
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:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.