Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.92
Liaison Jonathan Lantz-Trissel
Submission Date July 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Eastern Mennonite University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.25 / 4.00 Daryl Bert
Vice President of Finance
Business Affairs
"---" 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? :
No

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
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A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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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):

Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP): Peace with Creation - instituted campus wide adoption of sustainability in the undergraduate curriculum


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

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

In the QEP: Peace with Creation there is a goal to have at least two courses in each major be sustainability focused or with a module on social, environmental and economic sustainability as it relates to the course.


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:

EMU Climate Action Plan 2015 sets an interim goal of 20% reduction in total greenhouse gases by 2020, and carbon neutrality by 2035.


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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings 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 Energy?:
Yes

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

From 2015 Climate Action Plan, by 2020:

 35% reduction of transmission and distribution related GhG emissions through on-site generation and energy conservation projects compared to 3-year running average baseline from 2008-2009 through 2011-2012
 20% reduction in electricity usage compared to 3-year running average baseline from 2008-2009 through 2011-2012
 15% reduction in NG usage compared to 2008-2009


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

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

 25% local and community-based, fair, ecologically sound and/or humane food purchases as defined by Real Food Challenge


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

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

From 2015 Climate Action Plan, by 2020:

 15% decrease in NO2 emissions related to fertilizer application on campus grounds
 15% decrease in grounds-related fuel usage compared to 2008-2009


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?:
Yes

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

From 2015 Climate Action Plan, by 2020:

 15% reduction in fleet vehicle usage compared to 2008-2009
 25% increase in fleet mpg compared to 2008-2009
 15% reduction in all commuter emissions with corresponding increases in carpooling, bus transport, biking and walking to work/class compared to 2014-15
 15% reduction in financed employee air travel compared to 2014-15
 25% reduction in emissions resulting from EMU cross cultural trips


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:

From the 2015 Climate Action Plan, by 2020:
 75% recycling rate
 20% overall waste stream reduction, including compost, recycling and waste compared to to 3-year
running average baseline from 2008-2009 through 2011-2012
 100% post consumer recycled content paper usage across campus


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:

From the 2015 Climate Action Plan, by 2020:

 20% reduction of potable water usage on campus compared to to 3-year running average baseline from 2008-2009 through 2011-2012


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:

from EMU's 2015-2020 Strategic Plan:
One of four main goals: Engage students, faculty, staff and constituents in a review of EMU institutional culture, curriculum, policies and practices related to supporting and enhancing diversity.
Measurable objectives in support of main diversity goal:
Between 2015 and 2020, ensure that 15-20% of new faculty hires will be from among under-represented racial or ethnic minority groups.
Recruit, develop, and retain diverse effective staff and administrators who are committed to EMU’s mission, focused on continuous quality improvement, and find meaning and satisfaction in their roles.
Conduct an equity audit of EMU’s compensation policies and practices, focusing particularly on gender, racial, and ethnic equity issues.
Increase level of diversity in staff and administration by making at least 10% of new and replacement hires from among AHANA groups.


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)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

From EMU Core Values statement:
Our core values

Fundamentally, EMU is committed to — and delivers — a rigorous academic program that is affordable and that prepares graduates to succeed in their careers and further academic pursuits.

Our educational mission and vision are grounded in the enduring biblical values of Christian discipleship, community, service to others, sustainability and peacemaking. We educate undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students to serve and lead in a global context for the common good.


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 ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:

Signed in 2014 by President Loren Swartzendruber after initially declining to sign in 2007 due to unknown costs of commitment.


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.