Elon University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) includes strategies to enhance sustainability in the Core Curriculum (formerly General Studies) and expand opportunities for curriculum development regarding sustainability.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Strengthen and clarify sustainability objectives in the Core Curriculum -Promote and incentivize interdisciplinary collaboration regarding sustainability to help acknowledge/address and reduce cognitive dissonance between departments -Utilize the campus as a living laboratory for sustainability -Increase the visibility of existing academic sustainability-related efforts and strengthen them -Further develop academic as well as education and outreach programs involving the Environmental Center at Loy Farm Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Sustainability Faculty Fellow

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) outlines multiple strategies for advancing campus engagement around sustainability. The plan identifies partnerships to more effectively educate the campus community on different sustainability topics and impacts of actions.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Utilize partnerships and Database Intern to increase awareness of funded sustainability programs -Increase the number of funded sustainability projects and develop a marketing plan and clear implementation process for all funded sustainability programs -Promote a culture of sustainability as part of the residential experience -Educate student organizations about sustainable practices and behaviors they can implement as a student organization -Communicate to departments, using the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) framework, how they can contribute to Elon’s sustainability efforts -Use campus buildings and events to educate the campus community about sustainable practices -Connect service learning with identified community issues, which often relate to one or more aspect of sustainability (social, economic, environmental) -Increase understanding of service learning and its impact and deepen connections with service learning community partners -Enhance the use of stories and relatable language in sustainability communications -Utilize collaborative partnerships to expand the reach of sustainability communications both on and off campus Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Office of Sustainability with many others

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) outlines strategies of enhancing communication of sustainability efforts (active and passive), identifying collaboration opportunities and connecting service learning with identified community issues.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Connect service learning with identified community issues, which often relate to one or more aspect of sustainability (social, economic, environmental) -Increase understanding of service learning and its impact and deepen connections with service learning community partners -Enhance the use of stories and relatable language in sustainability communications -Utilize collaborative partnerships to expand the reach of sustainability communications both on and off campus -Further develop academic as well as education and outreach programs involving the Environmental Center at Loy Farm -Expand the botanical gardens and collections and associated educational materials -Enhance the University’s transportation system in collaboration with the transportation system that is developed in the surrounding community/county Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Physical Plant, Office of Sustainability, Center for Environmental Studies, Kernodle Center, others

The Sustainability Master Plan (2007 & 2015) recommends that the University become carbon neutral within the next 30 years and the Climate Action Plan outlines strategies to reduce emissions in the following categories: energy, transportation, solid waste and other sources.

Measurable objectives include achieving near-term interim emission reduction targets calculated from a FY 2008 baseline: 2015 - 5%; 2020 - 18%; and ultimately achieving carbon neutrality by 2037. Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Physical Plant, Office of Sustainability, others

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) and Green Building Policy establish the practice of regularly designing, constructing and renovating buildings such that they are high performance buildings and less resource intense. This includes establishing a practice of building to LEED Silver criteria or the University's Sustainable Design Standards.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Reduce total energy consumption per gross square foot compared to a 2005 baseline -Increase the percentage of campus energy consumption that comes from non-fossil fuel sources, such as solar and geothermal -Assess the University’s Sustainability Design Standards and Green Building Policy at least every five years to ensure the University’s new construction and renovation projects are high-performance, sustainable facilities -Incorporate the following into new construction and major renovation projects: • A project team made up the following from the early design phase forward: University representatives, design team members, commissioning agents, consultants and building representatives • Energy modeling during the design phase so that it may inform the design and optimize energy efficiency • Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) during the design phase, especially with energy systems and new products and technologies -Consider construction of a building that embodies sustainable, responsible design, is off the grid and involves students in the design process; this facility could be used for lab and community outreach use and might also serve as a living and learning residential facility -Reduce waste and increase the yearly waste diversion rate (i.e., reduce the percentage of waste sent to the landfill) -Reduce total potable water consumption per gross square foot compared to a 2005 baseline Green Building Policy New construction projects and major renovations consisting of 8,000 or more square feet of conditioned, occupied space will achieve LEED certification. LEED Silver certification is the strongly preferred level and in no case will such projects achieve less than LEED Certified certification. The design and construction team should strive for a higher level of certification whenever project resources and conditions permit. New projects less than 8,000 square feet and minor renovations must follow the University’s Sustainability Design Standards at a minimum including the submission of a completed LEED Checklist during project programming and with the Construction Documents submittal. Any deviations from this policy must be approved during project programming by the Senior Vice President for Business, Finance and Technology Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Planning, Design and Construction Management; Physical Plant; Office of Sustainability

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) includes a strategy to expand local and sustainable purchasing within Dining Services.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Partner with Dining Services to develop a comprehensive and robust program for local and sustainable purchasing, food options and waste reduction Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Auxiliary Services (manages Dining Services contract with Aramark); Center for Environmental Studies; Physical Plant; Office of Sustainability

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) and Climate Action Plan include strategies to reduce energy consumption and utilize alternative or renewable (non-fossil fuel) energy.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Reduce total energy consumption per gross square foot compared to a 2005 baseline -Increase the percentage of campus energy consumption that comes from non-fossil fuel sources, such as solar and geothermal The Climate Action Plan also includes several recommended strategies to reduce emissions from energy consumption in the following areas: Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Existing Buildings, Energy Conservation through Behavior Modification, Green Building, Standards and Policies, Green Information Technology (IT), Renewable Energy. Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Physical Plant; Planning, Design and Construction Management; Purchasing; Office of Sustainability

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) includes strategies to develop a Land Use Master Plan, expand the tree management program and botanical gardens and improve the irrigation system.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Continue to improve the irrigation system by expanding the non-potable water system and enhancing efficiency -Expand the botanical gardens and collections and associated educational materials -Expand the tree management program -Develop a land use master plan and revisit it at least every five years -Develop a site and circulation plan that eases navigation of campus facilities and coincides with the land use master plan Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Landscaping and Grounds; Physical Plant; Planning, Design and Construction Management

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) includes an objective to further develop and communicate sustainable purchasing practices.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Further develop and communicate sustainable purchasing practices for goods and services Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Purchasing, Physical Plant, Auxiliary Services (Dining Services)

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) includes objectives to enhance alternative transportation infrastructure.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Expand and improve the campus’ physical infrastructure that supports alternative transportation and student, faculty and staff safety -Enhance the University’s transportation system in collaboration with the transportation system that is developed in the surrounding community/county -Develop a long-range transportation plan that facilitates bicycle and pedestrian access Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Physical Plant; Planning, Design and Construction Management; Office of Sustainability

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) includes objectives to improve waste reduction on campus.

Sustainability Master Plan (2015) -Reduce waste and increase the yearly waste diversion rate (i.e., reduce the percentage of waste sent to the landfill) -Hire a waste reduction and recycling manager Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Physical Plant; Planning, Design and Construction Management; Auxiliary Services (Dining Services)

The Sustainability Master Plan (2015) includes objectives to decrease potable water use.

Sustainability Master Plan (2105) -Continue to improve the irrigation system by expanding the non-potable water system and enhancing efficiency -Reduce total potable water consumption per gross square foot compared to a 2005 baseline Objectives are measurable in that they will be completed or not.

Physical Plant

The University Strategic Plan, The Elon Commitment, includes this theme - an unprecedented university commitment to diversity and global engagement. The key objectives of this theme are: -Double need-based financial aid -Provide 100 percent study abroad access -Triple international student enrollment and create a campus community that better reflects the world’s diversity -Be a national leader in preparing students to succeed in a multicultural world -Build a multi-faith center and promote interfaith dialogue -Develop the Elon Academy as a national model

Each of the key objectives below are measurable in that they will be completed or not. The timeframe for the Elon Commitment is 2020. -Double need-based financial aid -Provide 100 percent study abroad access -Triple international student enrollment and create a campus community that better reflects the world’s diversity -Be a national leader in preparing students to succeed in a multicultural world -Build a multi-faith center and promote interfaith dialogue -Develop the Elon Academy as a national model

Senior Staff, Provost Inclusive Community Team

The University Strategic Plan, The Elon Commitment, includes this theme - supporting a world-class faculty and staff. The key objectives of this theme are: -Accentuate and support Elon’s teacher-scholar model -Fulfill the objectives of the Presidential Task Force on Scholarship -Establish new professional and leadership development programs -Accelerate progress on faculty/staff salaries In addition, the Staff Advisory Council's Quality of Life Committee developed an Action Plan related to work/life balance and internal growth and development around three themes: 1) creative staffing; 2) longevity benefits and internal growth; and 3) work/life engagement and Elon connections.

Each of the key objectives below are measurable in that they will be completed or not. The timeframe for the Elon Commitment is 2020. -Accentuate and support Elon’s teacher-scholar model -Fulfill the objectives of the Presidential Task Force on Scholarship -Establish new professional and leadership development programs -Accelerate progress on faculty/staff salaries The Quality of Life Committee Action Plan also has specific strategies that are measurable.

Provost and the Senior Vice President for Business, Finance and Technology

Sustainability explores the dynamic interconnections among environmental, social and economic systems in order to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Elon Commitment Strategic Plan is organized around eight themes. One of the themes is significantly enhancing Elon's campus with premier new academic and residential facilities and a commitment to protecting our environment. The relevant key objective under this theme is implementation of the Sustainability Master Plan. During the next decade, Elon will implement the challenging and environmentally responsible recommendations of the Sustainability Master Plan, including a study of geothermal technology and the creation of a land preserve, the Elon University Forest, to protect a large expanse of green space north of University Drive. Another theme is an unprecedented university commitment to diversity and global engagement. The key objectives under this theme are: double need-based financial aid, provide 100% study abroad access, triple international student enrollment and create a campus community that better reflects the world's diversity, be a national leader in preparing students to succeed in a multicultural world, build a multi-faith center and promote interfaith dialogue and develop the Elon Academy as a national model. Another of the themes is stewarding Elon's commitment to remain a best-value university. The key objectives under this theme are: successfully complete the Ever Elon Campaign; implement a strong, creative financial model and at least triple the Elon University endowment. Elon enjoys a remarkable combination of "values and value." The tuition rate is $10,000 - $15,000 below other private universities and within range of non-resident tuition rates at flagship state universities. Elon is committed to guarding that price advantage. The objective to double need-based financial aid, which is under another theme within the plan, also contributes to the economic dimensions of sustainability.