Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Jennifer Lamy
Submission Date March 1, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Emerson College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Amy Elvidge
Sustainability Coordinator
Campus Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

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:
Emerson College adopted the "Five Strategies" in 2011. The strategies are Academic Excellence, Civic Engagement, Global Engagement, Innovation, and Financial Strength.

A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
http://www.emerson.edu/about-emerson/strategic-plan/five-strategies

Sustainability Plan 

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:
http://www.emerson.edu/sustainability

Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
Climate Action Plan (2009).pdf

The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
http://reporting.secondnature.org/institution/detail!1735##1735

Other Published Plans 

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):
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ACTION PLAN The Office of Diversity & Inclusion has created an Inclusive Excellence (IE) Action Plan to help departments assess current strengths and opportunities for growth in key areas of Inclusive Excellence and campus climate, and then set goals for the academic year. For 2015-16 the goals will be based on the results of Emerson360: Community Climate Survey. This year’s new action plan is attached below. Action planning and goal setting can be completed in many ways, such as office retreats, staff meetings, leadership team discussions, or establishing a task force within the department, using the Emerson360 results for each department to guide your planning. http://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Emerson360%20Department%20Action%20Plan.pdf Result of our Campus Climate Survey.

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

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:
"iii. Actions to make climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students." Climate Action Plan

Research 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
"iv. Actions to expand research or other efforts necessary to achieve climate neutrality." Climate Action Plan

Campus Engagement 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
"iii. Actions to make climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students." Climate Action Plan The Sustainability Coordinator position and the student Eco Reps were created by way of the Climate Action Plan. These positions work to engage the campus community.

Public Engagement 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Civic and Global Engagement are two tenets of the Five Strategies. Civic Engagement: Emerson College therefore has as its major goals for this initiative: To develop a culture of civic-mindedness, civic action, and civic education at Emerson; To establish deep and meaningful engagement with Boston urban communities through a robust program of civic engagement that is intentionally integrated into the curriculum and co-curriculum of the College, and that further develops our commitment to diversity and inclusion; To provide a platform for civil discourse about issues of social consequence. Global Engagement: As an institution of higher education, we are committed to mutually beneficial engagement with the global society in which we participate, and to ensuring that all members of our community are prepared to thrive in that society. Our over-arching aims in this work are: To be known as an institution that attracts and welcomes students and faculty from around the world; To be known as an institution that values and actively fosters intercultural knowledge and competence in faculty, staff, and students; To be known as an institution that understands itself in a global context, and that actively engages with international communities, organizations and institutions at home and around the world.

Air & Climate 

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:
The Climate Action Plan includes measurable objectives on air and climate emissions associated with commuting, air travel, energy use, offsets, refrigerants and chemicals, waste and paper purchasing.

Buildings 

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:
The Climate Action Plan includes measurable objectives on building infrastructure and operations. The Five Strategies address "Responsible use of resources (human, financial, and physical facilities)" as well as "Developing long-term plans for the renewal and replacement of our physical plant and technology infrastructure."

Energy 

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:
The Climate Action Plan addresses all forms of scope 1 and scope 2 energy. The Five Strategies address "Responsible use of resources (human, financial, and physical facilities)"

Food & Dining 

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:
The Climate Action Plan addresses food and dining as far as energy and resources associated with dining operation (e.g. energy, waste and water in production areas and user areas).

Grounds 

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:
NA, no grounds on our campus

Purchasing 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Climate Action Plan addresses objectives regarding EnergyStar purchasing. The new Climate Action Plan, being drafted by 2019, will include recommendations for recycled paper content and EPEAT certification.

Transportation 

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:
The Climate Action Plan addresses transportation, both commuting and travel for students, staff and faculty.

Waste 

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:
The Climate Action Plan addresses food waste in the dining hall.

Water 

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:
The Five Strategies address "Responsible use of resources (human, financial, and physical facilities)"

Diversity & Affordability 

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:
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ACTION PLAN: The Office of Diversity & Inclusion has created an Inclusive Excellence (IE) Action Plan to help departments assess current strengths and opportunities for growth in key areas of Inclusive Excellence and campus climate, and then set goals for the academic year. For 2015-16 the goals will be based on the results of Emerson360: Community Climate Survey. This year’s new action plan is attached below. Action planning and goal setting can be completed in many ways, such as office retreats, staff meetings, leadership team discussions, or establishing a task force within the department, using the Emerson360 results for each department to guide your planning. http://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Emerson360%20Department%20Action%20Plan.pdf Result of our Campus Climate Survey.

Investment & Finance 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Five Strategies address investment and finance objectives, with one tenet being Financial Strength. "Our ability to implement all of the plans above is contingent on our financial health, and our ability to plan our work in a realistic and sustainable way. We are committed to: Responsible use of resources (human, financial, and physical facilities); Increasing financial resources through revenue-generating activities and enhanced fund-raising; Attracting and retaining faculty and staff. Developing long-term plans for the renewal and replacement of our physical plant and technology infrastructure. We are achieving these goals by balancing our annual and multi-year budgets, creating faculty and staff professional development programs, studying the compensation plans for faculty and staff, and engaging in ongoing planning—and implementation of plans for—the renewal and replacement of our buildings and technology."

Wellbeing & Work 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Five Strategies' tenet of Academic Excellence includes the relevance of student, staff and faculty wellbeing and work. "The first of our strategic goals is academic excellence, and it is a goal that is central to all of our work. At Emerson, academic excellence is rooted in a college culture that supports the development of a diverse, creative, and intellectual community, providing the resources that faculty need in order to do their work well and to ensure that students learn at the highest possible level. One set of goals focuses on the composition of and support for the faculty. We will hire 40 new full-time faculty members from 2013-2018, and continue to strengthen support for all faculty across the college through faculty development, internal grants, support for external grants, teaching support, and other means. Another set of goals focuses on curriculum development, and fostering and supporting research and creative work. Actions to realize these goals include: A major effort to re-imagine teaching and learning in the communications disciplines at Emerson; A plan for better integrating the liberal arts with arts and communications fields; A plan to develop multi-disciplinary Centers for research and creative expression across the disciplines that we support. Additional work will focus on defining the optimal administrative structure to support the undergraduate and graduate experience at all of our campus sites."

Other Impact Areas 

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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Optional Fields 

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) Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Emerson signed the ACUPCC Carbon Commitment in 2009 and the Climate Commitment in 2016. Emerson helped draft the initial higher education Paris Accord support statement "We are Still In" and signed onto the published statement. Emerson signed onto the Our Climate Higher Education Carbon Pricing endorsement letter, in support of carbon pricing legislation at the state and national levels.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://reporting.secondnature.org/institution/detail!1735##1735

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
We Are Still In: https://www.wearestillin.com/colleges-universiti Our Climate Carbon Pricing: http://www.ourclimate.us/higher_ed_initiative

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.