Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.49
Liaison Elizabeth Swiman
Submission Date March 15, 2023

STARS v2.2

Florida State University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete N/A Elizabeth Swiman
Director of Campus Sustainability
Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Sustainability & Climate Solutions Grant Program

A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Sustainable practices and solutions aimed at addressing the climate crisis are crucial for long-term societal well-being, environmental health, and economic prosperity, and accomplishing these goals requires innovation and transformational change. FSU is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary research that will play a critical role in documenting sustainability and climate change challenges, developing solutions (including utilizing FSU as a “living laboratory”), training the next generation of leaders, and creating a culture of innovation and change.

The Sustainability and Climate Solutions $1M grant program is a directive of the Florida State University Office of the President. Research proposals can focus on any aspect of sustainability (including the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability) or climate change (e.g., climate change mitigation, risk assessment and management, adaptation, resilience, public health, business management and entrepreneurship, government and public policies, and education). Interdisciplinary and collaborative proposals are strongly preferred.

Recipients will be expected to pursue external grant funding at the conclusion of the funded project, using the project outcomes as a catalyst for larger external grants and research initiatives.

Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Research

Website URL where more information about the accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
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Name of a second highlighted sustainability program/initiative/accomplishment:
Seminole Organic Garden / Food for Thought Pantry partnership

A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
The Seminole Organic Garden (SOG) works collaboratively with the Food For Thought Pantry (FFTP) to provide fresh produce to students experiencing food insecurity. Any unclaimed produce by the SOG renters is donated to the FFTP so no food is wasted. Additionally, the FFTP has their own bed in SOG in which 100% of produce grown is donated. In the rare case that any produce is not picked up from the pantry, FFTP utilizes the compost at SOG to compost the waste. The compost is then used to enrich the garden beds, completing the cycle.

Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Food & Dining

Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
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Name of a third highlighted program/initiative/accomplishment:
100% EV bus fleet

A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Rolled out in 2020, the transition to 100% electric-vehicle technology paves the way for Florida State to meet our changing transportation needs on campus, while cultivating a healthier environment for the FSU community with clean, quiet buses.

The 18 buses release zero greenhouse gas emissions, use no liquid fuels, require no oil changes, and operate with 30 percent fewer parts than a traditional bus. Each year, Florida State’s new bus fleet is expected to eliminate more than 5 million pounds of carbon emissions. Over the fleet’s lifespan, it is projected to save about $10 million in fuel and maintenance costs.

Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Air & Climate
Transportation
Coordination & Planning
Diversity & Affordability

Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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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.