| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.61 |
| Liaison | Tracy Edwards |
| Submission Date | June 12, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Frostburg State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.67 / 4.00 |
Henry
Bullamore Professor Geography |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | No |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | --- | --- |
| Transportation | Yes | No |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | --- | --- |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | --- | --- |
| Investment | --- | --- |
| Other | --- | --- |
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The University Climate Action Plan (2009) called for creation of a Minor in Sustainability Studies by 2010. The University is developing a major in Transformative Sustainability. Approval of the new program will take place during the 2016-2017 academic year, with implementation for fall 2017.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Approval and implementation of the minor in 2010 was accomplished, and the program was opened to students in 2010.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Dr. H. W. Bullamore, Coordinator for Transformative Sustainability
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
Several parts of the Climate Action Plan (2009) support research. In particular, the university made a commitment to bio-fuel and renewable energy research in goal ER-6, and to tracking all sustainability research in goal ER-10. The University implemented a Sustainability Fee that will fund, on a competitive basis, student, faculty, or student and faculty research on sustainability in fall 2015. This, however, is a new initiative that has not yet been incorporated into the Climate Action Plan.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
The university received funding for and constructed the Sustainable Energy Research Facility at FSU. However, the tracking of sustainability research has not been implemented. In the future, tracking sustainability research funded by the Sustainability fee will be facilitated. In the first cycle of funding, four primarily research projects were funded. In the second cycle, with applications due in September 2017, the University hopes to fund at least 5 sustainability research projects.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Dr. Kara Rogers Thomas (Chair) , President's Advisory Council on Sustainability
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Student Activities has made sustainability related events an key part of their programing. This goal was clearly stated in the Climate Action Plan (2009), particularly goal ER.3. This described needed faculty development work, and a student sustainability experience for incoming freshman. CAP goal ER-8 call for tacking participation in co-curricular and well as curricular activities.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Several student organizations have been recognized by the University to support sustainability. Since completion of the Climate Action plan, an increased level of participation in the Focus Frostburg Earth Day celebration is a new goal. In terms of the original CAP goals, the faculty development component was fully funded and implemented in 2015-2016. However, budget constraints have prevented attempting the summer sustainability experience.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Mr. Pat O'Brien, Office of Campus Involvement, Division of Student Affairs, and Dr. Kara Rogers-Thomas, Department of Sociology
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Many events are open to the public, and several university outreach efforts serve the community or primary or secondary level students. The Climate Action Plan (2009) calls for public engagement through a fundraising effort (goal FN-3) and through a sustainability alumni effort (FN-4)
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
The goals call for establishing an endowed sustainability fund in the FSU Foundation to support outreach, research, and education, and for establishing an sustainability alumni group.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Mr. John Short, Vice President for University Advancement
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
The University is a signatory of the campus climate commitment. The Climate Action Plan (2009) sets specific goals (and a timeline) for reaching climate neutrality by 2030. The plan considers emissions tracking strategies, mitigation strategies (including conservation, building, consumption, and offsetting approaches), as well as the education, outreach and finance strategies needed to reach CAP goals.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
The Climate Action Plan includes 49 strategic objectives needed to reach climate neutrality. Most of the objectives have measurable components such as establishing an Office of Sustainability, tracking energy and water consumption, measuring waste production, and protecting campus forest resources. The time-frame for reaching climate neutrality by 2030 has goals for 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2020.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Mr. John Brewer, Campus Planner, Physical Plant Department
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
The Campus Master Plan, as required by the State of Maryland, identifies several steps to make buildings more efficient. Additional funds have been secured for renovation of older residence halls on campus during 2016-2017. This is in addition to goal MBL 2 in the Climate Action Plan that all new buildings on campus are at least LEED silver certified.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
The University hopes to see increased resident satisfaction, and reduced energy use in residence halls through modernization of lighting and heating systems. The newest building on campus, the Gira Center for Communication and Information Technologies is LEED Gold certified. Currently under construction, the new University Police Building will be LEED Silver Certified.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Mr. John Brewer, Campus Planner, Physical Plant Department
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Dining services hopes to reduce food waste through better menu planning based on student surveys. At the same time, they hope to compost as much food waste as possible. In addition, food services is securing some food items from Frostburg Grows, university operated greenhouses. The Climate Action Plan (2009) has goals for recycling (goal MOG -1), composting (MOG-2), and sustainable cuisine (MOG-3).
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
As suggested in MOG-2, Food services composts food waste, and is implementing a "Rocket Composter" to allow more food waste to composted and delivered to the Frostburg Grows greenhouse operation. Following goal MOG-3, Food Services purchases some produce from Frostburg Grows, a local sustainable food source. At this time, recycling for food service is not separable from other campus recycling.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Mr. David Glenn, Frostburg State University Manager for Chartwells
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
The Climate Action Plan (2009) identifies seven goals related to Conservation and Use of Energy and Resources ( MCU-1 to MCU-7). These goals include shifting to renewable energy, metering, using consultants, exploring ideas for residence hall conservation, lighting, and the impact of computing technologies. While the university has already completed a substantial retrofit of lighting, energy use continues to be monitored looking for additional saving opportunities.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
The CAP calls for 25 percent of university energy to be from renewable sources by 2016, and at lest 50 percent by 2020. The University has worked with consultant recommended by the University System of Maryland. However, lack of sibmetering has limited the impact of residence hall conservation efforts. In terms of computing technologies, the university has eliminated the use of old computer/TV monitors.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Mr. John Brewer, Campus Planner, Physical Plant
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
The Climate Action Plan (2009) calls for the development of guidelines for grounds based on discussion of mitigation consultant and grounds staff.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Further work is needed to develop measurable objectives and time-frames.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Mr. John Brewer, Campus Planner, Physical Plant Department
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Prior to the Climate Action Plan (2009), the university implemented the "Energy Star Procurement Policy (Policy 3.115, 2009). This applies to all parts of the university.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
All purchases of electric equipment must meet energy star guidelines. This policy is fully implemented.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Mr. Alan Synder, Director of Purchasing
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
The Climate Action Plan (2009) has four goals specifically related to transportation. These include the commuter transportation campaign (MTR-1), parking (MTR-2), travel reduction (MTR-3) and alternative fleet fuel (MTR-4).
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
While the CAP does not cite a specific goal, the university has partnered with the Allegany County Transit System to allow FSU students to ride without additional cost using their student ID. This serve both commuting students references in the CAP as well as resident students. The CAP directs the shift to hybrid or bio-fuel vehicles as vehicles undergo replacement. The parking and travel reduction goals are not measurable at this time.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Mr. David Rose, Vice President for Business and Finance
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
The key aspect of waste management is to increase recycled materials and to eliminate unneeded use of paper. This is reflected in goal EM-3 in the Climate Action Plan (2009). At the time the plan was prepared, there was a need for tracking both the types of waste generated by the University, and the total amount of waste generated.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Primary measure is the volume of recycled materials and a reduction of material sent to the landfill. The University hopes to implement a compactor which will facilitate the recylying of materials. Primarily measure, however, will be tons of waste taken to the landfill will be reduced each year. A second measure is the annual participation of the university in Recyclemania.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Mr. John Brewer, Campus Planner, Physical Plant Department
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
---
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
The University continues to seek a diverse faculty, staff and student body. The Diversity Center, a long time presence on campus, has been renamed the Center for Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to better describe the mission of the center. The Office of Human Resources has a plan for recruiting a diverse faculty and staff, and the enrollment plan, developed with an external consulting firm, calls for recruiting a diverse student body.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
The number of students of diverse backgrounds enrolled in the university will be the primary measure. This information is tracked and reported. The university's goal is a 2 % increase in the number of diverse students. The university has implemented a regional tution rate (in addition to in state and out of state rates) that seeks to make the university affordable to nearby residents who happen to live in other states (a unique feature associated with Frostburg location in Western Maryland). At present, this is a new program without specific enrollment goals. Goals may be developed in the future.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Ms. Sara-Beth Bittinger, Director of Assessment and Institutional Research
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
---
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
The Climate Action Plan (2009) defines sustainability as "improving the quality of life for current and future generations by addressing environmental, social and economic needs at Frostburg State University."
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Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes
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A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The university strategic plan has been updated each year. Sustainability in operations, student programing, and curriculum have been in the strategic plan for several years.
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Additional information can be found at http://www.frostburg.edu/lglg
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.