| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 30.25 |
| Liaison | Doug Oetter |
| Submission Date | June 30, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Georgia College & State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.67 / 4.00 |
Doug
Oetter Professor History and Geography |
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 | No | No |
| Research (or other scholarship) | --- | --- |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | --- | --- |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | --- | --- |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | --- | --- |
| Transportation | --- | --- |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | --- | --- |
| Investment | --- | --- |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Goal 4/Initiative 5/Action Item 2 of the 2016-2021 Georgia College Strategic Plan seeks to "increase student, staff, and faculty engagement with sustainability initiatives through course offerings, public events, and media contact."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Increase number of courses with sustainability content. Increase number of sustainability public events and participation of the campus community. Promote sustainability initiatives on official GC and social media outlets to better connect with the student body.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Council, University Communications
Champion: Chair of the Sustainability Council
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Sustainability is a focus of the Office of Engaged Learning, and has been a common thread among the recipients of grants.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
ENGAGE supports development of Community-based Engaged Learning (C-bEL) experiences for students in the classroom and beyond. Through C-bEL experiences, Georgia College students address community issues and needs in partnership with community organizations. Learning experiences that meet the following four criteria are encouraged to apply for the C-bEL designation.
Students integrate theory and practice.
Students have direct experiences in community settings.
Students participate in mutually beneficial partnerships with community organizations.
Students critically reflect on their community-based experiences.
Engagement is being measured through the number of contacts and hours of engaged activities with classes and community partners. Over 686 students achieved 13,700 hours of community service for 2,065 community members.
http://www.gcsu.edu/sites/files/page-assets/node-1897/attachments/engaged_learning_report_2017.pdf
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Office of Engaged Learning
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
As described in the document titled "Georgia College Department of Facilities Operations Sustainability Unit - Campus Sustainability Plan, a Working Document" which can be located at the following link:
https://gcgreen.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/sustainability-plan-approved-8-22-14.pdf
Initiatives
The initiatives of primary focus for the Georgia College Campus Sustainability Plan
include Energy Management and Waste Management. Energy Management
includes electricity, water and gas. Waste Management includes composting and
recycling or waste diversion. Energy Management improvements have included lighting retrofits, occupancy sensors andthe installation of low-flow and automatic sensor fixtures. Sub-meters have been installed for the establishment of a baseline for measuring, monitoring and management of electricity, water and gas resources.
Goal 2: Reduce campus energy consumption and increase energy efficiency
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Objectives:
Reduce energy usage 15% by 2020 through building retrofits and behavior
change.
Upgrade 100% of lighting with compact florescent or LEDs; 5-10 years.
Replace heating and cooling with high energy efficient systems.
Replace with/install low flow fixtures/retrofit kits.
Install retrofit kits/hydration stations at drinking fountains.
Track energy consumption monthly.
Perform annual energy audits.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
As described in the document titled "Georgia College Department of Facilities Operations Sustainability Unit - Campus Sustainability Plan, a Working Document" which can be located at the following link:
https://gcgreen.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/sustainability-plan-approved-8-22-14.pdf
"Energy Management has been an initiative of continual improvement in electricity, water and gas usage. Improvements have included lighting retrofits, occupancy sensors and the installation of low-flow and automatic sensor fixtures. Sub-meters have been installed for the establishment of a baseline for measuring, monitoring and management of electricity, water and gas resources"
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
The sustainability plan referenced above includes the following goals for Energy Management which the college can track:
Goal 1: Reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions
Goal 2: Reduce campus energy consumption and increase energy efficiency
Goal 3: Increase usage of alternative energy sources
Goal 4: Enhance data collection, monitoring, research and evaluation
Goal 5: Develop strategies to recycle, reuse or repurpose for future use
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
As described in the document titled "Georgia College Department of Facilities Operations Sustainability Unit - Campus Sustainability Plan, a Working Document" which can be located at the following link:
https://gcgreen.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/sustainability-plan-approved-8-22-14.pdf
"Lawn material composting has existed at Georgia College for the last nineteen
years. These materials have been and will continue to be utilized for the benefit of
the campus grounds by Grounds and Landscaping Services. Food composting is the
next phase to be initiated, plans for which are in the final stages."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
The sustainability plan referenced above includes the following goals for Waste Management, subcategory Composting, which the college can track:
Goal 1: Increase composting campus-wide
Goal 2: Broaden the composting initiative
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
As described in the document titled "Georgia College Department of Facilities Operations Sustainability Unit - Campus Sustainability Plan, a Working Document" which can be located at the following link:
https://gcgreen.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/sustainability-plan-approved-8-22-14.pdf
"The Waste Management Initiative, including composting, recycling and other solid waste, has experienced the most recent of development, improvements and changes...
Co-mingling recycling was initiated in a few locations on campus prior to 2012, a student driven program. In 2012, the program moved to single stream recycling in those locations. Single stream recycling campus wide was initiated in 2013."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
The sustainability plan referenced above includes the following goals for Waste Management, subcategory Recycling & Waste Management, which the college can track:
Goal 1: Reduce and ultimately eliminate waste streams on campus with the ultimate goal of net zero waste.
Goal 2: Increase recycling efforts campus wide.
Goal 3: Develop a self-sustaining program
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
As described in the document titled "Georgia College Department of Facilities Operations Sustainability Unit - Campus Sustainability Plan, a Working Document" which can be located at the following link:
https://gcgreen.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/sustainability-plan-approved-8-22-14.pdf
"Energy Management has been an initiative of continual improvement in electricity, water and gas usage. Improvements have included lighting retrofits, occupancy sensors and the installation of low-flow and automatic sensor fixtures. Sub-meters have been installed for the establishment of a baseline for measuring, monitoring and management of electricity, water and gas resources."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Specific objectives, relevant to advancing sustainability in Water, are included in the document and are the following:
Objective 1: Track consumption monthly through billing statements and campus-owned meters
-Separate irrigation metering from domestic metering; 3-5 years
-Engage with the City of Milledgeville/Baldwin County Water Department/campus administrators
Objective 2: Increase measurement data collection through metering; 1-3 years
-Identify areas for additional metering/sub-metering; 3-5 years
-Building metering
-Landscape metering
-Connect additional metering/sub-metering to the data collection system; 3-5 years
-Building metering
-Landscape metering
-Identify areas for improvement
-Install emergency flow meters-irrigation
-Secure funding to implement improvements
Objective 3: Continual improvement of landscaping/irrigation
-Continual use of drought resistant plants
-Increase efficiency/improve landscape design
-Assess/reassess landscape systems
Objective 4: Research and recommend alternatives and technologies; 5-10 years
-Cistern installation for rainwater for irrigation purposes
-Identify locations for cistern(s)
-Conduct feasibility assessment
-Conduct budget analysis
-Identify other projects; 5-10 years
- Chilled water/ice tank-Chiller Plant
-Secure funding to implement improvements
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
The university adopted a Diversity Action Plan in 2014.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
1- Recruitment and retention of diverse students
2- Recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and staff
3- Creation of an environment on campus and in the greater Milledgeville community that creates a welcoming environment for diverse students
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Office of Inclusive Excellence
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
The Georgia College Campus Sustainability Plan initiated in 2014 is an effort to enhance the management of resources and the long-term sustainability of Georgia College and the Georgia College campus community. The primary objectives of this plan include coordination, communication and advancement of sustainability initiatives throughout the campus community. The Sustainability Council is the vehicle by which the coordination, communication and advancement of sustainability initiatives occurs through assessment of goals, reporting of accomplishments and recommendations for future direction.
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
In Goal 4 (Align resources through generation, redirection, prioritization, cost
containment, and stewardship to address strategic priorities) of the document titled "Georgia College - Our Path to Preeminence: The 2016-2021 Georgia College Strategic Plan," there is an initiative to "Enhance sustainability of the physical environment and university programs and services."
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.