| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.71 |
| Liaison | Matthew Harmin |
| Submission Date | May 14, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Goucher College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.50 / 4.00 |
William
Lederer Special Assistant to the President; Chair of Goucher Environmental Sustainability Advisory Council President's Office |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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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 | No |
| Research (or other scholarship) | --- | --- |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | No |
| Public Engagement | Yes | No |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | --- | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | --- | --- |
| Investment | --- | --- |
| Other | --- | --- |
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
All students beginning at Goucher in Fall 2011 or later are required to fulfill particular Liberal Education Requirements, or LERs. One of these requirements is a course covering environmental sustainability. The Environmental Sustainability LER states: "Students must demonstrate knowledge of scientific, policy, social, structural, and/or historical dimensions of human relationship to the environment." The required environmental sustainability course has actually been in effect since 2006, but it was revised to make it a more prominent part of the curriculum in 2011. Goucher will continue to require that all students leave the college having learned about environmental sustainability.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Office of the Provost, various academic departments (courses fulfilling the LER for Environmental sustainability are available in many departments): http://www.goucher.edu/Documents/Records/GERCRS_14FA.pdf
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Goucher constantly strives to improve the engagement of students, staff, and faculty in matters concerning sustainability. With Goucher's Climate Action Plan in place and the 20x20 initiative in mind, Goucher plans to continue to engage all members of the community in enhancing sustainability efforts. An inclusive Earth Day celebration is held on campus each year, as well as a week in which food service provider Bon Appetit provides food from exclusively local sources.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
President's Office, student clubs, Office of Student Engagement, Bon Appetit
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Goucher works with the Greater Baltimore community in a variety of ways - through CSA's and farmers' markets and membership in alternative transportation, for example. The college recognizes the need for these efforts to grow each and every year, and it is constantly looking into how it can improve sustainability both efforts through the college and Greater Baltimore community.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
President's Office, student clubs, Office of Student Engagement, Communications Office
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Goucher College has committed to reducing its absolute GHG emissions by 20% below Fiscal Year 2009 emissions by Fiscal Year 2020. Emissions in the GHG reduction target are all scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as scope 3 emissions, including student, faculty, and staff commuting and business and study abroad air travel.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Goucher submits an GHG emissions report to ACUPCC each year, allowing the college to track its progress in attaining the goal of lowering absolute emissions by 20% by 2020.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Many offices and departments are responsible for this, but principally those leading the effort are the President's Office, Facilities Management, housekeeping, and the Office of Communications.
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Goucher has consistently decreased the building-related energy consumption on campus since FY 2003, despite overall growth of the campus size. Goucher has been undertaking projects to lower the environmental impact of its buildings and will continue to do so in the following areas: window replacement, piping and attic insulation upgrades, domestic hot water boiler replacements, central heating and cooling expansion (The main central plant takes advantage of nighttime, off-peak electricity production in the utility grid to produce ice, which is then used to cool the college’s buildings during the day), upgrades to sophisticated "direct digital control" that can shut down building equipment when not in use, lighting upgrades, and shower head replacements.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
The Athenaeum was Goucher's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project and was certified LEED Gold. Goucher passed a policy in 2009 that ensures all new buildings or major renovations to existing buildings are planned with the goal of achieving at least a Silver rating according to the LEED rating system.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
President's Office, Facilities Management Services, outside contractors
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Goucher plans to continue its partnership with food service provider Bon Appetit, a company that stresses environmental sustainability. Bon Appetit's website states:
"Our first choice is to purchase seasonal ingredients from small, owner-operated farms and ranches within a 150-mile radius of your café. Food grown locally is fresher, better tasting, and often has greater nutritional value. Our commitment to local food is about preserving biodiversity, protecting open space, supporting family farmers, and keeping money invested in your community. Bon Appétit aims to spend at least 20 cents of every dollar with our network of over a thousand Farm to Fork suppliers. By doing so, we aim to strengthen our regional food systems so that everyone in our communities can eat well not just today, but for the future."
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Bon Appetit measures how much food is recycled and states clearly which of the food options being offered come from local sources. By making these things clear, students are able to make more sustainable choices about their food.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Bon Appetit (Tom Brown is manager at Goucher)
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
As stated above, Goucher' buildings are a huge part of the plan to advance sustainability at the college. Specifically, green building guidelines require new construction and renovation projects to achieve 10% or better energy performance compared to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1 – Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
In addition, Goucher uses all Energy Star approved appliances, and offers energy-efficient transportation options.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Goucher continues to monitor and report all energy use. While Goucher College’s primary commitment is to reduce its GHG emissions through conservation, the college is also committed to exploring renewable energy options for the campus (including solar thermal, wind turbines, and photovoltaics).
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Facilities Management Services
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
While fertilizer use accounts for only 0.15% of Goucher’s GHG emissions, the college has participated or plans to participate in the following activities to further enhance the ecological integrity of its grounds: pilot organic, zero fertilizer lawn care techniques; pilot “zeriscaping” (i.e., eliminating irrigation) by planting native and/or adaptive
vegetation; pilot permaculture gardens; develop bioswales and other ecological stormwater capture techniques.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Goucher will continue to monitor its emissions due to fertilizer and introduce initiatives to keep this figure as low as possible.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Facilities Management Services
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Goucher purchases all Energy Star Appliances when possible. Eco-friendly housekeeping products are also purchased.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Goucher will monitor all major purchasing, keeping track of how many adhere to these standards.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Business Manager
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Goucher is a member of the Baltimore Collegetown Network, which provides a free shuttle
service to local colleges and attractions, and Zipcar, an environmentally friendly car-sharing program. The college also has created Gopher-A-Ride Together, a campus-wide carpooling program. Where possible, Goucher is exploring options such as switching to alternative fuels (i.e., biodiesel, waste vegetable oil), hybrid or electric
vehicles, and it is maximizing the efficiency of buses/shuttles by surveying occupancy trends and matching services to ridership needs
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Goucher continues to monitor how many students, employees, and staff are using alternative methods of transportation. The college investigates alternate transportation options wherever possible.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Business Manager, President's Office, Office of Student Engagement.
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Goucher will continue its relationship with Waste Neutral, which composts waste for the college. Goucher also strongly encourages recycling in all dining halls, residence halls, and other facilities. Recently, Goucher introduced a reusable takeout container for use in dining halls so students do not need to use a disposable Styrofoam or plastic container.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Goucher monitors and will continue to monitor tonnage of waste, recycling, and compost generated.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Facilities Management Services
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
As stated previously, Goucher has taken steps to reduce overuse of water, including introduction of efficient shower heads and dual-flush toilets. Goucher also uses steam traps, which capture steam condensate and return it to the central boilers. Over-irrigation of grounds is avoided.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Goucher Facilities staff monitor and report all water usage and maintain and upgrade all systems to regulate its use.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Facilities Management Services
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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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:
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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:
From Goucher's official Strategic Plan: "Having met or exceeded several significant goals in the area of environmental sustainability in recent years – including the construction of the Athenaeum , which is LEED-certified at the Gold level – Goucher will now vigorously approach other environmental ambitions, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing a progressive, forward-looking climate action plan."
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The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
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.