Illinois State University
PA-2: Commitments and Planning

The Illinois State University Sustainability Strategic Plan was approved by the President in 2022. The plan considers internal and external factors affecting the campus, reflects on how best to utilize the Univeristy's strengths and opportunities amidst challenges, and engages in data-driven discussions of sustainability strategic directions that should be pursued in the next five to 10 years. Cultivating partnerships in both operational practices and academic pursuits, supporting environmental justice, and utilizing living laboratories to the fullest are themes that strengeth all areas of the plan and are key to its successful implementation. This plan is aligned with the University's strategic plan and the campus master plan. 

The vision of the plan is to advance, educate, and integrate a culture of sustainability that demonstrates our commitment to environmental stewardship and exemplifies our Redbird values. This vision is put into practice at Illinois State by fostering a culture of sustainability through leadership, commitments, engagement, and traditions; finding solutions through diverse, interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching, research, and innovation; and integrating accessible environmental stewardship into campus operations. 

The plan contains eight strategic directions. Each strategic direction contains objectives and specific action items. The strategic directions and their respective objectives are listed below. 

• Direction I. Academic and Research
  • Objective IA. Improve sustainability literacy among students, faculty, and staff through high impact sustainability engagement and utilizing the campus as a living laboratory.
  • Objective IB. Advance the creation of new sustainability-related curricula, co-curricula, programming, and cross-disciplinary opportunities.
  • Objective IC. Create professional development opportunities for faculty and staff members to support sustainability-related and focused curricula, co-curricula, programming, and cross-disciplinary/cross-divisional intiatives.
  • Objective ID. Facilitate research opportunities within sustainability.
• Direction II. Engagement, Partnerships, and Planning
  • Objective IIA. Celebrate and enhance a culture of sustainability across the entire university and with community partners.
  • Objective IIB. Maintain an effective Office of Sustainability, serving as the leader for university sustainability intiatives and as a resource to the campus and community.
  • Objective IIC. Develop and implement a social and environmental justice narrative to create and sustain a campus culture that values inclusive sustainability.
  • Objective IID. Amplify sustainability communication efforts across the campus through various mediums.
  • Objective IIE. Nurture partnerships, education, and outreach opportunities with local government, businesses, and school districts to collaborate on environmental projects and to amplify the local and global impact.
  • Objective IIF. Develop an alumni engagement strategy to strengthen involvement of alumni in sustainability efforts.
• Direction III. Energy
  • Objective IIIA. Maintain a long-term commitment to reducing university-wide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Objective IIIB. Increase the efficiency of the campus light system.
  • Objective IIIC. Support the transition to renewable energy with opportunities for on-site generation.
  • Objective IIID. Optimize the use of existing space.
  • Objective IIIE. Further develop initiatives to educate about energy use and opportunities for conservation.
  • Objective IIIF. Increase cross-disciplinary and cross-divisional opportunities to utilize the campus as a living laboratory.
• Direction IV. Built Environments
  • Objective IVA. Design and build new construction and major renovations to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-Silver standards.
  • Objective IVB. Provide opportunities to educate occupants and visitors within campus buildings and public spaces of the benefits of green buildings.
  • Objective IVC. Advance professional development opportunities for continued education, licensing, and certifications in sustainable design and green building practices for faculty, staff, and students.
• Direction V: Water and Natural Environments
  • Objective VA. Promote and endorse sustainable landscape best practices.
  • Objective VB. Strengthen collaboration between Facilities Services, Intercollegiate Athletics, and campus botanists, arborists, and horticultural experts to ensure appropriate levels of biodiversity, preservation of green spaces, and a climate-responsive campus.
  • Objective VC. Optimize the efficient use of water within Facilities Services, Grounds, and Intercollegiate Athletics operations.
  • Objective VD. Prioritize the development, conservation, and utilization of Illinois State University green spaces for education, research, and recreation.
• Direction VI. Transportation
  • Objective VIA. Provide sustainable transportation incentives and expand current programs that enhance sustainable transportation opportunities throughout our campus community.
  • Objective VIB. Nurture partnerships with internal and external entities that improve access to and educaiton about bicycling and public transportation.
  • Objective VIC. Grow infrastructure to support alternative fueld vehicles and equipment.
• Direction VII. Food and Events
  • Objective VIIA. Support environmentally responsible operations throughout all dining venues, Intercollegiate Athletics activities, catering, and other campus and community events.
  • Objective VIIB. Minimize food waste at all levels.
  • Objective VIIC. Increase local, sustainable, and diverse food options.
  • Objective VIID. Promote zero waste initiatives by minimizing single use plastic and maximizing reusable and compostable options.
• Direction VIII. Materials Management and Waste Reduction
  • Objective VIIIA. Increase waste diversion and minimize waste by developing new, innovative programs and expanding access to reducing, recycling, and composting across campus.
  • Objective VIIIB. Expand zero waste initiatives throughout campus.
  • Objective VIIIC. Engage the campus community through increased education and targeted outreach to reduce waste.

The Sustainability Strategic Plan can be viewed in full at the following link: https://illinoisstateuniversity.foleon.com/ofc-of-sustainability-strategic-plan/oossp/ 

The College of Business has committed to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and reports annually. https://business.illinoisstate.edu/about/ 

• Develop a sustainability general education pathway or group of courses.
• Collaborate with the Center for Integrated Professional Development to develop workshops and strategies to integrate sustainability into both existing and developing courses.
• Increase the number of sustainability-related courses that emphasize environmental justice, equity, and indigenous perspectives.
• Recognize and reward sustainability accomplishments and interdisciplinary curricular development with special attention given to the Appointment, Salary, Promotion, and Tenure process and metrics.
• Recognize and reward sustainability research projects.
• Collaborate campus-wide with centers, research offices, and units to develop, showcase, and elevate sustainability research opportunities.

• Develop a Green Office Certification program to create incentives for all campuse departments to embrace and practice sustainability
• Enhance and create university traditions that celebrate sustainability with the expectation that all programs and events incorporate sustainability.
• Include sustainability as part of university fundraising priorities and strategies.
• Create a community consulting board for sustainability.

• Design and build new construction and major renovations to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-Silver standards.
• Grow infrastructure to support alternative fuel vehicles and equipment.
• Develop a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) option for students.
• Utilize the Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality team to pursue Fair Trade University Certification.
• Integrate reusable and/or compostable options into Intercollegiate Athletics activities, university dining centers, campus outlets, and events.
• Reduce the sale of single use plastic at all campus outlets
• Conduct a zero-waste feasibilitly study and/or audit to gain a better understanding of campus waste streams.

• Develop and implement a social and environmental justice narrative to create and sustain a campus culture that values inclusive sustainability.
• Pursue collaborations and strengthen partnerships with centers, campus community, and global partners to expand opportunities and make existing sustainability programs more inclusive and culturally resonant.
• Increase participation from underrepresented campus groups in sustainability grant opportunities and student organizations to reflect the diversity of the student body and the surrounding community.

• Include sustainability as part of university fundraising priorities and strategies.
• Advocate for sustainability representation on appropriate campus committees and top-level planning initiatives.

The ISU Sustainability Strategic Plan includes the following goal:

• Conduct a stormwater management study to create a climate-responsive campus.
• Maintain a long-term commitment to reducing university-wide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions