| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.94 |
| Liaison | Robin Frederick |
| Submission Date | July 21, 2022 |
Indiana University Southeast
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Robin
Frederick Coordinator of STARS Assessment Administrative Affairs |
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
During the summer of 2020, we repaved our Central Parking lot, while doing so, to mitigate adverse environmental impacts at the expense of this renovation we created a space that contributes to the entire fabric of our campus. We did this in the following ways: to combat the original heat island of this parking lot we planted 125 native trees to maximize shading and greening, this helps us neutralize drainage, and provide safe pedestrian circulation. We also installed these trees to enhance air and water quality, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our stormwater runoff quantity and improve its quality. Examples of native trees we planted: Oaks, Elms, Gum, Redbud, Serviceberry, and Honey Locust.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Grounds
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):
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Name of a second highlighted sustainability program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
IUS strives to uphold its commitment to "Resource Preservation and Enhancement". The commitment to such can be found in section "V" of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan (pgs. 19-21) which states that "IU Southeast will fully utilize its natural resources to support initiatives that further campus and University sustainability initiatives. It will do so by the following:
Strategy 1:
Expand sustainability stewardship, practices, and preservation of natural resources.
d. Reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by establishing a campus
greenhouse gas emission reduction plan, converting all parking lot and walkway
lighting to LED and installing two dual port electric vehicle charging stations in the
Central parking lot.
f. Develop an energy consumption carbon neutrality plan.
With that said, to pinpoint section (d) "reduce energy consumption." IUS made a capital investment of $9.5 million on new HVAC systems to support Strategy 1: (d). A utility analysis conducted in FY2020 found that utility expenditures decreased by 29.5% ($475K) from FY15 to FY22. The reductions can be contributed to the replacements and upgrades of five building HVAC systems (a sixth is planned for 2021-23). This along with other management projects will ultimately lead to the development of an energy consumption carbon neutrality plan (Strategy 1:(f)).
Additional energy management projects can include but are not limited to the following:
• Conversion of electric-powered building systems (e.g., boilers) to natural gas powered.
• Replacement of chillers #1 and #2 in the Service Building.
• New cooling tower in 2012.
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Energy
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):
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Name of a third highlighted program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
IUS is re-enforcing its commitment to sustainability by incorporating the requirement of an AASHE STARS report and obtaining a rating.
Section V. Resource Preservation and Enhancement (pg. 19).
GOAL 3: IU Southeast will fully utilize its natural resources to support initiatives that further campus and University sustainability initiatives (pg. 21).
Section 2: Obtain campus sustainability certifications.
a. Achieve a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) rating of
“silver” by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
(AASHE).
Included in this section:
b. Achieve the Tree Campus Higher Education designation by the Arbor Day
Foundation.
Our campus recognizes that we are not exempt from our environmental, social, and economic responsibility and play an essential role in sustainability. This is why we mandated that a STARS report be conducted. Submitting our report has allowed us to connect with our campus community, comprehensively measure our current sustainability performance and identify components of our institutions that can and will benefit from incorporation(s) of sustainable development.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Grounds
Coordination & Planning
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):
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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.