Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.97
Liaison Rachael Rost-Allen
Submission Date July 28, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Johnson County Community College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 4.00 Kristy Wittman Howell
Sustainability Education and Engagement Coordinator
Center for Sustainability
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Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Goal 4 of the institutional strategic plan includes the objective to: "commit to the efficient use of resources to strengthen quality offerings."

A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
The campus master plan includes sustainability as a guiding principle. http://www.jccc.edu/about/leadership-governance/administration/facilities-planning/files/jccc-facilities-master-plan-report.pdf

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
JCCC is an active participant in Second Nature, with emissions reduction targets of 15% by 2025 and 25% by 2040. Our current plan is available here: http://reporting.secondnature.org/ape/ape-public!130 Data for Second Nature is regularly updated, with the most recent progress report available here: http://reporting.secondnature.org/ape/ape-public!130 Charted overview of progress toward 2025 and 2040 goals is available here: http://reporting.secondnature.org/institution/detail!1513

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
LEED Silver certification, or the measured equivalent, for all new JCCC buildings. The campus master plan also includes measurable sustainability objectives that address new buildings: http://www.jccc.edu/about/leadership-governance/administration/facilities-planning/files/jccc-facilities-master-plan-report.pdf

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
1. Make JCCC a 100% renewable energy campus by 2050 with 15% achieved by 2020 2. Become a net-negative energy consumer by aggressively pursuing energy efficiency 3. Conducted solar implementation studies in May 2017 to attain our 15% renewables by 2020 goal. Also, heating and cooling are covered under Operating Procedure 217.08: "Purpose: JCCC is committed to sustainability and integrates sustainability principles in its daily operations, curriculum and student engagement. The purpose of this Operating Procedure is to further these sustainability efforts by conserving energy used by the College’s heating and cooling systems. In addition to lowering costs, energy conservation reduces air and water pollution, decreases global warming, limits dependence on foreign energy supplies, and conserves natural resources for future generations." http://www.jccc.edu/about/leadership-governance/policies/administrative-services/facilities-property/procedure-facilities-heating-cooling.html

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Dining Services includes the following categories related to sustainable practices in its planning documents: GOAL # 6 - INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES INTO ALL OPERATIONS GOAL #5 - EDUCATION AND MARKETING The following statement is included in dining services RFPs: The College’s signing of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, shows our dedication to applying sustainable principles in all procurements to the maximum degree as practical in order to procure products, services, and equipment that promote the minimization of environmental impact, our goal for a zero waste campus, and the conservation of energy during the entire lifecycle of products. The College will give favorable consideration to the procurement of products, services, and equipment that support these aforementioned standards and that do not have negative residual impacts on the environment at the end of their useful lives. Favorable consideration will be given to those proposers who support these standards as well. The following statement is included in Beverage RFPs: Sustainability: Include details related to proposed products, services, and equipment that demonstrate your commitment and sensitivity to sustainability. This should include, but not be limited to, information regarding energy efficiency measures related to proposed and existing equipment, recycling issues (e.g., detailed information about the implementation of a recycling program), compostable drink containers, sustainable packaging practices, etc. The College has a large-scale composting initiative on the Campus and is interested in compostable drink containers and competitive pricing.

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
From the 2010 sustainability plan: http://www.jccc.edu/sustainability/_files/pdf/2010-sustainability-report.pdf Purchasing Accomplished:  Finalize a green purchasing code and revisit it frequently as technologies change. This policy has been adopted and is in place. Ongoing:  A new contract with Dell specifies that discarded computers are to be refurbished or recycled rather than sent to landfills.  Ensure that vendors are aware of the importance of sustainability to JCCC so that they can offer appropriate products to the institution. Vendors are beginning to reference the sustainability committee report in proposals along with the President’s Climate Commitment. Also, the following statement is included on all institutional bid requests: Training and Educational Opportunities: Addition weighting and consideration may be given to vendors providing information on how their company or firm will work with the JCCC facilities and academic departments to develop opportunities for academic faculty to use information and activities contained in the proposal within the classroom environment. Training and educational opportunities for JCCC students, in the firm's areas of expertise, are encouraged. The College plans to intentionally utilize the campus environment as an educational tool,using campus facilities, grounds, renovation projects, and related maintenance and operations, as a means to teach both existing course outcomes and sustainability concepts across all academic departments. Please indicate any education opportunities your firm will provide to assist the college in these endeavors.

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
From the 2010 sustainability plan: Given that JCCC is a commuter campus, a substantial part of JCCC’s environmental impact comes from vehicle emissions. While JCCC can make substantial efforts to reduce vehicle traffic to campus, regional transportation solutions will have to be part of the equation here, and JCCC should encourage/participate in these solutions. Area transportation partners regularly present on campus to help us move this conversation forward. Ongoing:  Find ways to make the campus more bike-friendly. Cooperation with Overland Park should be sought to connect JCCC to area bike paths. A campus survey should be conducted to see how many faculty/staff/students would ride bikes to campus if bike racks/bike boxes were available. Conversations have taken place with Overland Park as well as Johnson County to include JCCC in future planning of bike paths. Follow-up is needed on this issue. A campus transportation survey was offered in spring 2009 and will be repeated at ten-year intervals. This survey will allow JCCC to gauge the impact of transportation on the carbon footprint of the campus as well as plan for bike racks. Preliminary conversations are also ongoing regarding possible use of JCCC funds to link bike paths to the campus from Stoll Park to the south.  JCCC encourages/facilitates carpooling of faculty/staff via MARC’s Rideshare program.  Preferential parking spaces should be reserved by permit for carpoolers and those who drive hybrid vehicles. No action has yet been taken here partially due to divisions about whether or not hybrid drivers should be rewarded as well as enforcement concerns. This will be revisited in 2010-2011.  JCCC should encourage work-from-home and flex-time where appropriate to reduce the need for all faculty/staff to come to campus every day. Analysis of a possible four-day workweek was conducted by a subcommittee led by Janelle Vogler. Energy savings alone could not be used to justify a movement in that direction. Transportation was not a major consideration in that study. More conversations about campus policies on flex-time are needed.  Encourage and support mass transit including the K-10 Connector. The JO has doubled the number of K10 runs. Future student participation in JO planning should be encouraged and may be facilitated by the student green fee. Data about JCCC student/faculty/staff participation on the JO has been requested and should arrive before final completion of this report. Conversations are also beginning about possible intra-county express runs although there has been no indication that these are forthcoming in the near future. http://www.jccc.edu/sustainability/_files/pdf/2010-sustainability-report.pdf

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
JCCC has a goal of becoming a zero waste to landfill campus by 2025.

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The campus strategic plan includes wellbeing and work-life balance: "Task 5. Foster a culture that inspires college employees to proactively support students.* Liaison: Karen Martley; project lead: Debbie Eisenhower Institutional Research will conduct an employee engagement survey. Staff Development will review engagement data and create an engagement plan. Staff Development will implement an engagement plan that includes customer service training. HR/Staff Development will implement wellness strategy." http://www.jccc.edu/about/leadership-governance/administration/president/strategic-planning/files/strategic-plan-implementation-gant.pdf As part of the strategic plan focus, the Human Resources Committee adopted as one of its ongoing objectives HR 4: Ongoing HR-4 Monitor HR and Staff & Organizational Development Strategic Initiatives " Monitor mandatory supervisory and compliance training initiatives " Support leadership and supervisory development " Support diversity initiatives " Support improvement strategies in customer service and culture of wellbeing " Strategic planning for future staffing needs " Implement action steps based on employee engagement survey

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
http://www.jccc.edu/about/leadership-governance/administration/facilities-planning/facilities-master-plan.html

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
http://www.jccc.edu/sustainability/about/index.html

Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) No
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) No
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) No

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
JCCC is a signatory to the Second Nature Carbon Commitment, a member of AASHE, and a participant in STARS.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.