Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 62.47
Liaison Kara Holmstrom
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Luther College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 3.00 Maren Beard
Assistant Director, Campus Sustainability
Center for Sustainable Communities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1: Institution-Wide Policies 

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
No

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
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Part 2: Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
We have begun to use LCCA in evaluating mechanical systems as a way to better understand the total cost of operation for our buildings. Although we are new to the process, we ask our engineers to help with with the evaluations. In the future the plan is to develop our capabilities more with this.

Part 3: Commodity-Specific Sustainability Criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products/services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above. 

Chemically Intensive Products and Services

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
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Construction and Renovation 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
I. Policy Luther College is committed to environmental sustainability and will construct all new projects to LEED silver standards. Luther College will also use a LEED checklist during remodeling and repurposing projects, striving to incorporate as many LEED points as possible. II. Purpose Environmental sustainability is more than designing “green buildings” or maintaining natural reserves. At its best, it reflects an institutional commitment to minimize the use and waste of nonrenewable natural resources, thereby recognizing the economic as well as ecological benefit of this commitment without compromising institutional mission and goals. One result of being a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) is that in January 2007, Luther College committed to building all new projects to LEED silver standards. III. Scope To the best of their ability, all Luther employees and or contractors hired by Luther will adhere to LEED silver standards with regard to any new building project. Architects, engineers, contractors and designers must follow LEED guidelines and provide documentation of points for all new projects. A LEED checklist will guide decisions for meeting LEED standards. IV. Procedures and Guidelines All projects are to adhere to the following practices: Construction Waste All non-hazardous waste materials will be reused, repurposed, or recycled. Disposal of waste materials in a landfill will occur only if all other avenues have been exhausted. Hazardous materials will be disposed of according to EPA regulations. Energy Efficiency Lighting, heating, and plumbing fixtures will be chosen according to efficiency ratings. Any appliances will be purchased according to the College’s Energy Star Policy. Material Selection When possible and practical, materials purchased will be environmentally safe and/or repurposed from other projects. Indoor Air Quality All projects will be done to ensure and/or improve the indoor air quality. Educational Component When possible, signage should be installed to educate building occupants about the sustainability practices being used in the building. Behavioral Element Buildings will be designed to encourage sustainable behavior. For example, slower elevators result in more people taking the stairs just as small trashcans coupled with sizable recycling bins encourage responsible waste disposal. New Construction The LEED-NC checklist will be used for all new construction projects. LEED Checklists A LEED checklist will be completed for all major remodels, redesigns and renovations. V. Confidentiality and Records Records on new constructions and remodels will be kept at the Facilities Office and are open to any Luther student or employee upon request.

Information Technology (IT) 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
Luther College, and vendors purchasing for Luther College, will purchase appliances, building products, electronics and other energy products that have Energy Star certification. In regards to electronic equipment, Luther College and its contractors will purchase electronic equipment with computer components that meet EPEAT standards. Exceptions may be permitted, i.e., when products are unavailable, when it is documented to be financially prohibitive. In the absence of Energy Star or EPEAT certified products, purchasers will select products that are in the upper twenty-five percent of energy efficiency as designated by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).

Food Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
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Garments and Linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Professional Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
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Transportation and Fuels 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
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Wood and Paper 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
We have a policy for office paper purchasing but do not have one for wood.

Other Commodity Categories 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
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Optional Fields 

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.