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

STARS v2.1

Luther College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.75 / 4.00 Maren Beard
Assistant Director, Campus Sustainability
Center for Sustainable Communities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

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:
The college developed a robust 5-year strategic plan in 2008 and is currently operating under a set of strategic priorities for 2016-2018 as we work to develop our next 5 year strategic plan. The priorities document calls us to continue to implement the sustainability goals adopted in 2008 and the Climate Action Plan adopted in 2012.

A copy of the strategic plan:
---

The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
http://www.luther.edu/president/speeches/priorities1618/

Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
---

The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/about/strategic-plan/

Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
---

The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/energy-climate/climate-action/plan/

Other Published Plans 

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)? :
No

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
---

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In our Center for Sustainable Communities Strategic Plan one of our objectives is to "enrich the curriculum and co-curricular opportunities so sustainability is a part of every student's learning experience."

Research 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
One of the objectives in the Center for Sustainable Communities Strategic Plan calls us to "broaden research by engaging Luther faculty and students in addressing sustainability issues in the community."

Campus Engagement 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Center for Sustainable Communities Strategic Plan includes the following pieces which relate to campus engagement: -Enrich the curriculum and cocurricular opportunities so sustainability is a part of every student's learning experience. -Engage students, faculty, staff and community members with information and leadership opportunities related to sustainable communities. -Establish and manage a college farm with a balance of education, research, demonstration and food production. - Increase student education opportunities related to food.

Public Engagement 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Center for Sustainable Communities Strategic Plan includes the following objectives: -Stimulate investment in energy efficiency and development of locally owned, community renewable energy projects. - Collaborate with partners on energy and climate projects and identify opportunities where Luther's expertise can be best utilized. -Collaborate with partners on land stewardship projects and identify current gaps in the wider community where Luther's expertise can be developed and used. -Serve as a catalyst for growth in the regional food system. -Engage K-12 schools, their educators, and community stakeholders to promote sustainability, wellness and student learning. -Enhance environmental and outdoor education programs with special emphasis on high school students.

Air & Climate 

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:
Luther achieved a 50% reduction in our carbon footprint (relative to our 2003-2004 peak) in Fall 2016. Our next goal is a 70% reduction by 2020 with the end goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. This is laid out in the Climate Action Plan.

Buildings 

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:
In our Climate Action Plan we state our commitment to making sure that all new construction and renovation projects are done to LEED standards.

Energy 

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:
In our three year campus operations goals we state the following in regards to energy: 1. Reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions 60% from peak in 2003-04 to make progress toward established goal of 70% by 2020 2. Reduce energy intensity 3.5% kBtus/sf per year 3. Reduce electricity consumption in Preus Library 35% from FY 2014-15 levels by investing in LED lighting and other energy efficiency measures 4. Reduce domestic water usage by 20% 5. Increase energy conservation and climate literacy through 3 major education initiatives each year 6. Complete an energy master plan for the campus. The plan should: -Study all buildings and identify energy-related issues and opportunities -Identify and evaluate sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels for heating the campus -Study the cost-effective potential for energy storage to reduce demand -Investigate ways to change campus operations to save energy (e.g. shifting the start of the academic year until mid-September, minimizing energy use in buildings during breaks, etc)

Food & Dining 

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:
Our CSC Strategic Plan includes the following objectives: -Enhance sustainable food choices and operational sustainability in campus dining services. -Establish and manage a college farm with a balance of education, research, demonstration and food production. -Expand educational offerings in the areas of food systems and nutrition to faculty and staff -Increase student opportunities related to food -Serve as a catalyst for growth in the regional food system. Additionally, we also have the following as campus operations goals to accomplish by May 2018: Increase sustainable food purchasing in select food categories -Dairy - 75% local (all dairy - milk, yogurt, soft-serve, ice cream, cheese) -Meat - 50% local (pork and beef) -Poultry - 20% local (turkey and chicken) -Produce - 25% local (non-canned SnoPac, Gardens, Grown Locally) -Coffee and Tea - 98% Fair Trade Improve nutritional environment in campus eateries (e.g. making water the default beverage) Reduce food waste in all campus venues

Grounds 

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:
---

Purchasing 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The 2008 goal to purchase post consumer recycled content is reaffirmed in the 2016-2018 priorities document and we also have a policy for energy star appliances.

Transportation 

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:
We have three campus operations goals for 2015-2018 that involve transportation. 1) Install at least one electric vehicle charging station on campus 2) Monitor study abroad travel and develop an educational framework and offset options for students 3) Monitor vehicle travel (student, faculty/staff, athletics, etc) and study options for reducing impacts

Waste 

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:
We have many campus operations goals that relate to waste. They include: Reduce waste by 50% (tonnage of solid waste to the landfill) -Reduce dining services food waste by 90% -Establish composting in residence halls and some academic buildings -Divert 75% of recyclables (currently in waste stream) from residence halls -Reduce waste by 90% in 2 campus buildings as zero waste pilot projects -Reduce move out waste by 50% Develop and launch a zero waste initiative with the goal of 10% reduction per year Implement consistent waste infrastructure (4 streams) throughout the campus

Water 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Our 2015-2018 campus operations goals include the goal to reduce domestic water usage by 20%

Diversity & Affordability 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The 2016-2018 Strategic Priorities document includes the following: - Hire and retain more faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and enhance programming to foster inclusivity in the college community.

Investment & Finance 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Our Center for Sustainable Communities Strategic Plan sets the priority of securing endowment funds to ensure the ongoing operation of the Center.

Wellbeing & Work 

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 2016-2018 Strategic Priorities document includes the following: - Implement new practices to improve the sense of community on campus.

Other Impact Areas 

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:
---

Optional Fields 

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)? :
---

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
---

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
---

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

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
---

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/commitments/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

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.