Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.37
Liaison Olivia Herron
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2022

STARS v2.2

Miami University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Adam Sizemore
Director of Sustainability
Physical Facilities Department
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:

The Miami University 2016 Sustainability Commitments and Goals (SCAG) - *Active during report timeline 2019 - 2021. (See in Administration for explanation)

Goal 5: Sustainability Literacy Survey Demonstrate that faculty, staff, and students have achieved a level of sustainability literacy through a literacy survey.

Progress Made on 2016 SCAG, as well as justification for retiring 2016 SCAG (see Administration section for justification) -

An online student sustainability educational module is being developed by the Sustainability Office in collaboration with Miami Regionals E-Campus with a target implementation date of late fall 2021. The module will be administered to all students with a pre-and post-literacy assessment, as well as a cultural assessment. The module content will be reevaluated and updated annually. Further plans include administering the module to staff and faculty.

In 2019, Miami’s Institute for the Environment & Sustainability (IES) introduced the Food Systems & Food Studies Co-Major, the fourth sustainability-related co-major (the other co-majors include Environmental Science, Energy and Sustainability).

Sustainability will be further incorporated in academic programs through the new Miami Global Plan (MGP) which is scheduled to launch in fall 2022. The proposed new GMP currently includes “Sustainability and Resilience” as one of the five Signature Inquiries areas.

https://www.miamioh.edu/liberal-ed/student-resources/miami-global-plan/

The Climate Action Task Force will continue to explore ways to incorporate curriculum and literacy into the campus experience per the requirements of the PCLC.

Miami University Sustainability Pillars (adopted in 2021) specific to Engagement (See in Administration for explanation).

Sustainability Pillar 2: Commitment to Enhancing Campus Culture
"The University is committed to supporting sustainability programming, curriculum, and research, and increasing collaboration across all divisions, promoting a University-wide culture of sustainable behavior that supports health and well-being."


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:

Sustainability Pillars (adopted in 2021) specific to Engagement (See in Administration for explanation).

Sustainability Pillar 2: Commitment to Enhancing Campus Culture
"The University is committed to supporting sustainability programming, curriculum, and research, and increasing collaboration across all divisions, promoting a University-wide culture of sustainable behavior that supports health and well-being."

The Climate Action Task Force concurrently seeks to expand sustainability-related student engagement initiatives across campus. Dr. Scott Walter, associate vice president for student life, is the current student engagement lead on the Climate Action Task Force. Goals and metrics will emerge during this process.


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:

The 2016 Sustainability Commitments and Goals (SCAG) - *Active during report timeline 2019 - 2021. (See in Administration for explanation)

Goal 1: Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions - Continue to implement long-term changes in energy infrastructure, operations, and practices to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases relative to Oxford Campus FY 2008 (151,408 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents) 30% by 2020, 40% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.

Goal 2: Consider the Social Cost of Carbon - When possible, consider the social cost of carbon and the incremental cost of greenhouse gas reduction when evaluating alternative investments into energy infrastructure.

Goal 3: Aim for LEED Silver Certification - Achieve LEED Silver (Version 4), 2 Green Globes, or Living Building Challenge 3.0 for all new construction and major renovation projects.

Goal 4: Green Care Plans for Miami's Grounds Support the best management practices in grounds maintenance, with a focus on classifying all of Miami’s lands with green care plans by end of FY2017. A seated person looks out toward a rain garden.

Progress Made on 2016 SCAG, as well as justification for retiring 2016 SCAG (see Administration section for justification) -

Goal 1: Miami met these goals well before the target dates due to the success of Miami’s Utility Master Plan and changes in energy systems to move off steam and increase energy conservation in new and renovated buildings. Even with increased gross square footage of buildings, by FY 2019 Miami had reduced carbon emissions from purchased electricity, natural gas and coal by 52% per gross square foot (gsf) (meeting the 2030 goal), and 41% independent of gsf (meeting the 2025 goal). FY 2020 numbers are not comparable to a normal, operational year due to the campus shutdown in response to the pandemic. However, if FY 2020 is taken into account, the reductions since FY 2008 were 57% per gsf and 46% independent of gsf. During FY 2021 the Director of Sustainability calculated an updated carbon footprint for the Oxford campus (Table 1). Due to the pandemic’s impact on FYs 2020 and 2021 operations, the updated carbon footprint is based on FY 2019 data since it more accurately reflects a year of normal operations. The FY 2019 carbon footprint (86,572.39 MTCO2e) will be the University’s new baseline and is referred to as the FY 2021 footprint on the Second Nature PCLC reporting platform.

Goal 2: Since 2016 the University has demonstrated its commitment to exploring the impacts of GHG emissions as well as social justice, diversity, and equity issues. In 2020 the commitment to carbon neutrality was formalized with the signing of the PCLC Climate Commitment. Also, in 2020 the commitment to social justice, diversity and equity was institutionalized through the formation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force. While the social cost of carbon may not specifically have been taken into account since 2016, Miami’s dedication to exploring carbon reduction and social justice issues has been well established. Furthermore, Miami’s forthcoming CAP will include targeted actions for climate resilience and carbon neutrality that take into account the social, health, racial justice, and other effects of GHG emissions. Whether the CAP incorporates the social cost of carbon specifically into future decisions about energy infrastructure will be determined by the CATF, but it is clear that social justice issues will be fully explored and incorporated.

Goal 3: As of FY 2021, 32 of Miami’s Oxford campus buildings have achieved Gold or Silver LEED certification for either construction or renovations. These include 24 residence halls, 4 dining/residence halls, 3 academic buildings (Pearson Hall, Farmer School of Business and Shideler Hall), and Armstrong Student Center. Miami's 32 LEED-certified buildings now account for 31% of the gross square footage of buildings on the Oxford campus. Miami’s Physical Facilities Department (PFD) will continue to use LEED standards for new construction projects and renovations.

Goal 4: PFD Grounds continues to evaluate efficient, sustainable options to campus grounds maintenance. Since 2016, green care/sustainability efforts on the Oxford campus include:(1) Implemented rain sensors and a new smart technology system for the irrigation systems to reduce and monitor water usage; Increased turf mowing height which helps reduce the amount of water needed; Grass clippings either mulched and left on turf or composted and reused in soil mix compost; Targeted pest management for trees and shrubs with insect problems, reducing insecticide use; All material from tree pruning and removals ground and reused for mulch beds; Installed rain gardens by Dorsey and McBride halls; Creating riparian areas on Western campus; Sourced water from geothermal ponds for Cook field irrigation. (2) Plans for Miami’s Natural Areas (1,000 acres and 17 miles of hiking trails) will be
evaluated by the CATF to explore the potential for carbon sequestration.

Sustainability Pillars (adopted in 2021) specific to Operations (See in Administration for explanation)

Sustainability Pillar 1: Commitment to an Equitable and Sustainable Campus Infrastructure
Sustainability Pillar 3: Commitment to Responsible Resource Management

**See Part 2 for the ongoing Utility Master Plan**


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:

In the past three years, Miami University has strategically restructured our future sustainability planning. Beginning with the June 2019 Commitment to Lead report, written by the Sustainability Committee, Miami University developed a new vision for sustainability moving forward. The outcome of this report:

The Sustainability Committee formed seven subcommittees tasked with summarizing current efforts and
identifying new opportunities. From these efforts, the Sustainability Committee developed a new
sustainability vision that will leverage Miami’s past success, as well as the wealth of resources from
Miami students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners. This vision includes the following:

• Become a leader in higher education by working with other universities, especially those in Ohio, to
recognize how sustainability is integrally tied to a liberal arts education.
• Create new sustainability commitments and goals (SCAG) focused on reducing carbon emissions,
creating a campus culture that supports sustainability, and being wise stewards of our resources.
• Maintain an inventory of courses, programs, and research focused on sustainability, seek additional
funding for sustainability-focused research, and communicate our successes.
• Expand student opportunities by creating new programs such as a Green Student Advisory Council
and an online training program to teach students about sustainability efforts on campus.
• Continue to use the Lean process to manage resources wisely, with an increased emphasis on
technological advances; and establish institutional policies for processes ranging from equipment
purchases to remote meeting access.
• Create an Environmental Justice speaker series and host community forums on social and
environmental issues of inequity.
• Collaborate with energy companies, the Oxford community, surrounding communities, business
partners, and universities to create innovative solutions for collectively reducing emissions.
• Commit to achieving carbon neutrality in the near future.

Following the completion of this report, Miami University incorporated sustainability into the campus-wide Strategic Plan. See below:

Recommendation #14: We recommend that Miami strengthen its
relationship with the city of Oxford. Miami and Oxford should develop
a plan that will ensure a fruitful partnership.

"There are many town-gown coordinating groups that currently exist, but they do not appear to be well-positioned or they lack the authority to address specific operational areas including business communication, off-campus living, and promotional efforts. Goals and areas of enhancement should include: securing a vibrant local economy that meets the needs of students, year-round residents, and visitors in a dynamic world, encouraging community members and Miami students in community service efforts to help those most in need, leveraging our recent Town-Gown Association award to promote a healthy community, and advancing sustainability. Together, these goals would create meaningful progress toward making Miami and Oxford the healthiest, most sustainable college community in the nation."

Recommendation #15: We recommend that Miami continue its efforts as a leader in environmental sustainability. We support the work of the existing Sustainability Committee and suggest that its report be reviewed by the newly created ongoing Strategic Planning Committee

"Previous initiatives, including the Strategic Priorities Task Force in 2010, identified strategies that have helped to position Miami as a leader in environmental sustainability. In addition to the moral imperative to prioritize these initiatives, there are real long-term benefits to the bottom line in identifying and adopting environmentally responsible strategies. Currently, the Sustainability Committee is tasked with presenting a sustainability report by June 2019."

As a follow-up to Commitment to Lead, the Sustainability Committee produced a second report Feb. 2020 "Further Examinations of Carbon Neutrality", which formally recommended President Gregory Crawford sign the Climate Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitment. Miami signed the Climate Commitment on Sept. 20, 2020. Following signing the Climate PCLC, Miami University created the Climate Action Task Force tasked with developing a Climate Action Plan (2024) and Resilience Assessment (2023).

https://miamioh.edu/_files/documents/about-miami/president/strategic-plan/strategic-plan-06-28-19_508.pdf

In the meantime, Miami University reevaluated our campus-wide sustainability goals, knowing the forthcoming Climate Action Plan and Resilience Assessment will consist of detailed metrics. In mid Fall 2021, Miami University retired the Sustainability Commitments and Goals 2016, which remained active up until that point. These goals were replaced with campus-wide Sustainability Pillars.

Miami University Sustainability Pillars - institutional-level commitments which originate from the President’s Office and are passed to campus divisional leaders who are responsible for establishing goals and metrics in collaboration with the Director of Sustainability.

The three pillars are:

Sustainability Pillar 1: Commitment to an Equitable and Sustainable Campus Infrastructure
Sustainability Pillar 2: Commitment to Enhancing Campus Culture
Sustainability Pillar 3: Commitment to Responsible Resource Management

These guiding pillars will serve as foundational frameworks to incorporate into the Climate Action Plan, Resilience Assessment, and all campus divisions over time.


Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Major theme

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

The Miami University Board of Trustees received the report and recommendations of the University's Strategic Planning Committee, and formally voted to accept the report on June 28, 2019. The University is implementing the Strategic Plan through MiamiRise - https://miamioh.edu/rise/. Goal #15/#30 = #15-Review recommendations from existing Sustainability Committee and align with plan. (this goal led to signing the PCLC in Sept 2020 and we are currently working on a Climate Action Plan and Resilience Assessment).

Endorsed by former president Hodge, Miami University's Sustainability Commitments & Goals (SCAG) were developed in 2010 and 2016 with broad stakeholder input. President Gregory Crawford later endorsed the 2016 SCAGs.

In 2020, President Gregory Crawford signed the Climate PCLC. In 2021 Miami adopted the new Sustainability Pillars.


The institution’s definition of sustainability:

Miami University is committed to sustainability in our academic programs, physical campus and operations, and university mission by promoting environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability for current and future generations. This commitment is a collaborative effort that involves students, faculty, staff and external partners.

Miami's various sustainability stakeholders include, but are not limited to, current and future students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, suppliers, contractors, residents of the communities in which we operate, and those who live both within and beyond the boundaries of the state.


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
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability No
SDG Accord 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:

Utility Master Plan - Anticipated completion date 2026

52 percent per GSF/reduction in energy-based carbon emissions (coal, natural gas, and purchased electricity) between FY08-FY19

Reduction from 165.8 (FY2008) to 100.9 (FY2019) kbtu/gsf. By 2026 (projected), Miami's seeks to achieve 75.6 kbtu/GSF.

No coal has been burned on site since FY2017

Accumulated savings of roughly $68 million - $40.7 from energy savings from reduced energy consumption and $27.3 from lower energy costs.

Over 30 percent of Oxford campus GSF LEED (either Silver or Gold) certified.

67 (out of 121) buildings off steam - (13 on geothermal, 35 on simultaneous heating and cooling, and 19 stand-alone.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Please note the Utility Master Plan is not in PDF form or online, as it is a collection of initiatives in our Physical Facilities Department planned out to 2026.

Also, the reports mentioned above only exist online in executive summary format due to ADA guidelines.

Contact Susan Meikle meiklesb@miamoh.edu


Please note the Utility Master Plan is not in PDF form or online, as it is a collection of initiatives in our Physical Facilities Department planned out to 2026.

Also, the reports mentioned above only exist online in executive summary format due to ADA guidelines.

Contact Susan Meikle meiklesb@miamoh.edu

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.