| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.84 |
| Liaison | Natalie Sobrinski |
| Submission Date | June 6, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Muhlenberg College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Kalyna
Procyk Sustainability Coordinator Office of Campus Sustainability |
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The College has adopted a Strategic Plan including sustainability as one of its core objectives.
Prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as Central to our Academic Strength
As an academic institution, we are committed to the advancement of knowledge and learning through the free and unfettered exchange of the broadest possible set of ideas and perspective. We believe Muhlenberg cannot achieve excellence across the institution without prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our campus community, in our curriculum and co‐ curriculum, and in our connections with local and global societies. We recognize that it is vital for the College to actively attract and support community members from historically underrepresented groups.
Attract, support, and retain an increasingly diverse and academically gifted student body through purposeful, robustly‐funded initiatives
Recruit, support, and retain an increasingly diverse and talented faculty and staff through purposeful, robustly funded initiatives
Identify, develop, and support curricular and co‐curricular initiatives that build community members’ capacity for productive and equitable intercultural interactions as a core learning goal across all programs
Identify, develop, and support programs that nurture fruitful, mutually beneficial relations from the scale of local communities to global partners.
Expand and support celebrations and rituals that strengthen our community and reinforce our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion
Continue to pursue environmentally‐sensitive policies, practices, and capital investments to maximize our campus sustainability
A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
A copy of the sustainability plan:
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)? :
A copy of the climate action plan:
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)? :
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
The Diversity Plan addresses social impacts and prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, core elements of sustainability.
The Diversity Plan can be found at:
http://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/president/initiatives/Diversity%20Strategic%20Plan%20-%20Final%20Approved%20Version.pdf
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Increase and assess broader sustainability education to all students by integrating into existing and new co-curricular programming.
Support the integration of sustainability concepts and themes into existing courses across the entire curriculum and the development and promotion of new courses specifically focused on sustainability.
Create a sustainable living learning program in buildings that facilitates sustainable living, teaches a sustainability ethic, and integrates academic and student life.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Educate staff on buildings and grounds sustainable practices during staff Professional Development Day.
Publicize Plant Operations best practices through Plant Operations website, Sustainability website, social media, annual report, and STARS reporting.
Provide students information on sustainable behavior and responsibilities in student housing agreements and MILE house-specific packets.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Engage community in Allentown Recyclebank Program Incentives for Allentown residents and Recyclemania.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Reduce GHG emissions.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Follow national green building design standards in new construction and renovation. (Ex. LEED, Net-Zero, Living Building Challenge, BREAM etc.)
Operate and maintain buildings consistent with LEED or similar green Operations and Maintenance policies.
Renovate or replace retiring campus buildings with facilities that consider sustainable and biophilic architectural and landscape design, adhere to sustainable urban design/ Smart Growth principles, utilize sustainable construction practices, and incorporate other green building strategies.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Decrease resources used campus-wide.
Identify specific target reductions in energy, chemical usage, recycling, paper, water,
greenhouse gases, and waste.
Replace 10% of low efficiency lighting with high efficiency lighting fixtures (LEDs) each year.
Reduce energy inefficiencies in academic buildings.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Engage in ongoing outreach to students and community about sustainable foods including regular workshops, supporting student projects, and enabling Farmers Markets and farm trips.
Expand outreach efforts and marketing in the area of meatless alternatives including vegan options.
Market Muhlenberg Dining Services programs to engage faculty, student, and staff in existing and new sustainability initiatives to increase participation.
Reduce pre and post consumer food waste
Investigate replacing disposable containers at all outlets with reusable containers.
Reduce non-food waste throughout all Muhlenberg Dining Services operations including working in-house and with suppliers to reduce packaging waste and serving waste.
Develop time-based objectives for increasing the proportion of sustainable purchases and provide annual reporting for meeting objectives.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Increase grounds initiatives of native drought-resistant plants, limit use of sprinklers, create no-mow zones or meadows, replace trees, and reduce chemical applications.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Improve data collection and reporting of waste, recycling, composting/yard waste, fuel and energy use.
Purchase in bulk to reduce packaging waste and work with suppliers to decrease packaging sent to college.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Promote reducing individual student car use, increasing efficiency of existing campus shuttle, and using City of Allentown bike share program.
Promote public and/or alternative transportation for campus employees.
Create incentive program for employees who do not drive to work.
Replace and upgrade College-owned vehicles and equipment, when needed, to decrease use of fossil fuels.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Reduce pre and post consumer food waste and packaging waste.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Reduce hot water consumption in laundry facilities.
Reduce overall student domestic water use.
Install water meters to enable meaningful feedback on building water consumption.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Diversity Plan is a Presidential - level plan that has been approved by the Board of Trustees. There will be at least annual reporting of implementation.
Muhlenberg College’s Diversity Strategic Planning Committee (DSPC)
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The creation of a Green Revolving Fund.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Promote public and/or alternative transportation for campus employees.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Create cross-curricular and co-curricular partnerships where students, faculty, staff, and Muhlenberg Dining Services improve food sustainability in Wood Dining Commons.
Develop workshops and educational materials with campus organizations linking sustainable food practices with health, fitness, nutrition, culture, and ethics.
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 | Yes |
| 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) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | --- |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Muhlenberg College's President John Williams has also endorsed a carbon pricing initiative. http://www.ourclimate.us/higher_ed_initiative
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.