| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.45 |
| Liaison | Natalie Sobrinski |
| Submission Date | Dec. 23, 2022 |
Muhlenberg College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
Natalie
Sobrinski Sustainability Specialist Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Goal #4 - Create a sustainable living learning program in buildings that facilitates sustainable living, teaches a sustainability ethic, and integrates academic and student life. In 2021 the Treehouse was re-established to Create a sustainability living learning program that considers integrating mixed use learning spaces, providing space for live-in staff, introducing staff/faculty office spaces, staffing the program and ensuring ongoing programming within the space in planning for Prosser Hall renovation, residential retail space and other upcoming capital projects.
Reduce energy inefficiencies in academic and administration buildings.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Muhlenberg College created a sustainability strategic plan that contains initiatives that cover multiple categories. The initiatives include:
Goal #1 – Educate and conduct outreach activities on sustainable food across campus.
● Engage in ongoing outreach to students and community about sustainable foods including
regular workshops, supporting student projects, and enabling bi-annual Farmers Markets and the "Weigh the Waste" initiative which visual demonstrates the amount of untouched food that is thrown out at the dining hall over a 30-minute period.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Goal #1 – Decrease resources used campus-wide.
● Identify specific target reductions in energy, chemical usage, recycling, paper, water,
greenhouse gases, and waste.
o Year 1 -
▪ Reduce electric consumption. Electric consumption reduced due to the
new chiller in Moyer Hall and new LED lighting in South Hall by
100KWh.
▪ Increase recycling of scrap metal. Scrap metal amounting to 291,511
lbs. recycled.
▪ Utilize eco-friendly tannin boiler treatment to reduce water waste.
College utilized 150 gallons of tannins to reduce water waste.
▪ Increase use of environmentally friendly, low-emissions refrigerant.
The College used 300 lbs. of environmentally friendly refrigerants.
▪ Convert tree-clippings to mulch on-site. The College converted 50
yards of tree chipping to mulch on-site.
▪ Upgrade new boilers using low NOx burners utilizing natural gas. The
College upgraded new boilers.
▪ Convert Aerco.350 to non-ozone depletion. Aerco.350 converted.
▪ Eliminate leaky pipes. Leaky pipes eliminated near boiler system due
to boiler decentralization.
▪ Replace old windows. Windows in 5 MILE houses were replaced.
o Year 2 - 5 toilets replaced with high efficiency toilets in MILE and other
houses.
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?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Goal #1: Recognize that equity and inclusion priorities share common goals with sustainability objectives.
Create and support collaborative programs, projects and initiatives with social justice, community engagement and diversity groups on campus.
Incorporate sustainability into foundational College documents such as Master Plan, Board of Trustees policies, Vision/ Mission/ Values statements, Diversity Strategic Plan, Muhlenberg branding, and key policies.
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | --- |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | --- |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | --- |
| SDG Accord | --- |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | --- |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| 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:
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts 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.