| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 34.87 |
| Liaison | Courtney Gallaher |
| Submission Date | June 4, 2024 |
Northern Illinois University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
Courtney
Gallaher Associate Professor, Sustainability Coordinator Earth, Atmosphere and Environment |
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:
For full list, including action items, please see attached Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. Goal 10-1: A curriculum that is inclusive of sustainability and has substantial and meaningful focus opportunities for learning about sustainability Goal 10-2: A sustainability curriculum that centers on collaborative, experiential, and adaptive lifelong learning
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:
For full list, including action items, please see the attached Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. Goal 11-1: Develop a high-quality website dedicated to sustainability at NIU Goal 11-2: Determine and assess the level of sustainability within outreach and engagement programming Goal 11-3: Apply a sustainability lens to design and redesign of outreach and engagement endeavors Goal 11-4: Cultivate transdisciplinary collaborations on sustainability programming and engagements within and across colleges and divisions Goal 11-5: Foster collaborations with public and private sector organizations, including local governments, non-profits, and corporations, to grow a regional sustainability community
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:
For full list, including action items, please see the attached Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. Goal 01-3: Implement energy management and submetering plan and program Goal 02-1: Develop NIU renewable energy strategic plan to achieve carbon neutrality from energy consumption by 2040 Goal 02-2: Launch a renewable energy project of significant size and scale by the end of calendar year 2024 Goal 03-2: Take immediate, visible measures to reduce NIU’s carbon emissions within the next 3 years Goal 05-1: Identify means to improve current NIU food and beverage purchasing toward more sustainable options Goal 05-3: Divert pre-and post-consumer food waste from NIU campus dining services operations Goal 07-2: Reduce water consumption on campus
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:
The full plan can be found here: https://www.niu.edu/diversity/about/strategic.shtml Sample objectives: * Form college level equity teams to analyze data and make recommendations for recruitment and retention of students and faculty of color. * Expand diversity dialogues to include DeKalb and Sycamore community residents *Administer the spring 2016 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Climate Survey, and continuously on alternating years * Develop a diverse faculty and staff recruitment and retention plan based on the data, policies and budget capacity
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:
While NIU does not have a formal statement of support, the NIU Sustainability and Climate Action Plan was approved by the NIU President and the rest of senior leadership, and is used as a strategic planning document in conjunction with other planning frameworks at a university level. It has been referenced in the 2024 Presidential Goals.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
The process of living within the limits of available physical, natural, and human resources in order to create thriving, healthy, diverse, equitable, and resilient communities for this generation and generations to come.
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 | --- |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | --- |
| SDG Accord | --- |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| 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:
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.