| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.34 |
| Liaison | Samuel Crowl |
| Submission Date | March 11, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Ohio University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Vince
Weatherstein Director of Energy Management Facilities Management & Safety |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | No | No |
| Public Engagement | No | No |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | No | No |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | Yes | Yes |
| Other | Yes | Yes |
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
Benchmark 9 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase enrollment in sustainability-themed courses, majors, and programs.
Recommended Strategies
• Identify sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses.
• Explore opportunities for integration, including using the GENED system, in particular the tier III courses; special topics courses; University College courses; Tier II; common reading project.
• Work with internal grants sources to provide incentives for faculty to develop new courses and revise existing courses.
• Create opportunities for faculty to participate in professional development.
• Work with faculty to identify existing courses that are ripe for integration.
• Develop language related to the impact that participating in sustainability-related or focused courses could have on interdisciplinary promotion and tenure measures and support faculty who do this.
• Assemble a group of faculty who could serve as sustainability curriculum mentors to advise other faculty.
Benchmark 11 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Provide undergraduate students with a sustainability-focused major, degree program, or equivalent
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Target and Date for Benchmark 9: Definition and baseline by December 2011. 5% increase in course offerings and enrollment per year compared to December 2011.
Target and Date for Benchmark 11: At least one major, degree program, or equivalent by 2015.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Common Experience Project on Sustainability, Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee, Office of Sustainability, University College, Enrollment, Office of the Provost
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
Benchmark 23 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Strengthen sustainability research activities.
Recommended Strategies
• Work with internal grant sources and the Center of Excellence in energy and the environment to provide incentives for faculty to explore and expand research opportunities.
• Assess all units across campus to determine whether interdisciplinary, trans-disciplinary, and multi-disciplinary research are acknowledged and rewarded during faculty promotion and tenure.
• Identify ongoing funding support for faculty development workshops.
Benchmark 35 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Define and track sustainability research activities
Recommended Strategies
• Designate Office of Sustainability as lead for coordination of tracking process.
• In collaboration with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Center of Excellence in energy and the environment, conduct initial baseline assessment of qualifying research activities.
• Discuss scope of sustainability research activities with the Consortium for Energy, Economics, and Environment (CE3).
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Target and date for Benchmark 23:
25% of all full-time faculty by 2020 or 5% per year increase beginning 2012-2013. 75% of all academic departments and centers by 2020 or 5% per year increase beginning 2012-2013.
Target and date for Benchmark 35:
Definition of sustainability research activities within one month of Sustainability Plan adoption. Inventory by faculty, department, collaboration, awards, and award dollars within 3 months of Sustainability Plan adoption.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Center for Excellence in Energy and Environment (CE3), Common Experience Project on Sustainability, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and Office of Sustainability
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
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None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
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None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Benchmark 1 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) across all campuses.
Recommended Strategies
• Reduce use of fossil fuel based energy infrastructure.
• Improve efficiency of existing and planned campus facilities.
• Increase renewable energy generation and sourcing.
• Provide a mechanism for university community members to invest in carbon offsets that benefit projects on campus.
• Actively promote resource sharing, reuse, electronic communications, bulk purchasing &aggregated delivery.
• Reduce size and use of university fleet.
• Prohibit vehicle idling.
• Support increased use of tools for online and virtual meetings.
• Conduct a feasibility study for the replacement of Lausche Heating Plant and develop a plan for replacement.
• Schedule evening events and classes in buildings that cannot easily be powered down.
• Institute centralized scheduling
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Target and Date
Athens Campus: 25% below 2005 levels by 2030. 80% below 2005 levels by 2050. Carbon neutrality by 2075. Regional Campuses: 25% below baseline levels (as established for each campus through Climate Action Plan) by 2030. 80% below baseline levels by 2050. Carbon neutrality by 2075.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Facilities Management, Procurement, Office of the Provost, Residential Housing, Office of Sustainability ,Culinary Services, Office of Parking and Transportation Services
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Benchmark 4 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: LEED certify new buildings and
major renovations on all campuses
Recommended Strategies
• Provide support for the LEED accreditation of all planning and design and construction staff.
• Actively solicit funding opportunities for innovative green building elements and approaches.
Benchmark 12 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Evaluate LEED EBOM of existing facilities
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Target and Date for Benchmark 4:
LEED Silver minimum certification for all building and renovation projects budgeted at or above $2 million, effective FY2011. Equivalent LEED-based approach for projects budgeted under $2 million, effective FY2012.
Target and date for Benchmark 12:
Checklist evaluation of at least one existing facility over 15,000 gsf. Completed within 3 months of Sustainability Plan adoption.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Facilities Management, Office of Design and Construction, Residential Housing
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Benchmark 14 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase purchase of local food.
Recommended strategies
• Designate sustainability leaders in all departments and operational areas.
• Continue outreach and collaboration with local growers and suppliers to increase the availability and scope of food items.
• Work with commercial vendors that offer local and sustainable product lines
Benchmark 30 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Provide information to diners regarding sustainability-attributes of food options
Recommended strategies:
• Designate Dining Services to develop an in-house marketing campaign to identify locally sourced items in both the dining halls and retail locations.
• Designate Dining Services to develop an in-house marketing campaign to identify items that are sustainable i.e. organic, low impact, alternative energy produced.
Benchmark 32 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase food donations to local service organizations
Recommended strategies:
• Explore opportunities to address structural constraints in collaboration with Athens County Health Department.
• Designate Office of Sustainability as meeting coordinator.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Target and date for Benchmark 14:
0.5% per year between 2011 and 2016.
Target and date for Benchmark 30:
Labeling and marketing program by 2012.
Target and date for Benchmark 32:
Meet with Athens County Health Department, Culinary Services, and local service groups to discuss current obstacles and establish baseline goals for improvement by the end of Fall Quarter 2011.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Culinary Services, Office of Sustainability, Ohio University Auxiliaries, Atrium Café, Kennedy Museum Café,
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
Benchmark 2 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Reduce campus and building energy intensity
Recommended Strategies
• Institute demand side management program within the department of Facilities Management in accordance with Sustainability Plan and Climate Action Plan goals.
• Install building level meters for electricity and steam.
• Establish real-time energy monitoring capacities that are accessible to all members of the University community.
• Implement energy conservation measures (ECM) across all campuses.
• Ensure new construction/renovation projects achieve lower MMBTU/gsf energy profile than campus average.
• Institute an “energy tap fee” on all construction and renovation projects over $2 million beginning in fall 2011. One percent or more of total project costs directed to a demand reduction and renewable energy project fund managed by Facilities.
• Planned projects that are projected to lead to a breach of the 24 MW peak will be required to present a plan to AVP Facilities for comparable reduction in electricity use elsewhere on campus or the generation of sufficient renewable energy to manage the increase.
• Develop a policy for temperature set points across campus.
Benchmark 3 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase renewable energy generation and sourcing
Recommended Strategies
• Actively solicit funding opportunities for renewable energy installations.
• Institute an “energy tap fee” on all construction and renovation projects over $2 million beginning in fall 2011. One percent or more of total project costs directed to a demand reduction and renewable energy project fund managed by Facilities.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Target and Date for Benchmark 2:
Reduce building energy intensity 20% below 2004 levels by 2014 and 40% below 2004 levels by 2030. Avoid 24 Megawatt (MW) peak on the Athens campus. Lower peak to 23 MW by 2016.
Target and Date for Benchmark 3:
20% of all campus energy use by 2020.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Facilities Management, Office for Design and Construction, Residential Housing
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Benchmark 26 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Recommended strategies:
• Survey and document classification of plants, native and invasive, turf and wildlife habitat.
• Prioritize attention and effort towards College Green, the Ridges, and the Hocking River areas
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Target and date:
Plan adopted by June 2011.
Grounds manager to report annually on progress toward this goal.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Design and Construction, Facilities Management/Campus Grounds
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Benchmark 19 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase use of green cleaning products
Recommended strategies:
• Designate Facilities Management as lead for policy development and implementation.
• Investigate sustainability attributes and use of BioPreferred products
Benchmark 20 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase the percentage of paper products on campus that include post-consumer recycled content
Recommended strategies:
• Designate sustainability leaders in all departments and operational areas.
• Work with vendor to increase sustainability attributes of products.
• Sort products based on sustainability priorities.
• Work with Inter-University Council of Ohio to incorporate sustainability standards into paper contracts.
Benchmark 28 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase purchase of non-food local goods and services and environmentally preferable goods.
Recommended strategies:
• Designate sustainability leaders in all departments and operational areas.
• Require that non-local contractors partner with local organizations and businesses.
• Work with vendors to increase sustainability attributes of products.
• Sort products based on sustainability priorities.
• Investigate sustainability attributes and use of BioPreferred products.
Benchmark 29 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase purchase of environmentally preferable computer products
Recommended strategies:
• Designate sustainability leaders in all departments and operational areas.
• Funnel computer purchases thru the Technology Depot and/or SciQuest.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Target and date for Benchmark 19:
Exclusive use of certified products when available and competitively priced.
Target and date for Benchmark 20:
75% of all annual paper products purchased will include at least 30% PCC by June 2012.
Target and date for Benchmark 28:
0.5% per year between 2011 and 2016.
Target and date for Benchmark 29:
75% of all annual computer products purchased rated EPEAT Gold or better by FY2012.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Facilities Management, Procurement Services, Bobcat Depot
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Benchmark 16 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Improve sustainability profile of student, staff, and faculty vehicles
Recommended strategies:
• Institute parking pass fees for all faculty and staff on the Athens campus.
• Offer incentives such as preferred parking spots and discounted parking pass rates for LEFE vehicles
Benchmark 18 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Improve sustainability profile of campus fleet
Recommended strategies:
• Centralize ownership and management of university vehicles.
• Designate the Department of Parking and Transportation as lead for tracking and reporting average fuel economy figures.
• Compile resources regarding CAFÉ standard compliant vehicles.
• Designate sustainability leaders in all departments and operational areas.
.
Benchmark 27 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Decrease use of Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV)
Recommended strategies:
• Develop and implement a University/City Transit Partnership
• Provide indoor and secure bike storage, shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters in at least one campus location.
• Improve CATS service on the Athens campus.
• Institute parking pass fees for all faculty and staff on the Athens campus.
• Offer incentives such as preferred parking spots and discounted parking pass rates for carpool program participants.
• Prioritize compactness and walkability in master planning and campus development.
• Assess feasibility of a shuttle service from surrounding communities.
• Actively promote use of the ride share board and carpooling through the Human Resources Department
• Investigate using a portion of parking pass fees to improve public transportation in the future.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Target and Date for Benchmark 16:
60% of all student, faculty and staff vehicles will be classified as LEFE by 2015.
Target and date for Benchmark 18:
Average fuel economy of the campus fleet will increase by 5% per year beginning in the fall of 2011. All cars and light trucks acquired from outside the university beginning in June 2011 will meet or exceed 2011 federal CAFÉ standards.
Target and date for Benchmark 27:
85% of all students and 20% of all faculty and staff will use a non-SOV option as their primary method of transportation by 2015, including but not limited to non-motorized, shared, and alternative fuel options.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Transportation and Parking Services, Human Resources, University Planner, University-City Transit Partnership
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Benchmark 5 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Reduce Solid Waste
Recommended Strategies
• Actively promote resource sharing, reuse, electronic communications, bulk purchasing, and aggregated delivery.
• Develop training to move offices towards paperless operation.
• Offer reduced portion sizes at all all-you-can-eat dining facilities.
• Offer discounts across campus for use of reusable containers.
• Expand office supply swap programs.
• Implement campus-wide inventory system to facilitate the reuse of laboratory chemicals.
• Designate sustainability leaders in all departments and operational areas.
• Place more unified recycling bins across campus and co-locate trash and recycling bins.
• Partner with Off-Campus Living to reduce waste from off-campus housing.
Benchmark 7 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Increase Recycling Rates
Recommended strategies:
• Implement single or dual stream recyclable materials collection.
• Require all construction contractors to sort recycling waste and report tonnage to Project Managers.
• Review and amend waste and recycling contracts on an on-going basis to ensure that the highest value is being garnered.
• Implement improved waste tracking mechanisms.
• Assess opportunities for community-based and regional waste partnerships.
Benchmark 15 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Improve identification and proper handling of hazardous waste
Recommended strategies:
• Funnel all chemical purchases through a central purchasing system.
• Track the amount of hazardous chemicals purchased by the University.
• Designate a leader in Environmental Health and Safety to increase staff knowledge of hazardous waste compliance.
• Implement a purchasing system that automatically notifies EHS when a hazardous chemical is purchased.
Benchmark 34 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Implement notification system for local service organizations regarding availability of surplus items
Recommended strategies
• Develop inventory of local area service organizations.
• Include notification system information on the Campus Surplus and Office of Sustainability Web sites.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Target and Date for Benchmark 5:
5% per year between 2011 and 2016.
Target and Date for Benchmark 7:
80% by weight of all recyclable solid waste by 2016.
Target and date for Benchmark 15:
Implement tracking system for purchased hazardous chemicals by 2013.
Target and date for Benchmark 34:
Notification system active within 3 months of Sustainability Plan adoption.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Offices of: Recycling and Refuse, Facilities Management, Moving and Surplus, Culinary Services, Environmental Health and Safety, and Design and Construction
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Benchmark 13 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Prohibit the installation of permanent irrigation systems that rely on potable water
Recommended strategies:
• Designate the Office for Design and Construction as lead for policy development and implementation.
• Support the use of weather-informed irrigation systems in existing applications.
Benchmark 17 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Institute storm water management plan
Recommended Strategies:
• Designate University Planner as lead for plan development and implementation.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Target and date for Benchmark 13:
Total ban effective June 2011. Full compliance reviewed annually for reporting.
Target and Date for Benchmark 17:
Plan adopted by June 2012.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Design and Construction, Facilities Management, and Office of Sustainability
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
Benchmark 33 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Encourage residency in City of Athens for Athens campus employees
Recommended strategies:
• Discuss opportunities for collaboration with Athens Chamber of Commerce, Athens Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, and Athens Realty Board.
• Develop promotional materials profiling area residents employed at the university.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Target and date:
Informational materials will be provided to all incoming faculty and staff prior to relocation by 2012.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Human Resources, Office of Sustainability
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
Benchmark 21 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Assess endowment investment in sustainable corporations and entities and recommend strategies for increasing investment in these corporations and entities
Recommended strategies:
• Seek disclosure on environmental profiles of entities in which we invest.
• Explore the potential creation of a committee on investor responsibility with multi-stakeholder representation.
• Conduct screening of the entire investment pool, giving preference, where possible, to investments that align with criteria for environmental justice.
• Seek investments that promote sustainability including sustainability industries, businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance, sustainability investment funds, community development financial institutions, socially responsible mutual funds with.
• Establish a student-managed socially responsible investment fund.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Target and date:
Annual assessment beginning in the academic year following sustainability plan adoption.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
OU Foundation, Sustainable Investment Advisory Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
Benchmark 22 of the Ohio University Sustainability Plan: Implement recruitment strategies targeting sustainability-minded students, faculty, and staff
Recommended strategies:
• Designate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management as lead for student recruitment initiatives.
• Designate the Director of Compensation to work with departments to include a preferred interest in sustainability and environmental issues in faculty and staff job descriptions.
• Distribute recruitment materials prepared on behalf of the College of Arts and Sciences to all units upon request.
• Integrate sustainability emphasis into OHIO Up Close and other tours and programs for prospective students.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Target and Date:
Beginning in the fall of 2012, use the sustainability profile of the school as a tool to recruit students with an expressed interest in sustainability. Faculty and staff will be recruited based on an expressed interest in sustainability and environmental issues beginning in the fall of 2012.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
Human Resources, Undergraduate Admissions, Office of Sustainability
None
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Ohio University defines "sustainability" as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their needs (adapted from the Brundtland definition). We take a triple bottom line approach to this concept by ensuring that the actions of the University are inclusive of 1.) People/Equity, 2.) Planet/Environment and, 3.) Prosperity/Economy. (http://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/about/history.cfm)
None
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
No
None
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
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None
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.