Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.08
Liaison Andrew D'Amico
Submission Date March 13, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Princeton University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Shana Weber
Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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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 Yes Yes
Public Engagement Yes Yes
Air and Climate Yes Yes
Buildings Yes Yes
Dining Services/Food Yes Yes
Energy No No
Grounds Yes Yes
Purchasing Yes Yes
Transportation Yes Yes
Waste Yes Yes
Water Yes Yes
Diversity and Affordability No No
Health, Wellbeing and Work No No
Investment No No
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following Research and Education goal to advance sustainability in the Curriculum: Cultivate leaders among students and engage researchers from multiple disciplines to advance global sustainability, using the campus as a living laboratory.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Research and Education goal include: -Advance support for sustainability-related campus as lab coursework. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Engage students academically in campus as lab coursework related to environmental studies and sustainability.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Office of Sustainability, Princeton Environmental Institute, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following Research and Education goal to advance sustainability in Research: Cultivate leaders among students and engage researchers from multiple disciplines to advance global sustainability, using the campus as a living laboratory.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Research and Education goal include: -Advance support for sustainability-related campus as lab research. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -In summer 2014, the Office of the Dean for Research launched a “Campus as a Lab” innovation fund for faculty research. -The Office of Sustainability promotes opportunities for students to engage academically in campus as lab coursework and internships.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Office of Sustainability, Princeton Environmental Institute, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, the Office of Research and Project Administration

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following Campus & Civic Engagement goal to advance sustainability in Campus Engagement: Advance sustainability on campus and in the local and global communities through education and outreach, service and partnerships.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Campus & Civic Engagement goal include: -Increase student involvement in shifting toward a more sustainability-infused campus culture. -Investigate a range of employee engagement programs to encourage adoption of sustainable practices at work and at home. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Support student efforts to carry out relevant student engagement initiatives, such as the annual Earth Day Festival, and recycling efforts during Move Out and Reunions. -Continue to develop the Sustainability Ambassador staff educational program.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
The Office of Sustainability

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following Campus & Civic Engagement goal to advance sustainability in Public Engagement: Advance sustainability on campus and in the local and global communities through education and outreach, service and partnerships.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Campus & Civic Engagement goal include: -Identify new opportunities to employ meaningful service and civic engagement to advance the University’s commitment to sustainability. -Investigate a range of employee incentive programs to encourage adoption of sustainable practices at work and at home. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Through the Pace Center for Civic Engagement, encourage students to participate in the following public engagement initiatives: Community Action, a freshman orientation program; Princeton Internships in Civic Service; High Meadows environmental fellowships; Student Volunteers Council service projects and Breakout Princeton alternative break trips. -Track the progress of collaborative projects between the Office and Sustainability and Sustainable Princeton, a local nonprofit that works to reduce environmental impact in the community.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Pace Center for Civic Engagement, the Office of Sustainability

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following Energy goal to advance sustainability in Air and Climate: Reduce absolute campus greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Energy/Air and Climate goal include: -Reduce energy use of the following systems: distribution; lighting; HVAC; central plant. -Increase use of renewable energy systems (e.g. photovoltaics). Princeton has developed the following strategies for each of the areas above to track toward the 1990 greenhouse gas reduction goal. Each percentage represents the portion of the CO2 emissions reduction a particular area accounts for. -Distribution system improvements – 27% -Lighting Improvement Projects – 17% -Building HVAC replacements – 7% -Control system optimization – 4% -HVAC improvement projects – 16% -Central Plant efficiency improvements – 12% -Photovoltaics – 12%

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Engineering and Campus Energy

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following goal to advance sustainability in Buildings: Maximize the potential of the built environment to stimulate transformational thinking and exceptional performance in sustainability.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Buildings goal include: -Ensure that all new construction and major renovation projects adhere to Princeton’s aggressive sustainability and energy conservation guidelines. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Disseminate the sustainability and energy conservation guidelines as part of all new construction and major renovation projects.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
The Office of Design and Construction

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following goal to advance sustainability in Food: Increase sustainable food purchases to 75 percent by 2015 and raise awareness about green dining.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Food goal include: -Increase procurement and communication of sustainable food. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Research and build relationships with local companies who employ sustainable practices. -Hire student employees to identify the associated carbon footprint with food items to communicate sustainable dining options.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Office of Dining Services

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following goal to advance sustainability in Landscape and Stormwater Management: Create a vibrant, sustainable landscape and manage stormwater events with a campus-wide ecosystem approach.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Landscape goal include: Enhance campus green space and increase sustainable landscape practices. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Plant new trees and establish new acres of woodlands and open green space on Princeton’s campus. -Continuously experiment with alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and track the results.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Ground and Building Maintenance

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following goal to advance sustainability in Purchasing: Encourage sustainability in the supply chain and procurement of purchased goods and services.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Purchasing goal include: -Increase sustainable purchasing options and ease of access. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Expand default “green” purchasing options for standard office supplies Green Seal-certified cleaning products. -Develop campus procurement standards for various classes of electric and low-emission vehicles. -Experiment with the use of “blue cleaning” machines and monitor their success.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
The Office of Purchasing

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following goal to advance sustainability in Transportation: Increase efficiency and reduce emissions associated with transportation, including reducing commuter car numbers by 750 (15 percent) between 2008 and 2020.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Transportation goal include: -Further develop Transportation Demand Management incentive programs. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objectives: -Incentivize employees to use alternative forms of transportation to commute to campus, such as through mass transportation and carsharing. -Continue to offer registration for the Enterprise CarShare program for employees. -Evaluate infrastructure improvements to incentivize use of alternative fuel options for commuters and the campus fleet.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Transportation & Parking Services

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following goal to advance sustainability in Waste: Reduce overall campus waste by 40 percent between 2006 and 2020.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Waste goal include: -Increase recycling rates for campus recycling and move-out donation items. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objective: -Roll out mixed recycling across campus in parallel with an educational campaign and new campus labeling system. -Increase the number of move-out donation locations.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Building Services

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
In the 2008 Sustainability Plan, Princeton set the following goal to advance sustainability in Water: Reduce overall campus water usage by 25 percent between 2006 and 2020.

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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
The 2008 Sustainability Plan has a 2008-2020 timeframe. The measurable objectives for the Water goal include: Reduce water use campus-wide. Princeton has developed the following strategies to track toward its objective: -Continue to evaluate the major water-using activities on campus and determine how to best influence water conservation behavior. -Align water conservation and management goals to address regional water concerns. -Track irrigation water usage and experiment with new measures to reduce water use on athletics fields. -Continue to make infrastructural improvements that result in less water usage. -Encourage student organizations to develop water conservation initiatives.

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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Office of Finance & Treasury

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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
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A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Each of these goals and strategies were drafted with the creation of Princeton’s Sustainability Plan in 2008. Princeton tracks the progress of each of these goals in its annual Highlights brochure, linked here: http://sustain.princeton.edu/publications

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.