Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.66
Liaison Enid Cardinal
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Rochester Institute of Technology
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 3.00 Enid Cardinal
Senior Sustainability Advisor to the President
Office of the President
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:

Sustainable Procurement

Subject Number: 5.01
Date issued: 1/1/95
Reviewed/Revised: 5/15/15

Policy:

RIT will strive to conduct its activities in an ecologically and economically sound manner and will promote responsible consumption and environmentally sound practices among all members of the University community. RIT recognizes that sustainable purchasing is a critical component of preserving our natural resources, lowering operating costs, and minimizing waste; to this end RIT will:

1. Specify, whenever possible and reasonable, the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly systems, equipment and materials.

2. Ensure that all supplies, materials, equipment and services are procured at the lowest possible cost.

3. Comply with all relevant procurement and environmental regulations.

4. Investigate resource conservation, reuse and recycling options and encourage adoption by all members of the University community.

5. Promote and maintain activities that encourage exchanges, swaps and resale of surplus products and supplies.

6. Commit to purchasing Energy Star certified appliances and products.

7. Promote business with suppliers that consistently demonstrate sustainable and socially conscious business practices.

8. Work within the University and in the broader community in which we reside to share experiences and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.

9. Develop and implement the use of assessment tools designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy and make changes where necessary.


Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
---

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

From RIT's design guidelines:

RIT recognizes that sustainability is a concept that seeks to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Whenever possible the University attempts to foster sustainability. Include sourcing products that can be recycled or are biodegradable and that contain less toxic and hazardous chemicals and additives; source reduction; and solid waste reduction as well as purchasing local goods that are grown in environmentally sound ways or buying products through systems that produce the least amount of environmental pollutants. The University desires that the Provider foster sustainability and partner with the University in the expanding areas of sustainability.

RIT Has signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) striving to move campus activities to a position of emission neutrality. As a component of this commitment, all new construction will be designed to a minimum LEED Silver rating.

https://www.rit.edu/fa/facilities/sites/rit.edu.fa.facilities/files/docs/Design%20Guidelines-2014_02_12.pdf


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:

RIT dining services is self operated. Sustainability language in included in vender RfP's and contracts.

The following language was included in the University's pouring rights RfP:
Section E of the Evaluation Criteria: Sustainability (Green Strategy)
RIT is committed to sustainability and strives to continually strengthen our efforts through our suppliers and campus partners. Please elaborate on the following items:

Vendor/corporate sustainability:
Please describe your company’s commitment and approach to sustainability.

Vendor/corporate diversity:
Please describe how diversity and inclusion is promoted within your company.
Describe your company supplier diversity program and available metrics.

Solid waste minimization:
Please describe your process to partner with RIT to reduce waste associated with vending operations, support campus recycling efforts, achieve zero waste status in the new ice arena and advertise waste minimization efforts on campus.
Please describe your use of sustainable materials in your products and processes.

Energy efficiency:
Please describe your plan to optimize equipment utilization and minimize associated energy consumption.

Bottled water elimination:
RIT intends to eliminate the sale of flat, unflavored, bottled water on campus during the term of this agreement. Please describe your experience with other similar initiatives and how you will support this effort including innovative vending or alternate solutions


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
---

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:

At a minimum, the following language is included in all RfP's that the university issues:

Sustainability:
Please outline your sustainability efforts considering the following information. RIT recognizes that sustainability is a concept that seeks to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Whenever possible the University attempts to foster sustainability. Include sourcing products that can be recycled or are biodegradable and that contain less toxic and hazardous chemicals and additives; source reduction; and solid waste reduction as well as purchasing local goods that are grown in environmentally sound ways or buying products through systems that produce the least amount of environmental pollutants. The University desires that the Provider foster sustainability and partner with the University in the expanding areas of sustainability.


At a minimum, the following language is included in all RfP's that the university issues:

Sustainability:
Please outline your sustainability efforts considering the following information. RIT recognizes that sustainability is a concept that seeks to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Whenever possible the University attempts to foster sustainability. Include sourcing products that can be recycled or are biodegradable and that contain less toxic and hazardous chemicals and additives; source reduction; and solid waste reduction as well as purchasing local goods that are grown in environmentally sound ways or buying products through systems that produce the least amount of environmental pollutants. The University desires that the Provider foster sustainability and partner with the University in the expanding areas of sustainability.

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.