Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.61
Liaison Kristina Bryan
Submission Date Feb. 26, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Saint Louis University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 4.00 Brandon Verhoff
Director
Sustainability & Benchmarking
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 No No
Buildings No No
Dining Services/Food Yes Yes
Energy Yes Yes
Grounds No No
Purchasing No No
Transportation No No
Waste Yes Yes
Water Yes Yes
Diversity and Affordability Yes Yes
Health, Wellbeing and Work No No
Investment No No
Other --- ---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:

The Center for Sustainability develops and executes graduate-level academic programs focused on sustainability. The faculty assembly meets monthly to review curriculum and propose changes. Additionally, in 2014 the Center established an official advisory board with sub-committees focused on sustainability, urban planning and development, and geographic information systems (the three core graduate programs housed in the Center). Center faculty and staff meet with advisory board members three times per year to discuss strategic academic and administrative initiatives, including curriculum development. We solicit input from our advisory board members to help develop a sustainability curriculum that prepares students to address "real world" sustainability-related challenges across multiple disciplines and industries.

Specific plans for advancing sustainability curriculum in academic year 2015-2016 include:

- Launch the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science
- Launch the PhD in Integrated and Applied Sciences (IAS) with a a concentration in Sustainability
- Conduct a comprehensive review of the Urban Planning and Development and propose updates in preparation for possible accreditation


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):

MS in GIS/ARS
- Obtain approval from the Graduate Academic Affairs Committee (GAAC) - completed November 2014
- Obtain approval from the Council of Academic Deans and Directors (CADD) - targeted for February 2015
- Obtain final Academic VP approvals - targeted for February 2015
- Obtain approval from the Board of Trustees (if needed) - targeted for February 2015
- Launch program web pages - targeted for February 2015
- Promote program through website, direct marketing campaigns, and events from February 2015 onward
- Enroll first class in August 2015
- Metrics: Enrollment numbers and revenue, student survey ratings, faculty evaluation ratings, job placement numbers

PhD in Integrated and Applied Sciences (IAS) with a a concentration in Sustainability
- The Center has altered its original plan to develop its own Ph.D. program in Sustainability. In order to streamline the development and approval process, the Center is working to develop a sustainability concentration (track) in the existing Integrated and Applied Sciences (IAS) doctoral program. The timeframes for approval are to be determined. The anticipated launch date for the Ph.D. in IAS with Sustainability is Fall 2015
- Metrics: - Metrics: Enrollment numbers and revenue, student survey ratings, faculty evaluation ratings, job placement numbers


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):

Department: Center for Sustainability
Director: John Woolschlager
Endowed Chair: Thomas Crawford


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):

To further the mission of creating a more sustainable world through interdisciplinary education, research, and community engagement, the Center for Sustainability offers financial support to Saint Louis University faculty members for externally funded, sustainability-related research and community development projects.

The Center for Sustainability hired Thomas Crawford as the Banpu Endowed Chair in July 2014 who is focusing on GIS-focused research and leading the Center's new masters degree in GIS slated to start in Fall 2015

The Center will continue to offer the Research Innovation Fund to support faculty members' externally funded, sustainability-focused research.

New in 2015 the Center will offer a Community Development Fund to support Saint Loius University faculty members' community engagement efforts

More information available at: http://www.slu.edu/sustainability/research


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):

Endowed Chair was hired in July of 2014

Endowed Chair's Metrics for Success
- Increase in research grant funding for Sustainability research
- Increase in donations for scholarship funds and student support
- Increase in number of students and faculty involved in sustainability research
- Develop the Master of Science program in Geographic Information Systems along with associated research opportunities in GIS and Advanced Remote Sensing

Sustainability Research and Community Development Fund Objectives:
- Number of research grants awarded
- Total amount of internal awards
- Total amount of external funding attracted through internal grants


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):

Department: Center for Sustainability
Director: John Woolschlager
Endowed Chair: Thomas Crawford
Grants Administrator: Robert McNair


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:

Saint Louis University is committed to campus engagement through its numerous centers’ missions focused on engagement.

The Center for Service and Community Engagement (CSCE), is home for the University community in becoming connected to the community! CSCE provides a multitude of opportunities to:
*Serve: Connect students, faculty, staff, and alumni to volunteer opportunities in the community, both locally and globally.
*Learn: Promote community-based scholarship by supporting campus-wide service-learning efforts and fostering university-community research partnerships.
*Engage: Encourage personal and social responsibility by transforming volunteers into effective servant leaders and advocates of social justice.

The Center for Sustainability’s mission is to create a more sustainable world through interdisciplinary education, research, and community engagement on campus and in the larger St. Louis community.

+ Date Revised: March 26, 2015

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:

- Percent of people involved in sustainability initiatives on and off campus
- Percent increase in enrollment attributable to internal/external communication campaign
- Growth in the number of partnerships with on campus organizations as well as academic partnerships (research, curriculum expansion)
- Creation and dissemination of monthly e-newsletter
- Percent increase of students active on Center social media networks (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blog) and who subscribe to monthly e-newsletter
- Hiring of a full-time technology marketing coordinator


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):

Department: Center for Sustainability
Director: John Woolschlager, Ph.D.
Assistant Director: David Webb

Department: Sustainability & Benchmarking
Director: Brandon Verhoff, MBA


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:

Saint Louis University is committed to public engagement through its numerous centers’ missions focused on engagement.

The Saint Louis University Center for Service and Community Engagement’s mission creates a coordinated interface between the University and the urban communities that surround it, seeking ultimately to prepare participants to be effective servant leaders and agents for social change, as well as to foster the creation of a just and equitable society by supporting efforts of students, faculty, and staff in the areas of community service, service learning, academic research, and community partnerships.
• SERVE: We connect students, faculty, staff, and alumni to volunteer opportunities in the community, both locally and globally.
• LEARN: We promote community-based scholarship by supporting campus-wide service-learning efforts and fostering university-community research partnerships.
• ENGAGE: We encourage personal and social responsibility by transforming volunteers into effective servant leaders and advocates of social justice.
The Center recognizes that there are various forms of giving back to the community. It could be through Philanthropy, Volunteerism, or Service. It is important to note that the Center for Service and Community Engagement meets students, faculty, and staff where they are on this continuum - all are critical, and all play a vital role in helping to shape a better society. It is our mission to help guide people on their journeys of service, no matter where they might begin.

The Center for Sustainability’s mission is to create a more sustainable world through interdisciplinary education, research, and community engagement on campus and in the larger St. Louis community. The Center for Sustainability emphasizes the importance of communication to increase awareness of and participation in sustainability-related activities. SLU participates in and supports numerous community organizations and initiatives, including the St. Louis Regional Chamber's Green Business Challenge, St. Louis Earth Day Symposium, St. Louis Earth Day Festival, St. Louis Business Expo, and EarthDance Farm and Garden Apprenticeship Program. The University also hosts numerous seminars to educate community groups and businesses about its work in sustainability. As part of its ongoing rebranding efforts, SLU has pledged to increase support for various community groups.

+ Date Revised: March 26, 2015

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):

-Percent increase in community partners (individuals and organizations) involved in sustainability-related events sponsored by the Center/University
-Percent increase in enrollment in sustainability-focused academic programs attributable external communication campaigns
-Creation and dissemination of monthly e-newsletter
-Percent increase in social media traffic (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blog) from external sources (non SLU user IDs), including subscriptions to monthly newsletter


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):

Department: Center for Sustainability
Director: John Woolschlager
Assistant Director: David Webb


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):

N/A


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

N/A


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):

N/A


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):

N/A


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:

During a recent bidding process, SLU required that dining service vendors’ proposals focus on sustainable food operations. In their winning proposal, Aramark committed to increasing their level of sustainable food offerings by 5% annually, purchasing only from sustainable seafood sources by 2018, and purchasing pork bred without the use of gestation crates by 2017. Aramark had already achieved their goals of using only cage-free shell eggs by 2014 and diverting 100% of their fryer oil waste.

+ Date Revised: April 7, 2015

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):

Aramark has already achieved the goal of having cage-free shell eggs by 2014. Aramark is diverting 100 percent of our fryer oil waste.
Aramark will increase the level of sustainable food offerings and has set a goal of increasing local food by 5% annually. Other goals include purchasing solely from sustainable seafood sources by 2018 and pork raised without the use of gestation crates by 2017.
Aramark has pledged to increasing their level of sustainable food offerings. Aramark has converted to cage-free shell eggs. By the end of 2017, Aramark will eliminate purchasing pork bred using gestation crates. Already, Aramark has a partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.


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

Evelyn Shields
Director of Business Administration for Student Development

Jeff Marshall
General Manager for Aramark at Saint Louis University


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:

As one of its five strategic initiatives, Facilities Services “will maintain and conserve natural resources, protect our environment and do so in a sustainable manner through actions that will enhance environmental quality". It is through this strategic initiative, “Environmental Resource Optimization” that the division’s strategic plan focuses on reducing the university’s energy and water consumption. These goals set by the division were also adopted by SLU’s Sustainability Advisory Council.

+ Date Revised: March 26, 2015

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):

An aggressive goal of a 20% reduction in energy intensity (BTU per gross square feet) by 2020 over a 2013 baseline equal to a reduction of over 25,000 BTUs per gross square feet.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):

Facilities Services
Brandon Verhoff
Director of Sustainability & Benchmarking


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:

We intend to start including language in the RFP documentation referencing the university's sustainability initiatives. There is also additional information that is disseminated out to the university community through the sustainability department in order to increase awareness.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):

N/A


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

Jacob Prange
Contract Management Specialist
Business Services


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):

N/A


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

N/A


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:

As one of its five strategic initiatives, “Environmental Resource Optimization”, Facilities Services “will maintain and conserve natural resources, protect our environment and do so in a sustainable manner through actions that will enhance environmental quality." The division’s strategic plan includes a goal of reducing the amount of the university’s waste that enters landfills and achieving a waste diversion rate of 30%.

+ Date Revised: March 26, 2015

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):

To achieve a 30% waste diversion rate, according to the STARS definition by June 30, 2014


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

Facilities Services
Jeff Macko
Director of Grounds & Custodial Services


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:

As one of its five strategic initiatives, Facilities Services “will maintain and conserve natural resources, protect our environment and do so in a sustainable manner through actions that will enhance environmental quality". It is through this strategic initiative, “Environmental Resource Optimization” that the division’s strategic plan focuses on reducing the university’s energy and water consumption. These goals set by the division were also adopted by SLU’s Sustainability Advisory Council.

+ Date Revised: March 26, 2015

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):

A goal of a 20% reduction in potable water consumption (gallons per campus acre) by 2020 over a 2013 baseline equating to a reduction of over 250,000 gallons per campus acre.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):

Facilities Services
Brandon Verhoff
Director of Sustainability & Benchmarking


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:

The 2013-15 Saint Louis University Enrollment Diversity Plan addresses the necessity for sustained initiatives in order to create a more diverse student body and is intended to emphasize the importance of documenting planning initiatives, targeted communication and outreach, benchmarking, assessment and professional development for staff and faculty as SLU strives to achieve its established student population targets. The plan describes the strategies and measures that will be taken, and success will be evidenced in the inquiries, applications, enrollments and retention and graduation rates of our undergraduate students.
As part of the University’s overall planning and effectiveness effort, the University embraced the creation of a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Plan to bring together campus resources that focus on enrollment and student success. SLU’s SEM plan is intended to provide a more comprehensive approach to integrating all of the University’s programs, practices, policies and planning related to achieving the optimal recruitment, retention and graduation of our students. Specifically, the SEM plan was designed to help develop and implement strategies that will support enrollment plans such as diversity in order to increase interest and applications among first generation, international, low-income military and veteran students, out-of-state students and underrepresented minority (URM) students. Using the University’s overarching SEM plan as its underpinning, the Enrollment Diversity Plan aims to create a diverse student body that more richly enhances the educational experience of students at Saint Louis University.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

The 2013-15 Saint Louis University Enrollment Diversity Plan addresses the implementation of new initiatives and supports existing activities focused around inclusion, supporting the recruitment and retention efforts of underserved and unrepresented students and building partnerships with stakeholders within and outside the University who have made diversity a priority. Measurable objectives include expanding geographic reach, balancing the distribution of academic majors to optimize current service and teaching capacities, increasing the number of graduates with global experience, improve participation in study/travel abroad and visiting student programs, expanding transfer student programs and building a representative socio-economic/ethnic/racial student population and achieve enrollments similar to the college-bound population in primary student markets.
Strategies to achieve these objectives include increasing undergraduate and graduate recruitment activities; enhancing need-based student financial aid for veteran and low income students; increasing financial aid literacy and outreach activities, creating targeted communication to generate interest from first-generation, military and veteran and underrepresented minority students and to build awareness of, and affinity for, Saint Louis University through campus-based K-12 outreach, college readiness and enrichment programs.
As outlined in Saint Louis University’s SEM Plan, it is the institution’s goal to achieve these objectives in the 2018-19 academic year to coincide with the University’s bicentennial year.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

The Division of Enrollment and Retention Management and the President's Diversity Council


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

N/A


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

Human Resources
Elisabeth King
Benefits Manager


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):

N/A


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):

Business & Finance
Gary Whitworth
Chief Investment Officer


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):

N/A


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):

N/A


The institution’s definition of sustainability:

Sustainability Advisory Council's Statement of Purpose (approved Summer 2013): SLUstainablity complements the Mission of Saint Louis University by promoting a campus community that engages in decision making based on the dimensions of social justice, environmental stewardship, and economic accountability. SLUstainability supports, values, and practices these dimensions to ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to thrive.
Vision Elements established include: innovation, engagement, solidarity, conservation, and efficiency.


Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

N/A


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.