| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.55 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Kalkbrenner |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2020 |
Santa Clara University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
Lindsey
Kalkbrenner Director Center for Sustainability |
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:
- Expand sustainability across the curriculum by increasing the number of courses with a sustainability component to 33% by 2025
- Expose 100% of students to sustainability through coursework
- Increase number of scholars engaged in sustainability research to 25%
Sustainability Strategic Plan 2019: https://issuu.com/sustainablescu/docs/scu_sust_strategic_plan_2019
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:
Mobilize our community to build a more sustainable and resilient world
Use the campus as a living laboratory to develop sustainable solutions
Increase number of students and employees engaged in sustainability-themed events and activities
Continuously increase the number of students and employees engaged in sustainable behaviors
Continuously increase the number of campus organizations practicing sustainable operations
Sustainability Strategic Plan 2019: https://issuu.com/sustainablescu/docs/scu_sust_strategic_plan_2019
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:
Increase energy performance of buildings on campus
Decarbonize energy sources and source 100% renewable energy and electricity
Decrease energy use 50% per square foot by 2020
Maintain zero-growth in grid-purchased energy
Achieve energy climate neutrality by 2020
Achieve energy and transportation climate neutrality by 2029
Reduce operational water use
Reduce total campus waste and divert 90% of waste from landfills
Landscape more sustainably by integrating an Integrated Pest Management Plan
Promote healthy urban forest management and engage the campus community in environmental stewardship
Sustainability Strategic Plan 2019: https://issuu.com/sustainablescu/docs/scu_sust_strategic_plan_2019
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 Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Inclusion was created in 2016 to review data regarding a multitude of factors related to diversity and inclusion in Santa Clara University’s campus to determine how they were impacting factors such as graduation and retention rates, academic and student life programs, and experiences of students, faculty, and staff (https://www.scu.edu/president/brc/brc-report/). In Winter of 2018, the first comprehensive Campus Climate Study was released to improve the university. The results have led to ten goals as specified here: https://www.scu.edu/diversity/campus-climate-2019/ten-priorities/. These goals aim to “cultivate and enhance a culture of respect and belonging, grounded in our mission and values, promote and advance diversity & inclusion initiatives, and review and improve policies and processes to address concerns expressed in Campus Climate Survey”.
More information about other diversity initiatives can be found here: https://www.scu.edu/diversity/
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:
Santa Clara University will educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion and cultivate knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.
We promote throughout the University a culture of service—service not only to those who study and work at Santa Clara but also to society in general and to its most disadvantaged members as we work with and for others to build a more humane, just, faith-filled, and sustainable world.
We cherish our diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni, a community that is enriched by people of different backgrounds, respectful of the dignity of all its members, enlivened by open communication, and caring and just toward others.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
SCU understands sustainability as finding the balance and illustrating the connections among a healthy environment, just societies, and a vibrant economy that meet all people’s fundamental needs currently and in the future, especially those of the global poor.
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
As a signatory of Second Nature's Carbon Commitment, SCU is committed to achieving climate neutrality and publishing our progress for public viewing through Second Nature.
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.