| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.69 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Kalkbrenner |
| Submission Date | Feb. 14, 2023 |
Santa Clara University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 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:
Increase the number of courses with a sustainability component to 33% by 2025
Expose 100% of students to sustainability through coursework
Increase the number of scholars engaged in sustainability research to 25%
Use the campus as a living laboratory to develop sustainable solutions
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:
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:
Reduce single-occupancy commutes
Provide opportunities for higher fuel efficiency
Reduce travel emissions
Increase energy performance of our buildings
Decarbonize our energy sources
Achieve climate neutrality
Apply sustainability criteria when making procurement decisions
Landscape in a sustainable manner
Strengthen culture of water conservation
Reduce operational water use
Reduce total campus waste
Reduce waste sent to landfills
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:
Develop and support opportunities for honest, open and respectful engagement about difficult topics and across differences, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, political perspective, position and rank, administration and non-administration.
Foster a positive classroom environment for all students, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, disability status, socioeconomic status, religion, political views, etc.
Build a sense of belonging early as new members join the Santa Clara University community, and reinforce on an ongoing basis throughout their time at SCU
Support strategies that allow students and employees with disabilities to experience success and inclusion at SCU
Identify and articulate University-wide and unit-specific diversity priorities and advance them through concrete action steps
Implement actions to address challenges in compensation and benefits, including affordable housing, for University faculty and staff
https://www.scu.edu/diversity/campus-climate-2019/ten-priorities/
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:
Goal 2 of the SCU Strategic Plan: “Santa Clara University will cultivate within its students the knowledge, skills, ethical reasoning, global perspective, and desire to help fashion a more humane, just, and sustainable world.”
https://www.scu.edu/santaclara2020/elements/elaborated/goal-2/
Vision Statement: “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.”
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
SCU understands sustainability as finding the balance and illustrating the connections between 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) | Yes |
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.
In 2015, Pope Francis released his momentous encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, as a call to the world to focus on caring for the natural environment and all people. SCU is proud to be one of the 130+ founding universities from around the world that have committed to Pope Francis’ 7-Year Journey Towards Integral Ecology through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
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.