Skidmore College
PA-2: Commitments and Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Tarah
Rowse Director of Sustainability Sustainability Office |
2.1 Public sustainability commitment
Narrative detailing the institution’s guiding vision or goals for sustainability and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Skidmore's 2015-2025 Campus Sustainability Plan: https://www.skidmore.edu/sustainability/_documents/CampusSustainabilityPlan.pdf
Energy
1. 60% of our electricity from renewable energy by 2025.
2. 60% of our heating and cooling from renewable energy by 2025.
3. 75% reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2025
4. 60% reduction in energy use for heating and cooling per student and square foot by 2025
5. Maintain electricity use per student and square foot
Food
1. 25% sustainable food in dining services by 2025
Waste
1. 60% diversion rate in in routine operations by 2025
2. 50% diversion rate for special projects by 2025
Lands and Grounds
1. Create a comprehensive lands management plan for our lands and grounds
Engagement
1. Make sustainabilty an essential feature of Skidmore's identity and a value that is integrated into all aspects of the College
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the institution’s external sustainability commitments that include a reporting requirement:
Skidmore College is an EPA Green Power Partner. This partnership aims to accomplish the following goals:
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Advance the American market for green power.
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Encourage the development of new U.S.-based renewable electricity sources.
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Reduce air emissions and pollution.
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Recognize leadership and impact in green power use.
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Support basic market principles and practices that serve all U.S. electricity consumers.
Partnership requirements: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-01/documents/gpp_partnership_reqs.pdf
Partner profile viewer: https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/meet-our-partners
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
2.2 Measurable sustainability objectives
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address teaching, learning, and research:
As stated in the Campus Sustainability Plan, we aim to increase course offerings that incorporate sustainability. The following goals regarding teaching, learning, and research were outlined:
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design and implement creative communication materials for the College’s sustainability projects and initiatives;
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improve communication efforts that highlight our campus sustainability initiatives by developing informative campus signage;
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complete annual progress reports that track progress toward the College’s sustainability goals;
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increase Skidmore’s presence in local, regional, and national publications;
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develop an online campus sustainability map that illustrates the sustainability initiatives and
programs across campus;
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conduct campus sustainability surveys to identify sustainability literacy among our community
members; and
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conduct sustainability surveys within the greater community to identify the perception of Skidmore
and its relationship to sustainability.
The Campus Sustainability Plan was published in 2015 and can be found here: https://www.skidmore.edu/sustainability/_documents/CampusSustainabilityPlan.pdf. It has not been updated since, but reports are completed annually.
The Director of Sustainability Programs and Assessment and Faculty Director of Sustainability are the staff positions accountable for this objective.
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address stakeholder engagement?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address stakeholder engagement:
2015-2025 Campus Sustainability Plan Goal: To make sustainability an essential feature of Skidmore's identity and a value that is integrated into all aspects of the College.
Stakeholder engagement objectives identified in the plan:
- Create formal and informal positions to allow students to participate in the ongoing process to improve Sustainable Food sourcing in Skidmore DIning Services
- Design and implement creative comunication materials for the COlleges's sustainability projects and initiatives
- Improve communication efforts that highlight our campus sustainability initiatives by developing informative campus signage
- Develop an online campus sustainability map that illustrates the sustainability initiatives and programs across campus
- Conduct campus sustainability and awaress surveys to identify sustainability literacy and perceptions among our community members
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address campus operations?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address campus operations:
The following outlines the 2025 goals for Skidmore College's Campus Sustainability Plan. The plan was developed in 2015 with annual reporting, the most recent being from 2023.
Campus Sustainability Plan
Energy
1. 60% of our electricity from renewable energy by 2025.
2. 60% of our heating and cooling from renewable energy by 2025.
3. 75% reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2025
4. 60% reduction in energy use for heating and cooling per student and square foot by 2025
5. Maintain electricity use per student and square foot
Food
1. 25% sustainable food in dining services by 2025
Waste
1. 60% diversion rate in in routine operations by 2025
2. 50% diversion rate for special projects by 2025
Lands and Grounds
1. Create a comprehensive lands management plan for our lands and grounds
The Sustainability Office in collaboration with Facilities Services is accountable for the tracking and management of these objectives.
The Campus Sustainability Plan can be found here: https://www.skidmore.edu/sustainability/_documents/CampusSustainabilityPlan.pdf
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address racial equity and social justice?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address racial equity and social justice:
Has the institution adopted one or more measurable sustainability objectives that address administration and finance?:
Narrative listing the institution’s measurable sustainability objectives that address administration and finance:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
2.3 Climate resilience assessment and planning
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s climate resilience assessment:
Does the institution participate in an ongoing campus-community task force or committee that is focused on climate resilience?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the campus-community task force or committee focused on climate resilience:
Has the institution incorporated climate resilience strategies and/or goals into one or more of its published plans?:
Narrative listing the institution’s climate resilience strategies and goals and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.