Southwestern University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

1.9. Institutionalize Mosaic, Southwestern’s approach to encourage the development of the whole person / Metric: Secure more permanent funding to support events, the residential experience, and mini-grants for students

Tactical Plan 2.3 Increase support for student activities and wellness / Reinstate an Assistant Director for Outdoor Recreation, 10-12 outdoor trips per year with travel outside of the Austin area and overnight camping; high-impact Fall Break and Spring Break trips for Southwestern students

Tactical Plan 1.12 Implement the first phase of Housing & Amenities Projects in the Campus Master Plan to support move to a three-year residency requirement / Metric: Include sustainability values in constructing mixed-use first-year housing to replace two residence halls and increase physical plant capacity

Tactical Plan 3.11 Expand the options in food services to be more intentional and inclusive of diverse food cultures, more sustainable, higher quality, and more welcoming to all students / Metric: Survey students, staff, and faculty in spring 2021; initiate Request for Proposals for food service operator fall 2021; complete food service contract process by summer 2022

Tactical Plan 1.1 Decrease student indebtedness overall, an offshoot of which will be narrowing the gap between the demonstrated financial need of our students and the available financial aid / Metric: Remain below the current national average ($33,700) for student debt; maintain and continue to reduce the current $31,832 Southwestern average for total indebtedness; increase need-based student scholarship amounts

Tactical Plan 1.14 Enhance the Southwestern University Student Emergency Fund / Metric: Distribute funds in response to student applications for support when emergencies arise

Tactical Plan 1.15 Increase wages for non-exempt (hourly) staff / Metric: Start moving the lowest-paid staff from $11.00 to a $14.00 minimum and perform a wage regression study for additional adjustments

Tactical Plan 2.1 Build Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity (DIBE) efforts into the structure and processes of Human Resources / Metric: Hire a Title IX coordinator who will provide ongoing educational opportunities for faculty and staff; develop additional hiring and retention policies and programs within HR

Tactical Plan 2.2 Build DIBE efforts into the structure and processes of Student Life / Metric: Hire a Diversity Education Coordinator

Tactical Plan 2.4 Build DIBE efforts into the structure and processes of Academic Affairs / Metric: Hire a Diversity and Inclusion Pedagogy Specialist

Tactical Plan 3.3 Pursue Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation / Metric: Maintain a Hispanic student population of minimum 25%; convene a group of stakeholders tasked with developing necessary programmatic support required to achieve and sustain HSI designation

Tactical Plan 3.8 Encourage faculty retention through cluster hires, particularly for faculty of color / Implement a cluster hire option in the Faculty Allocation Process

Tactical Plan 3.10 Create more spaces of belonging on campus for student groups / Metric: Prioritize creation of these spaces in existing buildings as available and include them in the Campus Master Plan

Tactical Plan 3.12 Develop DIBE professional development programs for staff and faculty / Metric: Currently participating in the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance (LACRELA); we will include staff and faculty in programming and develop stronger support for DIBE in hiring and training policies and procedures

Tactical Plan 3.13 Ensure that all staffing requests and hiring decisions for the next five years focus on achieving the Tactical Plan’s two most central targeted priorities: DIBE and Retention / Metric: Establish hiring policies and procedures throughout the University that prioritize DIBE and retention objectives as part of candidates’ qualifications in addition to expertise and credentials

Tactical Plan 3.14 Develop more competitive exempt staff compensation metrics / Maintain annual salary increases for exempt employees; determine benchmarks and do an internal salary study to ensure that staff compensation is competitive

Tactical Plan 3.15 Ensure that campus buildings and grounds are in good repair and accessible, and for new construction consider accommodations beyond compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) / Metric: Include accessibility audit and repairs into annual maintenance budgets and practices; prioritize accessibility in Campus Master Plan for renovations and new building projects

Although not labeled "sustainability," Southwestern University's Tactical Plan integrates multiple sustainability-focused objectives ranging from improving diversity, affordability, and well-being; constructing a sustainable building and increasing sustainable food options; and expanding campus engagement in sustainable activities.