| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.02 |
| Liaison | Beth Klein |
| Submission Date | Feb. 25, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
State University of New York at Cortland
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.50 / 4.00 |
Beth
Klein Professor and Sustainability Coordinator Childhood Early Childhoon |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Published Plans That Address Sustainability
Strategic Plan
Yes
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
It is in two of the four strategic campus priorities for the institution, maximizing resources and improving wellbeing.
Wellbeing Priority: "We will advocate for personal and community well-being through our academic disciplines and our campus programming and facilities. We actively promote the physical, emotional, cultural and social well-being our students and employees, determine areas of greatest need, and respond with policies and programs that recognize the well-being of each individual is critical to our strength as a whole. This includes striving to be a campus community that enacts values of inclusivity, collaboration, respect, and care where contributions to the community are recognized and we hold ourselves accountable for supporting a positive campus climate."
Maximizing Resources Priority: "We will sustain resources and carefully align our decision-making and allocation process with the mission-based functions of the college and our strategic vision for the campus. Maximizing resources includes being fiscally responsible, thinking about efficiency while maintaining excellence, and communicating clearly about resource allocation. It also means focusing on sustainability and ensuring that the campus maintains a dedication to responsible use of natural resources and consideration of our impact on our environment."
In addition, our most recent strategic plan (2018-2023) lists Institutional Goal 11: Increase the environmental sustainability of the campus and community. This document outlines indicators and activities.
A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Sustainability Plan
Yes
A copy of the sustainability plan:
The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Climate Action Plan
Yes
A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Other Published Plans
Yes
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
In the spring of 2018, SUNY Cortland completed a multi-year process to develop our “Commitment to Community” strategic plan which developed and modeled a transparent, comprehensive strategic planning process to be modeled in all divisions of the institution. More on this process and the resulting strategic plan can be found at the following links:
General:http://www2.cortland.edu/about/strategic-plan/
Specific can be see here: http://www2.cortland.edu/about/strategic-plan/SUNY%20Cortland%20Strategic%20Priorities%20and%20Objectives%20Summary.pdf
Based on the “Commitment to Community” Strategic Plan, several other offices developed and or re-aligned specific goals and assessment processes to work with the "Commitment to Community" framework. Two of those plans highlighted include our Diversity and Inclusion Plan as well as our Facilities Management Sustainability Plan.
Links to those two plans can be found here:
Diversity and Inclusion Plan: https://www2.cortland.edu/offices/presidents/diversity/SUNY%20Cortland%20Diversity%20and%20Inclusion%20Plan%202016.pdf
Facilities Management Sustainability Plan which can be found here:
https://www2.cortland.edu/about/sustainability/pdfs/Facilities+Management+Sustainability+Plan.pdf?language_id=1
Measurable Sustainability Objectives
Curriculum
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Sustainability Office Curriculum, Research and Outreach Plan
Goal B. Expand faculty and Staff Development in Sustainability
Actions for Goal B.
1)Host State of New York Sustainability Conference
2)Design and Implement Sustainability Summer Institute
3)Design and Implement Sustainability Faculty Fellows Program
Goal C. Enhance/Expand Sustainability Curriculum Offerings
Actions for Goal C:
1)Conduct Inventory of Current Sustainability Curriculum Offerings
2)Provide incentive program (see goal 2) to expand sustainability curriculum offerings
3)Implement sustainability attribute
4)Explore sustainability certificate option
Research
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Sustainability Office Curriculum, Research and Outreach Plan
Goal I. Expand support for and awareness of student, faculty and staff sustainability related research
Actions for Goal I:
1.Inventory current student, staff and faculty sustainability research projects
2.Develop website with list of research project.
3.Develop mechanism to consistently request faculty and student sustainability scholarly works for highlighting in newsletter and placement on website
4.Develop additional incentive programs for sustainability related research
Campus Engagement
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Sustainability Office Curriculum, Research and Outreach Plan
D. Enhance/Expand Campus Engagement on climate change issues
Actions for Goal D:
1.Use #climate friendly Cortland to support climate change activities throughout campus
2.Work with Center for Civic Engagement on Deliberative Dialogue on Climate Change and follow-up Climate Change activities
3.Provide support for other campus entities conducting climate change events
Goal E. Strengthen coordination of sustainability-related campus and public engagement activities
Actions for Goal E:
1. Develop a monthly theme in collaboration with Green Reps, NYPIRG, and other campus/community sustainability related groups
2. Expand the planning committee for Sustainability engagement activities
3. Hire support staff for Sustainability Office to assist with outreach efforts
Public Engagement
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Sustainability Office Curriculum, Research and Outreach Plan
Goal J. Develop College/Community Climate Change Resiliency Plan
Goal J Actions:
1.Connect faculty and community members on climate change resiliency
2.Work with Sustainable Cortland Community group to establish community resilience workshops
Air & Climate
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Meet the Executive Order 88 guideline of 20% energy use intensity for all campus buildings by 2020 when compared to the 2010 baseline year. Refer to Facilities Management Sustainability Plan here:
https://www2.cortland.edu/about/sustainability/pdfs/Facilities+Management+Sustainability+Plan.pdf?language_id=1
Buildings
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
New Construction will align with recent SUCF Construction Directive for Net Zero and Deep Energy Retrofits. These goals are documented here:
https://www.sucf.suny.edu/pdf/dir/1B-2.pdf
For general Facilities Management objectives and building plans, refer to Facilities Management Sustainability Plan here:
https://www2.cortland.edu/about/sustainability/pdfs/Facilities+Management+Sustainability+Plan.pdf?language_id=1
Energy
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Meet the Executive Order 88 guideline of 20% energy use intensity for all campus buildings by 2020 when compared to the 2010 baseline year. As of 2017-2018 annual report, campus has achieved 16% reduction of overall energy use intensity. We have an additional 3 - 5% of energy efficiency measures currently under construction to be completed prior to 2020.
Executive Order 166 offers a guideline to New York State to derive a greater portion of electricity from renewable sources. By participating within the New York Higher Education Large Scale Renewable Energy Consortium, SUNY Cortland will help develop additional renewable sources to meet the EO 166 objectives.
Additional Energy Related Goals and Objectives can be found here:
Facilities Management Sustainability Plan here:
https://www2.cortland.edu/about/sustainability/pdfs/Facilities+Management+Sustainability+Plan.pdf?language_id=1
Food & Dining
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Grounds
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Continue to increase no mow zones and wild-flower areas by 10% over the next two years.
Finalize tree replacement policy to align with prior practice of replacing trees lost on main campus due to reconstruction, damage, or disease.
Campus maintains certification in both Tree Campus USA and Bee Campus USA - requiring continual reports and meeting of certification goals and requirements.
Design goals: Landscape projects during building renovations will improve the character and usability of the outdoor campus setting and help to address storm water management issues. All future landscape development should incorporate sustainable practices. All parking lots should be well screened and canopy trees incorporated where possible to break up large expanses of pavement and reduce the heat island effect.
Additional alignment is needed to incorporate detail in Facilities Management Sustainability Plan.
Purchasing
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Executive Order (EO) 4 and 18 set goals for SUNY Campuses regarding sustainable and green purchasing practices. Last year we developed a committee to assist and support our assessment process in meeting EO 4 and 18. Stated goals include: develop institutional knowledge on responsibility for adhering to the Executive Order and increase campus-wide engagement green purchasing. Assess past years data and finalize report on trends. By August 2019 develop identified weaknesses and action plan to address.
Transportation
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan includes the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Funds have been budgeted to install two electric vehicle charging stations in summer 2019. Additional grants have been requested. Electric Vehicle Charging Policy has been drafted and is awaiting adoption. Bus Fleet alignment with needs was completed over past two years and two smaller shuttle buses have been purchased to meet smaller transportation demand. Two Zipcars are on campus since spring 2017.
Waste
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Strategic Plan Increase increase recycling and waste diversion. On-site composting is not feasible, looking to develop off-site partnership with City composting facility. Plans for pilot project are close, however exact deployment date is not finalized.
Goals - food waste from two main dining facilities is composted locally but at higher expense. Goal to develop local partner with City by end of 2020.
Update Recycling signage across campus - completed in 2018.
Complete installation of automatic hand driers and include educational signage for waste minimization and forest savings - electric hand driers completed in 2017. Signage completed in 2018.
Water
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Campus Objectives for water are to meet or exceed the equivalent for LEED Silver Water Efficiency and Sustainable Sites land development credit criteria.
Complete existing residential facilities water use audit - completed 2018
In all residence halls, install EPA WaterSense fixtures in summer 2019
(toilets excluded)
Diversity & Affordability
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The campus has a Diversity and Inclusion Plan (link to plan listed above). This plan outlines 5 goals, with defined strategies and targets. These goals are:
Goal 1 - Improve campus climate for all students, faculty, and staff
Goal 2 - Recruit and retain a diverse faculty and staff population
Goal 3 -Enhance cultural competence of students, faculty, and staff
Goal 4 -Strengthen the campus commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion so that the core values of embracing diversity are clearly evident to all
Goal 5 -Increase retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students, transfer students, and first generation students
In addition, Goal 7 and 8 in the campus-wide strategic plan (provided above) address diversity and affordability:
7. Strengthen our community through a focus on inclusion, civility, and accountability.
- Faculty goals: Increase faculty diversity to 20%, Establish a baseline in 2018 for retention of diverse faculty and staff
8. Increase institutional financial support to students through scholarship fundraising.
- Increase total amount of institutional scholarships and grants awarded to students from 2016-17 baseline of $1.4M.
Investment & Finance
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Wellbeing & Work
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
As stated in the Campus Strategic Planning Document, Wellbeing is listed as one of four campus priorities: “We will advocate for personal and community well-being through our academic disciplines and our campus programming and facilities. We actively promote the physical, emotional, cultural and social well-being our students and employees, determine areas of greatest need, and respond with policies and programs that recognize the well-being of each individual is critical to our strength as a whole. This includes striving to be a campus community that enacts values of inclusivity, collaboration, respect, and care where contributions to the community are recognized and we hold ourselves accountable for supporting a positive campus climate.” As such, wellbeing was identified in the institutional objectives 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11. For example Objective 7 Strengthen our community through a focus on inclusion, civility, and accountability indicates Gender Climate improvements with baselines established and targets noted for 4 areas assessed and that the Gender Policies and Initiatives Council will finalize and implement recommendations based on surveys and other needs assessment data. In addition, Women’s Leadership programming for faculty, students and staff will be provided and guided by the Gender Policies and Initiatives Council.
Other Impact Areas
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Optional Fields
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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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 |
| 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) | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.