Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.08
Liaison Katherine Straub
Submission Date Aug. 21, 2020

STARS v2.2

Susquehanna University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.50 / 4.00 Katherine Straub
Professor
Earth and Environmental Sciences
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
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Engagement 

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Susquehanna University's strategic plan has a specific sustainability section with the following goals:
1. Achieve a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) silver rating by 2020 and be half way to gold by 2026.
2. Document and assess campus energy use and waste generation to create short- and long-term reduction targets.
3. Cultivate campus property and natural resources to support our sustainability efforts.
4. Support regional cooperation in improving the health of the Susquehanna River watershed and the economic vitality of the region.

Operations

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Susquehanna University's strategic plan has a specific sustainability section with the following goals:
1. Achieve a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) silver rating by 2020 and be half way to gold by 2026.
2. Document and assess campus energy use and waste generation to create short- and long-term reduction targets.
3. Cultivate campus property and natural resources to support our sustainability efforts.
4. Support regional cooperation in improving the health of the Susquehanna River watershed and the economic vitality of the region.

Administration

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?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
From Susquehanna University's strategic plan:

Persistence is a hallmark of institutional success. The University’s historic commitment to access and transformation is made manifest when students earn degrees and contribute to society and their professions. Susquehanna will increase student retention and graduation rates to their historic highs, contrib- uting to the growth of the student body and fulfilling our mission. To accomplish this goal, we will:
• Conduct a comprehensive review of the academic advising process and policies that affect students’ academic progress.
• Continue collaboration between faculty and staff, including formal and informal assessment of curricular and co-curricular activities.
• Continue to develop institutional infrastructure to enhance students’ academic progress to graduation and post-baccalaureate success.
• Support the mental, physical, financial, and environmental wellness of students.
• Implement scholarship programs that better meet the needs of low-income students.
• Strengthen academic-athletic integration efforts using the NCAA DIII model.

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

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?:
Major theme

Optional Fields

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
No

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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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
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability ---
SDG Accord ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment No
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:
President Green signed Our Climate's Higher Education Carbon Pricing Endorsement on 12/1/17.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts 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.