Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 63.92
Liaison Rania Assariotaki
Submission Date Dec. 15, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

The American College of Greece
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Ourania Assariotaki
Sustainability Manager
Office of Public Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

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

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Assure a comprehensive and sustainable financial and infrastructure model Assessment: Dashboard; capital improvements; financial and sustainability benchmarks STRATEGY: Strengthen financial management; diversify revenue sources; improve physical and technological resources; implement comprehensive approach to sustainability -Link effective and efficient financial management to board approved financial allocation, spending and investment policies and targets -Invest in campus development and technology to extend the College’s “competitive advantage” and pursue alternatives for future institutional growth - Evolve ACG’s comprehensive approach to sustainability Cultivate a high performance organizational culture based on transparency, mutual support, collegiality, and continuous improvement Assessment: Dashboard; board evaluation; presidential performance review; faculty/staff engagement surveys; faculty/staff evaluation STRATEGY: Establish collegial governance rooted in a highly functioning board, faculty and staff -Recruit and engage a superior board of trustees -Build an academic culture synthesizing teaching, scholarship and service -Invest in faculty/staff development (e.g. ACG Institute for International Faculty and Staff Development) -Provide equitable, competitive compensation

A copy of the strategic plan:
ACG Strategic Plan_October 2017 (1).pdf

The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
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Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
ACGSustStr 18042016.docx

The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
http://www.acg.edu/about-acg/sustainability-at-acg/

Other Published Plans 

Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Advancing The Legacy, Growing Greece Goals 1,2,3 http://www.acg.edu/about-acg/acg-strategic-plan/

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: Nr. Courses with embedded sustainability principles (%) >20% Nr. Courses with clear improvement on their sustainability content (%) >20% Nr. Students participating in sustainability course subjects (major/minor) >10% Nr. of sustainability immersive experiences >2 Sustainability Literacy Assessment - Graduate measurement >60% of population

Research 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Research are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: No. of funded research projects targeting sustainability >1 Establish a documented research portfolio for sustainability

Campus Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: Sustainability Literacy Assessment - Graduate measurement >60% of population Nr. of sustainable campaigns (according to 2.4 specifications) >2 Nr. of workshops >1 Nr. of students engaged in community service >20% compared to base year 2015 Nr. of hours dedicated to community service >10h/year/student Nr. of staff who attended sustainability themed training >20% compared to base year 2015 Social media response (recorded visits) >100% compared to base year 2015 Web page visits – Sustainability themed >40% compared to base year 2015

Public Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: Nr. of sustainable campaigns (according to 2.4 specifications) >2 Nr. of workshops >1 Nr. of students engaged in community service >20% compared to base year 2015 Nr. of hours dedicated to community service >10h/year/student Nr. of staff who attended sustainability themed training >20% compared to base year 2015 Social media response (recorded visits) >100% compared to base year 2015 Web page visits – Sustainability themed >40% compared to base year 2015

Air & Climate 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: -A 20% CO2 emission reduction -Conduct a greenhouse gas inventory: A publicly available greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory that includes at minimum Scope 3 GHG emissions, tied to a baseline year and based to a widely accepted methodology.

Buildings 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan:Design and construct all new buildings or major renovations in accordance to a widely accepted standard (such as LEED) to the maximum possible extent.

Energy 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: -A documented program with proper content to boost energy reduction awareness, commitment and contribution. Expected outcomes: • Informed users about energy consumption and its climate consequences. • Better understanding of how energy consumption contributes to climate change. • Better understanding of internal policies related to energy efficiency. • Improved consumption behavior. • Improved utility bills -Use monitoring to: • Control consumption trends and efficiency levels and adjust policies accordingly • Increase education and behavior change around resource use on campus.

Food & Dining 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan:Ensure that food and dining includes low impact options. Aiming for a Reduced Carbon Footprint

Grounds 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan:Create a campus wide rainwater management plan that mitigates rainwater runoff and decreases utility water consumption.

Purchasing 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan:Appropriate policies and procedures in place to support ACG’s sustainability commitment. Identified policies and procedures revised/developed. Updating of the Purchasing Policy to include sustainability awareness

Transportation 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that 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:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: -Optimize shuttle service in combination with municipal transportation. Nr. of students using shuttle transportation >10% -Expand IT technologies to reduce the need for physical movement.Gradually adopt Telepresence technology (e‐commuting). Develop a “Travel‐Free Meeting Program”. This program, apart from carbon footprint gains, it will reduce operating costs.

Waste 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan:Develop and implement community awareness strategies to promote “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” behavior patterns.Improved community carbon footprint.Measured by overall waste reduction.

Water 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Water are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan:

Diversity & Affordability 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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 following measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan:Reduced water consumption >10%, 2015 baseline

Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: Develop an internal financial “tool” in the form of a dedicated Sustainability Fund (SF) for sustainability initiatives. Improved, sustainable funding.Financially self-sufficient projects.

Wellbeing & Work 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: The ultimate goal of SSP’s implementation will be the significant improvement of ACG’s sustainability status. Towards the course of this main objective, ACG will among other things Minimize the environmental impact of its operations and improve environmental amenity and integrity.Promote social justice and equity and contribute to human health and well-being.

Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The following measurable sustainability objectives that address other impact areas such as technology are included in the ACG Sustainability Strategic Plan: Implement an enterprise energy management system to centrally monitor, analyze, plan for and report on existing building performance using our existing IT resources and technology

Optional Fields 

Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

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 ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
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:
UN Academic Impact As of May 31st 2017 The American College of Greece serves as a member of the UN Academic Impact. ACG joined over 1000 academic and research institutions in more than 120 countries that are members of UNAI. In Greece, ACG is the fifth academic institution to be a member and the first and only one private. The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) established in 2010, is a global initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in promoting its global priorities, including peace, human rights and sustainable development through activities and research in a shared culture of intellectual social responsibility. Each member institution is required to carry out at least one activity in support of UNAI and its ten principles during a calendar year and submit an annual report. These activities will also be highlighted in the UNAI Newsletter and on the UNAI website. The UN Academic Impact Principles A commitment to the principles inherent in the United Nations Charter as values that education seeks to promote and help fulfil; A commitment to human rights, among them freedom of inquiry, opinion, and speech; A commitment to educational opportunity for all people regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity; A commitment to the opportunity for every interested individual to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for the pursuit of higher education; A commitment to building capacity in higher education systems across the world; A commitment to encouraging global citizenship through education; A commitment to advancing peace and conflict resolution through education; A commitment to addressing issues of poverty through education; A commitment to promoting sustainability through education; A commitment to promoting inter-cultural dialogue and understanding, and the “unlearning” of intolerance, through education. For the year 2017-2018 ACG has committed to systematically carry out at least five out of the ten principles i.e. 2,3,4,6,9 as listed above.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://www.acg.edu/about-acg/sustainability-at-acg/

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.