Towson University
PA-2: Commitments and Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Meghan
Bennett Sustainability Specialist Facilities Management |
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:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the institution’s external sustainability commitments that include a reporting requirement:
Towson University signed the ACUPCC in 2007 and the updated Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments (Second Nature) in 2015
Towson University became a signatory of the White House Act on Climate Pledge in 2015 and America’s Pledge in 2017.
In 2021, Towson University added “Sustain” as a pillar of the institution’s Strategic Plan. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are also integrated into the university’s 2020 Facilities Campus Master Plan.
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:
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:
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:
Section 5 of the Campus Facilities Master Plan:
https://www.towson.edu/procurement/documents/attachment11section5-sustainabilityplan.pdf
Examples of measurable objectives include:
- Continue to achieve at a minimum LEED Silver in all new campus buildings; LEED Gold should be understood as an achievable stretch goal on many projects
- Developing a waste minimization plan. TU’s material stream is complex and includes municipal waste, construction and demolition debris, durable goods such as furniture, hazardous waste such as lab chemicals, and organic wastes from foodservice enterprises and landscape maintenance. Supported by data from waste audits, a waste minimization plan would allow TU to more deeply investigate strategies to reduce the volume of waste generated on campus.
- TU is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Towson University will need to undertake a comprehensive approach to reducing and offsetting emissions to achieve this commitment. While all actions required to achieve neutrality cannot be predicted, TU should anticipate:
- Continuing to invest in strategies that reduce the energy consumption of existing buildings.
- Continuing to develop high-efficiency new buildings.
- Sourcing 100% of its electricity from clean, renewable sources. This is directly linked to UN SDG 7.
- Planning for electrification of campus buildings and fleet vehicles.
- Exploring strategies to reduce commuting by single occupancy vehicle to reduce Scope 3 emissions including support for electric vehicles, transit incentives, and other opportunities. See Section 5.5.
- Investigating the viability of a university air travel offset fund.
- Exploring reputable offset programs, aligned with campus research where possible.
- All newly constructed buildings shall have standalone system capacity, be fully electric, be solar ready in alignment with existing policy, and consider connecting to the existing utility loop for redundancy where proximate. Scope for such loop-connected projects would include a steam to hot water heat exchanger.
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:
While not in a sustainability or climate action plan, the university does have measurable sustainability objectives that address racial equity and social justice as part of the Diversity Strategic Plan. Goals from that plan include, but are not limited to:
- Cultivate a sustainable and inclusive community where all members from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and life experiences are welcomes, valued, and supported
- Increase diversity-rich learning experiences that raise all students' self-awareness and cultural intelligence and increase understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion, while encouragin engagement in the greater community
- Increase the number of staff and faculty from historically underrepresented groups by 2025.
The entire Diversity Strategic Plan can be found here:
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.