| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.50 |
| Liaison | Chris Bond |
| Submission Date | Nov. 27, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Unity Environmental University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.50 / 4.00 |
Jonathan
Gibbons Sustainability Engagement and Data Coordinator Sustainability |
"---"
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:
Sustainability is one of six overarching goals of the strategic plan and includes the objective of infusing sustainability across all operational and curricular functions of the school.
A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Sustainability Plan
No
A copy of the sustainability plan:
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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
No
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
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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:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Develop a nationally recognized liberal arts curriculum focused on sustainability science. Develop partnerships with internal and external resources to provide real-world sustainability experiences and curricula opportunities for students.
- Facilitate student and faculty research opportunities involving on-campus operational problem-solving, using the campus as a living laboratory.
-Integrate McKay Farm and Research Station with undergraduate curriculum, research opportunities, community needs, and revenue
Research
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Establish and maintain a clearinghouse of completed projects and new operational project needs, connect academic needs with operational project needs.
-Integrate McKay Farm and Research Station with undergraduate curriculum, research opportunities, community needs, and revenue
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:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Develop and deliver comprehensive employee sustainability engagement programming. -Develop and maintain a multi-platform communication plan for internal and external audiences
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:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Develop and maintain a multi-platform communication plan for internal and external audiences.
-Grow presence and recognition for Unity College sustainability on the national level
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 measurable objective is carbon neutrality by 2025 from our Climate Action Plan
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Inventory and validate all Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, and emissions from six categories of Scope 3 GHG emissions; and achieve adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions below of 0.02 MtCO2e per gross square foot,
Buildings
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
- Develop high performance building standards and guidelines for new construction and major renovation
- Track building energy use and prioritize and implement cost-effective initiatives that minimize energy requirements of campus buildings
Energy
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
- Implement initiatives in the climate action plan that minimize energy requirements, lower costs, and maximize energy production of existing and future campus infrastructures.
- Identify, quantify, and prioritize energy audits, retrofits, and renovations opportunities campus-wide, using GRITS or similar software to track progress and savings. -Track building energy use and prioritize and implement cost-effective initiatives that minimize energy requirements of campus buildings
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:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Increase local foods above the current % and market local food use to students.
-Develop purchasing relationships with local growers, including Unity College resources
-Transition all food service locations and catered events to zero waste
-Develop and pilot a labeling system to improve student satisfaction and nutritional content
Grounds
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Develop a long-term vision for a model sustainable campus landscape and assure that all future development and infrastructure is consistent with this plan
-Install best practice demonstrations that align with the landscape plan, including low intensity development, storm water management, pervious surfaces, outdoor recreation and intersection spaces, etc
-Improve grounds and the outdoor environment conducive to sustainability, recruitment, recreation, learning, and reduction of carbon footprint.
Purchasing
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Moving all invoices for services to paperless billing.
-Partner with purchasing units to establish policies that minimize incoming sources of waste
Transportation
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
- Develop campus standards for fuel efficiency and vehicle replacement policy, potentially including HEVs and EVs
- Develop demonstration projects for lowering carbon emissions from transportation, eg, shared rides, biodiesel conversion, electric charging stations
Waste
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
- Invest in standardized infrastructure that supports recycling and maximizes participation
- Pilot and evaluate collection programs specific to residential halls and dining facilities
- Identify, quantify, and prioritize best practice handling of unique waste streams such as electronics, batteries, hazardous materials, compost
-Work toward a zero waste campus, inclusive of all on and off campus operations,
Water
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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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:
Under our Strategic Plan the following objectives are listed:
-Establish a Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer to lead campus diversity and cultural initiatives.
-Develop a comprehensive diversity plan to include students, faculty, and staff; including diversity considerations of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors.
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 college will remain divested permanently and look to increase the sustainability of its investments per our strategic plan.
Wellbeing & Work
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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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
Yes
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The College mission statement is: Through the framework of sustainability science, Unity College provides a liberal arts education that emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Through experiential and collaborative learning, our graduates emerge as responsible citizens, environmental stewards, and visionary leaders.
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) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Carbon neutral by 2025.
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.