| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.70 |
| Liaison | Marianne Martin |
| Submission Date | Sept. 22, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Colorado Boulder
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Dave
Newport Director Environmental Center |
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | No | No |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | --- | --- |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
- Create a 2000-level energy basics course for undergraduate and
graduate energy certification program
- Continue faculty training in sustainability via the "Peak to Peak" summer session
- Create a School of Sustainability
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
- Create above referenced course by Fall 2014
- Train 60+ faculty/year
- Open School of Sustainability by Fall of 2015
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
- ECO - Energy Conservation Office
- E-center - Environmental Center
- HDS - Housing and Dining Services
- EI - Energy Initiative
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
- Establish a Professional Masters Degree with associated research capacity in ENVS.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
- New Masters program set for rollout in Fall 2015.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
ENVS Chair Sharon Collinge.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
- Continue with the eco-leader programs in Residence Halls (students) and in
Academic/ Administrative buildings (faculty and staff). (E-Center)
- create a 2000-level energy basics course for undergraduate and
graduate energy certification program
- A residence hall energy conservation pilot will be initiated using real-time
electricity usage feedback and competition incentives to motivate students
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
- Buff Energy Star (BES) program; BES promotes healthy competition among
all campus buildings and building proctors to save energy and reduce
waste. The minimum requirements are to save 5% or more energy during
the next 12 months compared to the previous 12 months.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
- ECO -
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Increase engagement through Orientation, UCOMM, and Outreach, among others.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Increase 6 year graduation rates rate from 68% to 70% by 2015.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
- Several offices including Office of Diversity, Campus Outreach, UCOMM
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
- Re-commissioned all campus HVAC system to optimize performance.
- Replaced all high pressure steam traps with new technology traps
that include failure indicators and continue to inspect quarterly
- Hit yearly reduction goals and overall benchmarks of Climate Action PLan.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
20% reduction in total consumption and Sq. ft. consumption from '05-06 baseline levels.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
-ECO/FM -
-HMO -
- Environmental Center
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Based on the student capital construction fee and mandate, campus
leadership has decided to use Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) as green and sustainable design and construction standards for student
funded buildings.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Goal: Zero Waste construction goal
LEED certified construction projects divert very significant portions of construction waste from landfills. This is an important step toward the “Zero Waste” construction goal.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
- ECO - Energy Conservation Office
- PD&C - Planning Design and Construction
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
- Vendor change to EcoLab – more environmentally friendly
packaging and access to more Green Seal or equivalent
products.
- Increase number of events and conferences that are zero waste
such as Global Jam – a large event welcoming students to
campus.
- Create sustainable culture by creating semi permanent displays in
dining rooms of what Housing and Dining Services are currently
doing and what customers can do.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Dining Facilities Composing is being tracked as a unit of total Tons of waste composted. No maximum has been set.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
HDS - Housing and Dining Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
- develop or update an energy management plan and ensure
development of a study determining feasibility of energy performance
contracting for all state owned facilities;
- assess and implement where effective, the development of
state renewable energy projects with the support of the Governor’s Energy
Office.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
- By fiscal year 2011-2012, achieve at least a 20% reduction in energy
consumption of state facilities below fiscal year 2005-2006 levels;
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
- PD&C Director Bill Haverly
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
- Campus Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) has purchased and
installed battery operated solar powered parking kiosks.
- Currently a number of sites on the main campus are being considered for
solar energy application.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
- Eliminate the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers by 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
- Don Inglis, Director of Grounds
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
- develop purchasing policies to reduce the state’s
environmental impact as a consumer of products and services;
- The Department of Personnel, in cooperation with the Department of Public
Health and Environment, shall develop purchasing policies for selecting
environmentally preferable products.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
- Achieve a paper use reduction goal of 20% by fiscal year 2011-2012 using fiscal
year 2005-2006 as a baseline;
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
- Jeff Darling, Director of Sustainable Purchasing, Facilities Management
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
- complete a transportation efficiency audit addressing
methods for improving the environmental efficiency of the state fleet.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
By June 30, 2012, achieve a 25% volumetric reduction in petroleum consumption
by state vehicles measured against a fiscal year 2005-2006 baseline, while
increasing energy efficiency of the fleet (excluding vehicles used for law
enforcement, emergency response, road maintenance, and highway
construction)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
- PTS -
- DC -
- HDS -
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
- Set up recycling stations in shops and work areas that will be
taken to the Central Recycling station on a weekly basis.
- expand football stadium recycling into the parking lots
- Recycle and sale of surplus pallets by Materiel Management in
collaboration with the University’s recycling center results in
increased University Fiscal reimbursement, and reduction in
“chipping” and disposal costs
- Implement single-stream recycling at Bear Creek apartments
- Take scrap wood from shops and work areas to the composting
area grinder for mulch or compost.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
- 100% recycled content copy paper provided to
various departments.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
FM, HMO)
HDS)
DC)
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
- Extend placement of water-mizers on autoclaves throughout
campus research labs once pilot stage is complete
- Improve the lawn sprinkler inspection program and develop a
“report a broken sprinkler head” program
- Utilize 1/8 gallon flush units when installing new urinals
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
- Achieve a reduction of water consumption goal of 10% by fiscal year 2011-2012,
using fiscal year 2005-2006 as a baseline;
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
FM
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Campus Diversity Plan is robust and quantitative.
http://www.colorado.edu/pba/div/divplanprogress.htm
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Numerous measurable objectives in the plan.
http://www.colorado.edu/pba/div/divplanprogress.htm
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
Numerous plans and resources noted at:
http://www.colorado.edu/audience/faculty-staff/resources/Health%20%26%20Wellness
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The charter or mission statement of the CIR or other body or a brief description of how the CIR is tasked to address social and environmental concerns :
The Investment Policy Committee and the Board of Directors of the University of Colorado Foundation have adopted a set of Shareholder Responsibility Guidelines regarding socially and environmentally responsible investments.
The body does have multi-stakeholder representation.
The policy notes: “The University of Colorado Foundation, to the degree to which it can reasonably evaluate the impact of a proposition, will attempt to vote for propositions which seek to eliminate or reduce the social injury caused by a company's activities to the degree that there is no negative economic impact to the Foundation’s assets."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
The University of Colorado Foundation adheres to a Sudan Divestment Policy.
As part of that policy, a negative screen of the entire investment pool is conducted annually. Securities that could be in violation of the policy are identified and managers are then formally asked in writing to sell positions that violate the terms of the policy. This has been done in writing on more than one occasion over the last three years.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
CU Foundation
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
The EC is expanding sustainability more robustly into the social justice arena via repurposing its Energy & Climate Justice Program to better partner with multi-cultural groups and people on campus and better develop the sense of sustainability from simple environmental resource conservation into broader human impacts.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Establish new partnerships with multi-cultural groups every year.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
E-Center
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
In numerous places and in numerous ways both explicitly and implicitly, environmental dimensions of sustainability are incorporated into the strategic plan, Flagship 2030. For instance: "All facilities will be constructed with materials and methods emphasizing sustainability and environmental awareness, consistent with the university’s longtime commitment to the environment." [page 55]
Again, in numerous ways, social dimensions of sustainability are supported in the strategic plan. For instance, "As we add new [faculty] positions, we will also identify and implement strategies for enhancing our faculty diversity. A significant increase in new and diverse faculty will help us remain competitive in the quality of teaching and the educational experience for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students." [page 33]
Indeed, social elements are part of two of the core initiatives in the plan:
1) Learning for a Diverse World. Implement new strategies for improving diversity; foster a supportive and inclusive climate for all.
8. Serving Colorado, the Community, and Our Graduates. Expand outreach programming aimed at Colorado communities; enhance opportunities for lifelong and distance learning.
Likewise, both social and financial sustainability principles are detailed in the strategic plan. For instance, "We will enhance student financial support by doubling both merit and need-based financial aid within the next five years; we will initiate a statewide dialogue on how
Colorado can expand access to higher education.
CU-Boulder is committed to recruiting outstanding students from a diverse talent pool throughout the state, the nation, and the world. In particular, we want to provide access for qualified Colorado residents, regardless of their ability to pay.
Although financial aid has been the fastest-growing budget item for the past four years, we still lag behind our peers in overall funds available to help attract the best
students. Clearly, we need to increase our financial aid investment if we are to compete for outstanding undergraduate students. At the graduate level, we also
must enhance stipends, health care, and housing to recruit top-tier graduate students. Our overall recruitment strategies must reflect our intent to build a
diverse student body that is more representative of the world today and tomorrow." [page 37]
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
All of the referenced plans, goals, activities and measurable objectives are taken from the following CU Boulder formally adopted planning documents:
CU Boulder Strategic Plan: Flagship 2030
CU Boulder Environmental Center Strategic Plan
CU Boulder Environmental Center Diversity and Social Justice Plan
Chancellor's Committee on Energy, Environment and Sustainability
CU Boulder Campus Master Plan
CU Bolder Transportation Master Plan
CU Boulder Campus Diversity Plan
University of Colorado Foundation: Investment Policy Committee
All of the referenced plans, goals, activities and measurable objectives are taken from the following CU Boulder formally adopted planning documents:
CU Boulder Strategic Plan: Flagship 2030
CU Boulder Environmental Center Strategic Plan
CU Boulder Environmental Center Diversity and Social Justice Plan
Chancellor's Committee on Energy, Environment and Sustainability
CU Boulder Campus Master Plan
CU Bolder Transportation Master Plan
CU Boulder Campus Diversity Plan
University of Colorado Foundation: Investment Policy Committee
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.