University of Connecticut
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The following objectives, strategies, and timeframes that advance sustainability in relation to curriculum are from both the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and the 2014 Academic Vision and are ongoing or recently completed initiatives.
- Promoting understandings and competencies across all cultural groups
- Understanding the intricate influence of neural, environmental, and genetic bases of communication and learning
- Ensure an undergraduate educational experience that prepares our students for lives of impact and leadership in and increasingly diverse, globalized world by emphasizing problem solving and the capacity to translate knowledge and skills into action
- Adapt educational practices to provide more interdisciplinary knowledge and increase opportunities for education in areas of pressing need and interest
- Place specific emphasis on meaningful honors programs and support programs for students who come from homes and schools where poverty prevails
- Develop new and innovative programs to enable our students to compete in our increasingly complex society
- Expand EcoHouse experience to include gardening and small scale food production
- Leverage UConn’s agricultural knowledge to retain and enlarge the sustainable food program and increase on-campus sustainable farming
- Expand the number of introductory energy courses available to students
- Development of an interdisciplinary Environmental Studies undergraduate program (completed 2014)
- Establish a UConn sustainable farming living-learning experience for students (completed, Information on Spring Valley Student Farm available here: https://dining.uconn.edu/spring-valley-farm/ )
- Encourage senior design projects and Honors theses that increase campus energy efficiency and/or conservation
- Expand the University’s academic offerings related to sustainable design and green building
- Identify and explore unique research and education opportunities related to the University’s forest holdings
- Increase the number of environmentally-themed study abroad and international exchange program opportunities available to students
More information is present here: http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2041/2017/01/Initiatives-Climate-Section5_EducationOutreach.pdf
https://sustainability.uconn.edu/climate-action-plan/
https://provost.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2165/2021/03/UConn-Academic-Plan-2014.pdf

The following is a list of strategies and objectives for promoting awareness of and addressing environmental issues in the everyday experience of the students, as outlined in the University’s Climate Action Plan and the 2020 Vision for Campus Sustainability and Climate Leadership:
- Integrate green building and low impact design efforts into university education and outreach efforts (ongoing, energy and water dashboards/digital signage, online access to real-time sub-metering data and a virtual green campus tour)
- Increase the number of campus administrative and academic offices certified under the Green Office Certification Program from 33 (2016 baseline) to 100 by the end of 2025
- Place energy dashboards in highly trafficked campus buildings (done: see above, dashboards installed in 2013 in two large classroom/academic buildings, purchased by the Office of Sustainability and repurposed as digital signage in 2017)
- Increase the number of in-residence hall education opportunities and projects through regularly scheduled energy conservation challenges, housing-based educational and demonstration opportunities, and student eco-representative programs (ongoing: annual 1-month EcoMadness competition in the residence halls for conserving energy and water utilizing volunteer student Eco-Captains)
- Work with Athletics to incorporate renewable energy (and energy efficiency) displays into campus athletic events (retrofitted lighting at Sherman Complex, competition venue for NCAA events - field hockey, lacrosse, track and field)
- Establish additional on-campus gardens for UConn community members (done: EcoGarden Club, EcoHouse, and Spring Valley Student Farm)
- Identify additional opportunities to purchase, produce, and serve locally-grown food sources (ongoing, see on-campus Farm-Fresh Markets, also SVSF and Dining Services' Local Routes program, which makes UConn the largest purchaser of local produce in the State of Connecticut)
- Develop and expand existing transportation-based education and outreach programs (ongoing, Campus Commuter Program to be formally implemented at the end of 2020)
- Formalize UConn@COP as a co-curricular, experiential learning and leadership development program for high achieving students to participate in the UN’s annual International Climate Summit (020 Vision Plan(complete): UConn cohort has participated in COPs 21 through 25 and has been formalized as a 1-credit independent study wherein participating students develop an outreach plan to share their experiences & learnings from COP with the UConn community.)
- Establish a cohort style scholarship for furthering Environmental Justice across all levels, where students are provided the financial resources to pursue a research project and opportunities to interact with professionals

The following are a series of current, near-term, and long-term goals outlined in the Sustainability Framework Plan, CAP, Renewable Energy Strategic Plan, and the 2020 Vision for Campus Sustainability and Climate Leadership that can serve as stepping stones to the overall goal of carbon neutrality and zero carbon.

- Achieve a renewable/clean energy capacity of >2 MW from distributed generation sources installed and operating by 2020
- Sub-meter and smart-meter buildings, in order to track energy consumption, manage for maximum efficiency, and reduce carbon impact (50% complete)
- Design new buildings to achieve LEED Gold certification using the appropriate LEED rating system (ongoing)
- Retrofit energy consuming systems in all existing buildings (current/near-term)
- Establish appropriate energy use intensity targets for all building types (current/near-term)
- Refer to RESP for near term renewable energy projects with proven viability (current/near-term)
- Follow Climate Action Plan and associated acceleration proposals to remain on planned trajectory (current/near-term)
- Connect all buildings to central monitoring and control system (long-term)
- Commission all new buildings to ensure proper energy usage and control (long-term)
- Implement energy efficient systems in new construction projects (long-term)
- Integrate appropriate renewable energy technologies (long-term)
- Implement more stringent benchmarking and building rating systems as they become available and applicable (long-term)
- Review Climate Action Plan and accelerate as needed to maintain trajectories toward neutrality (long-term)
- Adjust building temperature set points and occupancy schedules (optimal temperature set points established, ongoing)
- Establish a lighting update program (interior and exterior)(ongoing: 80+ buildings re-lamped since 2010, reducing 3,000 TPY eCO2; Sherman Complex retrofitted lighting done in 2013, reducing energy used by at least 55%); 2020 Vision Plan now calls for campus-wide LED retrofit by 2020 - this retrofit has been underway since mid-2016
- Reduce fume hood energy consumption (ongoing through outreach, new construction and retrofits)
- Establish an energy-efficient computing policy (HuskyPC program sets baseline efficiency standards; purchasing policy requires third-party certification for energy efficiency)
- Implement a residence hall appliance policy (ongoing consideration)
- Minimize energy use associated with equipment and appliances by minimizing phantom loads associated with office appliances, eliminating the use of window air conditioning units wherever possible, and discontinuing the use of small individual space heaters (all appliances purchased are EPA Energy Star; Green Office Certification program promotes positive behavioral change and practices; Window ACs removed from several buildings during LEED certified renovations, in favor of central HVAC systems: Arjona, Monteith, IMS/Gant, demolition of old CT Commons residence halls and of 7 former fraternity "Brown Houses" located on the South Campus)
- Identify and improve energy efficiencies associated with campus food service equipment and appliances (ongoing, and much achieved through Green Restaurant Silver Certification of all 8 UConn campus dining halls in 2016-17)
- Correct inefficiencies in campus utility distribution systems - including major replacement of steam system projects in 2015, 2016 and 2017 (ongoing)
- Expand and better integrate current energy monitoring efforts (ongoing through sub-metering program and PI data collection system)
- Promote continuous improvement of operational strategies at the cogeneration facility (ongoing - must maintain at least 50% efficiency rating in order to sell Class 3 Renewable Energy Credits under state RPS law, proceeds of which have been used for energy conservation measures and programs)
- Establish a program to continuously commission buildings (19 Retro-commissioning (RCx) projects completed with ECMs installed and operating from 2010-2013, reducing 13,000 TPY of eCO2)
- Improve the efficiency of building HVAC systems through heat zoning and high-efficiency filters (ongoing, see RCx measures above)
- Develop and initiate a boiler efficiency and emissions reductions program (ongoing, required for compliance with new state Boiler MACT regulations)
- Develop and implement an equipment energy efficiency purchasing policy (ongoing, current EPA Energy Star standard for all purchases of appliances, EPEAT standards for electronics and computers)
- Maximize efficiency of laboratory airflow through new technologies (ongoing - see fume hood response above)
- Identify and evaluate additional applications for variable-frequency drives (VFDs) (ongoing)

The following plan provided by the President's Working Group on Sustainability and the Environment created goals for higher administrative entities on campus. This plan hosts tangible changes for UConn's administration to pursue, which have been adopted into messaging for the current administration. Moreover, this has led to the formation of a permanent Carbon Neutral Task Force and an increase speed in acquisition of clean energy and hydrogen infrastructure.
-Thermal conversion: conversion of heating and cooling systems in all buildings from steam to
hot water via renewable sources (primarily geothermal)
-Increased purchase of renewable electricity from Eversource: investment in new electrical
infrastructure (including substations and distribution lines)
-Direct investment in renewable generation: installation of additional solar capacity, including
6 MW of on-campus solar photo-voltaic (PV) generation and 30 MW of off-campus utility-level
solar installation (through Power Purchase Agreements [PPAs])
-Incorporate heating system conversions into building renovations and prioritize renovations
according to the timeline for converting from steam to hot water infrastructure.
-Add a justice lens to existing and future sustainability efforts at UConn
-A webpage on the President’s website dedicated to detailing the efforts of the ongoing
planning process.
-Recommends divestment for UConn Foundation
https://president.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2794/2021/05/PWGS-Implementation-Report-Final-for-President-5-13-2021-Total.pdf
Since the creation and integration of these recommendations and goals, the current President has instituted the goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. This was launched in an email to the UConn community in October 2022, and maintained several updates on objectives being pursued at the administrative, operational, and academic levels. It also addressed the synergies that UConn has found with external partners.
https://president.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2794/2022/10/Climate-Action-and-Sustainability.docx
In 2006, the Board of Trustees ushered a plan for diversity and its vision on-campus. Here, it is quoted "As our state’s flagship public university, and as a land and sea grant institution, we promote the health and well-being of Connecticut’s citizens through enhancing the social, economic, cultural and natural environments of the state and beyond."
https://office.diversity.uconn.edu/vision/

Environmental Policy Statement

In fulfilling its mission as Connecticut’s land grant, public research university and its corresponding obligation to protect and preserve natural resources for an environmentally sustainable future, the University of Connecticut commits to the following principles of environmental leadership:

Performance: The University will institutionalize best practices, comply with environmental laws, regulations and standards, and continually monitor, report on and improve its environmental performance.

Responsible management and growth: The University will endeavor to design, construct and maintain its buildings, infrastructure and grounds in a manner that ensures environmental sustainability and protects public health and safety.

Outreach: The University will promote environmental stewardship in Connecticut and embrace environmental initiatives in partnership with its surrounding communities.

Academics: The University will advance understanding of the environment through its curriculum, research and other academic programs, and will employ an ethic of environmental stewardship in all intellectual pursuits.

Conservation: The University will conserve natural resources, increase its use of environmentally sustainable products, materials and services, including renewable resources, and prevent pollution and minimize wastes through reduction, reuse and recycling.

Teamwork: The University will encourage teamwork and provide groups and individuals with support, guidance and recognition for achieving shared environmental goals.

https://policy.uconn.edu/category/office-of-environmental-policy/


The University of Connecticut Sustainable Design and Construction (LEED Policy)

The University of Connecticut shall plan, design, construct, renovate and maintain sustainable, energy- and water-efficient buildings that:
• Yield cost savings through lowered lifetime costs,
• Provide enhanced learning atmospheres for students and healthier environments for all building occupants and visitors, and
• Realize the University’s commitment to responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
Accordingly, for any building construction or renovation project entering the pre-design planning phase, and whenever the estimated total project cost exceeds $5 million, excluding the cost of equipment other than building systems, the University shall establish the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating as a minimum performance requirement.

The University shall comply with all applicable LEED protocols, including registering the project with the US Green Building Council at the beginning of the design phase and applying for LEED certification at project completion. Provided, however, if the administrative costs of LEED certification, including project registration fees, and documentation and monitoring costs, incurred exclusively for the purpose of achieving certification, are reasonably expected to exceed $50,000 for any project, the University shall inform the University’s Board of Trustees (acting through its Building, Grounds & Environment Committee) and seek approval to pursue certification.
The University may exempt a project from the minimum performance requirements of this policy only with the approval of the University’s Board of Trustees (acting through its Building, Grounds & Environment Committee). To attain such exemption, and in addition to complying with procedures specified for a similar exemption pursuant to any applicable state law or regulation, the University shall prepare a written analysis substantiating that the costs of achieving LEED certification would significantly outweigh the benefits.

Statement endorsed by the UConn Board of Trustees may be found here:
https://policy.uconn.edu/2014/10/01/the-university-of-connecticut-sustainable-design-and-construction-policy/

The definition adopted for general campus sustainability programs is as follows: Meeting the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Appendix A: Sustainability Framework Plan - Campus Master Plan:
The Sustainability Framework Plan within the Campus Master Plan is organized by five areas of focus: energy, water, land, materials, and movement. These areas of focus structure the overall framework for sustainability at UConn, organizing current and potential future initiatives into broad categories to facilitate implementation. Holistic, systemwide environmental and energy performance can be achieved when there is focus at all levels of policy, planning, design, and construction. This was formally adopted in 2015, and is revised every two decade or so.
https://media.masterplan.uconn.edu/Final/01_CAMPUS_MASTER_PLAN_WEB.pdf

Second Nature Carbon Commitment Signatory:
In 2008, UConn signed onto the Second Nature Carbon Commitment, binding itself to the pursuit of carbon neutrality and sustainability efforts. UConn set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and developed a subsequent climate action plan.
https://sustainability.uconn.edu/tag/second-nature/

LEED Gold Building & Construction
UConn is committed to all new building or construction projects over $5 million being Gold Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design rating. This is registered amongst the US Green Building Council. It must inform the University Board of Trustee's to pursue this certification.
https://policy.uconn.edu/2014/10/01/the-university-of-connecticut-sustainable-design-and-construction-policy/