Overall Rating	Gold - expired
Overall Score	68.81
Liaison	Christa Rieck
Submission Date	Jan. 4, 2019
Executive Letter	Download

STARS v2.1

University of Houston
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	4.00 / 4.00

"---" 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:

As an integral foundation for services, the Mission of the Division of Administration & Finance is to provide a platform for nationally competitive and internationally recognized opportunities of learning, discovery and engagement for a diverse student population in a real-world setting by leading, supporting and enabling institutional effectiveness for the University of Houston and the University of Houston System. Our Core Values are defined by high-performance teamwork, continuous improvement and sustainability. Integrity, accountability and the A&F S.P.I.R.I.T. of Service Excellence guide our daily operations and develop the framework for all that we do. All employees of the University of Houston Division of Administration and Finance should demonstrate a commitment to: • Support the University’s mission to offer nationally competitive and internationally recognized opportunity for learning, discovery and engagement to a diverse population of students in a real-world setting; • Provide excellent customer service through teamwork, professionalism, enthusiasm, pride and service; • Spearhead a culture of safety and security for all members of the University family; • Represent Administration and Finance in a positive light by treating students, faculty and fellow staff members with dignity and respect; • Continuously improve our processes and services in an efficient and effective manner; • Commit to developing employee talent and an engaged workforce; • Pledge to socially, environmentally and fiscally sustainable practices; • Support a community that fosters a spirit of caring and compassion; • Conduct our duties with a commitment to service, integrity, accountability and dignity.

A copy of the strategic plan:

A&F Strategic Goals- S.P.I.R.I.T. of Service Excellence.docx

The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:

http://www.uh.edu/office-of-administration/strategic-plan/strategic-goals-fy-2018/

Sustainability Plan

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

Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:

UH - Path to Platinum Plan.pdf

The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:

http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

Climate Action Plan

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

A copy of the climate action plan:

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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:

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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):

The University of Houston recognizes that trees are an integral part of the campus identity and a valuable natural resource. The standards included in this Campus Tree Care Plan provide proper procedures for the preservation, selection, maintenance, and replacement of trees that the campus community, outside design professionals, and contractors can clearly understand. These guidelines will govern the design and specification for campus projects in order to: 1. Ensure preservation compliance for trees on University property. 2. Improve the likelihood of tree resilience during and after construction projects. 3. Provide standards of tree maintenance. 4. Reduce tree and infrastructure conflicts. 5. Provide a standardized process for tree-related issues. 6. Provide guidance for the replacement and/or addition of trees. http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/u.houston-campus-tree-care-plan_final.pdf

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:

20% of total classes include sustainability 100% students take at least 1 sustainable course http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

UH Library will offer open access to research http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

63.5% of UH students participate in community service http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

UH will conduct an assessment of sustainability culture by end of 2019 http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

Greenhouse gas emissions are measured on an annual basis. UH will target a 5% Green House Gas decrease http://www.uh.edu/af/universityservices/policies/mapp/14/140101.pdf http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

UH will pursue LEED Silver for new construction and target 400,000 GSF http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf METRICS • Operationalize means of regular reporting and assessment of building energy use intensity and campus water use intensity • Proactive peer review to draft version(s) of UH Infrastructure Master Plan • Proactive peer review of UH design guidance • Author sustainable building O&M policy

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:

Achieve 35% energy reduction from base http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf METRICS • Number of meters installed, the number of meters tied to the new software system and funds recovered from auxiliary unit billings. • Number of energy audits/year • Number of retrocommissioning projects completed/year • Return on investment profile for energy conservation measures implemented • Reduced electricity use for the campus (weather-adjusted) • Reduction in campus greenhouse gas emissions associated with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions • Development of a capital plan for the university’s central utility plants. • Boiler emissions performance compared to permitted allowance

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:

Achieve 15% local and less than 30% conventional animal products http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf METRICS - implement an energy and water conservation program at every site. - purchase paper products with recycled content. - divert 100 percent of our fryer oil waste - increase our level of sustainable food offerings, with a yearly growth goal of 5 percent. - Chartwells is committed to zero-waste in all dining halls by 2020

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:

UH will reduce grounds-related water use by 15% http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

UH will implement life cycle cost analysis for HVAC and other energy systems http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf METRICS • Number of products and materials identified by FM as preferred (healthy) • Purchased volumes of all preferred products (and of materials that they are meant to replace), costs, • Issuance of an FM progress report on the integrated pest management initiatives for buildings and structures

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:

UH will install EV charging stations 70.5% Students use alternative transportation and 57% Staff use alternative transportation http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

UH will pursue 10% Total campus waste reduction http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf METRICS • Track university waste diversion and waste disposal rates by program, using standard metrics of weight and cost as compared to traditional handling (disposal) methods • Track the number of materials introduced into the university waste diversion programs • Track the number of recycling collection trucks with recycling logos as a portion of total recycling collection trucks • Track the number of uniformly designed recycling receptacles as a portion of total number of receptacles • Track the number and type of community education events, including release through the internet or hard copy of written information about the university’s waste diversion program

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:

UH will pursue 15% Campus water use reduction http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf FM will undertake the following: • Reduce grounds-associated water consumption • Prepare to reduce building-associated water consumption • Innovate at the central plants to reduce infrastructure-associated water use • Support university stormwater management

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:

UH will pursue 78% Low-income graduation rate http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

UH will invest $46 mil into sustainable investments http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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:

UH Wellness is a division of Human Resources and will create 1, 2, and 3 mile walking tracks for campus. Strategic goals for UH Wellness include: To facilitate student development and the student learning process through education on alcohol and other drugs, mental health, and sexual violence and sexual health. Expand collaboration and networking within the university and surrounding community by expanding the message of who UH Wellness is and what we offer through increased programming, campus involvement and that appeal to a wider audience. To increase the use of programs that use research based, theory driven prevention models by three to four. To promote comprehensive campus wellness by offering a variety of programs and services that seek to educate and develop the nine dimensions of welllnes. To promote professional and student staff progression toward advanced professional competencies by maintaining a culture of assessment before, during and after employment along with an emphasis on self-care and work/life negotiation. https://www.uh.edu/wellness/dimensions/ UH Wellness also adheres to a framework of nine dimensions of wellness that includes environmental wellness. https://www.uh.edu/wellness/dimensions/ Additionally, UH is targeting 20% reduction in workplace injuries http://www.uh.edu/af-university-services/sustainability/campus-initiatives/path-to-platinum/uh-path-to-platinum-plan.pdf

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)?:

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

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)? :

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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	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	No
The Talloires Declaration (TD)	No
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:

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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:

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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.