Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.32
Liaison Andy Mitchell
Submission Date July 16, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of Illinois Chicago
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Cynthia Klein-Banai
Associate Chancellor for Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Climate Action Implementation Plan: Strategy 6.0 Teaching and Learning
6.1 Develop Sustainability-related curriculum
6.1.1 Create a Sustainability Course Rubric
6.1.2 Increase the number of Sustainability-related courses for General Education Credit
6.1.3 Develop Interdisciplinary Sustainability Majors, Minors, and Certificates
6.1.4 Recruit faculty in areas where there are gaps in sustainability expertise

Engagement 

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Climate Action Implementation Plan
1.2.2 Energy Conscious Campus to educate about energy conservation to obtain a 1.5% reduction in campus energy use

5.1 Develop unit based waste reduction plans

6.2 Enhance sustainability-related co-curricular activity - through learning opportunities (campus as a learning lab)
- Provide institutional funding for Heritage Garden Internship, Sustainability Internship, and for LCC Environmental and Climate Justice Dialogues

Operations

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Climate Action Implementation Plan:

1.1.1 25% energy reduction in existing buildings through Strategic Energy Management Program by 2028.
1.2.1 Building StandardsUpdate Building Standards to meet the project 2025 International Energy Conservation code (50% better than the ASHRAE Standard 90.1 (2013)

Administration

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Climate Action Implementation Plan Strategy 5.3.2 Food Recovery & Security
Increase the amount of food recovered by weight that is brought to local homeless shelters.

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Major theme

Optional Fields

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved the "Strategic Framework" on May 20, 2016. Within the Framework, Pillar IV. Tomorrow’s University Today has a point (4) Become a model of environmental sustainability.
https://www.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=1324&pageId=747394

The Faculty Senate adopted the sustainability mission and vision in 2008.
Mission: The University of Illinois at Chicago is committed to environmental sustainability in all aspects of its mission and will challenge itself to consistently perform all of its functions in the most sustainable ways.
Vision: The University of Illinois at Chicago, as part of the local and global community, strives to be a responsible steward of the environment. As such, UIC seeks to minimize its environmental impact both now and in the future; this is consistent with the financial and social viability of the institution and the relevance of its academic programs. Through its academics, research, and operations, UIC will create a campus environment in which sustainable practices and policies are visible and evident to all.

The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability for UIC is defined in "To Green and Beyond: Excellence through Sustainability at UIC":
Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit the fulfillment of the social, economic and
other requirements of present and future generations.

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
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability No
SDG Accord 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:
UIC's sustainability work aligns with Second Nature's Carbon Commitment. UIC's Climate Commitments of Carbon Neutral, Zero Waste, Net Zero Water, and Biodiverse Campus reflect that commitment broadly. We have also been a signatory to the Talloires Declaration since 2008.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Office of Planning, Sustainability and Project Management website
UI Board of Trustees

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.