| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.09 |
| Liaison | Jennifer Andrews |
| Submission Date | Aug. 16, 2021 |
University of New Hampshire
EN-11: Inter-Campus Collaboration
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Tom
Kelly Chief Sustainability Officer University Office of Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Is the institution currently a member of a national or international higher education sustainability network?:
Yes
The name of the national or international sustainability network(s):
AASHE
Billion Dollar Green Challenge
Second Nature Climate Commitment
INFAS
Billion Dollar Green Challenge
Second Nature Climate Commitment
INFAS
Does the institution actively participate in a regional, state/provincial, or local higher education sustainability network?:
Yes
The name of the regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s):
We helped found and still participate in the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium: https://sustain.princeton.edu/northeast-campus-sustainability-consortium-necsc
We are also an active participant in the new America East Sustainability Initiative, which has regular calls to share resources and ideas, is planning a regional sustainability conference in 2022. https://americaeast.com/news/2021/1/27/ae-sustainability.aspx
The following are additional (non-higher-education exclusive) regional sustainability networks in which UNH plays and active and leading role:
• Food Solutions New England - http://www.foodsolutionsne.org/
• New England Municipal Sustainability Network http://www.nemsnetwork.org/
• NH Food Alliance - http://www.nhfoodalliance.com/
• New England Sustainability Consortium - http://www.newenglandsustainabilityconsortium.org/
• Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine - http://www.rargom.org
• Great Bay Real Time Environmental Monitoring Network- http://www.greatbaydata.org/
• The Stewardship Network of New England - http://newengland.stewardshipnetwork.org/
We are also an active participant in the new America East Sustainability Initiative, which has regular calls to share resources and ideas, is planning a regional sustainability conference in 2022. https://americaeast.com/news/2021/1/27/ae-sustainability.aspx
The following are additional (non-higher-education exclusive) regional sustainability networks in which UNH plays and active and leading role:
• Food Solutions New England - http://www.foodsolutionsne.org/
• New England Municipal Sustainability Network http://www.nemsnetwork.org/
• NH Food Alliance - http://www.nhfoodalliance.com/
• New England Sustainability Consortium - http://www.newenglandsustainabilityconsortium.org/
• Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine - http://www.rargom.org
• Great Bay Real Time Environmental Monitoring Network- http://www.greatbaydata.org/
• The Stewardship Network of New England - http://newengland.stewardshipnetwork.org/
Has the institution presented at a higher education sustainability conference during the previous year?:
Yes
A list or brief description of the conference(s) and presentation(s):
There have been numerous presentations from UNH staff at higher education sustainability conferences over the past year. A few examples, of many:
• Karen Spiller, Thomas W Haas Professor for Sustainable Food Systems, participated on a panel of eight presenters (among them authors of the paper) at the 4th International Global Food Security Conference in December 2020 and also presented at the Teaching Sustainable Food System in Our Times Lecture Sandbox Webinar Series. The audience was university faculty and staff from across the country.
• Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability presented at an INFAS webinar on “Resilient Centers and Institutes: Creating and Keeping Them.”
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6vqEQ_t5gs5LQJ0KwxSy3ytMho7GVJDINpk7pjfA29JZmgA/viewform
• Fiona Wilson, Sustainability Institute Director, presented as part of 2021 B Academics Teaching Roundtable (Virtual) on B Impact Teams; at the 2021 Ashoka U Exchange (Virtual) in a session “$650 Billion Opportunity: Connecting Students with the Transformative Power Of University Endowments” and the 2020 Ashoka U Exchange in Minneapolis in a session “Engaging University Students to Build the B Economy;” at the 2020 Intentional Endowments Network summit (Virtual) in a session “Community Conversation: Leveraging Local Assets for Community Resilience;” and at the 2020 AASHE Conference (Virtual) in a session “Investing in the Just Transition: How to Leverage Your Institution’s Endowment.”
• Changemaker Collaborative Director Faina Bukher, Peer-to-Peer Education Coordinator Jade Chalkley and student leader Caitlin Durnbaugh presented at the 2021 Ashoka U Exchange (Virtual) in “SPARK SESSION: Scaling Changemaker Education”
• UNHSI Project Director Jennifer Andrews presented at the 2020 AASHE conference in a session “Are Campuses Making Progress on their Climate Goals?” and the at SIMAP team has done numerous other webinars and presentations for the higher education sustainability community in the past year: www.unhsimap.org
• Karen Spiller, Thomas W Haas Professor for Sustainable Food Systems, participated on a panel of eight presenters (among them authors of the paper) at the 4th International Global Food Security Conference in December 2020 and also presented at the Teaching Sustainable Food System in Our Times Lecture Sandbox Webinar Series. The audience was university faculty and staff from across the country.
• Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability presented at an INFAS webinar on “Resilient Centers and Institutes: Creating and Keeping Them.”
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6vqEQ_t5gs5LQJ0KwxSy3ytMho7GVJDINpk7pjfA29JZmgA/viewform
• Fiona Wilson, Sustainability Institute Director, presented as part of 2021 B Academics Teaching Roundtable (Virtual) on B Impact Teams; at the 2021 Ashoka U Exchange (Virtual) in a session “$650 Billion Opportunity: Connecting Students with the Transformative Power Of University Endowments” and the 2020 Ashoka U Exchange in Minneapolis in a session “Engaging University Students to Build the B Economy;” at the 2020 Intentional Endowments Network summit (Virtual) in a session “Community Conversation: Leveraging Local Assets for Community Resilience;” and at the 2020 AASHE Conference (Virtual) in a session “Investing in the Just Transition: How to Leverage Your Institution’s Endowment.”
• Changemaker Collaborative Director Faina Bukher, Peer-to-Peer Education Coordinator Jade Chalkley and student leader Caitlin Durnbaugh presented at the 2021 Ashoka U Exchange (Virtual) in “SPARK SESSION: Scaling Changemaker Education”
• UNHSI Project Director Jennifer Andrews presented at the 2020 AASHE conference in a session “Are Campuses Making Progress on their Climate Goals?” and the at SIMAP team has done numerous other webinars and presentations for the higher education sustainability community in the past year: www.unhsimap.org
Has the institution submitted a case study during the previous year to an external higher education sustainability resource center or awards program?:
Yes
A list or brief description of the sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s):
UNH submitted a case study of its Northwest Heating Plant for consideration for the APPA Sustainability Innovation Award, and was recognized during the 2021 APPA Annual Conference – Virtual Facilities Summit. A case study of the project is available to APPA members. For more see https://unh.app.box.com/file/838634630856?s=b96zkns1sd6kgoo6n5hi8lyw0g28jx8s
In addition, a case study of UNH’s efficiency project was submitted and featured in the Smart Lan Accelerator Toolkit: https://smartlabs.i2sl.org/cs-unh.html
In addition, a case study of UNH’s efficiency project was submitted and featured in the Smart Lan Accelerator Toolkit: https://smartlabs.i2sl.org/cs-unh.html
Has the institution had employees or students serving on a board or committee of a sustainability network or conference during the previous three years?:
Yes
A list or brief description of the board or committee appointment(s):
There are numerous examples of staff and faculty engagement from across the university on boards, committees, networks, and conferences during the past three years. Here are a few:
• Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer, on the design team for Food, Farms, Fisheries and Forests: Diet, Climate, Conservation, and a Healthy Future for New England https://farmland.org/food-farms-fisheries-and-forests-conference/
• Karen Spiller, the Thomas W Haas Professor for Sustainable Food Systems, served on the Columbia University and its Community of Practice Food System Educators. This relationship began in 2016 by attending and presenting at these symposiums in New York. Joanne Burke, now UNH Emeritus, and Karen developed and delivered the presentation, “Discerning Competency Standards for Demonstrating Expertise in Sustainable Food System Theory & Practice” at Columbia University’s Teaching about Food Systems: Transforming Thought into Action Community of Practice II in June 2017. That session led the organizing team of Sharon Akabas (Columbia University), Erin Betley, and Eleanor Sterling (Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of American Museum of Natural History) to bring us together to write the now published paper (2020) on equity competencies. https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/article/doi/10.1525/elementa.428/114467/Towards-an-equity-competency-model-for-sustainable
• Stacey Purslow, Farm to School Coordinator, served on the 2021 Farm to Institution New England (FINE) Summit planning committee. The Summit brought together more than 600 food and dining service professionals from colleges, schools and health care institutions focused on reflection, resilience, and renewal of institutional markets in our regional food system. See https://www.f2isummit.org/
• Cameron Wake, Josephine A. Lamprey Professor of Climate, serves on the New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW). CAW’s mission is to assist communities in NH’s coastal watershed to prepare for the impacts of extreme weather and long term climate change by providing resources, facilitation, and guidance that enhance readiness and resilience. See https://www.nhcaw.org/
• Elizabeth Farrell, Sustainability Institute Project Director and Dr. Tom Kelly serve on the Food Solutions New England Steering Committee and the design team for the FSNE Winter Series. See https://foodsolutionsne.org/2021-fsne-gathering/
• Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer, on the design team for Food, Farms, Fisheries and Forests: Diet, Climate, Conservation, and a Healthy Future for New England https://farmland.org/food-farms-fisheries-and-forests-conference/
• Karen Spiller, the Thomas W Haas Professor for Sustainable Food Systems, served on the Columbia University and its Community of Practice Food System Educators. This relationship began in 2016 by attending and presenting at these symposiums in New York. Joanne Burke, now UNH Emeritus, and Karen developed and delivered the presentation, “Discerning Competency Standards for Demonstrating Expertise in Sustainable Food System Theory & Practice” at Columbia University’s Teaching about Food Systems: Transforming Thought into Action Community of Practice II in June 2017. That session led the organizing team of Sharon Akabas (Columbia University), Erin Betley, and Eleanor Sterling (Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of American Museum of Natural History) to bring us together to write the now published paper (2020) on equity competencies. https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/article/doi/10.1525/elementa.428/114467/Towards-an-equity-competency-model-for-sustainable
• Stacey Purslow, Farm to School Coordinator, served on the 2021 Farm to Institution New England (FINE) Summit planning committee. The Summit brought together more than 600 food and dining service professionals from colleges, schools and health care institutions focused on reflection, resilience, and renewal of institutional markets in our regional food system. See https://www.f2isummit.org/
• Cameron Wake, Josephine A. Lamprey Professor of Climate, serves on the New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW). CAW’s mission is to assist communities in NH’s coastal watershed to prepare for the impacts of extreme weather and long term climate change by providing resources, facilitation, and guidance that enhance readiness and resilience. See https://www.nhcaw.org/
• Elizabeth Farrell, Sustainability Institute Project Director and Dr. Tom Kelly serve on the Food Solutions New England Steering Committee and the design team for the FSNE Winter Series. See https://foodsolutionsne.org/2021-fsne-gathering/
Does the institution have an ongoing mentoring relationship with another institution through which it assists the institution with its sustainability reporting and/or the development of its sustainability program?:
Yes
A brief description of the mentoring relationship and activities:
Chief Sustainability Officer Tom Kelly participated in the AASHE mentoring program in 2019-20 to mentor sustainability staff at another higher education institution.
In addition, staff at UNH have begun mentoring newly-hired staff at Keene State University, which involves quarterly meetings/calls to consult with KSU staff on program development and opportunities to advance sustainability goals within the University System of New Hampshire.
Finally in addition, the SIMAP Team has co-convened three Working Groups (two with Second Nature, one with the University of Virginia) of campus representatives from around the country to explore and develop improved practices for carbon and nitrogen accounting and management: a Commuting Working Group; a Biogenic Working Group, and a Nitrogen Footprint Working Group. These groups all meet regularly (monthly or quarterly) and UNH actively supports development of shared resources for the group members. See
• https://unhsimap.org/cmap/resources/commuting-working-group
• https://unhsimap.org/cmap/resources/biogenic-working-group
• https://unhsimap.org/cmap/resources/NitrogenWorkingGroup
In addition, staff at UNH have begun mentoring newly-hired staff at Keene State University, which involves quarterly meetings/calls to consult with KSU staff on program development and opportunities to advance sustainability goals within the University System of New Hampshire.
Finally in addition, the SIMAP Team has co-convened three Working Groups (two with Second Nature, one with the University of Virginia) of campus representatives from around the country to explore and develop improved practices for carbon and nitrogen accounting and management: a Commuting Working Group; a Biogenic Working Group, and a Nitrogen Footprint Working Group. These groups all meet regularly (monthly or quarterly) and UNH actively supports development of shared resources for the group members. See
• https://unhsimap.org/cmap/resources/commuting-working-group
• https://unhsimap.org/cmap/resources/biogenic-working-group
• https://unhsimap.org/cmap/resources/NitrogenWorkingGroup
Has the institution had employees or students serving as peer reviewers of another institution’s sustainability data and/or STARS submission during the previous three years?:
Yes
A brief description of the peer review activities:
UNH has ongoing mentorship relationships with many of the individuals who rely on SIMAP or who have relied on the free Campus Carbon Calculator™, to help them to complete their greenhouse gas inventories. We invest in making sure that our staff maintains expertise in international carbon accounting practices and protocols, for the public and private sectors, in order to be able to offer this guidance to our colleagues and peers through “how-to guides” and reports, webinars, one-on-one support via phone and virtual conferencing.
One example: Staff and student interns working as part of the SIMAP team conduct in-depth, three-step formal data reviews of SIMAP users’ greenhouse gas inventories. We have completed more than 50 over the past four years. See https://unhsimap.org/cmap/request-data-review.
One example: Staff and student interns working as part of the SIMAP team conduct in-depth, three-step formal data reviews of SIMAP users’ greenhouse gas inventories. We have completed more than 50 over the past four years. See https://unhsimap.org/cmap/request-data-review.
Optional Fields
UNHSI's SIMAP program partners with the GRITS sustainability project data management platform; we have launched a GRITS Report, which you can view on the Reports tab, and also have an API that allows users to transfer their data from SIMAP to the GRITS Platform.
Website URL where information about the institution’s inter-campus collaborations 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.