| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.34 |
| Liaison | Feletia Lee |
| Submission Date | April 26, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of North Carolina, Wilmington
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
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 | --- |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | --- | --- |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | --- |
| Investment | No | --- |
| Other | No | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
Integrate sustainability into research components of the university including specific course offerings.
Increase the amount of courses by 5% that incorporate sustainability annually, to a maximum of 25 courses.
Create a sustainability cluster, then advance to creating a minor and major in sustainability.
An assessment of all courses focused on sustainability and conservation has been conducted, and speculation has begun on which courses to add to each department.
For this and all other fields in this credit, the measurable objectives came from the UNCW Sustainability Action Plan.
Date Revised: July 12, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Increase the percent of courses that incorporate sustainability.
increase the percent of graduates from programs that have at least one sustainability learning outcome.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, and Innovation Council.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
Increase percent of research faculty engaged in sustainability focused/related topics.
Annual sustainability research awards for students and faculty.
Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to participate in research with faculty. Each faculty member is required to do some form of research in his or her field. The university plans to increase the allocation of funding to research regarding sustainability and environmental conservation to help encourage research directed towards sustainability in all departments.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Determine percent of faculty engaged in sustainability research.
Determine percent of departments engaged in sustainability research.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Sustainability Committee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Foster a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff. Current actions taken by the university include the following:
The sustainability pledge, which is optional to students.
Sustainability Presentation at all freshmen orientations.
Multiple events focused on individual and community sustainability.
Future actions will include:
Employing sustainability peer educators.
Improving sustainability at all campus events.
Develop sustainability focused community service programs.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Percent of enrolled student that take UNC Wilmington sustainability pledge.
Sustainability survey for faculty/staff.
Sustainability survey given to freshmen and seniors to determine effectiveness.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Transitions, and Housing and Residence Life
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Achieve climate neutrality and increase climate resilience.
The university has conducted a comprehensive greenhouse gas emission assessment, and will conduct further assessments every other year to compare to the baseline year's results.
Develop a detailed Climate Mitigation Plan that prescribes specific measures to achieve GHG reduction goals
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Reduce or offset all GHG emissions by 2050.
Reduce or offset GHGs by 5% by 2020 vs 2014 baseline.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Sustainability Committee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Net zero energy campus by 2050.
Produce or procure renewable energy equal to 500kW of by 2020.
The university will continue to reduce energy usage through performance contracts in various buildings as well as convert to more sustainable technologies such as the transfer to LED light bulbs on the main walkway of campus.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Net building energy consumption (i.e. electricity and natural gas) measured in MmBtu.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Sustainability Committee and Facilities Office.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Aramark will further build upon its sustainable food purchasing initiative
by working with the NC Department of Agriculture, Southeastern NC Food
Systems and Aramark’s Regional Supply Chain group that supports UNCW’s
commitment to work with new farmers and vendors. Together, we will identify
new partnerships and opportunities to support NC farmers, making it easier
for them to sell their products through a safe, streamlined distribution process
that also lessens environmental impact due to efficient transportation systems.
If our commitment to 18% NC Grown is not achieved by 2015, Aramark will
contribute $5,000 to the UNCW Sustainability Committee in support of campus
sustainability initiatives.
• Continue to adjust menus in residential dining operations for integration of
more seasonal menu offerings.
• Add a sustainable menu offering to catering services. UNCW Catering has
created a seasonal menu with vegan and vegetarian options, local and organic
ingredients, Port City Java and sustainable seafood.
• We also suggest creating a Sustainable Foods Committee with Dining
Services and representatives from such departments as the UNCW Campus
Sustainability Committee, Housing and Residence Life and other faculty, staff
and students to assist in further refining UNCW’s commitment to sustainable
foods. This committee will:
1. Review, document and expand upon UNCW’s definition and parameters
for sustainable foods, which may include NC Grown, regional purchase
commitments and/or third party certified specifications.
2. Examine potential local and regional partnerships that align with UNCW’s
sustainable foods goals.
3. Develop purchasing and financial parameters for the program.
4. Determine transparency, tracking requirements and frequency of
communication to the University.
5. Establish an ongoing supplier review committee who will meet periodically
to analyze progress, ensure alignment of suppliers with the established
purchasing criteria and address new partnerships with farmers and vendors.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
We currently work with over 20 farms and businesses in NC and averaged 16% local (NC) purchases in 2013. We will reach 18% NC Grown by 2015.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Aramark
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
Support the development and use of energy from clean and renewable resources to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Assessments have been conducted for the feasibility of rooftop photovoltaics on various buildings.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Determine percent of all energy consumption from clean energy sources.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Sustainability Committee and Facilities Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Strive to have the most natural and maintenance free landscape while being aesthetically pleasing.
Implement sustainable landscape practices in 100% of managed grounds by 2030.
Identify and pilot at least 5 sustainable landscape practices by 2016. Currently the university employs a integrated pest management system, and has reduced landscape water consumption by over 30%.
The university plans to eliminate the usage of Eliminate the use of the neonicotinoid pesticides imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid and dinotefuran as well as increase the usage of organic fertilizers.
Preserve and enhance high value University-owned natural areas for educational purposes and ecosystem health.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Number of acres (non-structural) managed in accordance with sustainable landscape management practices.
Water consumption for landscaping, pesticide usage, and percentage of organic fertilizers.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Sustainability Committee and Office of Landscaping
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Improve the comfort and convenience of commuting options such as walking, bicycling, and carpooling in order to reduce the impacts of driving alone.
Currently, the construction of a cross city bicycle path is nearing finish, and will run through and around campus to improve access for alternative transportation.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Percent of commute trips that occur via alternative transportation mode.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Auxilary Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Achieve 30% solid waste diversion rate by 2020 and 50% solid waste diversion rate by 2025.
Construct composting facility on campus.
Expand recyclemania program on campus.
Implement integrated recycling monitor system to help involve students in recycling as well as improve response time for filled bins.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Percentage of solid waste landfilled or incinerated.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Recycling Operations, and Facilities Office.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Reduce indoor potable water use by 50% below 2002/03 levels by 2020.
Reduce outdoor potable water use by 50% below 2002/03 levels by 2020.
Eliminate potable water use in mechanical systems & landscape applications by 2050. Reduce indoor water use by 50% by 2030.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Per capita potable water consumption in buildings and landscaping.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Landscaping, and Facilities Office.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Integrate nurturance of diversity into core operations while increasing the diversity among the student, faculty and staff.
Increase enrollment of low-income students with academic promise.
The university currently has offices to represent african americans, hispanics, and the LGBT community. In addition, initiatives such as "dubversity" help raise awareness for diversity and help involve people from all sects of life. Finally, discussion and information events are held throughout the semester regarding different cultural events and belief systems.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Increase the percent of diversity in student, faculty & staff who have taken cultural competency workshops.
Number of students graduated Pell Grant eligible entering and graduating.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
To be determined.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
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 measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
UNCW defines sustainability as individual efforts made by the community to ensure that the beauty and benefits of today’s world – economically, environmentally and socially – will be available for future generations to inherit. Consequently, sustainability involves awareness and understanding of the complex interdependence between the social, economic and ecological systems. The choices we, as North Carolina’s coastal university, make in our daily lives affect the intricate interconnections between these systems, whether tangible or invisible.
Date Revised: July 12, 2016
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:
The Sustainability Action Plan is a living document updated bi-yearly by the UNCW Sustainability Council to guide the university to achieve the goals and mandates set by the UNC-GA Sustainability Policy and personalized goals of UNCW. It is used as a roadmap for the Council and a way for others to see short and long term goals.
Date Revised: July 12, 2016
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.