University of South Carolina
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The Sustainability Curriculum Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of the campus sustainability curriculum plan. This plan includes the facilitation of a stakeholder engagement process within colleges where a leadership imperative exists for sustainability. The process, which involves gaining buy-in from departments within interested colleges, results in a series of sustainability goals being taken on by the college, including sustainability curriculum development.

1. Host Sustainability Across the Curriculum workshop in College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management by Spring 2016 2. Gain buy-in from HRSM departments for creation of internal sustainability working group by summer 2016 3. Recruit at least 5 Sustainability Fellows from College of HRSM, signifying the creation of 5 new sustainability courses

Dr. Andy Gillentine, Assistant Dean in College of HRSM Sustainability Curriculum Committee

The USC Campus Engagement plan includes metrics for expansion of Sustainable Carolina student engagement program, including introduction of Catalyst Coaching, targeted marketing, and increased student participation.

1. Each student within Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program receives contract, 4 coaching sessions with trained staff coach, and 4 professional development workshops during 2015-16. 2. Campus Engagement report published by summer 2015. 3. Catalyst Coaching Handbook published by summer 2015.

Office of Sustainability

The campus Public Engagement plan focuses on developing a streamlined method to connect prospective community partners with faculty, staff, and infrastructure resources available on campus.

Launch of campus community engagement website in spring 2016

Office of Community Engagement

The campus Buildings plan focuses on the enforcement of rigorous standards in building performance. Additionally, the Cola Campus Capital Plan outlines details of how the campus will expand into the city, and how multiple stakeholder perspectives will be considered.

Submittal of new green design policy to university administration by spring 2015. Cola Capital Plan: http://www.facilities.sc.edu/downloads/master-plan.pdf

Office of Sustainablity

The campus food systems plan includes creation of staff positions dedicated to dining; development of Carolina Dining sustainability goals; introduction and expansion of Carolina Community Farm & Gardens, including hydroponics system; integration of College of HRSM culinary program with garden and dining; and development of key relationships with Sodexo corporate sustainability team.

By Summer 2016: 1. Develop PT local supply chain coordinator position within Carolina Dining 2. Identify members for Carolina Dining sustainability working group 3. Identify vision for sustainability from Carolina Dining District Manager 4. Facilitate Carolina Dining sustainability goals 5. Align Carolina Dining sustainability goals with Real Food Challenge and AASHE STARS metrics 6. Gain buy-in from College of HRSM McCutchen House to host inaugural Carolina Community Farm & Garden Harvest Dinner, featuring Carolina Dining chef team

Office of Sustainability Carolina Dining College of HRSM

The Transportation plan has a larger goal of creating an area known as the "Innovista," which provides easier access to alternative transportation modalities in and around campus.

1. Release updates of summer 2015 Vehicle Management and Parking Services perception survey by summer 2016 2. Develop commuter survey focused on commuting habits versus perception by summer 2016 3. Expand annual Travel Lightly Day by incorporating incentives and an alternative transportation show with local vendors during spring 2016 4. Collect AASHE STARS transportation metrics 5. Create PT student alternative transportation externship

Alternative Transportation Coordinator VP Facilities and Transportation

The University of South Carolina embraces diversity and inclusion as a strategic imperative in preparing our students to lead in a global, information-based marketplace and society. As such, we view our ability to attract and retain a diverse student population, faculty, staff, and administration as a necessary condition to achieving academic and institutional excellence. As such the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has defined five strategic goals: 1. Improve the visibility and integration of diversity and inclusion as a strategic imperative. 2. Improve the campus culture/climate for inclusion. 3. Develop formal underrepresented student and faculty pipelines. 4. Foster an environment that enhances and promotes teaching, research and scholarship around issues of diversity and inclusion, 5. Improve accountability.

Establish the South Carolina Collaborative on Racial Reconciliation Due Date: Train the Trainer Sessions begin in January 2016 Status: On-Target Modeled after The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation’s The Welcome Table program, the South Carolina Collaborative on Race and Reconciliation (SCCRR) will engage internal and external University community members by creating spaces for healthy dialog about race and thoughtful actions that lead toward the reconciliation and healing of racial and other social differences in both the university community and communities across South Carolina. Develop and conduct a comprehensive undergraduate student campus climate study and climate reporting mechanism Due Date: Climate study – March 2016 Status: DIAC subcommittee on climate studies has been established. Working with student-affairs to finalize questions. Develop and implement faculty workshops that help to facilitate more effective conversations about various social identities Due Date: Pilot Workshop – December 15 and 16, 2015 Status: On-Target This two-day, interactive workshop will be guided by a two-fold framework that includes a focus on institutional and individual dimensions of diversity and equity issues. Emphasis will be placed on strategies for teaching about various social identities (such as race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and disabilities) and helping students build their capacity to recognize and address discriminatory practices and take reflective action. A key theme will be facilitating students in living the Carolinian Creed. Develop a new pathway for the Leadership with Distinction designation Due Date: Implement for Fall 2016 Status: On-Target Leadership Distinction in Diversity and Inclusive Practice focuses specifically on issues of social justice and challenges that face our communities as they relate to race, ethnicity, gender (and gender identity), class, religion and ability. Implement new search committee training that addresses bias in the search process Due Date: June, 2016 Status: Evaluating Options Student Recruitment and Enrollment Since 2009, the number of enrolled undergraduate African-American students has increased 10.6%, Hispanic enrollment has increased 63%, students identifying with two or more races have increased by 36.5% and non-white undergraduate enrollment has increased 24.4%. Recruitment strategies that support this work include: Multicultural Outreach Student Team (MOST) engages current students in the university’s minority recruitment efforts. Members share their positive experiences at Carolina while gaining leadership experience in assisting the university. There are approximately 40 active members who participate in recruitment and outreach activities including Taking Carolina Home, Note Writing and Calling Campaigns, and Student Panels. Summer Seniors is a summer recruitment program that is designed for South Carolina’s top African American rising high school seniors. The four-day residential program provides a great opportunity to showcase all of the many benefits of attending the state’s flagship university. The Gamecock Guarantee program is a covenant aid program designed to provide financial and programmatic support for first-generation, low-income students from the state of South Carolina. Gender Neutral Housing While gender neutral halls and specific rooms are not identified in our housing communities, we offer a number of private rooms in suites and several one-bedroom apartments to help students in transition to feel comfortable in their campus residence. Gender Neutral Bathrooms Most residence halls, particularly newer and recently renovated buildings, have gender neutral bathrooms in public spaces. For instance: South Tower now has 19 private, gender-neutral bathrooms Patterson Hall has 9 gender-neutral bathrooms In all of housing facilities, there are 63 gender-neutral bathrooms Preferred Name Policy The university is working on a preferred name policy that will go into effect fall 2016. Student Health Services (for LGBTQ students) Student Health Services staff regularly participates in the USC Safe Zone Ally Training. In January 2016, counseling center staff also participated in a training program by the SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault on transgender issues. The suicide prevention program includes specific information about LGBTQ issues. Student Health Services has certain providers (physicians, nurses, counselors, etc.) who have professional expertise in transgender concerns and they provide leadership regarding sensitive care for transitioning students. There is a care-team manager who has set up a mentoring program for students in gender transitioning decisions. We also refer interested students to a group called “Openings” at the Harriet Hancock Center for LGBTQ. Mental health and suicide prevention programming includes prevention and early intervention strategies specific to the LGBTQ community. The suicide prevention program includes specific information about LGBTQ issues. Gender Identity as a Title IX Protected Class The US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a “Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence” which contains the following statement: “Title IX’s sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity and OCR accepts such complaints for investigation. Similarly, the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of the parties does not change a school’s obligations [to investigate and resolve allegations].” USC Policy STAF 1.08, “Sexual Assault” and USC Policy STAF 1.09, “Relationship Violence Stalking and Harassment” both contain statements that read as follows: “This policy applies to all members of the university community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” The Counseling Center Currently 10 counseling center visits are allotted to each student. On average, students use four visits in the fall and three visits in the spring. However, students can request additional visits. Emergency appointments are made based on need. Diversity Training The Division of Student Affairs hosts monthly division meetings that cover a broad array of topics. During the past academic year, the division has hosted the following: Dr. Stephen John Quaye (October 30, 2015) – “Why is it so hard to talk about race and how can we get better at it?” Dr. John Wesley Lowery (January 22, 2016) – Dr. Lowery, an expert in higher education and student affairs law, discussed the timely topic of free speech and First Amendment rights. Dr. Sue Rankin (February 26, 2016) – Dr. Rankin is a founding member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, a network of professionals doing advocacy work for LGBT people on college campuses. The Office of the Provost, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Human Resources working with Faculty Council will be seeding to implement annually required search committee training addressing bias in the search process. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is establishing the South Carolina Collaborative on Racial Reconciliation (SCCRR). Modeled after The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation’s The Welcome Table program, SCCRR will engage internal and external university community members by creating spaces for healthy dialog about race and thoughtful actions that lead toward the reconciliation and healing of racial and other social differences in both the university community and communities across South Carolina. Admissions and Enrollment Data The following sites currently provide admission and enrollment information: The Office of Undergraduate Admissions The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (Fact Books) Campus Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Data The university is required to produce an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report is maintained by the Division of Law Enforcement and Safety. New Diversity and Inclusion Research and Transparency On March 14, the Office of the President will be conducting a comprehensive undergraduate campus climate survey aimed at “taking the pulse” of our students on issues that are important to all members of our community. Topics covered by the survey include: Sense of community, Interactions with faculty and staff, Health and wellness, Campus climate and culture, and Academic and extracurricular involvement. Results from the campus climate survey will be posted online. Additionally, projects intended to address campus climate are tracked online as Diversity and Inclusion office initiatives. Social Justice Education USC Connect and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion are developing a new pathway for Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) titled, Diversity and Social Advocacy. Leadership Distinction in this pathway will focus specifically on issues of social justice and challenges that face our communities as they relate to ability, class, ethnicity, gender, gender and sexual identity, race and religion. We will be seeking Faculty Senate approval and anticipate offering the new pathway in the fall semester of 2016. More Inclusive Homecoming To improve the sense of inclusion reflected in homecoming activities, the process for selecting the Homecoming Executive Commission that is charged with planning and executing homecoming week activities (with the advise and assistance of the Homecoming Commission) was significantly revised. In the past, the Executive Commission has been generally comprised of past Homecoming Commission members or students who were chosen by the out-going Executive Commission. The new process yielded an 11 member Executive Commission that has the following composition: 10 Female, 1 Male 5 White, 6 Non-White 6 Greek, 5 Non-Greek 2 Freshman, 4 Sophomore, 5 Junior The Homecoming Commission retreat was February 19-20. The commission had a list of feedback/concerns from the fall open forum that were part of the discussion. They also had a list of events that were suggested to engender a greater spirit of inclusion.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion committees Chief Diversity Officer

Focus Carolina, the university's strategic plan, addresses sustainability through the following areas: Leadership: • The Student Leadership Initiative, which will introduce best practices in leadership development in and out of the classroom with emphasis on civic responsibility, service, citizenship and appropriate risk taking. • USC Connect, a growing program that offers extended leadership opportunities to students through internships, community service, international experiences and undergraduate research opportunities. USC puts leadership into practice and our graduates will be experienced in leading in real-world settings. • Academic leadership development for faculty, chairs and directors, including the introduction of a Visiting Executive Leadership Program. • Emphasis on civil discourse to model debate and civic behavior concerning the pressing issues of our times. Innovation • Develop a focus on aerospace science and engineering; alternative fuels; materials science, composite technology and nanotechnology; sustainability and the environment; health sciences; P–20 education; and Rule of Law. • Increase faculty engagement in interdisciplinary research. • Complete recruiting and hiring of endowed chairs through the innovative S.C. SmartState™ program. Diversity • Increasing the number of underrepresented minority faculty, staff and students to more closely reflect the diversity of our state. • Increasing the number of international faculty and students and expanding diverse thinking in our classrooms. • Focusing on cultivation of an academic environment that welcomes a diversity According to the 2010 U.S. Census, approximately 32 percent of concepts, ideas and approaches. Access • Increase access to baccalaureate degrees for place-bound students through Palmetto College and our regional campuses. • Increase distributed learning opportunities for our students, particularly in fields such as education, criminal justice and nursing that are essential to the people of the state. • Introduce the “Back to Carolina” program, designed for adult students who have already earned USC college credit but were unable to graduate with bachelor’s degrees for economic, personal and other reasons. Community Engagement • Developing service-learning opportunities and classes where students are learning to serve while serving to learn. • Developing connections with people in the community locally and world-wide. • Increasing life-long commitment and involvement of students in the community, working with people to help with their needs. • Developing educational outreach programs that engage and stimulate our various communities. • Expanding the use of university resources to advance access to creative performances, films and lectures.