| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.88 |
| Liaison | Jim Walker |
| Submission Date | April 30, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Texas at Austin
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.17 / 4.00 |
Jim
Walker Director of Sustainability, Financial, and Administrative Services University Operations |
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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 | No | No |
| Research (or other scholarship) | No | No |
| Campus Engagement | No | No |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | No | No |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | No | No |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | No |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | No | No |
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
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None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
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None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Included in Campus Master Plan in Forge Strategic Partnerships principle (pg 96)
http://www.utexas.edu/operations/masterplan/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Develop a deliberate strategy around engagement and investment in the West
University Neighborhood as a major university housing village.
• Explore with property owners and the city the opportunity to develop a revitalization
plan for Guadalupe Street, including the potential for university investment.
• Explore opportunities to collaborate with the city and state in the creation of an
innovation district in central Austin.
• Conduct an initial visioning and create a program and concept plan for the new
medical school as input to the site-selection decision and to understanding how a
medical center development on the main campus could impact program location and
infrastructure decisions in the future.
• Include the East Campus in Phase 2 master planning and engage the leadership of
the surrounding Blackland and surrounding Upper Boggy Creek neighborhoods in the
planning discussions.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Campus Master Plan Committee
UT Austin administrative units (depends on nature of public engagement)
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
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None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Included in Campus Master Plan in principles of
Accommodate Potential Growth (pg 32)
Revitalize the Core (pg 46)
Enhance the Central Campus (pg 80)
http://www.utexas.edu/operations/masterplan/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
See relevant chapters in Campus Master Plan
http://www.utexas.edu/operations/masterplan/
And Design Guidelines (pg 208) in Campus Master Plan
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Campus Master Plan Committee
University Operations: Campus Planning; Project Management and Construction Services
UT System Office of Facilities Planning and Construction
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
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None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
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None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
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None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
Included in Campus Master Plan in principles of
Integrating Sustainability (pg 188)
Energy Strategies (pg 284)
http://www.utexas.edu/operations/masterplan/
Natural Resources Conservation Plan
http://www.utexas.edu/sustainability/pssc/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
from Natural Resources Conservation Plan
Reliable and Efficient Energy System
Utilities will maintain utility system performance at, or above, its current level of reliability and annual average plant efficiency of about 88%, average electrical generation performance of about 8,500 BTU/kWh and chilling station performance at approximately 0.70 kW/Ton.
Demand Side Energy Efficiency
By August 31, 2020, the University of Texas at Austin will reduce energy consumption at the building level by an average of 20% per square foot per degree-day, using 2009 as the base year. Accomplishing this goal will require an investment in energy management staffing, centralized building energy control systems, conservation and efficiency projects and a specific resource reduction goal for each building.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
University Operations: Utilities and Energy Management; Energy and Water Conservation Program
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Landscape Master Plan
http://www.utexas.edu/operations/masterplan/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
See relevant chapters in Landscape Master Plan
http://www.utexas.edu/operations/masterplan/
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Campus Master Plan Committee
University Operations: Facilities Services
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
http://www.utexas.edu/business/accounting/hbp/07_purch/purch12.html
Consistent with the President’s Committee on Business Productivity’s recommendations toward more active stewardship of tangible and intangible assets and critical examination of their use, The University of Texas at Austin is committed to encouraging and supporting sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
The university spends more than $800 million on goods and services annually. The type, quality, and quantity of commodities being procured have far-reaching economic and environmental impacts. Sustainable purchasing can create jobs, reduce strain on public infrastructure and resources, create and maintain a healthier indoor and outdoor environment, and inspire growth and innovation in the local economy. Responsible purchasing decisions result in a positive impact to the university and the environment and/or human health that include:
Reorganizing or redesign processes to require less goods or energy or to produce less waste
Reducing consumption of unnecessary and unwarranted goods, including focusing on the re-use and recycling of existing goods
Considering total cost of ownership
Future proofing supply chains and investments
Minimizing the amount of waste generated from university purchases, in turn minimizing materials that are require disposal
Departments expending university funds should select sustainable products whenever reasonably practical. They should not purchase products that do not perform adequately for their intended use or are not available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period of time.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
http://www.utexas.edu/business/accounting/hbp/07_purch/purch12.html
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Associate Vice President for Purchasing
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Included in Campus Master Plan in principles of
Mobility (pg 106)
http://www.utexas.edu/operations/masterplan/
Natural Resources Conservation Plan
http://www.utexas.edu/sustainability/pssc/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
By August 31, 2020, UT Austin will reduce overall gasoline and diesel fuel consumption for the campus vehicle fleet by 20%, while shifting 50% of the campus vehicle fleet to 50% E85 gasoline and other alternative fuels. UT Austin will increase the number of car pool and mass transit users by 30% and utilize 100% natural gas fuel for the shuttle bus system. Achievement of these strategies will reduce the UT Austin carbon footprint and produce annual savings.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Campus Master Plan Committee
University Operations: Parking and Transportation Services
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Natural Resources Conservation Plan
http://www.utexas.edu/sustainability/pssc/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
By August 31, 2020, UT Austin will divert 90% of the total waste stream from landfill using a variety of methods including reuse and recycling. This will reduce the UT Austin carbon footprint by 600 metric tons of CO2 equivalent and save at least $5,000 annually.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
University Operations: Facilities Services
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Natural Resources Conservation Plan
http://www.utexas.edu/sustainability/pssc/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
By August 31, 2020, UT Austin will reduce domestic water use by 20% with at least 40% of total water use coming from reuse/reclaimed sources. Based on projected increases in water and wastewater costs, meeting this goal will produce annual avoided costs in excess of $2M annually.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
University Operations: Facilities Services
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
https://www.utexas.edu/diversity/strategic-plan/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
https://www.utexas.edu/diversity/strategic-plan/
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
http://www.utexas.edu/hr/current/wellness/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
http://www.utexas.edu/hr/current/wellness/
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Director of Human Resource Services
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability refers to societal efforts that meet the needs of present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustain ability presumes that the planet’s resources are finite, and should be used conservatively, wisely, and equitably. Decisions and investments aimed to promote sustainability will simultaneously advance economic vitality, ecological integrity, and social welfare.
http://www.policies.utexas.edu/policies/campus-sustainability
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Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes
None
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The Campus Master Plan effort early on recognized that sustainability had to be integrated throughout the principles of the plan. A more detailed description is in the Campus Master Plan (pg. 188), url below.
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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