| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.26 |
| Liaison | Gioia Thompson |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Vermont
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.25 / 4.00 |
Gioia
Thompson Sustainability Strategist UVM Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Published Plans That Address Sustainability
Strategic Plan
No
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The President's Strategic Plan of 2013 includes plans and investments in diversity, affordability, and learning outcomes that have resulted in significant accomplishments during the past three years in the sustainability realm, particularly as measured in the STARS 2.1 system under AC-1, AC-2, Op-3 and OP-4, PA-4 and PA-7.
A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Sustainability Plan
No
A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Climate Action Plan
Yes
A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Other Published Plans
Yes
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
ACADEMICS
-RESEARCH: Transdisciplinary Research Initiative: http://www.uvm.edu/provost/TRI%20BOTSlides%20Final.pdf
-LEARNING OUTCOMES: Sustainability Learning Outcomes General Education Requirement: http://gened-sustainability.wikispaces.com/SLO7Apr2014
-PLANNING ACADEMICS: Envisioning Environment report: http://www.uvm.edu/provost/envisioningenvironment/EnvisioningEnvironmentFinalReport_Feb2013.pdf
OPERATIONS
-LAND/TRANSPORTATION POLICY: Active Transportation Plan & Campus Master Plan:
http://www.uvm.edu/~plan/?Page=campusmasterplan.html&SM=campusmasterplanmenu.html
-GROUNDS: Pollinator Protection Plan: (OP 9,10)
-BUILDINGS: Environmental Design in New and Renovated Buildings: : (OP 2,3,4,5,6,10,17,18) http://www.uvm.edu/policies/facil/greenbuilding.pdf
-CLIMATE ACTION: Climate Action Plan (OP 1,4,5,6, 15, 16, 17,18,19,20)
http://www.uvm.edu/sustain/sustainability-uvm/climate-action-plan
-FOOD, BEVERAGE PURCHASING, SUSTAINABLE DINING:(OP 7, 8)
Real Food Challenge Multi-Year Action Plan: http://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Multi-yearActionPlan_0.pdf
PLANNING & ADMIN
-DIVERSITY POLICY: President's Commission for Inclusive Excellence: http://www.uvm.edu/president/pcie/
Measurable Sustainability Objectives
Curriculum
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Envisioning Environment report of 2012 sought to bring about a sustainability general education requirement, in which 100% of undergraduates would be required to take at least one course that met the criteria of the Faculty Senate’s Sustainability Curriculum Review Committee. This cross-college faculty committee was charged with conducting an inventory of the strengths of environmental education and research at UVM; identifying our comparative advantage in this realm; evaluating our current organizational structure related to environmental education and research; assessing “best practices” nationally and internationally; and developing several alternative models for how we might organize, support and maximize this work at the University of Vermont.
The result was that the University of Vermont committed to integrating its sustainability vision across curricular and co-curricular activities through its General Education Requirement for Sustainability. This requirement’s objective is that whatever their chosen discipline, each student shall demonstrate their mastery of the defined learning outcomes in the knowledge, skills and values categories, as well as the personal domain, as described in AC-2, Learning Outcomes.
Research
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Transdisciplinary Research Initiative: The plan includes tenure-track hires in queue for the next fiscal year, to be aligned with the priorities of the initiative to advance interdisciplinary research in Complex systems, Food systems, and Neuroscience, Behavior & Health. Success in hiring for these positions serves as the primary measurement. The goal of 20 hires in year one, 11 hires in year two, and 12 hires in year three was exceeded with over 50 hires since the initiative's start in 2010. The primary goal is to increase recognition of UVM transdisciplinary scholarship locally, nationally, and internationally by developing transdisciplinary leadership in professional, graduate, and undergraduate communities. http://www.uvm.edu/provost/TRI%20BOTSlides%20Final.pdf
Campus Engagement
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Public Engagement
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Air & Climate
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan:
100% renewable electricity starting 2015
Climate-neutral heating by 2020
Climate-neutral commuting and air travel starting 2025
Buildings
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The 2005 UVM Green Building Policy aimed to have 100% of all major construction and renovation projects be fully commissioned and be certified as LEED Silver at minimum, striving for Gold.
Chapter 8 of the Campus Master Plan of 2006 describes the commitment to sustainable buildings and materials: http://www.uvm.edu/~plan/chapter_8.pdf
Energy
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
UVM Climate Action Plan: Seeks to reduce energy use overall, as well as reduce the impacts from Energy Use. The planning process for utility upgrades has included many components, including a full utilities master plan. When the North Campus was scheduled for major construction projects starting in 2007, Physical Plant used a conceptual plan to identify opportunities. See Conceptual Plan For North Campus Utilities Upgrades 11/2007, http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppd/director/powerpoint/utility_planning_for_north_campus_upgrades.ppt
One measurable objective related to this plan been to reduce the overall energy use per gross square foot by upgrading the Central Heating and Cooling Plant to include state-of-the-art chiller as part of a major construction project for student housing and dining facilities. The project has also added efficient cooling to several existing buildings.
Food & Dining
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Real Food Challenge Multi-Year Action Plan: UVM’s commitment to the Real Food Challenge includes a goal of 20% “real food” by 2020. Other measurable sub-objectives include: shift at least five major products/year, shift to 100% real coffee, purchase UVM products, increase student awareness, and partner with academic research projects. Progress is measured and reported annually.
Grounds
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In early 2017 UVM became the first college/university in New England to be declared a "Bee Campus USA." According to its website, "Bee Campus USA fosters ongoing dialogue to raise awareness of the role pollinators play in our communities and what each of us can do to provide them with healthy habitat." The Bee Campus USA program endorses a set of commitments, defined in an application, for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators, which are vital to feeding the planet. Joining this program continues the commitment to the sustainability objective of providing a more pollinator-friendly campus. The application, signed by the University of Vermont President, includes the commitment by UVM to creating and maintaining a Habitat Plan, outreach activities, signage, and a plant list.
Purchasing
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Transportation
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Transportation planning occurs at the City level and at the Campus Master Plan level. In December 2016 the Campus Master Planning Committee approved using the guidelines of an Active Transportation Plan. Measures include tracking UVM mode share trends through expanded annual bicycle counts and commuter surveys; continuing to monitor bicycle parking demand and increase parking supply, with temporary or permanent facilities as needed; and monitoring bicycle and pedestrian crash data to address the causes of the crashes and reduce bicycle and pedestrian crash rates.
Waste
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Water
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Diversity & Affordability
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The President’s Commission on Inclusive Excellence issued a report in 2015 called Inclusive Excellence at the University of Vermont: A Framework for Building a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Multiculturally Competent Campus 2016–2021. The report lays out a framework for approaching the integration of diversity and inclusion principles into University practices. Goals for diversity, inclusive excellence, multicultural competency, and Universal Design for Learning principles are incorporated and measured as a performance dimension within the annual faculty/staff performance review process, as well as the faculty reappointment, program and tenure review system. http://www.uvm.edu/president/pcie/
Investment & Finance
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Wellbeing & Work
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Other Impact Areas
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Optional Fields
Yes
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
UVM's vision for sustainability embraces the goal of educating all of its students to understand and contribute to the sustainability of human society.
The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
UVM's vision for sustainability embraces the goal of educating all of its students to understand and contribute to the sustainability of human society. That is, we recognize that the pursuit of ecological, social, and economic vitality must come with the understanding that the needs of the present be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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 |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| 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:
UVM participates in the Carbon Commitment, the Real Food Challenge, the Green Billion Challenge. See also http://www.uvm.edu/sustain/UVM-external-sustainability-commitments
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
UVM's 2010 Climate Action Plan covers much more than reducing GHG emissions, serving as a Sustainability Plan in that it includes key actions in Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Policy. The result of the 2010 plan has been demonstrated by specific, measurable, assignable, realistic and time-related objectives. The list of accomplishments under the Climate Action Plan can be defined as the plans described below, with related objectives/outcomes over the ensuing seven-year period. Note that the baseline/performance measures shown OP1,5,6,22, and other credits show what happened to UVM's carbon footprint before and after a major construction phase on campus that included the requirement that all major building projects be commissioned and formally meet LEED Silver minimum. The new student center was the first in the nation to achieve LEED Gold, and the neighboring Aiken Center achieved Platinum.
Overall, per capita GHG emissions dropped from more than 7 tons per person (students/faculty/staff) in 2007 to less than 4.5 tons per person in 2015. Total emissions dropped from 87,900 MTCDE to 74,300 MTCDE. After UVM bought RECs for all the electricity used starting in 2015, the 2015 total dropped further to 54,000, representing the following reductions:
14% reduction in gross emissions from all sources, despite an increase in building space and population
37% reduction in net emissions from all sources (with RECs)
22% reduction in emissions per student before RECs, and 43% after RECs
20% reduction in gross emissions per 1,000GSF of building space, and 42% after RECs.
These emissions reductions happened at the same time as increases in population and building space:
6% more building space, with 39% more research space
9% more FTE students
12% more FTE faculty
2% more FTE staff
making for an average of 8% more campus users
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.