| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.65 |
| Liaison | Mark Klapatch-Mathias |
| Submission Date | Feb. 26, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Mark
Klapatch Sustainability and Custodial Supervisor Facilities Management |
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 | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | Yes | Yes |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
Building off of the formally adopted Definition of Sustainability for the UWRF campus, Beyond Sustainability Learning Outcomes Project (B-SLOP), is the fundamental effort for establishing the academic foundation for student and stakeholder learning outcomes. The Sustainability Faculty Fellows is using this effort to bring consensus among themselves, as well as to pursue initiatives, consensus, and formal adoption among faculty campus wide in formalizing criteria for sustainability-based courses, curriculum, and degree programs (including General Education) at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and eventually outreach programming.
A multi-authored B-SLOP book proposal is now under development
In addition, the campus continues to pursue the Sustainability Across the Curriculum / Kinnickinnic Project Workshop and now numbers 50+. The group also held its first Revitalization Workshop in January 2016 to continue their curriculum development efforts of past participants.
Bringing the Sustainable Community Development Masters program back into formal existence is still considered to be viable and a priority.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Measurable Objectives currently includes trending metrics for
- Goal of new faculty in each annual Sustainability Across the Curriculum Workshop
- Sustainability Faculty Fellows membership numbers (now 50+)
- Undergraduate Research & Falcon Scholar projects w/ a sustainability-based focus
- New & redesigned sustainability-based courses
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Dr. Greta Gaard - Sustainability Faculty Fellows Coordinator
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
As addressed in the Sustainable Campus Community Plan (SCCPlan), the research sub-category focuses on research, scholarly, and creative activities that are related to or focused on sustainability. UWRF is primarily a teaching institution, but several faculty are engaged in sustainability research and some have received “incentive” grants that include sustainability as criteria of award. By researching sustainability issues and refining theories and concepts, UWRF can continue to help the world understand sustainability challenges and develop new technologies, strategies, and approaches to address those challenges.
Priority Actions
-Develop a definition of sustainability research.
-Develop conduits for sustainability research reporting for both individual faculty/student research and by department.
-Develop programs to encourage faculty and students to conduct research in sustainability; such incentives may include fellowships, financial support, workshops, and mentorships.
-Develop a program to encourage faculty from multiple disciplines/academic programs to conduct research in sustainability topics.
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
Date Revised: March 11, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
- Formal documentation articulating collaboration and achievement of sustainability-based projects as part of URSCA and Falcon Scholars.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Dr. Greta Gaard - Sustainability Faculty Fellows Coordinator, Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability, and Dr. Lissa Schneider-Rebozo - URSCA Director
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Campus engagement happens in a wide variety of formal and informal ways through both direct and indirect contact and media sources. Besides on-going staff and funding for the Office of Sustainability, the Sustainability Working Group (SWG) is the primary shared governance group and mechanism for directing this engagement. Most notably in 2015, SWG undertook a major review of both the Sustainability Campus and Community Plan and the Climate Action Plan and came up with 14 guiding projects/efforts by which to pursue in 2015 and beyond. It was reviewed and approved by Cabinet in Spring 2015 and has been put into action since Fall 2015.
Also the ¼ time release of a Faculty member (Dr. Greta Gaard) for the Coordinator of the Sustainability Faculty Fellows has occurred. She provides oversight of the on-going Kinni Project (Sustainability Across the Curriculum) annual workshop and other sustainability efforts, generally curriculum-focused.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
- On-going funding of the Office of Sustainability
- New funding for 1/4 time release for Chair of Faculty Fellows
- Progress on SWG's 14 sustainability projects/efforts
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Dr. Greta Gaard - Sustainability Faculty Fellows Coordinator, Mike Stifter - Facilities Management, and Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Consistent with the Sustainable Campus Community Plan (SCCPlan), there are a wide variety of initiatives. Most critical to subsequent years is:
- On-going partnership and representation on the Powerful Choices Steering Committee, sponsored by the River Falls Municipal Utilities and WPPI Energy.
- Participation of Mike Noreen, City of River Falls employee responsible for Community Conservation efforts, who attends both SWG meetings and monthly Energy discussions hosted by campus Facilities Management staff
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
- Programs and project efforts, done jointly between the two bodies (Community Solar project was a notable 2015 project, but there are several other lesser projects that have been accomplished).
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability and Mike Noreen - City of River Falls
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
UWRF has the only known Carbon Negative Climate Action Plan of any ACUPCC signatory school (through 2015) and one of only three schools currently reporting at least Scope 1 & 2 annually from 1990 through current.
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
- Annual GHG footprint completion using the Clean Air Cool Planet calculator (1990-2014);
- Annual reporting on carbon footprint reduction since benchmark of 2006 (currently at ~20% reduction);
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Mike Stifter - Facilities Management, and Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
The UWRF Campus Master Plan addresses the plans to advance sustainability in Buildings. The master plan reuses and repurposes many existing structures. For new buildings, the master plan’s architectural design guidelines focus on efficiency and performance. The new structures – the new residence halls, the south campus sports and recreation complex, the Wyman addition, and the science building – will be constructed to modern standards for efficiency and performance, with energy use a minimum of 30 percent better than code. New buildings should reflect the current state of the art in building efficiency, performance, and energy generation, including integrated renewable energy sources.
When new and renovated structures are designed and constructed, they must maximize energy efficiency, respect their built and environmental context, be cost effective in the long-term, be both functional and flexible, and focus on purpose. The prescribed exterior building materials are primarily clay brick, supplemented with cut or natural stone and/or metal panels, all of which are proven materials that are durable and attractive throughout their lifespan.
The campus will provide beds for 40 percent of the student body, a very high on-campus residential rate, which will reduce commuting and vehicle use. Campus utilities will continue its transformation to more sustainable and efficient energy use.
https://www.uwrf.edu/Facilities/upload/UWRF-Exec-Summary-11_1101-finalSM.pdf - Page 11
Facilities Management is committed to building retrofits that maximize energy and water efficiency whenever possible.
- preparing rooftops for solar PV and/or hot water whenever re-roofing projects take place;
- maximizing energy and water performance planning and design in the new Falcon Center - Health & Human Performance Building project;
- finishing graphics feed to public monitor for Regional Development Institute (RDI)-PV system completed in 2013;
- Prioritized list of energy and water efficiency projects as maintained by Facilities Management and operationalized through the Energy Project Committee which meets monthly.
Date Revised: March 11, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
-Measurable objectives are identified and tracked through the prioritized list of energy and water efficiency projects as maintained by Facilities Management and operationalized through the Energy Project Committee which meets monthly.
-major effort in past two years with the hiring of Brittany Thill as a CAD Specialist to digitize all buildings plans, sort and file old buildings plans and project records, and provide further digital resources for staff in the field (add'l efforts are expected in 2016 and beyond)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Facilities Management (Brittany Thill, CAD Specialist)/Campus Planning (Dale Braun, Director)/
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
As addressed in the Sustainable Campus Community Plan (SCCPlan), the dining subcategory pertains to efforts at UWRF to help build a sustainable food system. UWRF can use its food purchases to support local economies; encourage safe, environmentally friendly farming methods; and help alleviate poverty for farmers. Dining services can also play an important role in conserving energy and water, reducing waste, and purchasing environmentally preferable materials other than food. This plan will measure these impacts across the institution instead of by department; therefore, the benefits of these actions are captured in the Energy, Water, Waste, and Purchasing subcategories, respectively.
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
Date Revised: March 11, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Priority Actions
-Work with Food Service provider to develop a purchase portfolio where 50% or more of food and beverage purchases are grown and processed within 250 miles of UWRF or are third-party certified (USDA Organic, Marine Stewardship Council Blue Ecolabel, Food Alliance, Fair Trade, Certified Humane Raised and Handled, etc.)
-Increase dining options to include diverse, complete-protein vegan dining options during every meal.
-Develop sustainability policies for food service franchisees operating on campus.
-Develop an official pre-and post-consumer waste program.
-Implement a program to donate leftover or surplus food to local food pantries, etc.
-Implement a reusable to-to food container program in which Dining Services provides reusable containers for to-go food that are returned for cleaning and re-use.
-Continue to update outdated equipment with Energy Star certified equipment.
Date Revised: March 11, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Dining Services Director / Assistant Director of University Center (Nick Anders), and Facilities Management (Director, Mike Stifter)
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
UWRF has the only known Carbon Negative Climate Action Plan of any ACUPCC signatory school (through 2015) and one of only three schools currently reporting at least Scope 1 & 2 annually from 1990 through current.
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Measurable objectives are identified and tracked through the prioritized list of energy efficiency projects as maintained by Facilities Management and operationalized through the Energy Project Committee which meets monthly. As per above in Air & Climate, and in Buildings:
- Annual GHG footprint completion using the Clean Air Cool Planet calculator;
- Annual reporting on carbon footprint reduction since benchmark of 2006 (currently at ~20% reduction) *leads the UW System in energy consumption as defined by btu/gsf for the past three years; and
*Community Solar participation anticipated in 2016 which would make UWRF the largest community partner at approximately 10% of total project
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Facilities Management (Facilities Engineers, Tim Thum, and Alan Symicek)
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Sustainable Campus Community Plan
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Primarily:
- Reduction in synthetic chemical applications (Integrated Pest Management practices);
- Increase in storm water management effectiveness (Falcon Center project the most notable new project); and
- Utilization of native species vegetation whenever practical.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Grounds Maintenance (Joseph McIntosh)
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Sustainable Campus Community Plan
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Case by case 'green purchasing' of products and services whenever practical and achievable under state purchasing and contract guidelines. More emphasis is going to be put on purchasing and tracking green cleaning products. We still need to purchase from the mandatory state contract for paper, so the increase of post-consumer recycled paper content choice would have to come up from a State level. We will continue to work on developing a vendor code of conduct policy that sets expectations about social and environmental responsibility for our vendor database.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Gail Anderson - UWRF Purchasing , Roxanne Schneberger - Facilities Management Purchasing, and Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Sustainable Campus Community Plan
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
On-going support and utilization of the car pooling / ride share board in the University Center.
- On-going support, funding, and utilization of the Enterprise CarShare (formerly WeCar), program on campus, especially for International Student use;
- On-going support, funding, and participation in the We Bike River Falls campus and community organization for which we have received two annual grants from New Belgium Brewery;
- Participation and host of one (out of four) community location for new Blue Bike program which was planned in 2015 and will be launched on Earth Day in 2016; and
- On-going planning, design, and implementation of pedestrian and bicycle corridors and pathways as part of the new Campus Master Plan.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability, Pam Rudesill - Facilities Management, and Travis Roy - Outdoor Recreation
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Sustainable Campus Community Plan
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
- On-going participation in annual Recyclemania contest
- On-going evaluation of campus refuse and recycling operations to adjust collection schedules to optimize space in dumpsters and reduce hauler trucks coming to and from campus.
- On-going development of new programs (new in 2015: campus/community Battery Recycling program)
- The Office of Sustainability has hired a student intern for the Spring 2016 semester to complete an internship focused on waste minimization. They will research what other colleges and universities have done in terms of waste minimization, conduct a survey out to the UWRF students/faculty/staff to gain an understanding about the perceptions and behaviors around recycling, analyze the survey as well as containers available through the state contracts, and ultimately present a waste minimization proposal.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability and Mike Stifter - Facilities Management
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Sustainable Campus Community Plan
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
- On-going completion of segregated water metering for individual buildings as water supply interruption and academic schedules allow;
- On-going tracking of campus-wide water use and utility bills as primary trend data; and
- On-going retrofit and new building installation of water efficiency technologies (e.g. campus wide program for water bottle fill stations). Every academic building now has at least one in a primary location and by the end of 2016, nearly every one in the Residence Halls will be replaced.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability and Mike Stifter - Facilities Management
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
UWRF maintains a very strong campus climate initiative across the entire institution, as indicated across multiple website and formalized documents and practice.
http://www.uwrf.edu/diversity/
For the workforce, we maintain and continually evaluate our diversity across multiple categories including race, gender, veteran status, and disability.
http://www.uwrf.edu/EquityDiversityInclusion/
In terms of our student population, a focus in admissions on freshman level diversity support, success and affordability.
http://www.uwrf.edu/Admissions/Freshmen/multicultural.cfm
Most notably is initiation of the Pathway to Distinction Strategic Plan and fundraising initiative ($20 million campaign) for minimizing student cost, and maximizing student scholarships.
https://www.uwrf.edu/PathwayToDistinction/
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
- Fulfillment of the $20 million campaign for scholarships and student support (most notably Falcon Scholars)
- On-going activity around our Affirmative Action plan goals
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The Sustainable Campus Community Plan (SCCPlan) provides a model for driving sustainability-based values, principles, policies, and practices across the campus, community, region, and beyond. This plan provides recommendations for a sustainability-based curricula, research, and pedagogical initiatives that immerses our students (as well as faculty and staff), in a place-based experiential environment; in essence a living-learning laboratory in which we all live out the effects of our collective decisions. The University has outlets to connect students, faculty, and staff with nature, thereby heightening their appreciation for the natural world, including the services and spiritual connections it can provide.
https://www.uwrf.edu/Sustainability/upload/SCCPFinal2012.pdf
Date Revised: March 11, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
- On-going utilization of companion animal / therapy dog presence in campus settings for student, faculty, and staff stress reduction;
- On-going enforcement of recently enacted 'tobacco free campus' policy, among other well-intended policies (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug committee and Health and Wellness Committee);
- On-going success in risk management and safety of all stakeholders on campus; and
- Health & Wellness Management Program utilization of the campus as a living-learning laboratory to the benefit of all.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Connie Smith - Risk Management Office, Alice Reilly-Myklebust - Student Health & Counseling Services, and Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The Foundation has invested a portion of its endowment portfolio in a set of three ESG funds: Neuberger Berman Socially Responsive Fund, UBS Global Sustainable Equity Fund, and Domini International Social Equity Fund.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
The fund performance is monitored against the entire endowment portfolio and against industry benchmarks, as chosen by the Investment Committee of the UWRF Foundation.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
Chris Mueller - President of UWRF Foundation & Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement, and Mark Klapatch - Office of Sustainability
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:
UWRF ‘Sustainability Definition’
“UWRF defines sustainability as our local and global responsibility to meet the needs of present and future generations, as demonstrated by an integrated set of ecologic, social, and economic values, principles, and practices that frame how we think, choose, and act in personal, professional, and community life.”
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:
Pathway to Distinction designates Sustainability as a 'Foundational Element' to any strategic plan initiative.
https://www.uwrf.edu/PathwayToDistinction/PlanningProcess/TheProcessForProposingInitiatives.cfm
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.