| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.26 |
| Liaison | Caitlin McLennan |
| Submission Date | Oct. 10, 2022 |
Utah State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Alexi
Lamm Sustainability Coordinator Facilities |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Plan 2020 Update contains the following goals:
• Increase from 5% to 10% the number of classes which include sustainability in their learning outcomes by 2023.
• Continue Planetary Thinking faculty workshops, focusing on faculty who teach general education courses.
• Add additional faculty training opportunities, such as an ETE badge program and new faculty sessions.
2. Implement sustainability criteria in the general education curriculum and develop a sustainability competency or theme emphasis in the general education program for all undergraduates by 2023.
3. Implement a pilot pre- and post-sustainability literacy and culture assessment by 2023.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Plan 2020 Update contains the following goals:
1. Past goals have focused on participation numbers that are being collected by interns for programs they manage. For 2023, the goal is to track attendance and participation for all Student Sustainability Corps programs and events.
2. Increase participation/engagement in SSC sponsored events by 10% from 2020 to 2023.
3. Increase the tracked volunteering of students to include 50% of students for 10 hours/year/student by 2023.
4. Engage 5% of faculty and staff in sustainability events and activities per year by FY 2020.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Plan 2020 Update contains the following goals:
1. Improve the consistency and integrity of the university’s greenhouse gas inventory.
2. Reduce GHG by 33% per weighted user and per square foot.
3. Manage 10% of landscape organically and 90% in accordance with IPM.
4. Every two years, audit the water lines for leaks
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Plan 2020 Update contains the following goals:
1. Include sustainability in USU’s strategic plan or equivalent.
2. Support a faculty representative on the Board of Regents.
3. Establish external auditing of the university’s STARS report.
The university also has a an Inclusion Center Assessment with the following goals:
1. Promote a learning and working environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and valued.
2. Empower students to be active and responsible leaders at the University.
3. Enhance the educational experience by providing students with opportunities to learn from individuals who differ from them.
4. Develop and promote activities and programs that weave diversity, cultural awareness, and social justice into the fabric of the campus.
5. Establish meaningful partnerships with campus and community stakeholders to foster increased diversity and inclusion.
https://www.usu.edu/inclusion/assessment/index
https://viz.uen.org/t/usu-aaa-web/views/USUDiversityDashboardv2/INTRO?%3Aorigin=card_share_link&%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Subject: Sustainability Policy
Effective Date: April 20, 2007
106.1 PURPOSE
Utah State University (USU) is one of the
nation’s premier, student-centered, land-grant, and space-grant universities. The University is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities by promoting sustainability in its operations and academic and service missions.
USU will develop appropriate systems for managing environmental, social, and economic sustainability programs with specific goals and objectives. This policy supports the goal of the USU statewide system to prepare students, faculty, and staff to proactively contribute to a high quality of life for present and future generations.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
USU uses the definition of sustainable development that came out of the work of the Bruntland Commission: “development that meets the needs of the present 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 |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | Yes |
| 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:
Utah State University formally committed to sustainability in 1991 when President Cazier signed the Talloires Declaration. This early commitment set the stage for President Albrecht to sign the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007, committing the university to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Between 2007 and 2021, USU's emissions have decreased almost 28%. Sustainability also requires social equity and financial security, so we strive to work with other offices on campus for a widespread and inclusive effort. Below is a timeline of Utah State sustainability milestones:
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.