Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.39
Liaison Margo Margo Nottoli
Submission Date Aug. 24, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Warren Wilson College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.83 / 4.00 Alison Climo
Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Institutional Effectiveness
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 No No
Air and Climate Yes Yes
Buildings No No
Dining Services/Food Yes Yes
Energy No No
Grounds Yes Yes
Purchasing Yes No
Transportation No No
Waste Yes Yes
Water No No
Diversity and Affordability No No
Health, Wellbeing and Work No No
Investment Yes Yes
Other --- ---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):

n/a


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):

n/a


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):

n/a


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):

80% reduction from 2007-08 levels by 2020


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):

President; until the position of director of the Environmental Leadership Center is filled.


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:

Warren Wilson College has committed to the Real Food Challenge http://www.realfoodchallenge.org/ and is committed to the WWC Sustainable Dining Policy. Regarding the Sustainable Dining Policy, the Local Foods Crew, along with myself, does an ongoing local food audit. We score every food purchased using the Purchasing Geography criteria in the Sustainable Dining Policy. We also do educational tabling events as well as plan field trips all aimed towards sustainability education on campus/in the dining hall. I also have weekly meeting with the head chef to discuss the local options available for the following week.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):

We are working towards 40% real food by 2020. http://www.realfoodchallenge.org/. Regarding the Sustainable Dining Policy, objectives include: by 2020, 50% of total procurement of food and food-related supplies and services will come from sustainable sources as defined by the Sustainable Food Scoring System (SFSS); by 2020, reduce overall use of energy, non-renewable resources, and industrial inputs arising from food production and consumption activities on campus at least 25% below 2009 levels; and by 2020, reduce total output to landfill at least 67% below 2009 levels.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):

Local Foods Crew, Sodexo Dining Services


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:

Landscaping Pattern Language for the College includes sustainable landscaping practices; enhancement of the educational mission; a welcoming core, and a filtered view.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):

Objectives are focused on increasing acres of native grass habitat, organic landscaping techniques, and local and edible plantings


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):

Landscaping Crew


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:

The College is interested in buying materials that promote the health and sustainability of our biosphere. When making purchasing decisions the following principles should be incorporated:
• Reuse existing materials
• Purchase recycled or remanufactured materials that have lower impact on the environment in their production, packaging, use, and, ultimately, their disposal than new materials
• Purchase locally provided materials and services where available, with preference given to locally owned and operated businesses
• Purchase long lived products made from renewable resources
• Avoid toxic materials where choices are available, e.g.; inks, paints high in volatile compounds, carpets high in noxious odors and chemicals, cleaning solutions containing hazardous or environmentally harmful components

It is College policy that ENERGY STAR products will be purchased wherever the choice exists. Preference should be given to resource-efficient products, i.e., products that use the least or conserve the most energy, water, gas, and other nonrenewable or environmentally costly resources.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):

None


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):

Purchasing Office


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:

Purchase fuel efficient and cost conscious vehicles upon replacement of older fleet vehicles, use alternative fuel when possible


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):

n/a


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):

Fleet manager and Director of Facilities


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:

Recycling: The mission of the Warren Wilson College Recycling Crew is to provide the campus with effective and innovative recycling, composting and waste disposal services and to reduce the volume and environmental impact of waste generated on campus. We strive to run an efficient and environmentally sound operation, to educate the community about effective resource use, and to inspire the community to find creative alternatives to unsustainable consumption patterns. A report is completed annually that details waste data, costs and revenues, trends and goals. Additionally, an Impact Area Summary and Audit should be completed and attached with the annual report. The Annual Report lists general goals, and the audit lists more specific goals.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):

To improve diversion rate that is measured annually:http://inside.warren-wilson.edu/~recycle/Annual_Report_12-13_e_copy.pdf

Maintain 50% diversion rate. Other goals are set during the year after garbology studies are completed.

While we have done garbology studies annually, the audit has not been completed for at least 2 years. General goals for current year are listed in Annual Report. Additionally, we do 'garbology studies' during the year to target specific areas for waste reduction. We completed garbology studies on most buildings in October of 2015. Our goal is to reduce recyclables in dorm trash by 10%, and we are working to procure money for bins towards that end.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):

Recycling & Waste Management


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:

n/a


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):

n/a


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):

n/a


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:

n/a


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

n/a


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

n/a


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:

n/a


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

n/a


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

n/a


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:

Over the next five years, the College will divest its endowment from fossil fuels (defined by Carbon Underground 200), and will score its entire portfolio on SRI criteria, with oversight by an advisory committee.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):

Full divestment within 5 years;
Score entire portfolio on SRI criteria.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):

Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:

n/a


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):

n/a


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):

n/a


The institution’s definition of sustainability:

We acknowledge that a complex web of economic, social, cultural, spiritual and environmental factors determine the well-being of our community.
We recognize our power as individuals, and in community, to influence these complex, interdependent relationships.
We strive to make responsible decisions that take into account the multiple dimensions of sustainability in order to ensure quality of life now and for generations to come.


Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

Most recent Strategic Plan (2010-15)
P2010-2015 SP:
Strategic Priority 3: Foster Environmental Responsibility and Action

Goal 3.1: Implement and assess best practices and encourage innovation across campus in operations, policy and education.
3.1.1 Benchmark best practices in operations, facilities, and land management to improve environmental, cultural, and economic impacts.
3.1.2 Implement an environmental management system that administers the College's compliance with federal and state environmental regulations.
3.1.3 Provide opportunities for undergraduate research related to campus environmental and sustainability issues.
3.1.4 Use the ELC to support and assess the work of offices, departments, and crews in reaching college‐wide sustainability goals.
3.2 Goal 3.2: Honor our formal environmental commitments.
3.2.1 Create a summary of environmental and sustainability commitments, update it regularly and distribute it to the College community.
3.2.2 Educate the campus community regarding environmental and sustainability commitments in all appropriate venues including student, faculty, and staff orientations.
3.2.3 Implement approved environmental and sustainability policies, principles, and pledges, including the Climate Action Plan.
3.3 Goal 3.3: Share best practices in educational outreach beyond campus.
3.3.1 Develop learning objectives for all environmental and sustainability outreach activities.
3.3.2 Evaluate environmental and sustainability effectiveness of outreach activities and make decisions accordingly.
3.3.3 Encourage faculty, staff and students to speak about the College's environmental and sustainability
best practices to appropriate audiences.
3.3.4 Draw upon the quality of our environmental and sustainability outreach to attract the best students and to assist with fund‐raising.
3.3.5 Use the College as a demonstration site for educational outreach.

Strategic Plan under development (2016-TBD)
Current Strategic Plan Draft language:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3: Nurture a diverse, intellectual, and welcoming community and a vibrant and environmentally sustainable campus.

GOAL 3.3: A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS
Revitalize our commitment to our core value of sustainability across campus-- -wide decision-making.


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

We are in-between strategic plans...the 2010-2015 plan has expired and is no longer on the website, and the new plan will not be published until summer 2016. The 2010-2015 Plan may be found at the website provided


We are in-between strategic plans...the 2010-2015 plan has expired and is no longer on the website, and the new plan will not be published until summer 2016. The 2010-2015 Plan may be found at the website provided

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.