Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.94
Liaison Jane Stewart
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Washington and Lee University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 Kimberly Hodge
Director of Sustainability Initiatives and Education
Student Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
No

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

Related excerpts include:

"We strive to strengthen our campus and global community by promoting research, scholarship and the creative arts, by embracing diversity and by engaging in service to others."

"Our increasingly strong interdisciplinary programs, in areas such as the environment, poverty and women's studies, and our international programs address some of the most challenging contemporary questions."

"Provide need-based financial aid for undergraduate schools and the School of Law to enrich learning environment."

"Continue the diversification of our student population by enrolling greater numbers of qualified American ethnic minorities and students from low- and middle-income families."

"Enhance existing programs through endowment: Environmental Studies, Poverty and Human Capability,..."


A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
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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Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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:

Washington and Lee’s plan for achieving carbon neutrality is underway and specifies
short, intermediate and long-term goals for reducing the University’s carbon footprint.
All phases will include behavioral education to reduce consumption plus the following
physical plant upgrades that will increase efficiency.

 2020 – Greenhouse Gas Reduction (20 percent reduction of current levels; goal of
ACUPCC). This will be achieved through the combination of 1) adding more
efficient HVAC equipment, 2) reduction in the amount of space required to
be heated and cooled, 3) decreased reliance on fossil fuels, 4) increased
reliance on renewable energy sources such as solar hot-water generation and
5) behavioral modification.

 2050 – Washington and Lee University achieves carbon neutrality. This requires
implementation of new technologies not yet fully developed, such as
photovoltaic (PV), co-generation, and use of 100 percent renewable resources
to replace natural gas consumption and purchased electricity produced by
others using non-renewable resources.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Climate Action Plan: All new buildings and major renovations will be minimum LEED compliant.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

 2011 – Utilities Cost Reduction (reduce by $1M; goal set by Treasurer’s Office).
This will be achieved through continued reduction of BTU/SF throughout all
facilities on campus and primarily through implementation of specific
projects with a return on investment (ROI) of less than three years.

 2013 – BTU/SF of Space (25 percent reduction of current levels; goal set by President
Ruscio in his charge to Energy Usage Task Force). This will be achieved
primarily through implementation of energy-saving projects with a ROI of
five years or less. We will strive to improve space utilization by lowering total University square footage, and to reduce BTUs through increased
efficiency of HVAC equipment, lighting and plumbing systems.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Condensation capture for makeup water
o Capture condensation cooling and return to plant for boiler make up
water
o Enhance on this technology that is already in use at a few campus
buildings
o Recovery of condensation for makeup water versus allowing it to go to
sewer creates water conservation and a cost savings

Low flow plumbing fixtures
o Replace any older model plumbing fixtures that remain on campus
with low flow plumbing fixtures
o Low flow plumbing fixtures create water conservation and utility cost
savings
7. No flow plumbing fixtures
o Replace urinals requiring low flow or standard flow with waterless
urinals
o No flow plumbing fixtures create water conservation and utility cost
savings


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address 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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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
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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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

Washington and Lee's motto is Non Incautus Futuri - not unmindful of the future. The University has been preparing students for a life of service as future leaders for over 250 years. Our present challenge is to lead the way to a more sustainable future by developing a learning community whose members are mindful of their responsibility to future generations, sensitive to the stewardship of natural resources, and equitable in their social and economic relationships.


The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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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) 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:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.