| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.79 |
| Liaison | Leslie North |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2020 |
Western Kentucky University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
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 WKU Strategic Plan includes the development and implementation of the Colonnade Program, a general education model that is now the core academic program at WKU. The sustainability objectives are learning outcomes that include the ability of students to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Through Colonnade courses, students are encouraged to explore the connections among different areas of study in order to understand their roles as students and citizens.
Specifically,the Strategic Plan Targets:
1. Develop and increase to 2,000 annual enrollment in Colonnade
Program Connections courses
The connections courses are unique to WKU, and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are as follows:
Social to Cultural
• Analyze the development of self in relation to others an society.
• Examine diverse values that form civically engaged and informed members of society.
• Evaluate solutions to real-world social and cultural problems.
Local to Global
• Analyze issues on local and global scales.
• Examine the local and global interrelationships of one or more issues.
• Evaluate the consequences of decision-making on local and global scales.
Systems
• Analyze how systems evolve.
• Compare the study of individual components to the analysis of entire systems.
• Evaluate how system-level thinking informs decision-making, public policy, and/or the sustainability of the system itself.
More information can be found at:
https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/goalsandoutcomes.php
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:
Measurable objectives included in the Tree Care Plan, Stormwater Plan, Strategic Plan and DFM Continuous Improvement Plan:
number of, and attendance for, sustainability outreach and engagement activities.
number of research projects, thesis, class projects, and other academic activities that focus on sustainability issues or topics.
number of interdisciplinary collaborations focused on sustainability objectives.
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 University Strategic Plan includes metrics regarding energy use.
OBJECTIVE 4.4 ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN CAMPUS SERVICES AND OPERATIONS
Targets
1. Decrease energy usage per square foot by 12%
Strategies
Fully implement the Campus Energy Policy
Utilize effective conservation measures to control operating costs, preserve physical assets, and promote sustainability
Build and renovate to LEED standards in all construction projects
Implement sustainability best practices in campus operations
Adopt a purchasing policy that ensures new equipment meets efficiency guidelines
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:
Goal 4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Enact and practice all aspects of WKU’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan.
Strategy 1 Institute the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan for years 1-5 of the strategic plan; review, assess, reconfigure as needed and re-institute for years 6-10 of the strategic plan.
Strategy 2 Work with the associate provost for global learning and with faculty and staff to continue to expand off-campus and on-campus educational opportunities.
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:
Western Kentucky University includes in its Statement of Purpose:
"The University encourages engaged research and public service in support of economic development, quality of life, and improvement of education at all levels. WKU faculty contribute to the identification and solution of key social, economic, scientific, health, and environmental problems."
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is defined by WKU as any action or decision that simultaneously considers social well-being, economic prosperity, and ecological health.
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 | --- |
| SDG Accord | --- |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | No |
| 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:
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:
WKU Climbing to Greater Heights 2018-2028 Goals and Strategies
Bruce A. Schulte, PhD
Associate Vice President for Strategy, Performance and Accountability
WKU Climbing to Greater Heights 2018-2028 Goals and Strategies
Bruce A. Schulte, PhD
Associate Vice President for Strategy, Performance and Accountability
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.