Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 46.82
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date May 16, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Western Colorado University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Ashley Woolman
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Services
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Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
Yes

The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:

Charge to the Sustainability Action Committee

In 2005, the students, faculty, staff, and administration of Western State College of Colorado developed an Environmental Charter (see attached) which recognized the institution’s responsibility to improve environmental awareness, stewardship of natural resources, and resource efficiency. In 2007, in an action consistent with Western’s mission and with the Environmental Charter, President Jay Helman signed the President’s Climate Commitment (PCC). The PCC commits Western to becoming a “carbon neutral” campus. Also in 2007, the Governor developed state-wide Greening Government goals for implementation by 2012. To assist Western in implementing sustainable initiatives consistent with the College’s mission, Environmental Charter, and President’s Climate Commitment and the Colorado Greening Government goals, a Sustainable Action Committee will be formed.

Charge to the Committee. The charge to this committee is to coordinate, implement, assess, improve, and communicate campus sustainability efforts including those associated with the Environmental Charter and the President’s Climate Commitment.

The committee shall provide assistance to the Student Government Association (SGA) for implementation of their Sustainability Fund and will provide prioritized recommendations for the use of the President’s Sustainability Project Fund, which helps support material and energy savings and emission reduction projects. The committee is also to seek grants and other forms of support where feasible.


Members of each committee, including affiliations and role (e.g. staff, student, or faculty):

Membership of the committee shall include the vice presidents for student affairs, finance and administration, and academic affairs or their respective designees; a representative appointed from the faculty senate; a representative appointed from the chairs and directors; a representative appointed from the athletic director; a student appointed by SGA, a student appointed by the Western Sustainability Coalition, the director of facilities, and any sustainability coordinator(s) as might be appointed by the president


Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) employee?:
No

A brief description of each sustainability office:
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Full-time equivalent (FTE) of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
1

Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Yes

Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Nathan King: Director of Sustainability

Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution (e.g. a campus-wide committee or an officer/office responsible for the entire campus)?:
Yes

A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:

1.0 FTE employee hired July 2015

- Already met 2020 carbon emissions reduction goals
- Quigley Hall renovated to LEED standards
- Helped implement our President's commitment to zero waste goals
- Won 2 grants totaling $200,000 to make the University Center zero waste
- Achieved bronze rating on first STARS submission 3 years ago
- Exploring the feasibility of a 1MW solar array for campus


Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Director of Sustainability

Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:

The director of sustainability oversees all campus sustainability operations in conjunction with Facilities Services. This position also functions as the chair of the Sustainable Action Committee, which steers all of campus sustainability policies/programs and makes recommendations to the President regarding our carbon commitment, environmental charter, and climate action plan. The position also manages our campus recycling/composting programs, energy usage database, and GHG inventory.


Job title of the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
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Job title of the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.