| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.15 |
| Liaison | Ashley Woolman |
| Submission Date | April 8, 2022 |
Western Colorado University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.50 / 4.00 |
Ashley
Woolman Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives
Academics
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Action Committee (SAC) has plans to measure sustainability literacy among graduating seniors. In the spring 2022, during the Sustainability through the Curriculum workshop (part of the Center for Teaching Excellence), participants were asked to report 2 questions that each faculty member would want each graduating senior to be able to answer upon graduation that addresses sustainability through their discipline. To follow this up, a survey was sent to all faculty members spring 2022 that collected more responses. SAC plans to develop this plan spring 2022 and fall 2022 to administer it upon graduating seniors in 2023.
Engagement
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
ACUPCC Action Plan 2009:
Western State College of Colorado is committed to cultivating a living and learning culture by demonstrating and providing choices for practicing a sustainable lifestyle. The educational vision will be accomplished through student empowerment, learning opportunities, community outreach, infrastructure, and campus communications.
• Student Empowerment: Western will encourage and facilitate the civic engagement of students through service, educational, and outreach efforts that promote sustainable practices within the College community.
• Learning Opportunities: Western will provide students, staff, and faculty with learning options to deliver sustainability education and promote ecological awareness.
Western State College of Colorado is committed to cultivating a living and learning culture by demonstrating and providing choices for practicing a sustainable lifestyle. The educational vision will be accomplished through student empowerment, learning opportunities, community outreach, infrastructure, and campus communications.
• Student Empowerment: Western will encourage and facilitate the civic engagement of students through service, educational, and outreach efforts that promote sustainable practices within the College community.
• Learning Opportunities: Western will provide students, staff, and faculty with learning options to deliver sustainability education and promote ecological awareness.
Operations
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
ACUPCC Action Plan:
Western will explore establishing a capital fund for energy-saving and emission reduction projects and/or a revolving fund for such projects to help finance the capital costs of efficiency improvements.
Smaller steps also need to be taken and some can be implemented quickly. A $500,000 revolving fund could provide funding for various energy-saving measures which would “pay back” the fund through cost savings. Along with the energy efficiency fund, we will seek endowed gifts and grants for sustainability initiatives to help reduce overall general fund energy expenditures. Grants will be explored annually by the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Western will explore establishing a capital fund for energy-saving and emission reduction projects and/or a revolving fund for such projects to help finance the capital costs of efficiency improvements.
Smaller steps also need to be taken and some can be implemented quickly. A $500,000 revolving fund could provide funding for various energy-saving measures which would “pay back” the fund through cost savings. Along with the energy efficiency fund, we will seek endowed gifts and grants for sustainability initiatives to help reduce overall general fund energy expenditures. Grants will be explored annually by the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Administration
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Western's Strategic Plan includes sustainability objectives which address diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as sustainable investment/finance.
One of the six Trustee Values is Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. Western holds diversity, inclusion and equity as core values central to education. We know people of different backgrounds bring various experiences and perspectives to the classroom and community. We strive to foster a respectful, welcoming, learning and social environment. Under the third goal, Student Experience, the Plan states: Initiative 3.4 Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness and Internationalization (DEII): Develop a data-based comprehensive baseline understanding of current DEII-relevant aspects of university operations. Western will gather data to assess the most critical areas of DEII opportunity at Western. This evidence-based approach aims to streamline Western’s DEII efforts as a university across operations.
Under the Plan's fourth goal, Fiscal Sustainability, Initiative 4.4 states: Embrace of Sustainability To Ensure an Effective ROI for Western’s Resources: Through the triple bottom line lens, Western will engage in on-site renewable energy generation, continued energy efficiency projects, and increased aversion and diversion of waste through environmentally preferable purchasing and zero waste principles. Under the the third goal, Student Experience, the plan states: Initiative 3.1 Student Health and Wellness: Western will implement national best practices in student health and wellness by providing resources and programming supporting this initiative. Sub-initiatives within this area will be developed with clearly defined goals and learning outcomes that will be assessed and evaluated in support of the student experience.
One of the six Trustee Values is Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. Western holds diversity, inclusion and equity as core values central to education. We know people of different backgrounds bring various experiences and perspectives to the classroom and community. We strive to foster a respectful, welcoming, learning and social environment. Under the third goal, Student Experience, the Plan states: Initiative 3.4 Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness and Internationalization (DEII): Develop a data-based comprehensive baseline understanding of current DEII-relevant aspects of university operations. Western will gather data to assess the most critical areas of DEII opportunity at Western. This evidence-based approach aims to streamline Western’s DEII efforts as a university across operations.
Under the Plan's fourth goal, Fiscal Sustainability, Initiative 4.4 states: Embrace of Sustainability To Ensure an Effective ROI for Western’s Resources: Through the triple bottom line lens, Western will engage in on-site renewable energy generation, continued energy efficiency projects, and increased aversion and diversion of waste through environmentally preferable purchasing and zero waste principles. Under the the third goal, Student Experience, the plan states: Initiative 3.1 Student Health and Wellness: Western will implement national best practices in student health and wellness by providing resources and programming supporting this initiative. Sub-initiatives within this area will be developed with clearly defined goals and learning outcomes that will be assessed and evaluated in support of the student experience.
Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document
Yes
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?:
Major theme
Optional Fields
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?:
No
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
---
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
A systems thinking approach to life and decision making that attends to economics, people, and the environment, so as to thrive in perpetuity.
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 | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| 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:
Western was among the first cohort of signing members of Second Nature's Carbon Commitment
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.