| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.31 |
| Liaison | Keaton Schrank |
| Submission Date | June 12, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Westminster University - Utah
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.67 / 4.00 |
Meg
Wolf Sustainability Fellow Environmental Center |
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 | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | No | No |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | No | No |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | No | No |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | No | No |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
This is covered under the college's Core Theme Objective 2: Engage campus in the theory and practice of sustainability. Measurable progress on this is reported as part of our accreditation process and is tied to STARS metrics, including curriculum and research.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Improve STARS rating in relationship to curriculum.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Provost's Office, Environmental Center
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
This is also covered under the STARS-based Core Theme Objective 2 mentioned above. It is also specifically addressed in the Environmental Center 5-year plan.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
1. Maintain successful core programs and services identified in this process
a. Sustainability Fellows
b. Organic Garden & Real Food Programs
c. Bicycle Collective/Westminster Wheels
d. STARS
e. Curricular/Co-curricular collaboration with faculty
f. Sustainability Task Force
g. Community conference/event (like Bioneers)
2. Increase opportunities for students to engage with the EC and environmental issues on and off campus
a. More funding for student employment
b. Structured volunteer programs
c. Reach out to broader range of faculty and departments
d. More collaboration with other groups like Center for Civic Engagement and Diversity Center
e. Expanded Organic Garden program
3. Improve campus awareness of EC services and programs
a. Outreach to faculty and classes
b. Outreach to student groups
c. Hire communications student employee
4. Provide better coordination for campus sustainability projects done by other groups
a. Letter of support from EC for projects happening on campus
b. Make data and past student work easily accessible online
5. Determine the appropriate role for the EC in campus operations related to sustainability
a. Should all EC undertakings have direct student learning benefits?
b. Environmental Center vs. Office of Sustainability models
c. Transportation Committee
d. Food Service Committee
e. Sustainability Task Force as permanent committee
f. Energy Manager position
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Environmental Center staff
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Identify targeted environmental relationships that are manageable and
sustainable as priorities for outreach, engagement, and learning activities.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
- Annually evaluate, identify, and implement changes to our
infrastructure, practices, and behavior that will make us leaders in
environmental and social responsibility (ACUPCC, STARS).
- Develop a multi-year environmental engagement plan that
identifies priorities and focal points for campus action, participation, and leadership.
- Strengthen community partnerships – like Promise South Salt Lake – that offer students new learning opportunities and improve our society.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
The strategic planning implementation committee, Environmental Center.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
The Climate Action Plan outlines specific strategies and mitigation steps to minimize the institution’s greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Annual goal of reducing net GHG emissions by at least 3% per year between 2010 and 2020. Target date of 2030 for achieving carbon neutrality. Specific objectives include:
Strategy 1: Improve the efficiency of existing buildings on campus.
ACTION: Complete lighting and controls modifications in
Giovale Library. Complete
ACTION: Replace old HVAC Equipment with most efficient models possible.
ACTION: Reduce lighting in over lit areas.
ACTION: Start a Building Performance Audit and Readjustment Program.
ACTION: Install computer Power Save software.
Strategy 2: Reduce the percentage of students, faculty, and staff commuting alone to campus.
ACTION: Implement parking fee to discourage single occupancy vehicle use.
Complete
Strategy 3: Increase the amount of campus electricity generated from renewable sources.
ACTION: Create voluntary Wind Power My Room/Office campaign.
Strategy 4: Make low carbon living and transportation part of campus culture.
ACTION: Incorporate Sustainability in New Student and Faculty/Staff Orientations.
ACTION: Launch annual Residence Hall Energy Challenge.
Complete
Strategy 5: Institutionalize sustainability by incorporating it into the 2010
Master Plan.
ACTION: Incorporate sustainability goals and guidelines into 2010 Master Plan.
Complete
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Sustainability Council and Environmental Center
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
The campus master plan outlines sustainability standards for all new construction and major renovations.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
All new construction will be LEED Gold or better. All major renovations will be LEED Silver or better.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Plant Operations, VP for Finance and Administration
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
ASWC (student government) passed a resolution to require 20% Real Food (as defined by the real food challenge) by 2020. This was implemented into the food service providers' contract starting in the year 2013.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
20% Real Food (A) by 2020 across all campus dining services and catering.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Bon Appetit
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
The climate action plan outlines specific strategies and mitigation steps to minimize the institution’s greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact. As described above, this includes specific steps to improve energy efficiency. "Westminster should also explore implementation of emerging technologies (Master Plan)."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Annual goal of reducing net GHG emissions by at least 3% per year between 2010 and 2020. Target date of 2030 for achieving carbon neutrality. See specific energy-related goals above.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Environmental Center, Plant Operations
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
The Landscape Master Plan targets specific places on campus to convert turf to low-water, native landscaping.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Convert identified areas from turf to low-water, native landscaping. (Most of this has been completed)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Plant Operations
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
The climate action plan called for a parking fee to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips.
The master plan calls for Westminster partner with Sugar House to work with UTA to create a transportation plan and enhance transit access throughout Sugar House.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
In order to increase transit ridership and encourage other forms of alternative transportation, the parking needs to become more inaccessible. This can be achieved by providing free transit access to everyone on campus and imposing a parking fee on campus.
Imposing a parking fee:
Free transit is now available. A parking fee was implemented in 2011-2012.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Westminster College. Campus security and parking enforcement.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
We suggest that composting be the main source of disposal for food waste in the dining facilities. There should be compost bins clearly labeled next to trash and recycle bins for diners to utilize along with bins in the kitchen for chefs to use. we recommend that recycling bins accompany every trash bin. Bins should be clearly labeled for paper, plastic, aluminum, glass and cardboard.(Master Plan)
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Between 50%-70% of all waste should be recycled, a target that has been met at other colleges such as Middlebury (Master Plan)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Food provider (Bon Apetit) and Westminster College
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
The Master Plan includes reduction of water usage in future decision-making about green space.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Implementation of more native species on grounds.
Implementation of rooftop gardens.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Grounds. Westminster Environmental Center. Westminster Administration.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
By 2019, Westminster will build a sustainable, thriving institution that provides affordable, high‐value student education. (Strategic Plan 2014)
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Westminster has processes in place to ensure student access is not limited by socioeconomic status and that students graduate with as little debt as possible.
Westminster has communicated and cultivated a clear perception of value to students, parents, and stakeholders.
Westminster has identified an optimal enrollment plan with consistent goals and measures.
Key metrics are the most important data points for understanding our progress in achieving our goals. They often cut across goals and strategies. Greater detail on the use of each metric is provided in the proposed evidence appendix.
• Employee/campus culture measurements
• Retention rate
• Graduation rate
• Alumni engagement and giving
• Net promoter score for students, staff, faculty, and alumni
• Graduate success measurements
• Revenue
• Diversity and socio-‐economic status access
• Distribution of expenditures by IPEDS category
All of which should be implemented by 2019.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Strategic plan implementation committee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
A definition of sustainability in three parts:
1. The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development in 1987 as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
2. More recently the sustainable business community has endeavored to replace business’s traditional focus on profit with an alternative logic balancing three Es: Environment, Equity and Economy.
3. Informing all these ideas about sustainable practice is an overarching commitment to equilibrium. Sustainable systems of any sort balance inputs with outputs, and achieve a reproducible condition in a durable, balanced cycle.
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
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.