Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.20
Liaison Smith Getterman
Submission Date March 1, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Baylor University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.50 / 4.00 Smith Getterman
Assistant Director of Sustainability and Special Projects
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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? :
Yes

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

In accordance with its Christian mission and vision, Baylor University strives to be a community that fulfills its calling as stewards of God's gift of creation.

As such, the purpose of this University-wide policy on sustainability and environmental management is to acknowledge a commitment to fostering a community that focuses on preserving natural resources, safeguarding quality of life, advancing economic vitality and preparing students for the social, environmental and economic challenges of the future. Therefore, this policy calls upon all levels and constituencies of the University to participate in a continuous and on-going effort to institute the teaching, research, and practices of sustainable environmental management and to establish an institutional culture of sustainability.


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)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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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)? :
No

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

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

Increase sustainability focused course offerings by at least one course in one calendar year.


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

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

Increase student sustainability focused or related scholarship and participation by 5% through a variety of avenues including research at the BRIC, Waco Wetlands, term papers, and class projects.


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

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

Increase social media following by 10%, increase student organization event sponsorships by at least one event.


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

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

Co-sponsor at least one community focused sustainability related event in one calendar year. Work to get at least one story about university sustainability efforts published in local media in one calendar year.


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:

In one calendar year Baylor will work to mature Baylor’s EMS through continued scheduling and information capture within the EMIS2 software to ensure continued compliance with air quality standards.


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:

Successfully complete all targeted LEED projects and maintain current LEED certifications.


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:

Reach a minimum 4% energy savings in academic year residence hall energy competitions

Achieve LEED EB standard for Truett Seminary during calendar year


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

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

Increase our local and sustainable purchasing rate by 5% to reach our 2016 goal. By 2016, 20% of our food will be locally derived.


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?:
Yes

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

Work with suppliers to offer a minimum 10% more sustainable products to Baylor departments


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

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

Increase Baylor University Shuttle ridership by a minimum of 5%


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

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

Reduce campus waste by 5%

Recycle a total of 450 tons


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:

In one calendar year upgrade campus irrigation system to reach a minimum 15% water savings.


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

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

Over the course of the Five-Year Goals, we will:

Improve access and affordability:

shift total operating budget expenditures to be 5% less undergraduate tuition dependent by 2018/2019
increase the endowment per undergraduate student to $110,000
partner with 10 community colleges, subject to criteria and evaluation of academic quality, to reduce the overall cost of Baylor's education for transfer students
establish a fixed four-year tuition rate and fixed transfer tuition rate
execute operational efficiencies and risk reduction without compromising educational quality
Promote the second phase of "From Here We Build" campaign for $320 million:

raise $100 million for scholarships and faculty support
raise $50 million for student life enhancement (Career and Professional Development, Global Engagement, Leadership Development)
raise $50 million for academic and programmatic development
raise $120 million for capital-related projects (McLane Alumni Events Center, LHSON, etc.)


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?:
Yes

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

Increase enrollment and participation in university's annual wellbeing program, Naturally Slim, by a minimum of 5%.


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)? :
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):

Sustainability refers to societal efforts that meet the needs of present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability presumes that the planet's resources are finite and should be used conservatively, wisely, and equitably. Decisions and investments aimed to promote sustainability will simultaneously advance economic vitality, ecological integrity, and social welfare.


Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

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:
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.