| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.04 |
| Liaison | Natalie Hayes |
| Submission Date | Oct. 19, 2023 |
Bentley University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Natalie
Hayes Associate Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:
Bentley has a number of sustainability committees and task forces that support the decision-making process and implementation of policies and programs initiated by the Office of Sustainability.
Waste Minimization Task Force: This group brings together key stakeholders within Facilities Management and our Resource Management Company to discuss waste reduction efforts on campus.
Shuttle Advisory Committee: This group convenes various stakeholders to discuss the increase of alternative/low-carbon commuting programs on campus.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
Waste Minimization Task Force:
David Szymanski - Faculty
Lisa Dinsmore - Staff in Academic Services
Laurie Moynihan (facilitator) - Staff in the President’s Office
Shelle Santana - Faculty in Marketing
Bria Milbury - Staff in the BSLCE
Natalie Hayes - Staff in the Office of Sustainability
Matt Banks - Staff in Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Shuttle Advisory Committee:
Diana DeSimone - Staff
A.J. Darcey - Staff
Stephanie Segalini - Staff
Dave Wade - Staff
Claudette Blot - Staff
Natalie Hayes - Staff (Co-Chair)
Barbara MacLean - Staff (Co-Chair)
Laure Astourian - Faculty
Mareike Mohlmann (Maternity Leave) - Faculty
Ken Stuckey - Faculty
Open Spot - Graduate Student
Parth Hemani - Graduate Student
Open Spot - Graduate Student
Stephanie McAuliffe - Undergraduate Student
Open Slot - Undergraduate Student
Open Slot - Undergraduate Student
Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent employee?:
A brief description of each sustainability office:
Our Mission:
To mobilize sustainability leadership in business by:
- Modeling sustainable operations through balancing environmental resource efficiency, financial stability and societal benefit;
- Supporting sustainability teaching in the classroom with opportunities to apply this knowledge to real-world situations; and
- Partnering with the business community to expand career opportunities in emerging markets.
Our Vision:
The university has a framework and decision-making process in place that upholds sustainability is a core value and commitment across all departments and throughout the student body.
- Each member of the campus community has a functional understanding of the environmental and social principles of sustainability
- Bentley alumni are ethical, environmental and socially responsible organizational leaders, entrepreneurs, and citizens.
- Bentley is continually striving for carbon neutrality, zero waste generation, and a socially just and inclusive community.
Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution?:
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
Bentley University's Office of Sustainability (OS) is tasked with setting the university's sustainability goals and managing all programs and initiatives to achieve these goals.
In order to manage projects. the OS has created several task forces which engage critical members of the Bentley community including: Waste Minimization task force, Transportation Task Force and Energy Task Force.
The substantive accomplishments of the OS and its subcommittees in the last 3 years include:
1. The Office of Sustainability launched the university’s second sustainability and climate action planning process. Bentley's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is the result of a twelve-month planning process that engaged over 300 Bentley students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The plan consists of five focus areas, each with five-year goals and strategies that align with the university's mission to "change the world with a transformative business education, integrated with arts and sciences, that inspires and prepares ethical leaders who will confront the challenges of today and shape the opportunities of tomorrow."
Three of the five focus areas specifically address the university's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) through sustainable campus operations and resource use. The remaining focus areas address Bentley's impact as an educational institution, with goals to develop organizational leaders who think critically about the broad range of sustainability issues in society and business, and support the Bentley community with resources and knowledge to engage in sustainability, climate justice and resiliency.
2. The Green Revolving Fund Committee approved funding for three projects, increasing energy efficiency in four of the university’s residence halls: nNorth Campus Boiler Replacement (hot water upgrade) nForest Hall Boiler Replacement (hot water upgrade) nFalcones Magik-Pak Replacement (heating and cooling upgrade) The three projects completed in fiscal year 2022, listed above, have less than a 5-year payback period and provide an average return on investment (ROI) to the Green Revolving Fund of 35.5%.
3. In spring 2022, the university established a Shuttle Advisory Committee via a partnership between the Procurement and Campus Services department and the Office of Sustainability. This committee has representation from faculty, staff and students who are passionate about improving the shuttle experience for the community. The committee has been charged with providing insights, feedback, and recommendations on Bentley Shuttle operations, based on the context of ridership experience. The committee meets twice a semester and serves in an advisory role, reporting to the shuttle management team
4. Reorientation of the Waste Minimization Task Force In Spring 2022 the Waste Minimization Task Force (WMTF) was re-established after a hiatus during COVID. This task force has representation from key internal Bentley departments dealing with waste and external vendors. The new mission of the WMTF is to begin to tackle the goals set forth in Bentley’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The first project that the task force is working on is a waste reduction plan for the university.
5. Give ‘N Go In May 2022, Bentley celebrated Give ‘N Go’s tenth year by diverting 7,981 pounds of reusable items from the waste stream and into the hands of those in need. Give ‘N Go is the sustainable move out program for Bentley students.
6. Student Sustainability Leadership Program The Student Sustainability Leadership program cultivates professional skills and provides students with hands-on learning opportunities, which are integral to Bentley students’ professional development considering the increasing emphasis on sustainability in the business world. The student team works together to provide strategic support for the Office and work on professional development skills. In fiscal year 2022, the major accomplishments of the group include:
a. “Wastle” Student Center Takeover: A play on Wordle that educated the community on plastic pollution.
b. Finalized the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan: The students ran a feedback session that collected valuable insights from the community on finalizing this important document.
c. Continued to strengthen the Office of Sustainability’s presence on campus through social media and in person events.
d. Launched the Student Educators program: A peer-to-peer education program providing training and engagement for students on waste minimization topics.
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job title of the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job title of the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination 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.