| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.19 |
| Liaison | Christina Erickson |
| Submission Date | June 6, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Champlain College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Christina
Erickson Sustainability Director Campus Planning |
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 | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | Yes | Yes |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will be comprised of faculty who actively participate in ways to enhance student’s understanding of sustainability and who strive to infuse sustainability concepts throughout course material. Students will gain an understanding of how sustainability relates to their area of study by having the opportunity to take a variety of sustainability focused and sustainability related courses.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Action Steps:
1. Conduct a survey to learn what courses currently have a sustainability focus or component by 2014. Conduct a follow-up survey in 2018.
2. Explore adding “and the environment” to the ethical reasoning college competency by 2014.
3. Continue to build sustainability-related internship opportunities for students by 2015.
4. Explore creating relationship with Dublin campus regarding sustainability practices in the Center and within academic and extra-curricular offerings by 2015.
5. Assemble a faculty fellows program, consisting of at least 6 faculty members from different disciplines, by 2015
6. Explore the idea of conducting a regular sustainability literacy assessment of Champlain College students by 2018
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Provost Office, interested faculty
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
n/a -
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
n/a
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
n/a
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will be comprised of a student body that is actively engaged in sustainability related initiatives. Our campus culture will promote sustainable behavior
through individuals who are passionate about reducing their impact on the natural world, valuing diversity and supporting their local economy.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
1. Develop a training session for student leaders including Student Activity Planners and
Student Government Association leaders by 2013.
2. Increase viewership of various online outreach methods to reach approximately 25% of our campus population by Spring 2014.
3. Designate one Employee Eco-Rep per division/department to encourage sustainable behavior among faculty and staff by 2015
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, SGA, Student Life
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
n/a
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
n/a
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
n/a
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will be a carbon neutral campus.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
1. Hire Sightlines to create a specific carbon mitigation plan by 2014
2. Champlain will continue to refine our carbon assessment process, including adding data such as work-related travel by employees (conferences, etc.) by 2015
3. Champlain College will offer a voluntary carbon offset program option for Champlain study abroad programs by 2017, such as a contribution to the Champlain College Revolving Green Fund
4. Greenhouse gas emissions will be 20% below 2004 Baseline By 2020 (Common Liberal Arts Target) OR Greenhouse gas emissions will be 40% below 2004 Baseline by 2020 (Leadership Target)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Campus Planning, Finance Office, International Education, President's Cabinet
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: As Champlain College continues to expand, our buildings will be constructed to the equivalent of LEED Gold Standard to lower our carbon footprint and to model green behavior to the greater Burlington community and other higher educational institutions. Our existing buildings will brought up to high energy efficiency standards to prevent energy loss and to minimize costs.
Also see Campus Master Plan (2007) http://www.champlain.edu/about-champlain/vision/master-plan
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Action Steps:
1. All new buildings as of 2013 must be constructed to meet LEED Gold standards or equivalent
2. Establish and follow a deferred maintenance plan for existing buildings by 2014.
Also see Campus Master Plan (2007) http://www.champlain.edu/about-champlain/vision/master-plan
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Campus Planning
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will have a zero-waste dining service that features and celebrates ‘real food’.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Action Steps:
1. Establish clear procedures for waste management at catered events by 2013.
2. Utilize the Real Food Calculator to assess our current purchases by 2014.
3. Working with vendors, develop a zero waste plan by 2020
4. Sign on to the Real Food Challenge and commit to annually increasing procurement of ‘real food’—so as to meet or exceed 20% of food purchases by 2020.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Dining Services/Sodexo
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision:A campus that minimizes energy needs through efficiency and behavioral outreach as we as utilizing renewable sources of energy such as geothermal and supports Burlington Electric Department’s goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2013. Champlain College understands the large impact that energy usage has on the environment. Therefore, we will strive to lower our energy consumption by reducing our dependency on non-renewable resources and increasing our energy efficiency, utilizing our Green Revolving Fund.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
1. Participate in Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility’s Business Energy Action challenge and reduce energy usage by 5% annually for 3 years by 2016.
2. Together with BED develop a plan to determine most effective electricity efficiency upgrades such as:
a. Install LED lighting in dining hall
b. Install zoned lighting at Lakeside
c. Developing procedures for powering down computer labs during school breaks
d. Requiring energy efficient vending machines
e. Use of Smart Power Strips in offices
3. Together with Vermont Gas develop a plan to determine most effective electricity
efficiency upgrades such as:
a. Using out door air in winter for cooling
4. Have a real-time energy feedback system that alerts building users as to how
much energy is being consumed by 2019
5. Expand use of geothermal heating/cooling across campus for future and existing buildings by 2020
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Campus Planning, Physical Plant
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will have a beautiful and healthy campus that highlights native plantings and an urban tree canopy. Our campus will model best-practices by proving that aesthetics and sustainability are compatible.
Also see 2007 Campus Master Plan - Landscaping http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/About-Champlain/Master-Plan/LandscapeMasterPlanFINAL3-07.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Goals:
1. Continue to work on action steps within the Landscape Master Plan and produce an update on progress by 2015.
2. Complete campus tree inventory by 2015.
3. Remove invasive species on campus by 2016.
4. Earn designation by Tree Campus USA by 201 7
5. Explore the possibility of designating the campus as an arboretum by 2020.
Also see 2007 Campus Master Plan - Landscaping http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/About-Champlain/Master-Plan/LandscapeMasterPlanFINAL3-07.pdf
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Physical Plant, Campus Planning
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: To support a sustainable economy and to set an example for other institutions and communities, Champlain College will purchase the majority of its goods and services from socially responsible companies that respect the environment
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Action Steps:
1. Continue with “Heart Healthy Printing” campaign, replacing personal printers with shared multi-function printers.
2. Upgrade requirements regarding vending machines (energy efficiency, etc.) by 2013.
3. Establish Building Product requirements by 2013, including: Lighting fixtures; Low flow
plumbing fixtures; Recycled content materials
4. Compile a list of preferred local vendors (especially for t-shirts and printing) by 2014
5. Include environmentally-preferred language into current and future purchasing contracts by 2014.
6. Remove the sale and use of bottled water by 2014.
7. Explore reusable K-Cup options for Keurig Stations by 2015
8. Explore earning a Fair Trade Campus designation by 2016.
9. Adopt a vendor code of conduct that includes commitment to social
and environmental responsibility by 2018
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Information Systems, Physical Plant, Auxiliary Services, Dining Services, Contract office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will strive to be a campus that offers a wide variety of affordable and convenient alternative transportation options to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and to increase the quality of life for our community by providing safe, functional and environmentally-friendly transportation for employees and students.
Also see 2013 Transportation Plan http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/transportation-parking/ChamplainTransportationPlan_May2013.pdf
Additional Active Transportation Plan of 2015 found here: https://sites.google.com/a/champlain.edu/active-transportation-plan/
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Action Steps:
1. Support the goals outlined in the 2013 Champlain College Transportation Plan
2. Have covered bike parking at least one central campus location by 2013.
3. Create a bike commuter resource guide by 2013.
4. Have 25% of employees register with CATMA by 2014.
5. Set up a rideshare program for students by 2014.
6. Install a bike share system by 2018
7. Have at least 100 memberships (Faculty/Staff/Students) with CarShare VT by 2015
8. Attain a Bicycle-friendly University designation by 2015 (American League of Bicyclists)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Transportation office, Campus Planning
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will be a zero-waste institution by making effective use and reuse of our resources and through encouraging our community to take the time to learn what goes where, and then sort it out.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Action Steps:
1. 100% of campus printers will have double sided printing as the default setting by 2013
2. Install one electronic waste bin in each residence hall by 2013.
3. Create an “Amnesty Day” for all students moving out of the res halls to return dining ware to the Dining Hall by 2013.
4. Eliminate 100% of bottled water on campus by 2014.
5. Implement a waste reduction education/training program for catering staff by 2014
6. Reduce the amount of paper used for orientation by using a “green thumb” USB drive or website by 2014.
7. When printing is required, encourage new formatting standards by 2014. Encourage use of dropbox/electronic documents otherwise.
8. Implement a cap on free printing for students by 2015
9. Install water refill stations in each residential hall by 2017.
10. Replace all office trash bins will small trash containers that do not require a liner by 2018
11. Encourage departments to continue to move toward electronic forms (purchase orders, travel reimbursements, etc.) by 2020
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Information Systems, Dining Services, Student Life, Physical Plant, Finance office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will utilize efficient technologies to lower our water consumption rate. The campus will rely on innovative storm water management techniques to reduce the amount of storm water runoff that could potentially cause harm to Lake Champlain.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Action Steps:
1. Decrease our total water consumption per capita by 10% compared to a 2005 baseline by 2015.
2. Continue to work on action steps within the Stormwater Master Plan and produce an update on progress by 2015.
3. Explore certifying the campus“Blue”, a watershed friendly designation, by 2016
4. Install timers in the showers of every residence hall bathrooms by 2017
Also see Stormwater Master Plan (2007) http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/About-Champlain/Master-Plan/StormwaterPlanMasterPlanFINAL3-07.pdf
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Campus Planning, Physical Plant
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will increase in diversity through deliberate, thoughtful recruitment of students and employees to foster a highly inclusive community.
Champlain College will provide aid to individuals who would otherwise not have the chance to continue their education in order to cultivate an accessible and inclusive institution.
Also See Champlain 2020 Strategic Plan, Goal #5 - creating a diverse & inclusive campus
http://www.champlain.edu/about-champlain/diversity-and-inclusion/about/diversity-strategic-plan
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Action Steps
1. Intentionally incorporate diversity and inclusion goals within sustainability initiatives,
whenever feasible and appropriate.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Office of Financial Aid
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Champlain College will be a fair and responsible employer that provides a healthy, happy and sustainable working environment to its employees
from the Champlain 2020 Strategic Plan: Excite, Engage, and Empower Faculty & Staff: Engaged and empowered faculty and staff work and teach with passion, drive and innovation and move the College forward in order to achieve our vision. Over the next ten years, we will continually work to ensure that Champlain faculty and staff recognize and honor the Champlain College culture while building a high performance environment in which staff and faculty excel and will become a leader in our ability to recruit, retain, develop and celebrate staff and faculty crucial to our success.
http://www.champlain.edu/about-champlain/vision
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Action Steps
1. Support the objectives listed under Champlain 2020 Strategic Goal IV: Excite, Engage & Empower Faculty & Staff
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Human Resources & Organizational Development, President's Cabinet
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
from the 2013 Sustainability Action Plan:
Vision: Investments in the campus that reflect our institution’s values and needs.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Action Steps
1. Through donor solicitations and energy savings repayments, grow the Green Revolving Fund to $500,000 by 2020.
2. While balancing the critical need to invest in high performing funds, explore socially/environmentally responsible investments for the endowment
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
Sustain Champlain, Finance Office, BOT
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:
Defining Sustainability at Champlain College
Champlain views sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and a better world for all generations, as defined by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). At Champlain College, sustainability is a central value and we strive to infuse it throughout our other core values of distinctive excellence, innovation, human touch, global engagement, diversity and inclusion.
Sustainability Value Statement
Champlain College will be a sustainable institution, in our operational practices, our campus culture, our curriculum and in our relationships with our greater community. It is our belief that as we support students to be 21st century global citizens, they need to be well informed about sustainability concepts and practices as it relates to their field and profession. Further, we must create a campus where fully engaging in these concepts and practices is a part of life for our whole community. Additionally, we will be a model for other institutions and communities as we create an example of positive impact on the planet and its inhabitants. Because sustainability is a holistic and interdependent concept, our application of sustainability on campus and within our institution will demonstrate this and be INFUSED into all that we do.
Through various educational mediums, we spread sustainability awareness through the campus. Everyone has a role to play as we work together to create a sustainable institution and campus. Our Sustainability Action Plan, adopted in 2013, is our roadmap of actions for the coming years.
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:
2007 Campus Master Plan calls to 'embrace sustainability'
See more at http://www.champlain.edu/about-champlain/vision/master-plan
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
See our annual progress report here: http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/Sustain-Champlain/Annual%20Reports/SAP_May2015ProgressReport.pdf
See our annual progress report here: http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/Sustain-Champlain/Annual%20Reports/SAP_May2015ProgressReport.pdf
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.