| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.79 |
| Liaison | Mary Whitney |
| Submission Date | Sept. 22, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Chatham University
IN-3: Innovation 3
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Mary
Whitney University Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Working with our partner, GASP (Group Against Smog and Pollution), the oldest citizens environmental action group in the U.S., Chatham agreed to implement a Clean Construction Policy for construction projects starting from 2014 and forward. The policy indicates that any construction equipment, not already possessing Tier 4 emissions equipment, must have an added diesel particulate filter to be on the job site. Exceptions are made for equipment that is not available as Tier 4 or particulate filters are not available (i.e. certain heavy equipment such as cranes).
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
Since adopting this policy, Chatham has implemented a daily on-site inspection program, which was adhered to by all of our contractors. The Office of Sustainability, in partnership with GASP, conducted a Clean Construction Workshop & Seminar in Fall 2014 for local businesses and institutions. We partnered with the only other institution in the region to commit to a clean construction policy, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), to provide this educational program to explain what the policy entails and dispel myths about requirements. Starting in September 2015, Chatham's Director of Sustainability, Dr. Mary Whitney, will be speaking at the University of Pittsburgh about our experiences and provide mentorship as they seek to implement a similar policy. In addition, we were able to use the data we collected under the Clean Construction policy to improve our data capture for our annual greenhouse gas audit.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | --- |
| Research | --- |
| Campus Engagement | --- |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | --- |
| Dining Services | --- |
| Energy | --- |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation 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.