Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.05
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date March 22, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Cornell University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Robert Bland
Sr. Director
Energy & Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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) Yes Yes
Campus Engagement Yes Yes
Public Engagement Yes Yes
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 No No
Other Yes Yes

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:

The Climate Action Plans and annual report of the Presidents Sustainable Campus Committee describes the goal to build climate and sustainability literacy in the campus community through curricular and extra-curricular programs


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):

Within the next two years

Work with the college deans to develop a university-wide sustainability learning outcome.

Integrate sustainability literacy into the student Pulse survey

Sustainability is included in the senior Exit survey

New students participate in sustainability training and survey, and a sustainability fall club fest.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):

President's Sustainable Campus Committee, Senior Leaders Climate Action Group,


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):

Details on Cornell's plans to advance sustainability research can be found in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/Assets/ACSF/docs/attachments/ACSF-StrategicPlan-2013.pdf


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):

Details on Cornell's plans to advance sustainability research can be found in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/Assets/ACSF/docs/attachments/ACSF-StrategicPlan-2013.pdf


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):

Details on Cornell's plans to advance sustainability research can be found in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/Assets/ACSF/docs/attachments/ACSF-StrategicPlan-2013.pdf


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:

The Climate Action Plan includes the Think Big Live Green as Cornell's comprehensive campus engagement program that includes engagement of students, staff, and faculty in new sustainability behaviors and culture change initiatives. Components include:
1) The student EcoReps Program
2) Staff training and development
3) The College Engagement Program
4) Green Offices Certificaitons
5) Green Labs Certifications
6) A real-time building dashboard system


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:

Over the next two years:

90% of Freshman are engaged by the EcoReps program

10% of campus offices are certified Green Offices

The College Engagement Program expands to at least 2 more colleges

Sustainability is fully integrated into the annual performance management processes for all staff

New guidelines for performance management are developed and released

New sustainability tools for managers are developed and released


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):

Campus Sustainability Office
Human Resources
Residential and New Student Programs


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:

Cornell's commitment to public engagement is embedded in the University's strategic plan
http://www.cornell.edu/strategicplan/commitments.cfm

The more specific strategic plans to increase community based research and teaching, and broader public engagement, including sustainability topics, are detailed in the Engaged Cornell Plan.
https://www.giving.cornell.edu/docs/Engaged%20Cornell%20Abridged%20Proposal_1_15_15.pdf

In addition, Cornell's Cooperative Extension has a long history of sustainability initiatives in communities all across New York State. These initiatives are detailed here:
http://cce.cornell.edu/Nutrition/Pages/SustainabilityandCCE.aspx

The Climate Action Plan includes Climate Literacy Outreach and Climate Adaptation Planning which are focused on public engagement and community collaboration http://climateaction.cornell.edu.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):

Cornell's overarching strategic plan to increase community based research and teaching, and broader public engagement, including sustainability topics, are detailed in the Engaged Cornell Plan.
https://www.giving.cornell.edu/docs/Engaged%20Cornell%20Abridged%20Proposal_1_15_15.pdf

In addition Cornell's Cooperative Extension has a long history of sustainability initiatives in communities all across New York State. These initiatives are detailed here:
http://cce.cornell.edu/Nutrition/Pages/SustainabilityandCCE.aspx

Two year goals are included for Climate Literacy Outreach and Climate Adaptation Planning which are focused on public engagement and community collaboration online at http://climateaction.cornell.edu.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):

Engaged Cornell
Engaged Learning + Research
Public Service Center
Cornell Cooperative Extension


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:

Through the Climate Action Plan Cornell is committed to carbon neutral operations for the Ithaca campus as soon as possible. Carbon reduction has become an integral strategy at all levels of the university. The President's Sustainable Campus Committee has a Climate Focus Team that oversees the Climate Action Plan and greenhouse gas inventory. More information about the details of our Climate Action Plan can be found here
http://climateaction.cornell.edu


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):

Carbon neutral by 2050


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):

Senior Leaders Climate Action Group
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
Energy and Sustainability Department


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:

Since 2006 Cornell has had a board policy that all major new construction must be LEED Silver or higher, and 30% more energy efficient than required by national AASHRE standards.
The current Climate Action Plan calls for 1) new standards for energy performance modeling to be integrated into the design process and a requirement for new buildings and significant renovations to be 50% more efficient than required by national ASHRAE, 2) expanded energy conservation projects to include work with a longer return on investment, and 3) strengthening strategies to manage the use and allocation of campus space, and maximum space efficiencies in renovation and construction projects. The Buildings Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee oversees these efforts.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) New high performance building standards in effect
2) Integrate space scheduling with HVAC scheduling software, revise the capital planning process and architect/engineer contracts to incorporate space planning
3) Perform energy studies for 20% of campus buildings


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):

Division of Budget and Planning
Facilities Engineering
Energy and Sustainability
President's Sustainable Campus Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:

The Sustainability Plan for the Ithaca Campus includes goals by Dining Services and the Food Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee to continue a major initiative to increase local procurement of farm products, and better manage post-consumer waste.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) To establish new University policies that support a sustainable food system
2) Decrease food waste through consumer education and food recovery partnerships with the food bank system


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):

Dining Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:

A major shift to renewable energy and high efficiency distribution systems is underway at Cornell as part of the Cornell Climate Action Plan. Cornell just completed its second 2MW solar farm, with plans for three more, and entered into a PPA with an 16MW local wind farm development to purchase all of their electricity.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) Continue expansion of Cornell's renewable energy portfolio in solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal energy

Additional details can be found on the Climate Action Plan website
http://climateaction.cornell.edu


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):

Energy and Sustainability Department
President's Sustainable Campus Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:

Sustainable land management is an integral part of Cornell's Campus Master Plan and Climate Action Plan. A Sustainable Landscape Plan is under development to formalize strategies for Integrated Pest Management, irrigation practices, site naturalization, snow and ice removal, etc. for Cornell Grounds activities.

For the 660 acres that is managed by Cornell Plantations, these preserves have management plans that characterize the purpose, site description, regional landscape context, geology, ecological communities, property history, soils, hydrology, cultural amenities, historic management regimes, challenges to management and threats to ecology, maps, plant communities, common plant and animal species, plant and animal species of conservation concern, and invasive species threats.

More information can be found at the following websites:
http://www.cornellplantations.org/our-gardens/natural-areas
http://www.cornellplantations.org/our-gardens


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) Integration of green infrastructure across campus
2) Use of the SITES sustainable landscape certification system for additional sites.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):

Grounds Department
Cornell Plantations
Campus Planning Office
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
Campus Planning Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:

Sustainable procurement initiatives are documented on Cornell Procurement Services website http://www.dfa.cornell.edu/procurement/sustainability, included in the Climate Action Plan http://climateaction.cornell.edu, and are supported by the Purchasing Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) Establish energy-efficient standards based upon Energy Star certification for new purchases and bids.
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/equipment-efficiency-standards-policy

2) Utilize “Fast Tracks” in Cornell’s online Procurement Gateway to facilitate purchasing of sustainable office equipment and supplies, recycled paper, remanufactured toner, EPEAT certified computers, etc., and to limit the availability of less sustainable products.
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/sustainable-products-procurement

3) Consider sustainability criteria, including locality and GHG emissions, in the vendor selection process to reduce the environmental footprint of Cornell’s supply chain.
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/green-suppliers


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):

Procurement Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:

Cornell has been a national leader in Transportation Demand Management over 20 years with numerous plans over the years. Currently sustainable transportation is included in the Climate Action Plan and has been integrated into efforts of the Transportation and Mail Services Department. Major on-campus actions to reduce environmental impacts resulting from transportation include policies that highly discourage automobile use and encourage other means of transport, and improving the fuel-economy of our fleet. We provide New-to-Cornell students with free bus passes for their first year to promote group transit and have very restricted on-campus parking policies to discourage vehicles and promote carpooling, biking, bus-taking and walking. All returning students are provided with unlimited bus transit at no cost after 6 PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends. We not only work to improve our on-campus transportation system, but also work with the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County to continue to improve regional transportation systems for our community and beyond. For example, we are partnering for a grant for additional EV charging stations.
It is also a priority for Cornell to consider transportation as we plan for future land use and building construction on campus, so that we fully integrate new buildings and other campus changes into our transportation systems with sustainability in mind.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) Increase outreach and education about existing Transportation Demand Management programs.
2) Allocate financial resources and draft RFP for a Campus Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan.
3) Allocate resources to study the extension of Campus-to-Campus service.
4) Develop a deployment plan for EV-charging stations on campus and regionally.
5) Implement incentives to increase use of clean-fuel vehicles.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):

Transportation Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:

Waste reduction, recycling, and composting initiatives have been fully integrated into Cornell's operations and Campus Sustainability Plan. Currently R5 Operations and the Waste Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee continuously monitor progress and set new annual goals. https://r5.fs.cornell.edu/


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) Develop a comprehensive university waste policy
2) Expand residential composting pilot program


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):

R5 Operations
Dining Services
Farm Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:

Water conservation, watershed protection, and promotion of tap-water use are all integrated into the Campus Sustainability Plan, Climate Action Plan, and the Take Back the Tap Task Force Plan. The Energy and Sustainability Department and the Water Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee support ongoing monitoring and set new goals.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):

Over the next two years:

1) Continue to support installations of water bottle filling stations on campus
2) Support energy-efficient water conservation projects
2) Continue investigation into water losses in the campus distribution system


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):

Energy and Sustainability Department
President's Sustainable Campus Committee


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:

Cornell's approach to institutional inclusion and diversity planning is holistic. Our commitments, both regulatory and strategic, involve novel approaches to improve campus culture and our demographic composition. Cornell's plans to advance diversity and affordability are detailed on the following website
http://diversity.cornell.edu/commitment-to-inclusion


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

Measurable objectives are detailed in the Toward New Destinations website
http://diversity.cornell.edu/toward-new-destinations


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):

University Diversity Council
Office of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:

Cornell's holistic and comprehensive commitments to well-being and health of staff, students, and faculty are integrated into the University's strategic plan, and numerous specific plans for different parts of the campus community.

Mental Health Framework
http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/cms/campus/wellbeing/framework.cfm

Faculty and Staff Wellness
http://recreation.athletics.cornell.edu/wellness/


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

Objectives for students are detailed under objective 5 on the following website
http://www.cornell.edu/strategicplan/objectives.cfm#education-more

Objectives for staff are detailed on the following website
http://www.cornell.edu/strategicplan/objectives.cfm#staff-more
Strategic Plan for staff
http://recreation.athletics.cornell.edu/wellness/strategic-plan-annual-report


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):

Gannett Health Services
Office of Career/Life Services
Executive Committee on Campus Climate, Health, and Safety
Council on Mental Health and Welfare
President's Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
Council on Hazing Prevention
Council on Sexual Violence Prevention:


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):

N/A


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):

N/A


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:

N/A


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):

N/A


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):

N/A


The institution’s definition of sustainability:

As a world leader in sustainability, Cornell University is a committed steward of the Earth and its people. From innovation to public engagement, Cornellians are balancing today’s economic, environmental, and social issues with related needs of the future.


Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes

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

A goal in the 5 year strategic plan of Cornell is: Promote effective stewardship of the built and natural environment.

Rationale: The beauty of Cornell's natural surroundings and its built environment are key assets that must be enhanced and preserved. At the same time, facilities must be allowed to grow and evolve as necessary to support the university's core mission. Decisions regarding facilities and the physical environment typically involve the complex interplay of multiple factors and interests that must be recognized and addressed in order to steward effectively the university's physical resources. These decisions should be framed by and consistent with Cornell University's commitments to sustainability and accessibility. An integrated planning model should involve the following elements:

Actions:

Make environmental sustainability a guiding principle in the stewardship of the university's facilities and resources and in assessments of its impact on the community and region.

Pursue the sustainability objectives in Cornell's 2008 Master Plan for the Ithaca Campus and the Climate Action Plan of 2009.

The university's specific commitment to campus sustainability is formalized in the 2010-2015 Cornell University Strategic Plan(http://www.cornell.edu/strategicplan/stewardship.cfm#facilities). The plan calls for sustainability to be a guiding principle in all campus operations and specifically for the implementation of the Climate Action Plan (see link--http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/climate-action-plan) and Comprehensive Master Plan(see link -- . For information on education, research, and public engagement for sustainability visit the Sustainability at Cornell portal(see link -- .http://sustainability.cornell.edu/)


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.