| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.88 |
| Liaison | Kristina Hope |
| Submission Date | Feb. 13, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Knox College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 4.00 |
Deb
Steinberg Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives Office of Sustainability |
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 | No | No |
| 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 | No |
| Grounds | No | No |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | No | No |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | No | No |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | No | No |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
n/a
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
n/a
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
n/a
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:
Knox College signed the Talloires Declaration, committing to Create an Institutional Culture of Sustainability, Educate for Environmentally Responsible Citizenship, and Foster Environmental Literacy For All
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
action plans include:
-Contact other colleges to learn from their current sustainability practices.
-Encourage other colleges and universities to learn from Knox's initiatives by sending members of the Knox community to sustainability conferences.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Office, Office of Student Life
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Knox College signed the Talloires Declaration, committing to expand work with community and nongovernmental organizations to assist in finding solutions to environmental problems.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
action plans include:
-Work with the city of Galesburg to promote sustainability practices throughout the community.
-Place KnoxCorps fellows in positions with local non-profit organizations working on sustainability projects
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Office of Sustainability, Government and Community Relations
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Knox College signed the Talloires Declaration, committing to set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing institutional ecology policies and practices of environmentally sound operations.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
action items:
-invest in alternative energy sources to the maximum extent practicable, and lessen carbon emissions with the intent of eventually becoming carbon neutral.
-adopt a policy that prohibits campus vehicles and discourages other vehicles from idling while on the campus, except when necessary for certain circumstances (e.g. buses may turn on engines up to 15 minutes before passengers board). note: signs will be produced soon, to educate campus users about this rule and its reasons.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives; Director of Facilities
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Knox College signed the Talloires Declaration, committing to set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing institutional ecology policies and practices of resource conservation and environmentally sound operations.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
action items:
-implement LEED certification guidelines to the maximum extent practicable for all future campus building and remodeling. (Alumni hall is slated to open in winter of 2014, with a target of LEED Silver)
-lighting systems in new and old buildings are to be based on low-energy consumption bulbs, and all other systems installed or replaced should constitute the maximum efficiency available within a reasonable budget.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Director of Facilities (for ongoing building upkeep), Board of directors (for new construction projects)
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Knox College signed the Talloires Declaration, committing to set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing institutional ecology policies and practices of environmentally sound operations
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
action items:
-increase the purchase of local food where practical
-significantly increase production of food on campus grounds
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Director of Dining Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
Knox College signed the Talloires Declaration, committing to set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing institutional ecology policies and practices of resource conservation and environmentally sound operations
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
action items:
-all new appliance purchases must meet energy star rating qualifications; lighting systems in all buildings must be based on low-energy consumption bulbs.
-all systems installed or replaced will constitute the maximum efficiency available within a reasonable budget.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Director of Facilities
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
na
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
na
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
na
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Knox College adopted a set of guiding policies for purchasing, available at http://www.knox.edu/sustainability/Sustainability%20policies.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
-Computer Purchasing
Knox College is committed to the purchase of EPEAT Silver or higher computers and monitors, whenever possible.
-Cleaning Product Purchasing
Knox encourages the purchase of Green Seal or EcoLogo certified cleaning products, whenever possible.
-Office Paper Purchasing
The Knox community strives to reduce paper usage through limiting printing and encouraging electronic communications, and encourage the purchase of the highest percentage recycled content paper possible for campus printers.
-Supporting Historically Underutilized Businesses
Knox College acknowledges the importance of supporting historically underutilized businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses in order to continue its long tradition of inclusivity. Knox will regularly monitor our support of these historically underutilized, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses, and seek improvement.
-Supporting Local Businesses
Knox College acknowledges the importance of supporting local products and businesses in order to reduce its carbon footprint and to help strengthen Galesburg and the region. Knox will regularly monitor our support of local businesses and seek improvement.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
IT, Building Services, and Purchasing departments
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Knox College adopted a set of guiding policies for campus activities, available at http://www.knox.edu/Documents/Sustainability%20Policies.pdf
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
The Knox College travel policy states the following:
Air travel should be avoided whenever feasible. All members of the Knox community and visitors are considered to consider train, bus, carpool, or other options before purchasing a flight. In addition, Web-based meetings, speakers, and conferences should always be considered as alternatives to in-person events to avoid air travel. These steps will not only reduce Knox College's carbon footprint, but also increase cost savings for the institution.
For those circumstances when air travel is the only feasible option, investment and participation in local sustainability initiatives is encouraged to reduce carbon emissions, rather than the purchase of carbon offset credits.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Director of Facilities; Sustainability Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Knox College signed the Talloires Declaration, committing to set an example of environmental responsibility by establishing institutional ecology policies and practices of resource conservation, recycling, waste reduction, and environmentally sound operations.
The College also signed the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact, pledging to set objectives for waste reduction.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
action plans:
-reduce waste by 15% from 2011 to 2015 (further increase diversion of recyclable materials and reusable materials, through improved signage, better placement of receptacles, and improved pickup schedule)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives; Director of Facilities
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Knox College signed the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact, pledging to set objectives for water use reduction.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
action plans:
-Reduce water usage on campus by 15% from 2011 to 2015
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Director of Facilities, Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
We are assessing and planning to improve Diversity and Affordability through the strategic planning process that we are currently engaged in. This involves efforts to address faculty/staff recruitment and retention, student support in and out of the classroom (especially for those coming from under resourced high schools and backgrounds), and new conversations regarding the affordability of tuition and financial aid packaging.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
coming soon
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
For students: Center for Intercultural Life, Dean of Students, and Student Support Services (TRiO).
For faculty/staff: Dean of the College, and Human Resources.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
Knox College employs a full-time Wellness Coordinator in Human Resources. The Wellness coordinator will host regular wellness-themed activities, and publish a weekly wellness bulletin with additional resources for employees. Employee health plans include regular access to free health screenings, which will continue to be offered in the coming year. Continuous advancement in the availability of wellness-related activities is ongoing.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
n/a
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
HR Wellness Coordinator
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
A group of students, faculty, and staff are working to encourage transparency in the Knox College endowment. The group has been meeting with members of the Board of trustees, and has presented a proposal for a transparency structure that is being considered by the Board
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
n/a
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
Board of Trustees
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:
A sustainable system is one characterized by:
1. Recognition that humans are part of nature and need to live in balance with Earth's ecosystems.
2. Reduced consumption of natural resources to a replenishable rate.
3. Reduced generation of waste to a rate at which the environment can assimilate it.
4. Decision-making that gives equal weight to natural, social, and economic systems.
5. Commitment to place, including conservation and equity in distribution of local resources.
(This definition was adopted in May 2014 as the result of a campus-wide survey seeking input from students, staff, and faculty)
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:
Goal 3: Ensure a Knox Education for Generations to Come
Relevant Strategic Priorities:
-Create a contemporary, sustainable, and accessible Knox campus featuring the design, technology, and infrastructure required for a 21st-century education. Plan intentionally and strategically to renovate existing facilities, add revenue-enhancing new facilities, and ensure that facilities are suitable for year-round programming and revenue.
-Ensure the long-term ability for campus operations and infrastructure to adapt to a changing environment and the associated resource availability concerns.
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.