Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 45.20
Liaison Scott Carlin
Submission Date July 15, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

LIU Post
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.50 / 4.00 William Achnitz
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities
"---" 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 No No
Air and Climate Yes Yes
Buildings Yes No
Dining Services/Food Yes Yes
Energy Yes Yes
Grounds Yes No
Purchasing Yes Yes
Transportation Yes Yes
Waste Yes Yes
Water Yes No
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:

At LIU Post, a variety of sustainability-related course offerings and other academic activities have become more regular features in recent years. LIU Post now offers both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Environmental Sustainability. A sustainability survey was also sent out to all faculty members and it was determined that LIU Post offers over 100 courses where sustainability is a primary or secondary focus. Institutional curriculum goals were established in our October 2012 Sustainable Post Vision Report. Curriculum goals are also tied to the 2014-2015 LIU Strategic Plan which calls for a campus Center for Sustainability focused on learning and research. LIU Post's new undergraduate degree (approved May 2015) is an outgrowth of this strategic planning process.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

The goal at LIU Post is to incorporate sustainability more in the classroom. This entails increasing the number of courses offered that include sustainability as a primary or secondary focus, utilizing the campus more as a living laboratory, and engaging those academic departments in the sustainability discussion that are not currently involved in the conversation. A number of faculty members that serve on the Sustainable Post Committee actively promote sustainability to other faculty members in an effort to increase sustainability in the classroom. Future surveys will also be sent out to all faculty members to measure the progress made in incorporating sustainability in the curriculum.


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

Faculty members involved in the Sustainable Post Committee and the Earth and Environmental Science Department, which is responsible for our environmental sustainability degree programs.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

A number of faculty and students conduct sustainability research at LIU Post. Many students have focused their efforts on campus sustainability with projects ranging from waste reduction, recycling, water conservation, and alternative transportation options. LIU Post has plans to compile all of this research into one central location that will make the information more accessible to interested parties. Developing student and faculty sustainability research is referenced in the 2014-2015 LIU Strategic Planning documents which discuss the creation of a campus Center for Sustainability focused on learning and research.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

It was determined from the faculty survey that 25% of the academic departments at LIU Post had at least 1 faculty member engaged in sustainability research. To improve upon this standing, current faculty members engaged in sustainability research will seek to collaborate with others by drawing upon the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability. Future faculty surveys will measure progress towards this goal. The LIU Strategic Plan begins implementation in 2015; research centers could be pursued in the 2016 to 2017 time frame.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

Faculty members involved in the Sustainable Post Committee, primarily the Earth and Environmental Science Department. As per the 2014-2015 Strategic Planning documents, if LIU Post pursues a Center for Environmental Sustainability, this would be developed by LIU Post faculty and university officers.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

No

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

The Green Office Program has an ultimate goal of 100% compliance. Annual and semi-annual public education events will be assessed based on attendance and campus requests for new sustainability services. Other initiatives are in a piloting stage and future expansion goals are still under development.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

The Office of Campus Life and the campus Sustainability Committee.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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:

Climate Action Plan


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

Reduce our energy consumption to reduce emissions


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

Sustainable Post Committee


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

Yes


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

Yes


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

Sustainable Post Committee


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

Increase amount of local purchases


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

Yes


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

Aramark Dining Services


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

Facilities


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

Energy efficiency, solar panels, etc.


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

Facilities


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

Facilities


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

Facilities


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

Facilities


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

Goal is to switch the campus to recycled-content Xerox paper. Initial pilot begun in spring 2015.

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

Increase percentage of paper with recycled content


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

Purchasing Department


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

Zipcar, rideshare portal, etc.


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

Measure commuter miles


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

Office of Campus Life


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

Add more recycling programs


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

Increase recycling rate and amount diverted from landfill


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

Office of Campus Life and Facilities


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

N/A


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

N/A


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

N/A


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

N/A


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

N/A


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

N/A


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

N/A


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):

N/A


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:

At LIU Post, sustainability is about drawing upon our campus community’s diverse strengths and talents to promote our vision of a healthy, beautiful, efficient, and just planet. Our goal is to educate our campus community and the greater public about sustainability issues...to inspire dialogue...and to spur action.


Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
No
+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

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

LIU's Strategic Plan calls for the creation of Interdisciplinary Centers. This text is from one of the Plan's supporting documents on Implementation Tactics: "A Center for Sustainability builds on current sustainability programs and activities on campus and has the potential to become a “learning laboratory” for students as they work with community partners to address Long Island’s myriad environmental needs. Students would benefit from the opportunities such a Center could provide for research, internships, and service and experiential learning. They would graduate prepared to enter a multitude of professions and entrepreneurial activities in alternative energy, sustainable growth, urban and suburban development, product design and marketing. In addition to encouraging faculty research and multidisciplinary curricular development, this center has the potential to change the culture of LIU Post by promoting environmentally-conscious language and ethical and responsible behaviors."

+ Date Revised: Nov. 16, 2015

The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.