| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.85 |
| Liaison | Patrice Langevin |
| Submission Date | Nov. 19, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Pitzer College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.67 / 4.00 |
Warren
Biggins Sustainability Manager Robert Redford Conservancy |
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
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
|
No
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
|
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | No | No |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste |
Yes
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
|
Yes
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
|
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability |
Yes
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
|
Yes
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
|
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | Yes | Yes |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Pitzer’s Climate Action Plan (2012) identified a “strong need for improved campus-wide education on sustainable living practices” and recommended an annual Sustainability Orientation for all new students.
In 2014, the Pitzer Board of Trustees Climate Change Working Group charged President Trombley with the creation of a Committee on Sustainability for a period of 3-5 years
to work in conjunction with relevant campus groups and institutions to propose projects and policies that promote reduced resource consumption and environmental sustainability at Pitzer College and the Claremont Colleges. It will create a comprehensive plan for enhancing campus sustainability, and will oversee and evaluate programs and policies that foster the development of an environmentally sustainable campus.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
This Sustainability Orientation is to include “an overview of Pitzer’s Climate Action Plan, an introduction to Pitzer’s existing “green” technology (LEED certified dorms, alternative energy sources, etc), and a forum on sustainability in daily life. This forum will include information on proper composting and recycling procedures, how to reduce waste, and how to maximize energy and water savings in the dorm.”
In order to advance campus engagement around sustainability, recommendations from the Committee on Sustainability have lead to:
-the hiring of a sustainability manager
-the creation of a sustainability orientation offered to all incoming students
-the redesign of the sustainability website and the creation of the SustainablePZ Twitter account-the creation of the Pitzer E-Waste Recycling Center
-the creation of new recycling and composting signage
-participation in STARS
-divestment of the endowment from fossil fuels
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Committee on Sustainability
Warren Biggins - Sustainability Manager, Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
The Redford Conservancy is committed to a vision that connects undergraduate students with faculty, alumni, scientists, policy-makers, artists, and other members of our local and regional community, to engage in interdisciplinary and team-based ventures for the wellbeing of our natural and social world.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
The establishment, in 2012, of the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability is a key part of Pitzer’s drive to expand on the College’s legacy of actions that promote socio-environmental awareness and wellbeing. As a result of work between trustees, students, faculty and staff, for example, in 2014 Pitzer became the 11th college in the United States of America to divest from the top 200 fossil fuel companies with the largest reserves, the first in Southern California, and the largest endowment in higher education at the time to divest. Divestment was just the starting point, however. As part of a holistic climate-action model, Pitzer has created a Sustainability Fund within its endowment to make environmentally responsible investments, is on track to reduce the College’s carbon footprint by 25% from current levels by 2016, and has institutionalized a Committee on Sustainability to bolster on-campus sustainability initiatives. Our goal is to be carbon neutral by 2050, if not earlier.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Brinda Sarathy - Director, Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
In order to advance sustainability in air and climate, Pitzer's Fossil Fuel Divestment Climate Action Model committed the College to:
-Divesting virtually all College endowment investments in fossil fuel stocks by December 31, 2014
-Developing an environmental, social and governance policy to guide endowment investment decisions
-Creating the Pitzer Sustainability Fund within the endowment to make environmentally responsible investments
-Targeting a 25 percent reduction of the College’s carbon footprint from current levels (FY 2014) by the end of 2016
-Establishing a Campus Sustainability Committee to bolster on-campus measures to promote sustainability
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
As part of Pitzer's Climate Action Model, the College is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and working to reach the goal of a 25% reduction in emissions relative to the 2014 fiscal year by the end of 2016.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Larry Burik - VP Facilities
Warren Biggins - Sustainability Manager, Office of Sustainability
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
In the Housing Master Plan (2003), the College vowed to pursue "environmentally responsible design" and made LEED certification "a key consideration that embodies Pitzer’s concern for the environment and its sense of social responsibility."
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Since the adoption of the Housing Master Plan, the College has achieved LEED Gold for its Pitzer, Atherton & Sanborn Halls (2007), and LEED Platinum for its East & West Halls (2012). Also, in June of 2014, the rehabilitated Pitzer College president’s residence became the first single family residence in Claremont, California to earn LEED Homes certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Larry Burik - VP Facilities
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
The Pitzer dining hall is operated by Bon Appetit Management Company. Bon Appetit's Farm to Fork initiative reflects the company's commitment to buying local produce and to sustainable farming practices. Also, in an effort to conserve water and energy the dining hall has been trayless since 2008, and paper waste has been reduced through the use of reusable to-go containers.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
As part of Bon Appetit's Farm to Fork initiative, their chefs are required to source at least 20 percent of their ingredients from small, owner-operated farms, ranches, and artisan producers within 150 miles of their kitchens.
The College's composting program also collects pre and post-consumer food waste from the dining hall. The food waste is then composted at the College's community partner, Huerta del Valle, and on-campus by Garden Club members.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Warren Biggins - Sustainability Manager, Office of Sustainability
Cindy Bennington - General Manager, Bon Appetit
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
In order to advance sustainability in energy, the energy subcommittee of Committee on Sustainability has engaged consultants to undertake a campus-wide energy audit, and is researching options for renewable energy development.
Furthermore, in accordance with the Housing Master Plan, the College has achieved LEED Gold for its Pitzer, Atherton & Sanborn Halls (2007), and LEED Platinum for its East & West Halls (2012). Also, in June of 2014, the rehabilitated Pitzer College president’s residence became the first single family residence in Claremont, California to earn LEED Homes certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certified buildings have been shown to be much more energy efficient than conventional buildings.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
As part of Pitzer's Climate Action Model, the College is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and working to reach the goal of a 25% reduction in emissions relative to the 2014 fiscal year by the end of 2016.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Larry Burik - VP Facilities
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Set forth in the Landscaping Master Plan (2008), the "Guidelines for the Pitzer College Landscape” addresses sustainability in Grounds.
In "Guidelines for the Pitzer College Landscape, " the College adopted the following statement of environmental policy and principles: "Pitzer College strives to incorporate socially and environmentally sound practices into the operations of the College and the education of our students. Pitzer exists within inter-reliant communities that are affected by personal and institutional choices, and the College is mindful of the consequences of our practices. A Pitzer education should involve not just a mastery of ideas, but a life lived accordingly. We are thus committed to principles of sustainability, and dedicated to promoting awareness and knowledge of the impacts of our actions on human and natural communities."
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
The "Guidelines for the Pitzer College Landscape,” contain this statement of environmental policy and principles: "Pitzer College strives to incorporate socially and environmentally sound practices into the operations of the College and the education of our students. Pitzer exists within inter-reliant communities that are affected by personal and institutional choices, and the College is mindful of the consequences of our practices. A Pitzer education should involve not just a mastery of ideas, but a life lived accordingly. We are thus committed to principles of sustainability, and dedicated to promoting awareness and knowledge of the impacts of our actions on human and natural communities."
Goals also include:
1) Campus landscaping should reflect our climate and geological setting.
2) The campus should be designed to conserve water.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Larry Burik - VP Facilities
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Pitzer's Climate Action Plan (2012), and policies set forth in both the faculty and student handbooks address sustainability in Transportation.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
In Pitzer’s Climate Action Plan (2012), it is recommended that Pitzer: create a program for carbon offsets purchasing to mitigate the emissions from air travel. This program should support local companies working in renewable energy. This offset should eventually become mandatory or worked into the total cost of travel.
Set forth in the Faculty Handbook, the Trip Reduction Incentive Plan (TRIP) is designed to encourage employees to use alternative modes of transportation whenever possible in order to reduce the number of vehicles arriving on our campuses.
In the Motor Vehicle and Parking Regulations of the Student Handbook (2015 – 2016), students living in the residence halls are prohibited from bringing vehicles to campus for their first two years.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Human Resources
Larry Burik - VP Facilities
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Pitzer's Climate Action Plan (2012) addresses sustainability in Waste.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Pitzer’s Climate Action Plan (2012) recommended that the following changes be made the College’s composting program:
• A new design of compost receptacles in the dining halls and around campus so that they are more visible and clearly marked.
• Work study opportunities for students participating in the composting program - specific positions for those who transport the collection bins to the compost site.
• Education and community outreach to increase knowledge about composting procedures (as part of the Sustainable Living Orientation).
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
The Landscaping Master Plan (2008) addresses sustainability in Water.
Pitzer works to advance sustainability in water in a number of ways. The "Guidelines for the Pitzer College Landscape" commit the College to designing new campus areas in such a way as to conserve water. This commitment is evident in the inclusion of a greywater system in the East and West residence halls. This system collects and treats water from showers and sinks and provides all the irrigation for the surrounding landscaping, up to 90,000 gallons per month. Also, the College has committed to achieving the state mandated 32% reduction in water consumption.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
The “Guidelines for the Pitzer College Landscape,” contained within the Landscaping Master Plan (2008), include: 1) Campus landscaping should reflect our climate and geological setting, and 2) The campus should be designed to conserve water.
In response to California’s historic drought, on April 1, 2015, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order mandating a 25% statewide reduction in water use (compared to the amount used in 2013). Locally, the City of Claremont must reduce its water consumption by 32%. To reduce water consumption at Pitzer, the College has implemented a number of conservation measures, including:
Removing Turf
0.7 acres of the College’s 3.5 acres of turf have been removed. Affected areas include Chung Field, the turf area south of the basketball court, the turf area immediately north of the McConnell Center concrete apron, and the turf area surrounding the ParFitness station east of the McConnell Center.
Reduced Watering
This summer, Pitzer reduced its irrigation to 2 days per week. In previous summers, the turf areas had been watered up to 6 days per week.
Installation of Waterless Urinals
In the summer of 2015, the college installed 11 waterless urinals, in addition to the 15 waterless urinals already on-campus. Each waterless urinal is estimated to save 1 gallon of water per use.
Replacement of McConnell Dining Hall Dishwasher
As part of the McConnell remodel, the dining hall’s old dishwasher has been replaced with a new, energy and water-efficient model.
Shower Signage
Stickers encouraging students to limit their showers to 5 minutes have been placed in every residence hall bathroom on-campus.
Sustainability Orientation
An orientation on Pitzer’s commitment to environmental sustainability is available to all incoming students. This presentation includes information on the College’s climate commitment, sustainability initiatives, and the drought.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Larry Burik, VP Facilities
Warren Biggins, Sustainability Manager
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Campus Tactical Plan for 2011 - 2016
Goal 4: Further develop an intentional campus community with a dedication to diversity, participation, and equity in college governance, planning, administration, and educational activities of all kinds.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Objectives:
-Increase the proportion of students from underrepresented communities, and expand support for these students.
-Increase the proportion of faculty and staff from underrepresented communities.
-Create a respectful and intentional campus community in which we value and learn from our diverse histories, perspectives, and experiences, and create and implement better structures for mediating and resolving conflicts.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
Pitzer's Fossil Fuel Divestment - Climate Action Model (2014)
addresses sustainability in Investment.
As part of the College's decision to divest its endowment from fossil fuels, the President committed the Investment Committee to:
1.) develop an environmental, social and governance policy to guide endowment investment decisions
2.) create a Sustainability Fund within the endowment to make environmentally responsible investments.
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Pitzer's Fossil Fuel Divestment - Climate Action Model (2014) committed the College to:
-Divesting virtually all College endowment investments in fossil fuel stocks by December 31, 2014
-Developing an environmental, social and governance policy to guide endowment investment decisions
-Creating the Pitzer Sustainability Fund within the endowment to make environmentally responsible investments
-Targeting a 25 percent reduction of the College’s carbon footprint from current levels (FY 2014) by the end of 2016
-Establishing a Campus Sustainability Committee to bolster on-campus measures to promote sustainability
Date Revised: Jan. 4, 2016
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
Pitzer College Investment Committee
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:
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:
Pitzer's Housing Master Plan on green building:
Environmentally responsible design, as identified by a U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification, is a key consideration that embodies Pitzer’s concern for the environment and its sense of social responsibility.
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.