| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 38.98 |
| Liaison | Ann Drevno |
| Submission Date | Aug. 11, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Saint Mary's College of California
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.83 / 4.00 |
Steve
Woolpert Dean School of Liberal Arts |
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 | No |
| Buildings | Yes | No |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | No |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | No |
| Transportation | No | No |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | No | No |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The goal to increase educational programs in sustainability is in the College's Academic Blueprint for 2010-2015. (http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/provost-vice-president-for-academic-affairs/academic-blueprintplan). All other plans, objectives and timelines listed in PA-2 are in the College Sustainability Committee's action plan, dated 2011. (http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sustainability/campus-sustainability-committee)
Date Revised: Sept. 25, 2014
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Establish benchmarks for Undergraduate Program in Sustainability and Graduate Program in Sustainability by 2012
Process established for program designations by 2012
Complete inventory of sustainability programs by 2013
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
College Sustainability Committee - Curricular Subcommittee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
Increase the extent to which SMC faculty engage in sustainability related research, thereby contributing to human knowledge of sustainability, and ultimately to more sustainable practices and technologies in human society.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Step 1: Sustainability Committee Curriculum Working Group will generate benchmarks by which research will be designated by 2015
Step 2: Committee to establish ongoing process by which applications will be incented and evaluated by 2015
Step 3. Create Eco-Fellowship Award - develop RFP, critieria, review schedule/process by 2016
Step 4. Identify/announce external funding opportunities to faculty by 2015
Step 5. Promote/provide faculty/student collaborative research opportunities related to sustainability by 2015
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
College Sustainability Committee - Curriculum Subcommittee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Embed a culture of sustainability into the Saint Mary’s College co-curricular experience from Weekend of Welcome to Commencement.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
1. Include sustainability awareness into campus tours by 2014
2. Include/emphasize sustainability through service projects & events during Weekend of Welcome by 2012
3.. Host a ‘Flip the Switch’ week to promote a culture of sustainability and awareness in becoming a more sustainable campus and world by 2104
6. A themed Living/Learning Community residence hall and/or floor focused on sustainability by 2013
To measure the impact of campus engagement on sustainability, we would look for the following outcomes:
1. Higher scores on the residential survey on sustainability awareness
2. Reduction of utility use in the student residences by 2%-5%
3. Increase of diverted waste to recycling and reuse by at least 5% in three years
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
New Student and Family Programs Director
Residential Experience Director
College Sustainability Committee - Engagement and Education Committee
Student Involvement and Leadership - Assistant Director
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Organize at least one public event annually related to sustainability by 2012
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
At the end of the Public Event, the College will collect data on attendance by community members not affiliated with the College, data on participant assessment of the program (positive or negative ratings of content and presentation); and finally solicit information from participants as to whether they would return to campus for another program on sustainability.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
College Sustainability Committee - Engagement and Education Subcommittee
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
SMC plans to continue to monitor GHG Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions through annual GoGreen Sightlines studies and reports.
SMC plans to continue to purchase RECs to offset it's campus GHG impacts.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
The outcomes that the institution will seek are a 5-10% reduction in campus GHG emissions with a plan to purchase offsets for travel emissions.
The next strategic plan for the College may result in further measurable outcomes identified.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Vice President for Finance
Directors for Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
SMC utilizes a software program to control temperatures and run times in approximately 85% of the campus.
The facilities team has trained staff to operate the software that controls much of the HVAC EMS systems.
SMC has several other stand-along Energy Management Systems that control their lighting including motion detectors.
The College also participates in the PG&E Demand Response program for reduction in energy use.
The College follows all Title 24 guidelines as well as the County Green Building requirements. We investigate opportunities to obtain LEED standards where possible.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
The College currently seeks to reduce its energy use by 350 kw hours when a demand response is called by PG&E. Additionally, with the ability to control the HVACs in 85% of the buildings, the College also seeks to reduce annual energy use by 5-10% in the next five years.
Meeting Title 24 guidelines as well and the County Green Building requirements.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Directors for Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
• Attend and participate in Sodexo training and seminars
• Use Sodexo resources on campus (Better Tomorrow Plan; SEED)
• Reduce Energy & Carbon
• Reduce water usage
• Reduce waste: reduce organic waste generated from our operation, reduce the cost of waste to the environment; reduce non-organic waste
• Provide Sustainable and Healthy Food Environments; provide solutions; provide balanced and varied food options (example, cage free shell eggs); source local, seasonal or sustainably grown and raised products; will promote choices with reduced sugar, salt and fats; increase the purchase of products sourced from fairly and responsibly certified sources (Saint Mary’s has been “Fair Trade” certified); source sustainable fish and seafood; source and promote sustainable equipment and supplies.
• Support local community development (education, marketing, using on campus garden); promote diversity and creating employment opportunities
• Lead the fight against hunger
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
• Use Sodexo’s SMART tool: tracks progress online, quarterly in 1. energy and carbon 2. Water 3. Waste 4. Sustainable food (in place Spring 2015)
• Use LeanPath daily; measures food waste at each meal; educate the employees’ daily on results and ways to improve ( in place and ongoing)
• Become Great Kitchen certified (complete by December 2014): measures all aspects of kitchen operations.
• Continuously source local products, ongoing.
• Daily employee training; marketing; education
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Matt Carroll, General Manager of Sodexo Dining
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
SMC utilizes a software program to control temperatures and run times in approximately 85% of the campus.
The Facilities Services team is currently in training to learn to operate the software that controls much of the HVAC EMS systems.
SMC has several other stand-along Energy Management Systems that control their lighting.
We consistently replace equipment with more energy efficient items when possible. We monitor water, gas and electricity usage to determine usage and costs and reduce waste.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
The outcome that the College currently seeks to reduce its energy use by 350 kw hours when a demand response is called by PG&E. Additionally, with the ability to control the HVACs in 85% of the buildings, the College also seeks to reduce annual energy use by 5-10% in the next five years.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Directors for Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
The Facilities Services department intentionally chooses to hire a third-party vendor, Gardner's Guild and TruGreen, to apply fertilizer and pesticides that are sustainable and as directed by the College.
With the completion of the campus master plan, the College will also plan to design more sustainable landscape (e.g. native, drought and pest resistant plants).
The College has hired a full-time Irrigation Manager, and is considering two long term positions. One would be a Grounds Manager who would focus on water and ground issues. The other position would be a Sustainability Coordinator or Energy Manager, focused on all areas of energy use/misuse and sustainable practices.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
The College will seek in the future to use 100% sustainable, organic products for maintenance and care of the grounds.
In addition, the College will seek to use at least 5% less water on the grounds, seeking to balance water conservation with healthy landscape.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Directors for Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
SMC is working on a Green Purchasing program (furniture, supplies and materials). Facilities Services is working to include this program into a Saint Mary's policy. SMC is replacing old, inefficient, heavy equipment (e.g. refrigerators, washing machines and HVAC equipment) with energy efficient equipment. SMC is also only purchasing EPEAT computers, which are registered to have the highest product rating for energy efficiency.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
The objective is to have only 10% or less non-EPEAT equipment and reduce existing non-efficient appliances to less than 10% of total inventory. The timeframe will match the replacement cycle for the different categories of equipment or furnishing.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Directors for Facilities Services
Director of ITS
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
SMC has developed a long range Transportation Plan that includes methods of reducing traffic onto campus through the use of public transportation, ride share and local shuttles from public transport. The plan includes the assessment in the future of a parking fee which will also serve as additional incentive to use public transportation, ride share and carpool.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
The Transportation Plan is connected to the Campus Master Plan and holds out measurable outcomes related to guidelines set out by the local town in trips to campus and in utilization of the Gael Rail (free county bus paid by the College for students). The College seeks a stable utilization of the Gael Rail and reduction in auto trips to campus.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Director of Facilities Services
Director of Public Safety
Vice President for Finance
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Saint Mary's has developed a plan to contract with a local recycling company to substantially reduce the waste sent to the landfill and divert it to recycling.
Prior to 2013, SMC's waste/recycling vendor did not systematically weigh any waste or recycling. Starting in 2013, SMC retained Mt. Diablo Recycling as their new waste management/recycling vendor.
The following is a summary of SMC's beginning waste action plan:
-Deliver a covered 40 yard recycling Debris Box to be placed next to compactor on site for weekly pickup or as needed.
-Do inventory on campus for all recycling containers on site at all site locations.
-Deliver 96 gallon recycling containers for each entrance to all buildings on campus.
-Place recycling crates for town house residents.
-Place 96/64 gallon recycling toters next to each garbage bin area as needed for recycling.
Deliver Mt. Diablo Recycling marketing materials for campus staff and students.
-Conduct meetings, trainings and presentations regarding the Recycling efforts for Saint Mary's College students, staff, and all janitorial staff as needed.
-Collaborate across campus departments as well as ourselves at Mt. Diablo Recycling so all interested parties understand our goals and have the ability to achieve those goals by working together.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
The College will seek to divert 10% waste from the landfill in the first year of the program, assess the effectiveness of marketing and implementation and realign the percentage goal based on this assessment.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Director of Facilities Services
Jim Nejedly, Mt. Diablo Recycling
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
The College is installing water metering systems that will enable SMC to separate athletic field from other vegetative area, including separating irrigation from domestic water use.
Water usage on athletic fields is being tracked on a weekly basis.
Facilities Services is currently looking into a Web-Based program tied to the athletic field meters for Domestic and Irrigation that not only tracks usage, but also gives alerts for leaks.
As a long-term goal, SMC hopes to add water metering systems to track usage of individual buildings as well.
The goal is to catch leaks sooner and reduce waste and cost. Once the College can separate water usage for buildings from irrigation, they will be able to show domestic use only and sewage bills will be drastically reduced.
The College installed a California Native Garden which will serve as a possible example for future vegetative areas on campus. The Garden includes a low watering planting, using drought tolerant plants.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
The College will seek reductions in cost of sewage and reduction by a minimum of 10% in water use due to the installation of metering systems (leak reduction and quicker action).
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Director of Facilities Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
1. Provide relevant and effective academic support resources and services to meet the specific and felt need of our student community
2. Improve retention and time to degree of undergraduate students by subgroup
3. Foster a community where each and every student is encouraged to develop the gifts that he or she finds confirmed in themselves through academic activities, without any obstacle that comes by way of prejudice of any kind
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Strategy 1 Benchmarks (2014 targets):
a. improved satisfaction with classroom environment (80%). Climate Survey
b. improved respect for diverse learning styles (68%) Climate Survey
c. reduced academic disqualification numbers (30)
d. improved in perceived ability to get along with people of different races/cultures (48%) CIRP.
Strategy 2 Benchmarks (2014 target):
a. 4-year graduation rate of first generation students (51%)
b. 4-year graduation rate of low income students (41%)
c. 4-year graduation rate of African-American students (33.3%)
d. 4-year graduation rate of High-Potential students (38.2%)
Strategy 3 Benchmarks (2014 target):
a. Percentage of departments and programs including American diversity and global perspectives learning outcomes in their curricula (25%)
b. Level of satisfaction with institutional commitment to inclusion (46%) Climate Survey
c. Percentage of students knowing the grievance process (50%) Climate Survey
d. Have felt discriminated against because of race/ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation (14%) CIRP
e. Respect of the expression of diverse beliefs (68%) CIRP
METRIC 2010 2012 2013 TARGET
METRIC CURRENT (2010) Sept
2012 Sept 2013
TARGET
(2014)
C.1.1.Satisfaction on classroom environment (Climate Survey) 75% 77% N/A 80%
C.1.2. Respect for diverse learning styles (Climate Survey) 63% 73% N/A 68%
C.1.3. Academic disqualification numbers for undergraduate students 47 in 2010 18 11 30
C.1.4. Satisfaction with preparation for career (CIRP) 29% 43% N/A 34%
C.1.5. Satisfaction with preparation for grad/prof school (CIRP) 31% 55% N/A 36%
C.1.6. (CIRP) Perceived improvement in ability to get along with people of different races/cultures
43% 44% 48%
C.1.7. Participation of entering students in financial planning program 0% 0% 0% 100%
C.1.8. Satisfaction with academic advising (CIRP) 59% 66% 70% 64%
C.1.9 Satisfaction with career services (CIRP) 53% 67% 65% 58%
GOAL C.2. Improve retention and time to degree of undergraduate students
METRIC CURRENT (2010) Sept 2013 TARGET
(2014)
C.2. 4-year graduation rate for first generation students 46.1% 58.4% 51.1%
C.2. 4-year graduation rate for low income students 41.1% 57.6% 46.1%
C.2. 4-year graduation rate for African-American students 33.3% 35.1% 38.3%
C.2. 4-year graduation rate for High Potential students 38.2% 50.0% 43.2%
C.2. 4-year graduation rate combined 48.5% 60.7% 53.5%
C.2. 6-year graduation rate combined 63.7% 59.6% 68.7%
GOAL C.3. Foster a community where each and every student is encouraged to develop the gifts that he or she finds confirmed in themselves through academic activities, without any obstacle that comes by way of prejudice of any kind
METRIC CURRENT (2010) Sept 2012 Sept 2013 TARGET
(2014)
C.3.1. Percentage of departments and programs including American diversity and global perspectives learning outcomes in their curricula unknown N/A 36% (TUG) 25%
C.3.2. Level of satisfaction with institutional commitment to inclusion (Students on Climate Survey 2010) 41% 38% N/A 46%
C.3.3. Percentage of students knowing the grievance process (Climate Survey 2010) 45% 46% N/A 50%
C.3.4. Have felt discriminated against because of race/ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. (CIRP)
N/A 18.9% 22.2% 14%
C.3.5. Respect of the expression of diverse beliefs (CIRP) 63% 72% 71% 68%
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
College Committee on Inclusive Excellence
Student Success Task Force
School Deans
Division of Student Life
President's Cabinet
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
Human Resources works closely with campus departments to regularly assess the quality of the work environment, uses the data of the Climate Survey to address emerging issues and provides resources through employee benefits to sustain a healthy and effective work environment.
Saint Mary’s College offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help with life’s many challenges and to provide problem-solving support with:
• Marriage, family and relationship issues,
• Problems in the workplace,
• Stress, anxiety and sadness,
• Grief, loss or responses to traumatic events,
• Concerns about drug/alcohol abuse
This support can be provided via face-to-face sessions, by phone or web-video consultations.
Work and Life Services: Saint Mary’s College offers help in balancing work with life, including:
• Childcare and eldercare assistance
• Financial services
• Legal services
• Identity theft recovery services,
• Daily living services
These services are confidential; protected by state and federal laws.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
- Improved and maintained staff and faculty satisfaction (80%) on the Campus Climate Survey
- Increased utilization of the benefits related to healthy living
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Director of Human Resources
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
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:
SMC defines sustainability as meeting the environmental, social and economic needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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:
The "Building on Strengths" strategic plan objective #20: "Incorporate sustainable practices and environmental awareness."
The Campus Facilities Planning Committee charge includes sustainability as a planning objective.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Starting in Fall 2013, SMC has created a "Recycling Center" that includes a single stream recycling compactor, a cardboard bailer, a metal bin, e-waste, and universal waste.
The College hired Mt. Diablo Recycling, one of five certified single stream "recycling companies" in California. The company is tracking recyclables by tonnage and creating the Colleges current baseline.
SMC is tracking landfill tonnage and comparing it to past years prior to their recycling efforts.
SMC is currently participating in a nationwide Recyclemania 8 week competition that will create awareness campus-wide; currently competing against like schools such as, BYU, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara, USF and USC.
The goal is, as SMCs recycling tonnage increases and landfill tonnage and landfill costs decrease, allowing the recycling program to expand and become sustainable.
Starting in Fall 2013, SMC has created a "Recycling Center" that includes a single stream recycling compactor, a cardboard bailer, a metal bin, e-waste, and universal waste.
The College hired Mt. Diablo Recycling, one of five certified single stream "recycling companies" in California. The company is tracking recyclables by tonnage and creating the Colleges current baseline.
SMC is tracking landfill tonnage and comparing it to past years prior to their recycling efforts.
SMC is currently participating in a nationwide Recyclemania 8 week competition that will create awareness campus-wide; currently competing against like schools such as, BYU, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara, USF and USC.
The goal is, as SMCs recycling tonnage increases and landfill tonnage and landfill costs decrease, allowing the recycling program to expand and become sustainable.
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.