| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.64 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Seattle University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 3.00 |
Phillip
Thompson Director CEJS |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
(1) Environmental Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/procurement-services/Environmental-Purchasing-Guidelines-Updtd-2009.pdf
(2) Anti-Sweatshop Policy: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/procurement-services/Anti-Sweatshop-Policy.pdf
(3) Vendor Code of Conduct: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/procurement-services/Vendor-Code-of-Conduct.pdf
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
When evaluating any sustainability projects, SU performs an LCCA by taking into account the material costs, labor costs, operational and maintenance costs, and the life of the project. We then determine the total cost over the life of the project for each option, and select the project that is most cost-effective over its life. SU also applies for any utility incentives or rebates to support existing sustainability projects and fund future sustainability projects.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Seattle University shall select cleaning products that meet Green Seal certification requirements. All newly-purchased powered janitorial equipment shall meet the criteria listed in GS-42, Green Seal Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services, First Edition, September 1, 2006 and all future editions. See: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/facilities-services/files/services/buildingmaintenance/GuidelinesforGreenCleaning-May-2009.pdf
As SU transitions to a new e-procurement system a new interim procurement policy has been developed to support health, safety, security requirements as well as ensure minimal environmental impact as a result of procurement practices.
SU is a member of CSHEMA (Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association); this is a membership organization for enhancing health & Safety and Regulatory compliance within the higher education sector. SU is committed to building, and maintaining environmental health programs using the Small College and Universities Complete Environmental Health & Safety Program guidelines, http://www.cshema.org/
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
See here:
https://www.seattleu.edu/its/collab/technical-purchasing/
Sustainability at ITS:
One of the Core Values that Seattle University holds is Leadership. Our goal is to develop responsible leaders, who are committed to the common good. One of the ways that ITS is able to provide leadership is through Sustainability.
When selecting computers and other technology purchases for campus we consider sustainability, including Energy Star and EPEAT ratings. We also consider this when selecting our vendor partners.
The Computer Refresh Program enables us to keep computers on campus up to date and recycle old technology. After a user has had their computer refreshed, the old computer is removed by a vendor so it can be sold/reused, recycled, or disposed of.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
In Fall 2017, Seattle University sent out an RFP for Food Service Providers. The RFP process for all potential vendors included significant sustainability requirements.
The RFP said the following:
“The University’s sustainability goals are rooted in its mission statement to promote a “just and humane world”, manifested in SU’s Climate Action Plan, and further grounded in the papal encyclical Laudato Si. Some of Seattle University’s goals and accomplishments in sustainability include:
--AASHE Stars Gold rating (2016) and Sierra Club Top 50 Green Colleges, which both include metrics directly related to dining services, purchasing, campus engagement, and energy and water use.
--The four most recent new buildings on campus have been awarded LEED Gold ratings. All new buildings on campus are required to achieve LEED Gold or higher.
--The University recently created a task force to “explore ways in which Seattle University can further its commitment to social responsibility” in its investments.
--Bottled water is not sold at Cherry Street Market and the campus cafes.
The FSP management of energy and water use, purchasing, waste, and engagement with the campus community on issues of sustainability, are consistent with and support the overall goals for the sustainable operations of the campus. The University’s Climate Action Plan can be found on the SU website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/cejs/campus‐sustainability/what‐su‐isdoing/climate‐action‐plan/”
“SU expects the FSP to continually examine its operations in a comprehensive lens to look for efficiencies and methods for positive change. Describe your corporate strategies related to sustainability and how you would propose to implement them at SU. Structure your response in such a way that the additional costs for going ‘above‐and‐beyond’ particular requirements are broken out as separate line items in your financial response. Describe how you will address the issues below at SU, and provide documentation, if applicable, of comparable client examples of your efforts to promote and prioritize sustainability in the campus food system.
--Purchase and use of responsibly‐ and sustainably‐produced local foods and third‐party certified foods (e.g., USDA certified organic,
fair trade, Seafood Watch). Include discussion of your purchasing of hormone‐ and antibiotic‐free products, and humanely raised meat
and dairy products.
--How your company defines local purchasing, your corporate goals relative to local purchasing, and how you propose to put those in place at Seattle U.
--Methods of reducing pre‐ and post‐consumer waste
--How to promote recycling and composting
--Means to reduce energy and water use
--How your company tracks and assesses your dining food system sustainability efforts, including your ability to support SU’s AASHE STARS reporting.”
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Seattle University has adopted a Code of Conduct as a way to strengthen and affirm our commitment to those who produce apparel for the benefit of the Seattle University community. The Code applies to all contractors of the University which means: each contractor, subcontractor, agent, vendor, manufacturer, person, or entity that has entered into an agreement with the University to supply the University with apparel bearing the University’s name and/or logos. Furthermore, the term “contractor” shall include those persons or entities that are engaged in a manufacturing process that results in a finished product or any component of a finished product for the contractor, if the product is intended for Seattle University. “Manufacturing process” includes assembly and packaging.
The Code of Conduct can be found here: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/procurement-services/Anti-Sweatshop-Policy.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.