| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.65 |
| Liaison | Melissa Cadwell |
| Submission Date | June 15, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Syracuse University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 4.00 |
Melissa
Cadwell Sustainability Coordinator Energy Systems & Sustainability Management |
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Acedemic Strategic Plan:
Discovery
Promote creativity and discovery attuned to important challenges and emerging needs
Creative activities and research are fundamentally coupled to our educational mission. Research and creative activities nourish the intellectual and physical well-being of society and drive a prosperous and diverse high-tech economy. We seek to advance research excellence in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary endeavors by supporting a wide range of scholarship, including activities poised to address pressing global needs, basic research that advances fundamental understanding, and curiosity-driven inquiry. To maintain a strong culture of research across the campus we will provide high-quality, centralized, and coordinated support and facilities. We celebrate and reward those who excel in research and creative endeavors and ask them to provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance as we advance scholarly work as an institution. We seek to elevate signature areas of inquiry where our strengths coincide with areas of external opportunity. As we generate knowledge, we simultaneously inform teaching and learning, offer experiential learning opportunities for students, and establish a conduit for interactions with broader communities. Collectively, these activities provide a platform to enhance the impact of our creative endeavors around the globe. Strong doctoral programs play a key role in our research enterprise. Rigorous doctoral training and experience are essential in the development of new generations of scholars and researchers, and they enhance the intellectual vitality of the University and beyond. Our research operation functions as an interconnected academic pipeline from new undergraduate scholars to established senior faculty. We will continue to engage and encourage students at all levels in scholarship through robust and dedicated support structures, planting seeds for a culture of inquiry that will accompany them in all their future endeavors.
A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
A copy of the sustainability plan:
The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
The Campus Framework emphasizes mobility improvements for pedestrian, cycle, and transit systems to encourage sustainable mobility practices campus-wide.
The Campus Framework proposes a wayfinding toolkit that provides three types of wayfinding tactics: physical environment enhancements, virtual environment navigation, and a hybrid environment combining physical and virtual improvements.
SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
The Campus Framework provides a systems approach to sustainability that thinks broadly about campus-wide policies and networks, and it focuses on smaller interventions that encourage individuals to choose sustainable practices every day. As an academic institution, Syracuse University educates members of the campus community through instructional classes and by integrating academics and operations through use of the campus as a living laboratory for sustainability. By supporting grassroots sustainability efforts, events, and informational campaigns, informal education can increase sustainability awareness as well and can catalyze innovative ideas.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Academic Strategic Plan Implementation: http://asp.syr.edu/implementation/
Syracuse is a top-tier international research university, where academic inquiry spans and unites a full range of disciplines. From chronicling Fascist imperialism in Europe to detecting deep-space gravitational waves, faculty and student researchers bring diverse expertise and perspectives in order to advance fundamental understanding and address pressing global needs.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan http://sustainability.syr.edu/campus/climate-action-plan/
Syracuse University is undertaking to reduce its net emissions of GHGs in accordance with a schedule specifically intended to attain carbon neutrality by December 31, 2040.
Every two years the University completes a Greenhouse Gas Inventory to compare past and present results. http://sustainability.syr.edu/campus/climate-action-plan/ghg-inventories/
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan: LEED http://sustainability.syr.edu/campus/leed/
New building and total renovation projects at Syracuse University that typically exceed $10 million (and adjusted annually) will follow the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) process for filing for a LEED rating. Projects smaller than $10 million will also be designed and constructed using the LEED criteria as a framework for making decisions related to sustainable design, but will typically not pursue a LEED rating.
Renovations of projects that exceed $5 million will follow LEED standards.
Monitoring long-term building performance to measure GHG reductions or increases.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan: http://sustainability.syr.edu/campus/climate-action-plan/climate-action-plan-progress/ page 4
ENERGY DEMAND
Syracuse University is reducing overall energy consumption.
Established universal guidelines for heating and cooling of occupied spaces. This temperature control ensures that room occupants are comfortable but that rooms are not excessively heated or cooled. Some laboratories, research areas, and archival rooms have additional cooling parameters to serve the needs of the space.
Campus usage reports are created, summarized and reviewed against past year reports. These reports include electricity, natural gas, steam and water. The results are used for upgrades to buildings that will reduce energy consumption.
Renewable Energy Supply
The University is also exploring solar energy production. Solar hot water heating was installed on 20 South Campus residences. This pilot project is estimated to save 300,000 kilowatt hours, avoid 125 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, and supply 50 percent to 60 percent of the energy necessary to heat the water for the residential units.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Academic Strategic Plan
6.1.5 – Continuously assess University operations for efficient use of resources and accountability
Transportation keeps track of the total riders, each semester, on each bus route, including the passengers that utilize the off campus park and ride system. The figures are used to determine the success of our alternative transportation programs. They also use the data to determine if parking lots and or more structures are needed.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan:
During construction, all building materials are tracked for LEED credits.
Waste and recycling are tracked each year to determine our diversion rate. Once the rate is determined a campaign is created to continue to work towards a lower diversion rate and help change community members behaviors for recycling, waste and compost.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Syracuse University Wellness Initiative aims to positively impact the health and lives of the faculty and staff of Syracuse University.
As a faculty or staff member, your contribution to the University community makes a difference every day. To ensure that you’re at your best, the University Wellness provides opportunities for you to care for physical and emotional health in a variety of ways:
Events: speakers and educational opportunities to help you get moving, unwind, and connect with people who share your wellness interests
Programs: from smoking cessation to Weight Watchers, a series of offerings to help you take charge of your health
Resources: find wellness links, apps, articles and quizzes to help you on your wellness journey
We’re dedicated to helping you find and support your healthiest, best self. Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions – we’d love to hear from you.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
o Association of Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
o Second Nature
o New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education (NYCSHE), On Steering Committee
o New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3)
o Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium
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.