Sustainability Case Study Kevin Gilford

Some Pertinent Facts Founded in 1965. 520 acre campus, much of it not yet developed 8000+ students, ~900 faculty and staff 85% commute, most single-occupancy vehicles Over 900 students live on campus Fastest growing university in Colorado Up to 15,000 students by 2021; 30,000 by ? Residence halls filled for the first time – waiting list. Fastest growing CU campus (Colorado public university).

Ecological Footprint 2004 Campus = 514 Acres Footprint = 34,543 Acres Ecological footprint is almost 70 times the size of the physical footprint

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Almost a third of the emissions from commuting students, faculty and staff. Over half due to emissions from operations of buildings (electricity, natural gas).

Sustainability Organizations Students for Environmental Awareness and Sustainability (SEAS) Organize student-led sustainability events, education and conservation campaigns, social equity activism Students, faculty advisor Sustainability Committee Advocates for sustainability in all campus sectors, networking, education Faculty, students Sustainability Council Assessment reports, organize educational events, advise administration Staff, faculty, students, community Climate Action Committee Implement directives to achieve climate neutrality Administration, faculty, staff Office of Sustainability Research, develop, direct and implement sustainability strategies and initiatives, organize educational and behavioral campaigns, give sustainability tours Staff, students Before the history, a few definitions of campus sustainability organizations. SEAS M I S S I O N: To create a community of involved students, faculty,  staff and administration to implement sustainable practices at UCCS.    Sustainability Committee: advocates for sustainability in all sectors of the campus. Sustainability Council: Develops assessment reports, organizes sustainability educational events, advises administration on sustainability issues.

Sustainability History 2002 Sustainability Committee formed 2003 SEAS founded 2005 Sustainability Office created 2006 Sustainable Development Minor 2007 Chancellor signs ACUPCC 2007 Sustainability Strategic Plan 2008 Student Solar Referendum 2008 First Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2008 Sustainability Summit 2008 Campus Sustainability Report Sustainability at UCCS started as a grass-roots effort.

Sustainability Vision To be a recognized leader in sustainability, integrating social, economic and ecological values into institutional policies, programs and practices.

Sustainability Mission UCCS seeks to foster a culture of sustainability throughout the university’s extended community. Leadership Education Operations Where committed administrators, in partnership with faculty, staff, and educated student body, provide leadership and contribute expertise to local, regional, and global environmental efforts, and foster links with other institutions; Where we recognize our obligation to educate the university community about the importance of individual and institutional environmental responsibility and prepare our students by integrating sustainability literacy into academic learning and research across the curriculum and between the colleges; Where sustainability is integrated into all aspects of university functions, including buildings, grounds, operations, planning, and purchasing, in such a way that we minimize the impact of our growing, dynamic campus upon the earth. (ACUPCC)

Sustainability Policies Strategic Plan Sustainability Strategic Plan Facilities Strategic Plan Diversity Strategic Plan Landscape Plan Signing of ACUPCC Strategic Plan includes “Become a Sustainable Campus”: Strategies: Provide leadership, knowledge, and communication inspiring action in sustainability Increase sustainable operations to create a living laboratory for sustainability Support campus innovations leading to sustainability Selected Measures: In five years (2012), UCCS is recognized as a leader in sustainability within the Pikes Peak region Achieve LEED certification or equivalent on new buildings and renovations Demonstrate decreases in annual greenhouse gas inventories and utilities usage, increases in recycling rates and availability of local and organic foods. Distribute sustainability awards and recognition Signing of ACUPCC: 1. Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible, 2. Initiate two or more of the following tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plan is being developed, 3. Make the action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports publicly available by providing them to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for posting and dissemination.

Sustainability Programs Leadership: 4 High Performance Buildings (LEED certification) Student Solar Referendum Partner in Colorado Higher Education Wind Farm Study LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Buildings: Rec Ctr, Dwire, Science/Eng, Event Ctr -- Achieved by staff, students and faculty 85-95% construction waste recycling on new buildings. Solar referendum; Passed by students in Spring 2008, $5/student/semester, $400,000 in four years, solar photovoltaic panels on one building on campus.

Sustainability Programs Operations: Sustainable Design Guidelines Recycling Program - 26% rate in RecycleMania Solar Thermal System in Recreation Center LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Buildings: Rec Ctr, Dwire, Science/Eng, Event Ctr -- Achieved by staff, students and faculty 85-95% construction waste recycling on new buildings. Solar referendum; Passed by students in Spring 2008, $5/student/semester, $400,000 in four years, solar photovoltaic panels on one building on campus.

Sustainability Programs Education: Sustainable Development Minor Freshman Seminar Sustainability Modules Experiential Education Opportunities

Sustainability Practices Energy Use Intensity Reduction EUI = Energy Use Intensity Dropped 20% in the four-year period. Downward trend but leveling off. $1.3 million energy performance bond that funded Energy Conservation Measures. Energy conservation measures probably helped but needs to be analyzed and quantified.

Sustainability Practices Reduction in water use General downward trend in domestic use even though campus is growing, particularly residence halls. 18% reduction from 2005-2008. But irrigation use is up though acreage is not. Not being monitored closely enough. Water conservation measures, retrofits, in progress.

Communication/ Community Engagement Campus Sustainability Report Sustainability Summit Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities (SCSC) Ft. Carson collaboration Member of AASHE and pilot partner in STARS 2008 report and summit SCSC Conference November 20, 21 Ft. Carson awarded UCCS Community Partners Award in 2007. STARS: Sustainability Tracking and Reporting System, similar to GRI. Admin/Finance, Education/Research, Operations/Energy. Participate in AASHE national conference.

“Become a Sustainable Campus” Sustainability Goals “Become a Sustainable Campus” Strategies: Provide leadership, knowledge, and communication Create a living laboratory for sustainability Support campus innovations leading to sustainability As defined in the Strategic Plan.

“Become a Sustainable Campus” Sustainability Goals “Become a Sustainable Campus” Selected Measures: In five years (2012), UCCS is recognized as a leader in sustainability within the Pikes Peak region Achieve LEED certification or equivalent on new buildings and renovations -- Demonstrate decreases in annual greenhouse gas inventories and utilities usage, increases in recycling rates and availability of local and organic foods. Distribute sustainability awards and recognition As defined in the Strategic Plan.

Sustainability Benefits Money savings on operations, energy and water Community perception of UCCS as a leader Experiential educational opportunities Increased interest from high school students, potential college students Local high schools seek out UCCS for sustainability tours.

Power of One Judith Rice-Jones Chair of Sustainability Committee Member Sustainability Council (Education) Member Heller Committee Member Landscape Committee Teaches Freshman Seminar Guest lecturer Maintain sustainability library A few key players: students Emily Tamayo and Joe Lavorini (co-exec SEAS), faculty Carole and Tom Huber. Staff librarian: 300 sustainability-related monographs. Sustainability shelf. Also active in community, church, social justice, sustainability, gardening (Master Gardner), Green Cities Coalition

Sustainability Future Unique opportunities: young, growing university, relatively undeveloped Unique challenges: requires campus culture and community, alternative transportation, local food Requires leadership, commitment to sustainability, measurement, transparency As students and future alumnae… University not hindered by traditions or old hard-to-heat buildings. Opportunity to plan sustainable campus as a community. We are students for a few years, but alumnae for life. We take UCCS with us and we reflect on the institution--sustainability too. …Sustainability Change Agents?

Questions? www.uccs.edu/sustain