Auburn University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Overall long-term goal of Sustainability Curriculum Plan Expose students in all colleges at all levels to sustainability education, through a sustainability literacy requirement for all graduating students, as part of the Auburn University Core Curriculum. Continue to develop Minor in Sustainability Studies. Develop a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability. Offer faculty training to incorporate sustainability into curriculum. The measurable objectives below come from the Curriculum Sustainability Plan Short-term goals, to achieve over the next 3 years (2016-2018) (A) Sustainability in the core curriculum Objective #1: Expose an ever-increasing proportion of AU students to an Introduction to Sustainability course, as part of their core curriculum under core Student Learning Outcome (SLO) #8: Students will be informed and engaged citizens of the United States and the world. NOTE: Even though this SLO does not refer specifically to sustainability, it comes the closest of the 11 core SLOs that Auburn currently requires: http://bulletin.auburn.edu/undergraduate/generalintroduction/academicpolicies/thecorecurriculum/ See Objective #4 below, about plans to explicitly include sustainability as a sub-outcome (measure) within this SLO. Deliverable: Increasing number and proportion of AU students each year enrolled in introductory sustainability courses, with continuing assessment evidence of substantial achievement of SLO8 by those students. Objective #2: Enhance the sustainability literacy of students in under-represented colleges, to ensure that at least a minimal proportion (“critical mass”) of students in each college become sustainability literate, through enrollment in both introductory and elective courses with sustainability content in those colleges. These courses will be defined as either sustainability-focused or-related courses, according to national standards: http://www.aashe.org/files/documents/STARS/2.0/stars_2.0.2_credit_ac_1.pdf Deliverable: Increasing enrollment in sustainability-focused courses that are offered in under-represented colleges, to a percent goal of at least 20% of current students, and 5% of graduating students, each year in each college (and much higher percentages, in some colleges). Expand the sustainability curriculum inventory, to quantify enrollment in each sustainability-focused course, as well as the total number of students who graduate in each college, each year. Objective #3: Streamline introductory sustainability courses, to accommodate increasing student enrollment, while maintaining instructional quality and using budgeted funds efficiently. Deliverable: Change HONR 1027 Sustainability and the Modern World, to SUST 2007 Honors Introduction to Sustainability, and offer it during the same time slot as SUST 2000 Introduction to Sustainability. Offer at least 2 sections of SUST 2000 + 1 section of SUST 2007 (Honors version) each semester, with 25-30 students enrolled per section (75-90 students total per semester). Limit assessment in SUST 2007 to SLO8, similar to the assessment scope for SUST 2000 (simplified from currently-assessed SLO 2, 4, and 8 in the honors course). Maintain currently effective teaching structure of 2 co-instructors per section, from complementary science/technical and humanities/liberal arts backgrounds. Set up course schedule in the “large section with breakout” model: joint lecture to all sections on Tuesdays (reducing lecture repetition of lectures in these 2 linked courses), followed by separate discussion/activity session for each section on Thursdays (retaining small group sizes for hands-on student learning). Maintain positive student evaluations and instructor feedback. Objective #4: Explore pathways to establishing a Student Learning Outcome (SLO) in the core curriculum that focuses on sustainability literacy. This could become a sub-outcome (measure) within current SLO8. Deliverable: Craft a potential core curriculum SLO that focuses on sustainability, based on examples from other universities. Examine which courses in the core currently could fulfill this SLO, potentially as a sub-outcome of SLO8. Engage in discussions with the Provost Office and Core Curriculum Committee on possible time scales and options for advancing this objective, as part of Auburn University’s on-going revision of core SLOs. Create a focus group process for the campus community to participate in crafting this core Student Learning Outcome. (B) Minor in Sustainability Studies Objective #1: Maintain a stable, gradually-increasing number of declared minor students, and of students who graduate with the minor each semester, and continue to include students from all colleges on campus. Measurable: Maintain at least 50 declared minor students each semester, and at least 25 students graduating with the minor each calendar year. Continue to include students from at least 8 colleges in the the minor. Continue efforts to gradually grow the minor through engagement in advertising and recruitment activities, and to ensure minor completion through timely advising and flexibility in minor course offerings. Objective #2: Enhance the breadth of course topics required for the minor. Deliverable: Submit an application to the Curriculum Committee for a change the minor requirements, to include 1 elective in each of 3 main subject areas (Society and Markets, Environment, Social Justice), instead of the 2 areas currently required. Monitor student elective choices and their ability complete the minor in a timely manner, based on this change. See course lists at: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/undergrad_studies/academic_sustainability/student_minor.html (C) Graduate education Objective #1: Advance toward the creation of a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability. Measurable: Examine current graduate-level certificates at AU and at other institutions. Create a proposal and budget for administering this certificate, to include the types and breadth of current graduate courses that could be included, as well as the structure and teaching needs for a required graduate introductory course (possibly as an online course). Present proposal to the Graduate School and Provost Office, obtain feedback about the potential and timeline for the budgetary and administrative changes needed to offer a graduate certificate. (D)Faculty training and incorporation of sustainability across the curriculum Objective #1: Continue to offer faculty incentives and workshop training for new and revised course syllabi that incorporate sustainability material. Measurable: Hold faculty workshop and offer award incentive payments every other year, training >20 faculty in each workshop. Reach the milestone of >150 faculty trained by 2018, up from 106 trained over the past 10 years, 2006-2015 (~10 trained per year). Objective #2: Continue to expand both the number and proportion of courses with sustainability content in all colleges on campus. Measurable: Increase the proportion of courses to a minimum of 5% in all colleges, and maintain the currently high levels in some colleges (30-50%, see inventories at: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/undergrad_studies/academic_sustainability/inventory2015.html). Offer special incentives and/or discipline-focused training workshops for faculty in low-proportion colleges. Continue to increase the campus-wide percentages and numbers of courses at each 3-year assessment, in part as a result of faculty training workshops, to diffuse sustainability throughout the curriculum.

Short-term goals, to achieve over the next 3 years (2016-2018) (A) Sustainability in the core curriculum Objective #1: Expose an ever-increasing proportion of AU students to an Introduction to Sustainability course, as part of their core curriculum under core Student Learning Outcome (SLO) #8: Students will be informed and engaged citizens of the United States and the world. NOTE: Even though this SLO does not refer specifically to sustainability, it comes the closest of the 11 core SLOs that Auburn currently requires: http://bulletin.auburn.edu/undergraduate/generalintroduction/academicpolicies/thecorecurriculum/ See Objective #4 below, about plans to explicitly include sustainability as a sub-outcome (measure) within this SLO. Deliverable: Increasing number and proportion of AU students each year enrolled in introductory sustainability courses, with continuing assessment evidence of substantial achievement of SLO8 by those students. Objective #2: Enhance the sustainability literacy of students in under-represented colleges, to ensure that at least a minimal proportion (“critical mass”) of students in each college become sustainability literate, through enrollment in both introductory and elective courses with sustainability content in those colleges. These courses will be defined as either sustainability-focused or-related courses, according to national standards: http://www.aashe.org/files/documents/STARS/2.0/stars_2.0.2_credit_ac_1.pdf Deliverable: Increasing enrollment in sustainability-focused courses that are offered in under-represented colleges, to a percent goal of at least 20% of current students, and 5% of graduating students, each year in each college (and much higher percentages, in some colleges). Expand the sustainability curriculum inventory, to quantify enrollment in each sustainability-focused course, as well as the total number of students who graduate in each college, each year. Objective #3: Streamline introductory sustainability courses, to accommodate increasing student enrollment, while maintaining instructional quality and using budgeted funds efficiently. Deliverable: Change HONR 1027 Sustainability and the Modern World, to SUST 2007 Honors Introduction to Sustainability, and offer it during the same time slot as SUST 2000 Introduction to Sustainability. Offer at least 2 sections of SUST 2000 + 1 section of SUST 2007 (Honors version) each semester, with 25-30 students enrolled per section (75-90 students total per semester). Limit assessment in SUST 2007 to SLO8, similar to the assessment scope for SUST 2000 (simplified from currently-assessed SLO 2, 4, and 8 in the honors course). Maintain currently effective teaching structure of 2 co-instructors per section, from complementary science/technical and humanities/liberal arts backgrounds. Set up course schedule in the “large section with breakout” model: joint lecture to all sections on Tuesdays (reducing lecture repetition of lectures in these 2 linked courses), followed by separate discussion/activity session for each section on Thursdays (retaining small group sizes for hands-on student learning). Maintain positive student evaluations and instructor feedback. Objective #4: Explore pathways to establishing a Student Learning Outcome (SLO) in the core curriculum that focuses on sustainability literacy. This could become a sub-outcome (measure) within current SLO8. Deliverable: Craft a potential core curriculum SLO that focuses on sustainability, based on examples from other universities. Examine which courses in the core currently could fulfill this SLO, potentially as a sub-outcome of SLO8. Engage in discussions with the Provost Office and Core Curriculum Committee on possible time scales and options for advancing this objective, as part of Auburn University’s on-going revision of core SLOs. Create a focus group process for the campus community to participate in crafting this core Student Learning Outcome. (B) Minor in Sustainability Studies Objective #1: Maintain a stable, gradually-increasing number of declared minor students, and of students who graduate with the minor each semester, and continue to include students from all colleges on campus. Measurable: Maintain at least 50 declared minor students each semester, and at least 25 students graduating with the minor each calendar year. Continue to include students from at least 8 colleges in the the minor. Continue efforts to gradually grow the minor through engagement in advertising and recruitment activities, and to ensure minor completion through timely advising and flexibility in minor course offerings. Objective #2: Enhance the breadth of course topics required for the minor. Deliverable: Submit an application to the Curriculum Committee for a change the minor requirements, to include 1 elective in each of 3 main subject areas (Society and Markets, Environment, Social Justice), instead of the 2 areas currently required. Monitor student elective choices and their ability complete the minor in a timely manner, based on this change. See course lists at: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/undergrad_studies/academic_sustainability/student_minor.html (C) Graduate education Objective #1: Advance toward the creation of a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability. Measurable: Examine current graduate-level certificates at AU and at other institutions. Create a proposal and budget for administering this certificate, to include the types and breadth of current graduate courses that could be included, as well as the structure and teaching needs for a required graduate introductory course (possibly as an online course). Present proposal to the Graduate School and Provost Office, obtain feedback about the potential and timeline for the budgetary and administrative changes needed to offer a graduate certificate. (D)Faculty training and incorporation of sustainability across the curriculum Objective #1: Continue to offer faculty incentives and workshop training for new and revised course syllabi that incorporate sustainability material. Measurable: Hold faculty workshop and offer award incentive payments every other year, training >20 faculty in each workshop. Reach the milestone of >150 faculty trained by 2018, up from 106 trained over the past 10 years, 2006-2015 (~10 trained per year). Objective #2: Continue to expand both the number and proportion of courses with sustainability content in all colleges on campus. Measurable: Increase the proportion of courses to a minimum of 5% in all colleges, and maintain the currently high levels in some colleges (30-50%, see inventories at: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/undergrad_studies/academic_sustainability/inventory2015.html). Offer special incentives and/or discipline-focused training workshops for faculty in low-proportion colleges. Continue to increase the campus-wide percentages and numbers of courses at each 3-year assessment, in part as a result of faculty training workshops, to diffuse sustainability throughout the curriculum.

Dr. Nanette Chadwick, Director, Academic Sustainability Programs, Office of the Provost.

Research Sustainability Plan: Incorporate sustainability-related aspects into a large proportion of research and scholarly activities in all colleges on campus, involving a large proportion of faculty and students. Establish an interdisciplinary umbrella unit (institute, center) for sustainability research. The measurable objectives below come from the Research Sustainability Plan.

Short-term goals, to achieve over the next 3 years (2016-2018) (A) Sustainability-related research activity across colleges Objective #1: Ever-expanding number and proportion of faculty engaged in sustainability-related research, within each department and college. Deliverable: Both the number and proportion of faculty conducting sustainability-related research projects increases in all departments and colleges at each 3-year assessment. NOTE: Both the number of faculty (72 to 112) and departments (25 to 46) involved in sustainability-related research increased by ~ 50%, between the 2010-12 and 2013-13 assessment periods; see research inventories posted online at: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/undergrad_studies/academic_sustainability/activities2015.html (B) Funding and incentives for sustainability-related research Objective #1: Explore the potential to pilot a program for provision of seed funding for new, interdisciplinary sustainability-related research projects on campus, involving both faculty and student support. Measurable: Examine seed funding programs for sustainability research at other universities, as well as the structure of the current Intramural Grants Program (IGP) and Undergraduate Research Fellowships (URF) at Auburn. Develop a proposal and budget for a sustainability research seed grant (SRSP) program at Auburn, coordinated with, or perhaps as a subset of the IGP and/or URF. Include award guidelines for student and faculty support, review committee composition and procedures, etc. Present proposal for comment to ASAC, Provost Office, and Office of the Vice President for Research. Frame the proposal as a one-time budget request at close of the fiscal year. If funded, proceed to administer the program, evaluate, modify, and seek long-term funding. (C) Interdisciplinary, sustainability-related research in tenure and promotion Objective #1: Explore the inclusion of interdisciplinary, and optimally, sustainability-related research activity, as part of the official review process for faculty promotion and tenure. Measurable: Meet with appropriate parties on campus to discuss the potential addition to the faculty handbook, of a section on how to include interdisciplinary and sustainability-related research activities as a distinct category in the faculty portfolio/CV for promotion and tenure. Explore how and to what extent the evidence of these types of activities would be considered to enhance the faculty member’s portfolio. Use the recent addition of consideration of faculty Outreach Activities in this process, as a precedent.

Dr. Nanette Chadwick, Director, Academic Sustainability Programs, Office of the Provost.

The Stormwater Management Plan includes a specific section on this topic, section 3.2, entitled Public Involvement and Participation, which is linked to section 3.1, Public Education and Outreach. The plan includes identifying and reaching targeted on-campus audiences and involving them in a range of stream and watershed events and activities to improve water quality and availability, and stream conditions.

Target 15,000 students, 3,500 faculty and staff, and 500 visitors by August 2016, and document their participation in stream and stormwater programs and events. Education and outreach initiatives will engage these audiences for involvement. Engage audiences in Parkerson Mill Creek Restoration Plan in a minimum of ten documented activities prior to September, 2016.

Water Resources Center, Department of Risk Management & Safety, Office of Sustainability, Waste Reduction & Recycling Dept, Residence Life, Auxiliary Services; Division of Student Affairs

The Stormwater Management Plan includes a specific section on this topic, section 3.2, entitled Public Involvement and Participation, which is linked to section 3.1, Public Education and Outreach. The plan includes identifying and reaching targeted audiences and involving them in a range of stream and watershed events and activities to improve water quality and availability, and stream conditions.

Target 15,000 students, 3,500 faculty and staff, and 500 visitors by August 2016, and document their participation in stream and stormwater programs and events. Education and outreach initiatives will engage these audiences for involvement. Engage audiences in Parkerson Mill Creek Restoration Plan in a minimum of ten documented activities prior to September, 2016.

Auburn University Water Resources Center, and the Department of Risk Management and Safety

Auburn University established a Climate Action Plan in November, 2010. Plan exists to reduce electricity use, heating energy, travel, and commuting, the four largest emissions sources on campus.

5 year targets were established: 10% reduction in purchased electricity emissions; 10% reduction in on-campus stationary combustion; 10% reduction in commuting emissions; 10% reduction in campus funded travel; 10% reduction in campus fleet emissions. Long-term goal is to achieve 100% GHG emissions reductions from 2008 levels by 2050. Strategies include an aggressive energy efficiency program to commission, retrocommission, and upgrade building mechanicals; increase the use of energy saving technologies and operational best practices; incorporate behavior change programs for students and employees; improve tracking of funded travel; increase alternative transportation options; aggressively target water reduction measures; increase tree canopy to reduce heat island effect and improve carbon sequestration.

Office of Sustainability and Facilities Management

Because the State of Alabama currently bans Auburn University from using LEED, the university is in the process of revising Design Standards for new buildings to interweave sustainability throughout the document to guide design and construction processes and goals. Largely following the LEED framework, the design standards intend to address building site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor air quality, innovation as well as the design process itself. This process remains incomplete.

n/a; not yet in place

Facilities Management, Office of Sustainability

Dining Services is partnering with on-campus units to provide more locally and campus-sourced food and the social and economic factors that move students toward purchasing and consuming more sustainably-produced foods. Units include Horticulture, Fisheries, Meal Lab, Swine Research Facility, Agricultural Economics. Dining services also partners with local and local,organic food suppliers, and has plans to expand sourcing foods from these partners. The measurable objectives below come from the Campus Dining Sustainability Action Plan. 1. We are committed to achieving the Real Food Challenge goal of providing 20% Real Food, which is local/community-based, fair, ecologically sound, and/or humanely raised by the year 2020. 2. We are committed to reducing waste by utilizing reusable packaging and serve ware in campus dining venues. We are committed to find and implement a reusable to-go solution by 2018. 3. We are committed to implementing a composting program in all kitchens by Fall Semester 2017. 4. We are committed to creating a working model for an aquaponics farm that can be replicated by farmers by Fall Semester 2017. 5. We are committed to educating AU students about sustainable agriculture and alternative growing methods by providing examples in our greenhouses by Fall Semester 2017.

1. We are committed to achieving the Real Food Challenge goal of providing 20% Real Food, which is local/community-based, fair, ecologically sound, and/or humanely raised by the year 2020. 2. We are committed to reducing waste by utilizing reusable packaging and serve ware in campus dining venues. We are committed to find and implement a reusable to-go solution by 2018. 3. We are committed to implementing a composting program in all kitchens by Fall Semester 2017. 4. We are committed to creating a working model for an aquaponics farm that can be replicated by farmers by Fall Semester 2017. 5. We are committed to educating AU students about sustainable agriculture and alternative growing methods by providing examples in our greenhouses by Fall Semester 2017.

Glenn Loughridge, Director of Campus Dining Services

The Energy Management Team within Facilities Management has created an Energy Reduction Plan to reduce energy use, utility consumption, energy costs, and the university's carbon footprint.

Objectives: * Reduce overall consumption of purchased electricity and natural gas a minimum of 5% by 2020 compared to a 2010 baseline, including future growth on campus * Reduce overall average electricity energy intensity 10% by 2015 and 30% by 2020 compared to a 2004 baseline * Improve utility plant efficiency 5% by 2015 and 10% by 2020 compared to 2011 baseline Strategies * Buildings: continuous and retro-commissioning; craft commissioning standards for new buildings; improve preventive maintenance; create campus-wide building setback standards; incorporation of real-time energy use meters to closely track performance and identify problems; lighting retrofits; solar hot water pre-heat; investigate viability of solar, cogeneration and other energy resources; and assess feasibility of green roofs.

Utilities & Energy Management Team in Facilities Management; Office of Sustainability

Auburn University has a comprehensive Campus Landscape Master Plan in draft form that is awaiting approval by the university's Board of Trustees.

Not yet adopted.

Campus Planning Office, Landscape Services

The Climate Action Plan includes purchasing as a consideration in reducing emissions. The plan calls for the establishment of sustainable purchasing guidelines and best practices. Also, a formal commitment has been put in place to create a Managed Print Program to reduce equipment, paper, and energy use.

Managed print: conduct pilot projects in fall 2015 to determine savings capabilities and identify issues. Conduct preliminary outreach efforts to key audiences prior to launch of campus-wide program. Launch program in 2016. Climate Action Plan: Gather, analyze, and publish data about emissions impacts of purchasing decisions and give guidance for purchase in sustainable purchasing guidelines. Develop prioritized list of items with the biggest potential on emissions reduction. Assist units on campus in developing best practices for sustainable purchasing. Offer employee training in sustainable office practices, including purchasing.

Procurement & Payment Services, Office of Sustainability, all units on campus.

The Climate Action Plan articulates that Transportation is Auburn's second largest contributor to greenhouse gasses and prioritizes transportation in action plan strategies. The Campus Master Plan incorporates transportation as a priority, enhancing and promoting pedestrian, bicycle, and mass transit elements.

Measurable objectives: * Improve tracking of campus funded travel for mileage and associated emissions, and evaluate potential for reduction. * Increase alternatives to single-occupancy private vehicles for students, faculty, and staff for commuting (mass transit, walking and biking, car pooling, car sharing) * Increase use of transportation avoidance/elimination through video conferencing, electronic delivery, telecommuting, distance learning * Improve performance and reduce emissions from campus fleet * Increase awareness of emissions associated with transportation choices Short-term 2015 goals * Reduce emissions from campus-funded travel by 10% from 2008 baseline * Reduce emissions from regular commuting by 10% from 2008 baseline * Reduce emissions associated with campus owned and operated fleet by 10% from 2008 baseline Strategies * Improve monitoring of use of existing resources; parking and transportation surveys * Establish a travel accounting system to better determine miles traveled * In conjunction with HR evaluate telecommuting, flex hours and other strategies

Facilities Management, Parking Services, Auxiliary Services, Office of Sustainability

The Utilities & Energy Management Team has developed an Energy Reduction Strategy Plan that includes water. The plan commits to reducing water usage, and to the adoption of innovative approaches which will help transition from potable to other water sources. Landscape Services has created a plan to reduce the use of potable water in landscaping.

Objective: * Reduce overal water use intensity 20% by 2015 and 30% by 2020 compared to 2007 baseline * Reduce domestic water, chilled water, and hot water utility distribution system losses 50% by 2015 and 75% by 2020 compared to 2012 baseline * Eliminate the use of potable water for landscaping purposes Strategies: * Installation of real-time water meters to monitor usage and identify problems * Investigate condensate capture, the use of cisterns to replace tower losses * Plant drought tolerant and native plants across campus landscape

Utilities and Energy Management Team in Facilities Management; Landscape Services; Office of Sustainability

Auburn University has a Strategic Diversity Plan that is updated with a progress report annually. In order to achieve diversity as a core value and as a foundation for the future, this strategic plan outlines five strategic goals along with a series of measurable implementation tactics. Goals are: 1. Foster a total campus environment that respects differences and encourages inclusiveness; 2. Increase the recruitment, retention, and representation of people of color, ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented students, faculty, administrators, and staff at Auburn University to a level that reflects the appropriate relevant pool of availability for the target population; 3. Develop and implement a comprehensive system of education and training focused on effectively managing and leveraging diversity for students, faculty, and staff; 4. Build and strengthen partnerships with diverse communities, businesses, and civic community organizations to support diversity and multiculturalism in the university and in external communities; 5. Develop and execute a comprehensive AU Diversity Communication Plan The strategic plan, with its vision and goals, must be recognized as a fluid document that outlines current challenges, solutions, and accountability measures and serves as a structure for the continual creation and nourishment of a culturally diverse learning community at Auburn University

Each of the five goals has objectives, strategies, and timeframes. Goal 1 has four strategies; Goal 2 has seven strategies; Goal 3 has three strategies; Goal 4 has three strategies; Goal 5 has one strategy. As of 2014, the plan had achieved 94.6% if its objectives as originally established. The link below is to a pdf of the 2014 progress report. https://cws.auburn.edu/shared/files?id=199&filename=SDP%20Progress%20Report%202014%20-%20Final.pdf

Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs; College of Architecture, Design & Construction; College of Education; College of Liberal Arts; College of Science and Mathematics; College of Business; School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; College of Engineering; College of Agriculture; College of Human Sciences; Libraries; School of Nursing; School of Pharmacy; College of Veterinary Medicine

The Healthy Tigers Wellness Program provides opportunities for employees to earn an insurance premium discount by completing a voluntary health and wellness screening. This screening includes evaluation of several health risk factors including: Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Glucose, Height, weight and BMI. The results of the screenings are available immediately during the appointment, and the employee receives personalized counseling from a pharmacist concerning the results. Health Promotion and Wellness Services provides the Auburn University community with evidence-based and theory-driven health promotion and prevention services. HPWS serves as health and wellness resources for the Auburn family and fosters a campus atmosphere that supports and respects healthy lifestyle choice, targeting three levels of society to accomplish goals: Individual: through awareness and skill-building events and social marketing, Peer Groups: through challenging social norms and affecting behavior, Environment: through advocacy and challenging social structures, law and public policy. HPWS works in collaboration with diverse campus populations to create positive, transformational health opportunities through open, inclusive conversation about personal health habits, societal trends, and public policy. Human Resources plans address the acquisition, development, and retention of skilled and highly qualified personnel. Programs are in place to nurture the development of employees.

This statement was crafted by the Auburn University Investment Committee describing an initial plan for considering ESG factors in making investment decisions. "The Auburn University Investment Committee, in consultation with the investment consultant, will inquire into and monitor sustainable investment opportunities. As more creditable data and viable investment opportunities become available, the committee will consider ESG factors as part of the due diligence on potential investment managers. In addition, the committee, in concert with the investment consultant, will continue to monitor its current investment managers’ use of ESG factors in the investment process."

n/a

Auburn University Endowment Investment Office

Auburn University's definition of sustainability: Meeting human needs now and in the future in a fair, just, and equitable way, while protecting and maintaining healthy ecosystems in perpetuity.

Auburn University has many components of what could be considered a sustainability plan (Campus Master Plan, Campus Landscape Master Plan, Stormwater Management Plan, Sustainability Policy, for example), but not yet a comprehensive sustainability plan. Auburn University will use our STARS report, which assesses our current sustainability performance, as a baseline to create both a long-term vision for a sustainable Auburn University, and specific long-term sustainability goals. Knowing where we are as a result of our STARS report, and defining where we want to go by developing a long-term vision and specific goals, we will then create a sustainability strategic action plan to reach our vision and achieve our goals. As of this date we are in the initial planning stages of this process.