Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.55
Liaison Susan Powers
Submission Date Feb. 22, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Clarkson University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Susan Powers
Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment
ISE
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Yes, included throughout mission, vision, and values statements and in current University strategic plan. Also included as a thread across all aspects of the Strategic Plan (second paragraph) and part of second strategy - Advance the prominence of research and scholarship (Environment and Energy, 3rd page)

A copy of the strategic plan:
Clarkson strategic plan for 2021.pdf

The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
https://www.clarkson.edu/about-clarkson

Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
CAP-approved-April2017 - Google Docs.pdf

The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Other Published Plans 

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)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Indoor air quality included in Chapter 3.4, Environmental Standards, of the Facilities Design Manual, including use of only low toxicity/VOC materials. Comply with ANSI's ventilation standards. Refer to Section 3.3.1 – HVAC Systems for the appropriate ventilation standards for each type of room. (https://www.clarkson.edu/facilities/Engineering/environmentalstandards.pdf) An entire chapter of the Construction management standards address environmental attributes - Chapter 3.4, Environmental Standards, of the Facilities Design Manual All new buildings will be at least LEED silver certified and will explore feasibility of renewable energy strategies. New buildings and significant renovations shall look to achieve at least a 20% energy reduction from ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 -2013. Plan for electricity purchases developed by Facilities and Services Department to respond to the Presidential mandate. The plan includes aggressive efforts to establish PPAs for local and renewable electricity over 2015 - 2020 time frame, including 2 MW solar on our campus property through NY SUN (owned by an energy company), purchase of electricity from new small scale hydroplant adjacent to our property and owned by the Village, and PPA established that will enable a larger hydroplant to be renovated to increase efficiency (electricity to be available in 2020)

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP:(see attached) Goal A.1: Fundamentally change campus culture by growing sustainability initiatives and problem solving across campus and the community - Strategy 2: Involve students in sustainability project strategies, project development, implementation and project assessment - Strategy 6: Increase the percentage of classes and research projects that address climate mitigation or adaptation

Research 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP:(see attached) Goal A.1: Fundamentally change campus culture by growing sustainability initiatives and problem solving across campus and the community - Strategy 6: Increase the percentage of classes and research projects that address climate mitigation or adaptation

Campus Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP:(see attached) Goal A.1: Fundamentally change campus culture by growing sustainability initiatives and problem solving across campus and the community - Strategy 2: Involve students in sustainability project strategies, project development, implementation and project assessment - Strategy 3: Educate and motivate the campus to encourage energy saving behaviors - Strategy 4: Encourage and celebrate students, staff and faculty who increase efficiency and sustainability

Public Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP:(see attached) Goal A.1: Fundamentally change campus culture by growing sustainability initiatives and problem solving across campus and the community - Strategy 5: Provide leadership to our broader community in support of climate policies and actions.

Air & Climate 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The CAP calls for net zero GHG emissions by 2025 (see attached)

Buildings 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In basic construction standards: All new buildings will be at least LEED silver certified and will explore feasibility of renewable energy strategies. New buildings and significant renovations shall look to achieve at least a 20% energy reduction from ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 -2013. In CAP: Goal B.2: Decrease natural gas used for building heating and hot water by 35% by 2025 Strategy 1: Replace most critical inefficient heating systems - Strategy 2: Control building temperature and airflow for energy savings and reasonable human comfort. - Strategy 3: Improve weatherization in all campus buildings - Strategy 4: Increase the use of natural systems that use ambient conditions to condition buildings

Energy 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Goal B.1: Provide 100% of our electricity needs from local and renewable resources by 2018 (Note - we did not meet this goal yet - but are actively researching how we can increase % renewables with all limitations imposed by NYS credit system). We have revised this goal (unpublished) to met this by 2020

Food & Dining 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP: (see attached) Goal A.2: By 2021, include sustainability considerations in all investment and expenditure decisions - Strategy 4: Advance sustainable food systems that provides fresh, healthy and local food (note - this goal was instrumental in current food service contract negotiations)

Grounds 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP: (see attached) Goal B.4: Incorporate visions of a low-carbon and resilient future into the campus master plan - Strategy 2: Improve walking and biking facilities and incentives (2% commute) - Strategy 4: Value, quantify and manage carbon sequestered in our wooded acres.

Purchasing 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP: (see attached) Goal A.2: By 2021, include sustainability considerations in all investment and expenditure decisions - Strategy 1: Implement policies to require life-cycle cost-benefit analysis including environmental and social impacts as part of major campus investments or expenditure decisions

Transportation 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP: (see attached) Goal A.3: By 2025, use carbon offsets to provide economically viable means of achieving net zero GHG emissions - Strategy 1: By 2020, Offset all travel emissions through innovative, peer-reviewed carbon projects that provide hands-on opportunities for students. Goal B.4: Incorporate visions of a low-carbon and resilient future into the campus master plan - Strategy 3: Develop (parking) policies to reduce single occupancy vehicle use (10% commuting emissions)

Waste 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In environmental Standards: 50% C&D reused/recovered 600 lb/d Food waste to anaerobic digester by 2018

Water 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In environmental Standards: Water use in new buildings and existing building renovations shall be 30% below the Energy Policy Act of 1992 standards

Diversity & Affordability 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Strategic plan (attached) Clarkson's current strategic plan includes the following measurable objectives: -We will double down on our past efforts to increase the number of minority undergraduate students. We began in 2003 with fewer than seven percent minority students and moved to 12 percent in 2013. Our objective is to move to more than 14 percent by Fall 2017; and more than 18 percent by Fall 2021. -We will double down on the number of students annually involved in international experiences from 165 in 2013 to 330 by 2021. The D&I plan has been developed in accordance with and in reliance on the Regulations promulgated by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs ("OFCCP"). The materials contained in the Affirmative Action Plan are exempt from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act exemptions relating to confidential and proprietary information.

Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In CAP:(see attached) Goal A.2: By 2021, include sustainability considerations in all investment and expenditure decisions - Strategy 2: Increase our investment of endowment in sustainable businesses that are ready to lead this country (and the world) to a cleaner future. - Strategy 3: Reinvest savings from energy projects into new clean energy projects

Wellbeing & Work 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Resilience - as part of Climate Commitment we have documented work with Village and town to meet resilience objectives (see innovation point). See attached Resilience structure document: -Include climate neutrality and resilience in curricular and co-curricular activities for all students -Expand research in climate neutrality and climate resilience -Define resilience thresholds for our community and plan to always meet these thresholds

Optional Fields 

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)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Mission Statement: We value the diversity of our University community, and we strive to attune ourselves and our programs to our global, pluralistic society. We share the belief that humane and environmentally sound economic and social development derive from the expansion, diffusion, and application of knowledge.

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
Sustainability involves the just, equitable, and efficient use of all types of capital -- human, financial, manufactured and natural -- with the goal of replenishment and enhancement rather than long-term depletion of these resources for short-term gains.

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) No
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
The university is using STARS and Second Nature Climate Commitment to drive our sustainability efforts. We are actively involved in NYS REV Campus commitments and Tree Campus USA

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://www.clarkson.edu/sustainability

Additional documentation to support the submission:
Resilience Structure.pdf

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.