| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.46 |
| Liaison | Lisa Kilgore |
| Submission Date | March 20, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Cornell University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Dan
Roth Director of the Campus Sustainability Office Energy & Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | --- | --- |
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The Climate Action Plans and annual report of the Presidents Sustainable Campus Committee describes the goal to build climate and sustainability literacy in the campus community through curricular and extra-curricular programs
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Within the next two years
Work with the college deans to develop a university-wide sustainability learning outcome.
Integrate sustainability literacy into the student Pulse survey
90 % of freshmen participate in sustainability training and survey
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
Details on Cornell's plans to advance sustainability research can be found in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/Assets/ACSF/docs/attachments/ACSF-StrategicPlan-2013.pdf
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Details on Cornell's plans to advance sustainability research can be found in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/Assets/ACSF/docs/attachments/ACSF-StrategicPlan-2013.pdf
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Details on Cornell's plans to advance sustainability research can be found in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/Assets/ACSF/docs/attachments/ACSF-StrategicPlan-2013.pdf
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
The Climate Action Plan includes the Think Big Live Green as Cornell's comprehensive campus engagement program that includes engagement of students, staff, and faculty in new sustainability behaviors and culture change initiatives. Components include:
1) The Student EcoReps Program
2) Staff training and development
3) The College Engagement Program
4) Green Offices and Green Labs Certifications
5) A real-time building dashboard system
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Over the next two years:
90% of Freshman are engaged by the EcoReps program
10% of campus offices are certified Green Offices
The College Engagement Program expands to at least 2 more colleges
Sustainability is fully integrated into the annual performance management processes for all staff
New guidelines for performance management are developed and released
New sustainability tools for managers are developed and released
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Campus Sustainability Office
Human Resources
New Student Programs
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Cornell's commitment to public engagement is embedded in the University's strategic plan
http://www.cornell.edu/strategicplan/commitments.cfm
The more specific strategic plans to increase community based research and teaching, and broader public engagement, including sustainability topics, are detailed in the Engaged Cornell Plan.
https://www.giving.cornell.edu/docs/Engaged%20Cornell%20Abridged%20Proposal_1_15_15.pdf
In addition, Cornell's Cooperative Extension has a long history of sustainability initiatives in communities all across New York State. These initiatives are detailed here:
http://cce.cornell.edu/Nutrition/Pages/SustainabilityandCCE.aspx
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Cornell's overarching strategic plan to increase community based research and teaching, and broader public engagement, including sustainability topics, are detailed in the Engaged Cornell Plan.
https://www.giving.cornell.edu/docs/Engaged%20Cornell%20Abridged%20Proposal_1_15_15.pdf
In addition Cornell's Cooperative Extension has a long history of sustainability initiatives in communities all across New York State. These initiatives are detailed here:
http://cce.cornell.edu/Nutrition/Pages/SustainabilityandCCE.aspx
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Engaged Cornell
Engaged Learning + Research
Public Service Center
Cornell Cooperative Extension
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Through the Climate Action Plan Cornell is committed to carbon neutral operations for the Ithaca campus by 2035. Carbon reduction has become an integral strategy at all levels of the university. The President's Sustainable Campus Committee has a Climate Focus Team that oversees the Climate Action Plan and bienniel greenhouse gas inventory. More information about the details of our Climate Action Plan can be found here
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/climate-action-plan
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Carbon neutral by 2035
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
Energy and Sustainability Department
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
Since 2006 Cornell has had a board policy that all major new construction must be LEED Silver or higher, and 30% more energy efficient than required by national AASHRE standards.
The current Climate Action Plan calls for 1) a new policy that requires standard energy performance modeling to be integrated into the design process and a requirement for new buildings and significant renovations to be 50% more efficient than required by national ASHRAE, 2) expanded energy conservation projects to include work with a longer return on investment, and 3) strengthening strategies to manage the use and allocation of campus space, and maximum space efficiencies in renovation and construction projects. The Buildings Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee oversees these efforts.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) New high performance building policy in effect
2) Integrate space scheduling with HVAC scheduling software, revise the capital planning process and architect/engineer contracts to incorporate space planning
3) Perform energy studies for 20% of campus buildings
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Division of Budget and Planning
Facilities Services
Energy and Sustainability
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
The Sustainability Plan for the Ithaca Campus includes goals by Dining Services and the Food Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee to continue a major initiative to increase local procurement of farm products. Currently 40% of all dining hall food is either local or third party sustainability certified.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) To establish new University policies that support a sustainable food system
2) Decrease food waste through consumer education and food recovery partnerships with the food bank system
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Dining Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
A major shift to renewable energy and high efficiency distribution systems is underway at Cornell as part of the Cornell Climate Action Plan. Cornell just completed a 2MW solar farm and entered into a PPA with an 11MW local wind farm development to purchase all of their electricity.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) Continue expansion of Cornell's renewable energy portfolio in solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal energy
Additional details can be found on the Climate Action Plan website
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/climate-action-plan
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Energy and Sustainability Department
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Sustainable land management is an integral part of Cornell's Campus Master Plan and Climate Action Plan. A Sustainable Landscape Plan is under development to formalize strategies for Integrated Pest Management, irrigation practices, site naturalization, snow and ice removal, etc. for Cornell Grounds activities.
For the 660 acres that is managed by Cornell Plantations, these preserves have management plans that characterize the purpose, site description, regional landscape context, geology, ecological communities, property history, soils, hydrology, cultural amenities, historic management regimes, challenges to management and threats to ecology, maps, plant communities, common plant and animal species, plant and animal species of conservation concern, and invasive species threats.
More information can be found at the following websites:
http://www.cornellplantations.org/our-gardens/natural-areas
http://www.cornellplantations.org/our-gardens
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) Integration of green infrastructure across campus
2) Use of the SITES sustainable landscape certification system for additional sites.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Grounds Department
Cornell Plantations
Campus Planning Office
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
Campus Planning Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Sustainable procurement initiatives are documented on Cornell Procurement Services website http://www.dfa.cornell.edu/procurement/sustainability, included in the Climate Action Plan, and are supported by the Purchasing Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) Establish energy-efficient standards based upon Energy Star certification for new purchases and bids.
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/equipment-efficiency-standards-policy
2) Utilize “Fast Tracks” in Cornell’s online Procurement Gateway to facilitate purchasing of sustainable office equipment and supplies, recycled paper, remanufactured toner, EPEAT certified computers, etc., and to limit the availability of less sustainable products.
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/sustainable-products-procurement
3) Consider sustainability criteria, including locality and GHG emissions, in the vendor selection process to reduce the environmental footprint of Cornell’s supply chain.
http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/green-suppliers
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Procurement Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Cornell has been a national leader in Transportation Demand Management over 20 years with numerous plans over the years. Currently sustainable transportation is included in the Climate Action Plan and has been integrated into efforts of the Transportation and Mail Services Department. Major on-campus actions to reduce environmental impacts resulting from transportation include policies that highly discourage automobile use and encourage other means of transport. We provide New-to-Cornell students with free bus passes for their first year to promote group transit and have very restricted on-campus parking policies to discourage vehicles and promote carpooling, biking, bus-taking and walking. All returning students are provided with unlimited bus transit at no cost after 6 PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends. We not only work to improve our on-campus transportation system, but also work with the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County to continue to improve regional transportation systems for our community and beyond.
It is also a priority for Cornell to consider transportation as we plan for future land use and building construction on campus, so that we fully integrate new buildings and other campus changes into our transportation systems with sustainability in mind.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) Increase outreach and education about existing Transportation Demand Management programs.
2) Allocate financial resources and draft RFP for a Campus Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan.
3) Allocate resources to study the extension of Campus-to-Campus service.
4) Develop a deployment plan for EV-charging stations on campus and regionally.
5) Implement incentives to increase use of clean-fuel vehicles.
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Transportation and Mail Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Waste reduction, recycling, and composting initiatives have been fully integrated into Cornell's operations and Campus Sustainability Plan. Currently R5 Operations and the Waste Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee continuously monitor progress and set new annual goals.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) Develop a comprehensive university waste policy
2) Expand residential composting pilot program
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
R5 Operations
Dining Services
Farm Services
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Water conservation, watershed protection, and promotion of tap-water use are all integrated into the Campus Sustainability Plan, Climate Action Plan, and the Take Back the Tap Task Force Plan. The Energy and Sustainability Department and the Water Focus Team of the President's Sustainable Campus Committee support ongoing monitoring and set new goals.
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Over the next two years:
1) Continue to support installations of water bottle filling stations on campus
2) Support energy-efficient water conservation projects
2) Continue investigation into water losses in the campus distribution system
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Energy and Sustainability Department
President's Sustainable Campus Committee
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Cornell's approach to institutional inclusion and diversity planning is holistic. Our commitments, both regulatory and strategic, involve novel approaches to improve campus culture and our demographic composition. Cornell's plans to advance diversity and affordability are detailed on the following website
http://diversity.cornell.edu/commitment-to-inclusion
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Measurable objectives are detailed in the Toward New Destinations website
http://diversity.cornell.edu/toward-new-destinations
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
University Diversity Council
Office of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
Cornell's holistic and comprehensive commitments to well-being and health of staff, students, and faculty are integrated into the University's strategic plan, and numerous specific plans for different parts of the campus community.
Mental Health Framework
http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/campus/welfare/framework.cfm
Faculty and Staff Wellness
http://recreation.athletics.cornell.edu/wellness/
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Objectives for students are detailed under objective 5 on the following website
http://www.cornell.edu/strategicplan/objectives.cfm#education-more
Objectives for staff are detailed on the following website
http://www.cornell.edu/strategicplan/objectives.cfm#staff-more
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Gannett Health Services
Office of Career/Life Services
Executive Committee on Campus Climate, Health, and Safety
Council on Mental Health and Welfare
President's Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
Council on Hazing Prevention
Council on Sexual Violence Prevention:
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
N/A
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
N/A
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
N/A
None
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
N/A
None
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
N/A
None
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
N/A
None
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
As a world leader in sustainability, Cornell University is a committed steward of the Earth and its people. From innovation to public engagement, Cornellians are balancing today’s economic, environmental, and social issues with related needs of the future.
None
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes
None
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
A goal in the 5 year strategic plan of Cornell is: Promote effective stewardship of the built and natural environment.
Rationale: The beauty of Cornell's natural surroundings and its built environment are key assets that must be enhanced and preserved. At the same time, facilities must be allowed to grow and evolve as necessary to support the university's core mission. Decisions regarding facilities and the physical environment typically involve the complex interplay of multiple factors and interests that must be recognized and addressed in order to steward effectively the university's physical resources. These decisions should be framed by and consistent with Cornell University's commitments to sustainability and accessibility. An integrated planning model should involve the following elements:
Actions:
Make environmental sustainability a guiding principle in the stewardship of the university's facilities and resources and in assessments of its impact on the community and region.
Pursue the sustainability objectives in Cornell's 2008 Master Plan for the Ithaca Campus and the Climate Action Plan of 2009.
[See http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/]
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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