Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 48.02
Liaison Zachary Czuprynski
Submission Date Feb. 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

Prescott College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 4.00 Zachary Czuprynski
Sustainability Coordinator
Green Mountain Center for Sustainablity
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
-Establish an introductory course and/or other requirement and similar priorities in learning assessment for sustainability literacy in all programs, in order to embed values alignment deeper into curriculum

-Develop a broad base of undergraduate and graduate level curricular offerings, as well as related speaker series and other events, in fields and topic areas related to sustainability science and theory integrated with applications in design, practice and leadership

-Support faculty capacity and increase student learning opportunities for experiential, project-based learning, participatory action research and service in learning focused on sustainability planning and implementation, particularly through integration with college operations

Source: 2012 Sustainability Plan

Engagement 

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
-Engage students in projects that are aligned with the college’s values and serve populations or communities presented with sustainability challenges or opportunities

-Improve local and bioregional outreach and stakeholder engagement as means to expand dialogue and action on sustainability issues

-Develop public speaking opportunities for Prescott College champions of sustainability initiatives

-Develop stronger national and international partnerships as an institutional leader in the sustainability movement, as well as memberships in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (www.AASHE.org) and other relevant professional associations

Source: 2012 Sustainability Plan

Operations

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
-Support the development of food production and management plans, with education and communication programs around value-based food issues (local, slow, organic, non-GMO, FairTrade, etc.)

-Apply comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions models and accounting tools to support planning and decision making for action plan implementation, and also preparation of bi-annual greenhouse gas emissions inventories

-Conduct assessment and apply planning methods for land management practices that enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services; emphasize this as a key area for performance innovation beyond industry standards

Source: 2012 Sustainability Plan

Administration

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
-Conduct analysis on and plan to improve the affordability and relative social equity of tuition and scholarships across all college programs

-Conduct research on key issues such as employee retention and workloads, with specific attention to ways in which these issues are influenced by compensation equity

-Collect data and apply valuation methods for sustainability accounting to integrate triple bottom line (economic, social, environmental) indicators into financial reporting systems and institutional risk assessment

Source: 2012 Sustainability Plan

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

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

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
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Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Minor theme

Optional Fields

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
In a general sense, we can describe sustainability as the capacity of an entity (organism, building, organization, population, community, ecosystem, society, etc.) to self-organize and maintain dynamic stability over time. Sustainability is achieved through the strength of diversely interconnected relationships that improve the resilient capacity to withstand disturbances and regenerative capacity to create value.

At Prescott College, we help our leaders see the importance of going beyond basic sustainability, creating ways of understanding and living that protect, preserve and restore the habitats of all beings in the Earth community. This begins with demonstrating accountability for the impacts that our programs and operations have on society, the economy and ecosystems. We also focus on continual performance improvements in management of energy, water, food, materials and people. We invest resources in ways that strengthen ecological and social relationships, while managing financial and physical assets with attention to and responsibility for our underlying ethics of efficiency and effectiveness.

The values and elements at the heart of our mission serve to focus our strategic visioning, planning and management towards a goal of being the finest comprehensive environmental and liberal arts education for students committed to creating a sustainable society.

At Prescott College we say that education is a journey, not a destination; so too, sustainability is an ongoing journey of leadership in design of resilient and regenerative relationships.

Source: 2012 Sustainability Plan

Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability ---
SDG Accord ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The 2012 Sustainability Plan is the current highest guiding document. However, Prescott College is currently developing a new Campus Master Plan which will be released later in 2022 and will become the newest highest guiding document referenced in future STARS submissions. Furthermore, by using the information collected for this STARS report, an updated Sustainability Strategy Plan will be compiled.

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.