Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.91
Liaison Andy Mitchell
Submission Date July 17, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Illinois Chicago
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Cynthia Klein-Banai
Associate Chancellor for Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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:
The University of Illinois Strategic Framework, uses almost the same language as the UIC Climate Commitments, to talk about "Tomorrrow's University Today" and how it will become a model of environmental sustainability. UIC's Strategic Priorities - http://strategicpriorities.uic.edu/

A copy of the strategic plan:
---

The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
https://www.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=1324&pageId=747394

Sustainability Plan 

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

A copy of the sustainability plan:
---

The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
http://sustainability.uic.edu/plans/caip/

Climate Action Plan 

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

A copy of the climate action plan:
---

The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
---

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):
UIC's Climate Action Implementation Plan (CAIP) is a sustainability plan (noted above) that includes meeting goals of Carbon Neutrality, Zero Waste, Net Zero Water, and Biodiversity. Additional published plans include: Campus Master Plan - https://cppm.uic.edu/masterplan Multimodal Transportation Plan - http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/113513/FY15-0122+UIC+MULTIMODAL+TRANSPORTATION+PLAN.pdf/9467aed8-369a-46d8-bf71-e340576e4bb6 Tree Care Plan - https://sustainability.uic.edu/green-campus/grounds/tree-campus-usa/ Diversity Strategic Plan - http://diversity.uic.edu/diversity-strategic-plan/

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:
The Climate Action Implementation Plan: Strategy 6.0 Teaching and Learning 6.1 Develop Sustainability-related curriculum 6.1.1 Create a Sustainability Course Rubric 6.1.2 Increase the number of Sustainability-related courses for General Education Credit 6.1.3 Develop Interdisciplinary Sustainability Majors, Minors, and Certificates 6.1.4 Recruit faculty in areas where there are gaps in sustainability expertise

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:
The Climate Action Implementation Plan: Strategy 6.0 Teaching and Learning 6.3 Catalyze Sustainability-Related Research 6.3.1 Provide seed funds for community-based participatory research 6.3.2 Establish administrative pathways for catalyzing interdisciplinary research and provide staff support to assist with grant writing and submittals 6.3.3 Develop a process to track and optimize funding opportunities in sustainability-related research topics

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan 1.2.2 Energy Conscious Campus to educate about energy conservation to obtain a 1.5% reduction in campus energy use 5.1 Develop unit based waste reduction plans 6.2 Enhance sustainability-related co-curricular activity - through learning opportunities (campus as a learning lab) - Provide institutional funding for Heritage Garden Internship, Sustainability Internship, and for LCC Environmental and Climate Justice Dialogues

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:
University of Illinois Strategic Framework Section III 5. Promote strong civic engagement among students, faculty, staff, and residents of Illinois To create an engaged citizenry for the state, nation, and world, we will encourage critical discussion of civic values and responsibilities, build enduring connections with community organizations across Illinois, and connect the people of the System with opportunities for service. - Explore the establishment of a Lincoln Institute of Government that would draw together and coordinate the work of centers and programs across the System that focus on public policy research and civic leadership, including, for example, the System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs, UIS’ Center for State Policy and Leadership and its Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program, and UIC’s Institute for Health Research and Policy. - Explore how the activities of the System—coursework and pedagogy, research experiences, service-learning, co-curricular activity—can be better connected to civic engagement and civic education. - Build on existing System-wide strengths—and our proud legacy of acting in the public interest—to make University of Illinois the go-to source for unbiased public policy research and application on key issues where we have deep expertise, such as criminal justice, K–12 education, economic development, and technological innovation. UIC Strategic Priorities - Chicago and Community Engagement: Embrace Communities - We will collect and measure the impact of community engagement, listen to our partners, conduct needs assessments and broadly communicate our results. We will exceed the criteria for the highest Carnegie classification for university community engagement.

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:
UIC Climate Commitments/Climate Action Implementation Plan: Reduce GHG emissions by 40% by 2030 from 2004 levels. Carbon neutral by 2050.

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 1.2.1 Building Standards All new construction will and renovations of $5 million or more will be LEED Gold or higher certified

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 1.1.1 25% energy reduction in existing buildings through Strategic Energy Management Program by 2028. 1.2.1 Building StandardsUpdate Building Standards to meet the project 2025 International Energy Conservation code (50% better than the ASHRAE Standard 90.1 (2013)

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 5.3 Reduce food waste 5.3.1 Food scrap collection 5.3.2 Food recovery 5.4.2 Revenue Generating Contracts - Ensure that the Dining Services contract is met which includes procurement of 20% of produce from growers or processors within 250 miles of campus, use of only recyclable materials, food scrap collection

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 4.3 Enhance Biodiversity 4.3.1 Develop a Campus Habitat Pollinator Plan 4.3.2 Tree Care Plan Tree Care Plan - Campus Specific objectives include: 1. Develop a policy for tree maintenance, including pruning, planting, removals and preservation. 2. Establish protocol to protect high-value trees during construction and renovation. 3. Maximize the benefits of carbon sequestration, stormwater interception, and air pollutant removal provided by campus trees. 4. Increase the use of the campus forest as an educational and outreach tool for the campus and surrounding community. 5. Establish further connection between the UIC Climate Commitments and the necessity of the Campus Forest.

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 5.2 Practice Sustainable Procurement 5.4.1 Provide a checklist for purchasing that describes the "why" and "how of sustainability purchasing 5.4.3 Implement purchasing policies 5.4.3.1 Sustainable paper policy 5.4.3.2 Bottled water policy

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 3.1 Reduce commuting related emissions 3.1.1 Implement TDM 3.1.1.1 Transit incentives for faculty and staff 3.1.1.2 Increase bike rack capacity by 20% in 3 yrs and 50% in 7 yrs 3.2 Reduce university business travel-related emissions 3.2.1 Fleet efficiency - increase number of hybrid, electric, and CNG vehicles by 5% in 5 years; 15% in 10 years, and 20% in 15 years

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 5.1 Implement unit-level waste reduction - 50% diversion rate by 2028 and 90% by 2050 5.2.1 Operational Waste Collection Efficiency - increase Big Belly Solar Compactor placement 5.2.2 Construction and demolition waste 90% by 2050 but put in building standards in FY2018

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan: 4.1 Retain and reduce stormwater 4.1.1 Green Stormwater Infrastructure Implementation Plan - retain 7% of water onsite and capture for gray water reuse 4.2 Reduce water use - Net Zero Water Use - no more water than falls on campus - approximately 55% water use reduction by 2050 4.2.2 Retrofit restroom to manual and low-flow fixtures - 7% water reduction

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:
Diversity Strategic Plan Goal 1: UIC will create a structure that reflects its vision of diversity as a fundamental institutional value supported and realized through shared leadership and responsibility. Diversity structure will be assessed 3 years after it has been established. Goal 2: UIC will recruit and promote the success of diverse student, faculty and staff populations (metric: UIC Equity scorecard, outcomes data from campus academic support services, climate assessment) Goal 3: UIC will have a climate of diversity and equity in which individual students,f aculty, and staff feel welcomed in their identities, valued for their contributions, and feel their identities can be openly expressed wherever they live, work, and study Goal 4: By reducing social stratification, UIC will provide more students and employees access to excellence. UIC will expect and support the success of everyone in the UIC community, regardless of his or her background. (VPD-SAC) will develop metrics Goal 5: UIC will engage diverse communities within Chicago and other great cities as partners and intellectual resources Goal 6: At UIC, disciplines will draw on diverse perspectives to challenge traditional, established values that determine and direct curricular content, teaching methods, knowledge-making, and scholarship Goal 7: UIC will be a leader in higher education through application and dissemination of knowledge gained from experience, scholarship and innovative approaches to diversity

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:
Climate Action Implementation Plan 1.1.2 Green Revolving Fund

Wellbeing & Work 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Diversity Strategic Plan Goal 3: UIC will have a climate of diversity and equity in which individual students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed in their identities, valued for their contributions, and feel their identities can be openly expressed wherever they live, work, and study.

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)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
---

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:
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved the "Strategic Framework" on May 20, 2016. Within the Framework, Pillar IV. Tomorrow’s University Today has a point (4) Become a model of environmental sustainability. https://www.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=1324&pageId=747394 The Faculty Senate adopted the sustainability mission and vision in 2008. Mission: The University of Illinois at Chicago is committed to environmental sustainability in all aspects of its mission and will challenge itself to consistently perform all of its functions in the most sustainable ways. Vision: The University of Illinois at Chicago, as part of the local and global community, strives to be a responsible steward of the environment. As such, UIC seeks to minimize its environmental impact both now and in the future; this is consistent with the financial and social viability of the institution and the relevance of its academic programs. Through its academics, research, and operations, UIC will create a campus environment in which sustainable practices and policies are visible and evident to all.

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
Sustainability for UIC is defined in "To Green and Beyond: Excellence through Sustainability at UIC": Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit the fulfillment of the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.http://sustainability.red.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2018/01/SST_Report_05082015.pdf

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

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
UIC's sustainability work aligns with Second Nature's Carbon Commitment. UIC's Climate Commitments of Carbon Neutral, Zero Waste, Net Zero Water, and Biodiverse Campus reflect that commitment broadly. We have also been a signatory to the Talloires Declaration since 2008.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://sustainability.uic.edu/plans/uicclimatecommitments/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Office of Sustainability website UI Board of Trustees

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.