| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.54 |
| Liaison | Jane Stewart |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Washington and Lee University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Jane
Stewart Energy Specialist Treasurer's office |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Completion of Large-Scale Solar Project to Match 100% of Campus Electricity Consumption
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
After years of work to identify and develop an appropriate project to off-set campus electricity consumption with renewable energy, W&L is extremely proud to announce that our large-scale offsite solar array, Colice Hall, is now operational.
W&L worked with developers SE1 to bring the 11MW capacity project to completion. Through a PPA structure, the array will put solar energy into our regional electricity grid that will match 100% of our campus electricity consumption.
The University’s agreement with SE1 includes regular coordination on creating opportunities to use the project and production in teaching and research, and care was taken to address the overall sustainability of the project, including sensitivity to the natural and human landscape within which the array sits. The agreement further stipulates sustainable planting protocols (native, pollinator-friendly) and SE1 employs solar grazing on the site.
The array, which went into operation in June 2023, represents the university’s commitment to addressing our institutional carbon impact and advancing systems level solutions.
W&L worked with developers SE1 to bring the 11MW capacity project to completion. Through a PPA structure, the array will put solar energy into our regional electricity grid that will match 100% of our campus electricity consumption.
The University’s agreement with SE1 includes regular coordination on creating opportunities to use the project and production in teaching and research, and care was taken to address the overall sustainability of the project, including sensitivity to the natural and human landscape within which the array sits. The agreement further stipulates sustainable planting protocols (native, pollinator-friendly) and SE1 employs solar grazing on the site.
The array, which went into operation in June 2023, represents the university’s commitment to addressing our institutional carbon impact and advancing systems level solutions.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Public Engagement
Air & Climate
Coordination & Planning
Air & Climate
Coordination & Planning
Optional Fields
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
The small portion of generation that fell within the relevent performace year is included in OP 2.
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
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Second Point of Distinction
Kihkǫspé:hla Living Lab Partnership
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
W&L is proud to partner with the Indigenous-led non-profit NDPonics in supporting opportunities for place-based learning in the Irish Creek region of Rockbridge County.
In 2023, W&L transferred ownership of a 6- acre parcel of land to Indigenous-led nonprofit NDPonics, which had identified the land as culturally and environmentally important, and forged a partnership to promote place-based educational opportunities connecting the W&L community and NDPonics.
While the donation transaction is complete, the partnership between W&L and NDPonics is just beginning. A working group comprised of representatives from NDPonics and W&L is charged with coordinating the collaboration, and efforts to develop the first collaborative projects on the land are underway.
While the plot of land and the pilot program to date are modestly sized, the institutional shift in considering new modes of partnership - to the point of recognizing that the most effective way to care for land can sometimes be to entrust it to someone else - is enormous.
In 2023, W&L transferred ownership of a 6- acre parcel of land to Indigenous-led nonprofit NDPonics, which had identified the land as culturally and environmentally important, and forged a partnership to promote place-based educational opportunities connecting the W&L community and NDPonics.
While the donation transaction is complete, the partnership between W&L and NDPonics is just beginning. A working group comprised of representatives from NDPonics and W&L is charged with coordinating the collaboration, and efforts to develop the first collaborative projects on the land are underway.
While the plot of land and the pilot program to date are modestly sized, the institutional shift in considering new modes of partnership - to the point of recognizing that the most effective way to care for land can sometimes be to entrust it to someone else - is enormous.
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Curriculum
Public Engagement
Diversity & Affordability
Public Engagement
Diversity & Affordability
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
This initiative is included in our reported Community Partnerships, EN 10.
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
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Third Point of Distinction
Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Washington and Lee University has been awarded the 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective designation that indicates an institutional commitment to community engagement.
W&L was one of 40 U.S. colleges and universities to receive this classification from the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching during its 2024 certification cycle. W&L is one of 368 institutions that currently hold the classification endorsement, one of only 15 private institutions included in this year’s cycle.
W&L’s extensive commitment to community engagement can be found across the university’s campus, with many programs and initiatives facilitated by the Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL). Community-based learning is an educational approach that integrates learning and mentorship with meaningful community partnerships, and the CBL office offers numerous opportunities for W&L students, faculty and staff to support these partnerships through coursework, research, service projects and internships.
W&L’s focus on community engagement is key to the broad institutional sustainability strategy. Understanding the deep and inherent interconnectedness of university functions and resources with those in the boarder community, and reorganizing perceptions of “town” and “gown” to a perception of one community working toward a common purpose is fundamental to the success of any holistic sustainability goal.
W&L was one of 40 U.S. colleges and universities to receive this classification from the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching during its 2024 certification cycle. W&L is one of 368 institutions that currently hold the classification endorsement, one of only 15 private institutions included in this year’s cycle.
W&L’s extensive commitment to community engagement can be found across the university’s campus, with many programs and initiatives facilitated by the Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL). Community-based learning is an educational approach that integrates learning and mentorship with meaningful community partnerships, and the CBL office offers numerous opportunities for W&L students, faculty and staff to support these partnerships through coursework, research, service projects and internships.
W&L’s focus on community engagement is key to the broad institutional sustainability strategy. Understanding the deep and inherent interconnectedness of university functions and resources with those in the boarder community, and reorganizing perceptions of “town” and “gown” to a perception of one community working toward a common purpose is fundamental to the success of any holistic sustainability goal.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Coordination & Planning
Coordination & Planning
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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