Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.29
Liaison Jennifer Kleindienst
Submission Date Dec. 1, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Wesleyan University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Jennifer Kleindienst
Sustainability Coordinator
Finance and Administration
"---" 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? :
No

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Wesleyan's strategic plan includes high-level goals on financial sustainability and some lower-level goals and strategies aimed at increasing diversity and building more sustainable buildings. Social and environmental sustainability are not mentioned at a high level. Wesleyan is working on a current update to its strategic plan that will include sustainability at a high level.

A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
http://2020.blogs.wesleyan.edu/

Sustainability Plan 

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

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
http://wesleyan.edu/sustainability/sap/plan.pdf

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:
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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):
The 2003 Campus Master Plan addresses sustainability at a low level.

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:
Courses adopt projects that use the campus or community as a living laboratory Courses adopt projects that engage students in regional, national, or global sustainability work Raise money to hire visiting faculty, post-doctoral scholars, and new endowed, full- time, tenure-track sustainability- focused faculty Hire one full-time faculty member with an environmental engineering and design focus Organize at least one workshop to promote sustainability integration into existing courses Develop a formal definition of sustainability in the curriculum and identify courses that meet the definition Develop a sustainability studies course cluster in WesMaps Develop new sustainability courses within each division, including in departments not currently offering these courses

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:
Create faculty- student partnerships to research underrepresented identities and the environment

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:
Develop and pilot a basic Green Office Certification Program to administrative offices Include a statement of Wesleyan’s priority of sustainability in job postings Install new sustainability initiatives signage Publicize information on student participation in campus sustainability efforts Publicize Wesleyan’s STARS ratings and reports and make them accessible Feature sustainability topics in campus and external print, digital, and social media Integrate the Eco Facilitators program and Residential Life Expand Green Team Incorporate sustainability into Wesleyan Student Assembly Student Budgetary Committee (SBC) funding awards Conduct annual in-service workshops for Residential Life student staff Develop and pilot sustainability workshops and trainings for students, faculty, and staff Integrate sustainability, equity, and inclusion into First Year Matters Establish a series of annual interactive programs Connect all sustainability-related student groups with faculty or staff members Investigate methods of assessing sustainability literacy Provide students with resources to promote effective sustainable change Establish student sustainability project support system Develop a SAGES mission statement Recruit new SAGES members Increase involvement of SAGES members Increase knowledge and skills of SAGES members Wesleyan recognizes the commitment of SAGES members Create a user- friendly Green Fund application form and funding process and update projects archive Increase number and diversity of viable applications to the Green Fund Adapt the Green Office Certification for academic offices and pilot in one location Expand the Green Office Certification program to at least five academic departments Get buy-in from faculty to manage class documents electronically

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:
Establish a series of annual interactive programs Develop ways to engage with the Middletown and larger community on sustainability Update this Sustainability Action Plan with extensive community involvement

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:
Submit greenhouse gas reports to ACUPCC Complete ACUPCC progress reports Develop a method of incorporating the Social Cost of Carbon into projects Publicize and create a carbon footprint analysis for different modes of travel Promote video conferencing as an alternative to air travel Prioritize ground travel for trips under 350 miles in the University Travel Policy

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:
Develop a “cheat sheet” for project managers to evaluate projects Incorporate further prioritization related to fire/life safety, energy, and infrastructure in the Major Maintenance process Develop a building education program Develop an automated evaluation process for constituents upon completion of project work

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:
Set temperature of non-EMS buildings to established summer and winter ranges Develop and implement a marketing and engagement strategy for the Energy Conservation Policy Develop and install default wallpaper for all classroom computers to remind users to turn off projectors Communicate new Crash Plan backup schedule to employees Create a new student energy reduction initiative (in wood frames and program houses) using social marketing Launch social marketing campaign to reduce open windows in winter Evaluate feasibility of real-time energy meters for wood frame houses Reduce water heating demand in student housing Publicize energy-related information and accomplishments to the campus community Develop a Utilities website Provide access to energy data via the Utilities website Install Network Thermostats in remaining wood frame houses Remove window air conditioner units annually from applicable buildings Make building envelope improvements in additional wood frame houses Install a PV system at Long Lane Analyze the Center for the Arts as a potential location for geothermal Investigate the feasibility of a “solar rover” to power events Pilot one campus building with B100 bioheat made from used cooking oils

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:
Expand Real Food Challenge to a second Bon Appétit eatery Introduce an outreach program to reduce meat consumption in Usdan Marketplace Develop a marketing strategy for existing sustainable food purchases Conduct waste audits in Usdan and Summerfields Develop a social marketing strategy to reduce food waste Expand “In Balance” portion control education program Pilot use of smaller serving utensils at one Marketplace station Expand “Taste, Don’t Waste” program to the vegan and sandwich sides stations at Marketplace Reduce portion sizes at catered events Educate catering customers on portion sizes and effective ordering strategies Develop social marketing strategy to reduce dishware theft Strengthen reusable mug programs at Usdan Café and Pi Café Encourage Eco-to-Go use at outdoor events Expand participation in Eco-to-Go Research impacts of disposable and reusable dinnerware Provide all first-year students with a free reusable mug Reduce use of disposable to-go containers at Usdan and Summerfields Install an on-campus composting or anaerobic digestion system to accommodate all food waste Expand front-of-the-house food waste collection to all catered events Increase collection rates of post-consumer food waste Develop and launch a social marketing plan to increase residential composting participation

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:
Pilot 100% organic lawn care practices on one athletics field test plot Expand existing no mow landscape areas Seasonally raise mowing heights (non-athletic) campus-wide Plant 5–10 (3-inch-diameter or greater) trees annually Develop a plan to replace gasoline powered equipment with sustainable alternatives Pilot ice melt variations Pilot replacement of watered landscapes with native and drought-tolerant plants Develop rainwater collection standards Install a water catchment system at Long Lane Farm Create a campus wide tree map Identify and install landscaped social spaces and seating Develop a grounds education program Promote education for sustainable design and engage students to work on projects on campus Identify and install landscaped social spaces and seating

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:
Synchronize large purchases with the Purchasing Office Advertise pre-negotiated sustainable products Centralize office purchasing Reach out to departments not using recycled paper to change purchasing habits Seek preferred pricing for environmentally preferable office supplies Limit office supply purchases to environmentally preferable list Research the feasibility of conducting a life-cycle analysis of Wesleyan’s purchases Evaluate ionized water “blue cleaning” as an alternative to chemical cleaning products Incorporate sustainable cleaning product purchases into the next custodial contract Expand the Code of Ethics to include minimum standards for social and environmental responsibility Seek procurement relationships with businesses that meet the Code of Ethics Include historically underrepresented businesses in a vendor show Twenty percent of businesses working with Wesleyan are historically underrepresented Conduct annual purchasing sustainability presentations at Administrative Assistants’ meetings Develop user information on sustainable purchasing Create and promote a sustainable office supplies kit

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:
Review and prioritize recommendations from the Comprehensive Parking Study (completed in 2011) Execute an employee commuting survey (on current and potential use of carpooling, public transportation, and parking) Execute a student travel survey (include questions on current and potential use of The Ride, public transportation, shuttles, and parking) Develop and pilot a communications strategy and programming to reduce single-occupancy vehicle commuting Explore the feasibility of a work from home program Identify and promote a carpooling app for Wesleyan Identify and promote a carpooling app for Wesleyan Create covered bicycle parking at Hall Atwater Incorporate campus bicycle rack locations into campus map Develop travel guidelines Publicize and create a carbon footprint analysis for different modes of travel Promote video conferencing as an alternative to air travel Prioritize ground travel for trips under 350 miles in the University Travel Policy

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:
Replace paper towel dispensers with high-efficiency hand dryers in academic and administrative locations that have justification for replacement Transition Admission wait-list notifications to online format Get buy-in from departments and offices to opt out of individual office trash collection Eliminate individual office waste and recycling liners for buildings with centralized trash stations Create shared office supply locations in three pilot offices Default to double-sided printing Develop and pilot a social marketing strategy to reduce vandalism Develop a program to encourage students to bring less to campus Discourage individual mailings for campus-wide events Research the environmental impact of replacing kiosks and bulletin boards with electronic units Increase use of the Wesleyan Freecycle listserv Promote Big Brothers/Big Sisters collection bins Increase donations to the Waste Not program Develop a social marketing strategy for recycling programs Increase the placement of BigBelly waste stations on campus Consolidate woodframe trash, recycling, and food waste collection in the Fountain/Pine neighborhood Expand move-in cardboard collection to all students Install an on-campus composting or anaerobic digestion system to accommodate all food waste Expand front-of-the-house food waste collection to all catered events Increase collection rates of post-consumer food waste Develop and launch a social marketing plan to increase residential composting participation

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:
Identify and map water fountain and bottle filling station locations Install water bottle filling stations in high-traffic locations Conduct an audit on water conservation measures

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:
Include historically underrepresented businesses in a vendor show Twenty percent of businesses working with Wesleyan are historically underrepresented Increase donations to the Waste Not program Increase number and diversity of viable applications to the Green Fund Involve the Sustainability Office and Office of Equity & Inclusion in the next Strategic Planning process Involve the Sustainability Office and Office of Equity & Inclusion in the next Master Planning process Create faculty- student partnerships to research underrepresented identities and the environment

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:
Evaluate investment manager candidates with respect to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues

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:
Expand communication on healthy extracurricular activities Increase access to healthy extracurricular activities Enhance wellness programs Increase focus on healthy eating Update the cross-country track signage Provide more outdoor spaces Publicize existing walking trail routes Promote the Middletown Riverfront as a recreational opportunity and natural resource Build a fitness trail

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:
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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)? :
No

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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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 ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
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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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://wesleyan.edu/sustainability/sap/index.html

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.