Successes and Lessons Learned: Developing A State University Sustainability Program

Successes and Lessons Learned: Developing A State University Sustainability Program 2009 Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference Richard Bachoo, Chief Administrative Officer, Central Connecticut State University Jason Eisenhuth, Woodard & Curran

Presentation Agenda • An Introduction to Central Connecticut State University • CCSU’s Sustainability Program: The Beginnings • CCSU’s Sustainability Program Development • Beginning the Program • Performing the Environmental Sustainability Baseline • Realizing Successes and Improvement Areas • Moving Forward • Lessons Learned in Developing the Sustainability Program

Introduction to Central Connecticut State University

Overview of Central Connecticut State University • CCSU Statistics: • ~12,000 Students • ~600 Faculty • ~600 Staff • Nearly 3.4 Million ft2 of Building Space • 85,000 ft2 Research Building Space • 312-Acre Campus CCSU is a commuter and residential campus, located in New Britain, Connecticut, on the outskirts of Hartford. Over 75% of CCSU’s students are commuters.

CCSU’s Peer Institutions • CCSU’s Peer Institutions include: • UMass Dartmouth • University of Southern Maine • Bridgewater State College • Montclair State University • CUNY Brooklyn • Southern Illinois University • University of Central Missouri • Valdosta State University • William Patterson University of New Jersey

CCSU’s Sustainability Program: The Beginnings

Sustainability At CCSU– The Beginnings • Many CCSU departments and individuals have been practicing/ teaching/ promoting sustainability for years, even decades. • Facilities • Housekeeping • Faculty • Purchasing

Examples of Sustainability At CCSU– The Beginnings • Installation of the new co-generation energy center • Use of green chemicals by housekeeping • Purchasing working recycled materials into contracts • Faculty developing sustainability into the curriculum

CCSU’s Sustainability Program Development

CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to Developing a Successful Program • Step 1: Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership • Step 2: Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders • Step 3: Find A Starting Point • Step 4: Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline • Step 5: Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes • Step 6: Develop Recommendations • Step 7: Chart a Course of Action • Step 8: Implementing Sustainability Initiatives

CCSU’s Sustainability Program Development Was Led By Senior Leadership • In 2006, CCSU attended “Campus of the Future – A Meeting of the Minds” • Conference was presented in a joint venture between NACUBO, APPA, SCUP

CCSU’s Sustainability Program Development Was Led By Senior Leadership In 2006, President Jack Miller convened an Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability with an overall goal of developing an Institutional Plan for Sustainability.

President’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability Membership • Co-Chaired by members of Faculty and Facilities Staff • Dr. Abigail E. Adams, Professor of Anthropology • Dan Moran, Associate Chief Administrative Officer, Facilities • Includes members from across campus • Facilities • Environmental Health & Safety • Purchasing • Faculty from various departments • Student Life/Student Affairs • Sodexho (Dining Services) • Students

CCSU Sustainability Committee’s First Steps CCSU selected Woodard & Curran as a partner to create a more sustainable campus. • Performed Baseline Sustainability Audit • Drafted Plans to Address Two Major Initiatives: Recycling and Energy Conservation • Benchmarked CCSU Against Peer Institutions • Developed the first Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Benefits of Performing Environmental Sustainability Baseline Assessment • It is unlikely baseline metrics exist for all areas, even with a strong campus sustainability program • Real cost savings can be identified • Identify opportunities to reduce footprint • Enhances sustainability culture on campus • Engages campus stakeholders on all levels • Highlights current and past program successes • Helps to frame future initiatives • Benchmarking – Measuring your campus against peers

Environmental Sustainability Baseline Scope – Addressed Ten Program Areas • Energy Use & Air Emissions • Solid Waste & Recycling • Water • Purchasing • Hazardous/Chemical Waste • Building Design and Construction • Property Maintenance, Landscaping & Pesticides • Transportation • Food Service Operations • Academic Programs • Campus Awareness/ Outreach

Environmental Sustainability Baseline Assessment Process • Developed a questionnaire based upon scope of the assessment and metrics to be reviewed • Worked with CCSU to identify stakeholders • Distributed questionnaire to key stakeholders as identified by CCSU • Comprehensive data review, gap identification, and analysis

Environmental Sustainability Baseline Assessment Process • Developed a questionnaire based upon scope of the assessment and metrics to be reviewed. • Worked with CCSU to identify stakeholders. • Distributed questionnaire to key stakeholders as identified by CCSU. • Comprehensive data review, gap identification, and analysis.

Environmental Sustainability Baseline Assessment Process • Interview with Faculty, Staff, and Students in their working areas to gather information through interviews, observations, and records review. • Gather solid and correct quantitative data • Gather multiple points-of-view on qualitative information about CCSU • Engage with key stakeholders to educate and become educated • Observe, review, and fill in data gaps associated with each program area

Baseline Sustainability Assessment Results

Results of Baseline Sustainability Assessment – CCSU’s Past Sustainability Successes • New Energy Center: new, state-of-the-art, efficient Energy Center with cogeneration capabilities • Existing Recycling Program: current recycling rate of 31%; CCSU would have been 13th in Recyclemania (nation-wide campus recycling contest) if it had participated in 2006 • Water Conservation Measures: 56% of campus residences have low-flow features

Results of Baseline Sustainability Assessment – CCSU’s Past Sustainability Successes • Green Purchasing Practices: contracts promote recycling; Purchasing buys green supplies where possible • Hazardous Waste Minimization: chemical clean-outs; CCSU has low generation rates compared with other schools • Green Building Design: many buildings have green features; CCSU has committed to constructing new buildings in accordance with LEED • Green Cleaning Chemicals: Housekeeping uses green supplies

Results of Baseline Sustainability Assessment – 5 Potential Areas for Opportunity • Assign Sustainability/Recycling Coordinator to Implement Recycling Management Plan • Launch Educational Campaign on Water Conservation, Energy Conservation, and Reduce/Reuse/Recycle • Re-Evaluate Financial Feasibility of Increasing Cogeneration (to decrease carbon footprint) • Develop, Adopt, and Implement a Green Building Policy • Develop, Adopt, and Implement an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy

Progress Since Environmental Sustainability Assessment • President’s Climate Commitment • Became a Charter Signatory to the PCC. • Committed to: • Performing GHG inventory • Reducing GHG emissions to achieve climate neutrality • Developing a Climate Action Plan • Sharing results with other schools

Progress Since Environmental Sustainability Assessment • Recycling • Finalized Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling Management Plan • Pilot Recycling Program has been Implemented

Progress Since Environmental Sustainability Assessment • Energy Conservation • Draft Energy Conservation Plan completed

Develop an Institutional Sustainability Plan • Develop a document of achievable sustainability goals and initiatives for CCSU. • CCSU has set sustainability as a campus priority and a Strategic Plan Objective.

Next Steps Before Final Plan is Adopted: • The Committee will circulate draft Institutional Sustainability Plan • Make publicly available CCSU’s efforts with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and elsewhere

Next Steps, cont. The CCSU Community can: • Review draft institutional sustainability plan • Report on work/research/courses already in place that relate to sustainability • Consider serving on the permanent sustainability council

Lessons Learned

Campus Sustainability is a Cooperative Effort! • Successful sustainability programs include the entire campus community – Administrators, Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, Community Members • CCSU’s Sustainability Program has brought Faculty and Staff closer together • Cooperation erases the idea that stakeholders are dragging their feet in campus sustainability efforts

Senior Leadership Buy-In is Essential • CCSU’s program was established by the President • The Sustainability Committee is co-chaired by a Professor and the Associate Chief Administrative Officer • High-ranking members of the campus community serve on the Sustainability Committee • Adequate reporting structure: The Sustainability Committee reports to the President, and the Chief Administrative Officer is the Executive Committee Member responsible for the Council

Understand the Big Picture and Goals from the Beginning • Define Sustainability for Your Campus • How does sustainability fit into your campus’ goals? • Is creating a sustainable campus a top objective?

Human Practices Take Time to Adjust Undertaking sustainability is a dynamic process that must permeate all facets of an organization’s culture. • Some solutions do not alter human practices • Re-lighting the parking garage • Installation of low-flow features • Other initiatives require an adjustment of human behavior • Carpooling • Individual water and electric use

Keys to a Successful Sustainability Program • Sustainability Starts at the Top • Commitment and support by senior campus leadership. • Understand Your Sustainability Goals • Define campus sustainability goals and determine measures of success. Successful Sustainability Program • Diverse Groups of Stakeholders • Encourages shared governance and cooperation in decision making and implementation. Allow Time to Adjust Human Practices Establishes systems to maintain focus and drive improvement.

Questions, Comments, and Discussion Thank you! To follow up with the presenters, please contact: Richard Bachoo, Chief Administrative Officer, CCSU bachoor@mail.ccsu.edu Jason Eisenhuth jeisenhuth@gmail.com (315) 854-5001

Successes and Lessons Learned: Developing A State University Sustainability Program