Tech-Talks AQIP: Carbon Neutral

1. Tech-Talks AQIP: Carbon Neutral January 14, 2010 4 – 5pm

2. Academic Quality Improvement Program AQIP AQIP is structured around quality improvement principlesand processes and involves a structured set of goal-setting, networking, and accountability activities.

3. AQIP Cycles of Improvement • Action • One-year cycle • 3 or 4 Action Projects • Annual updates • Accreditation • Seven-year cycle • Check-up Visit • Reaffirmation of Accreditation • Strategy • Four-year cycle • Systems Portfolio • Systems Appraisal • Strategy Forum

4. AQIP Action Projects • Action Project Goals • Focus and highlight Michigan Tech’s efforts in undertaking specific improvement initiatives • Provide evidence to the HLC the Michigan Tech is seriously committed to a regimen of continuous improvement • Three Action Projects must be ongoing at all times • Information on the projects must be shared.

5. AQIP Categories Helping Students Learn Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives Understanding Students’ and Other Stakeholders’ Needs Valuing People Leading and Communicating Supporting Institutional Operations Measuring Effectiveness Planning Continuous Improvement Building Collaborative Relationships

6. Summary of Action Projects

7. Carbon Footprint Assessment and Reduction: A Driver of Research Collaborations and Curriculum Innovation at Michigan Tech Margaret R. (Peg) Gale and John W. Sutherland(Chris Wojick, Margot Hutchins, Kristine Bradof, Robert Froese, Mike Needham, Dana Johnson, Jillian Shubert, Dan Graham, Kaari Nevanen, Steven Gailey, Steve Hook, Sally Sanderson, David Shepp, Nora Peterson, Pam Brushaber, Dan Nestmann, Rebecca Rama, Yaw Ofori Lartey, Cindy Schafer, Alisha Autio, Liz Fraki, Mike Foster, Adam Manty, Bill Marcinak, Valerie Fuchs, Chuck Workman, Sandeep Sikarwar, Noah Schuster, Josh Johnson)

8. Where have we come from? • University was created in 1885, educating students in mining engineering and supporting Michigan’s economic development through its educational and research programs • Over the next fifty years, programs were added in other engineering areas, business, technology, arts and sciences, and forestry/environmental science, all revolving around hands-on learning, with application-based research • Environmental Sustainability Committee – est. 2001 • Sustainable Futures Institute – est. 2003

9. Where have we come from? (cont.) Updated Strategic Plan - 2004 • Goal 2: Deliver a distinctive and rigorous discovery-based learning experience grounded in science, engineering, technology, sustainability, and the business of innovation. • Goal 3: Establish world-class research, scholarship and innovation in science, engineering, and technology that promotes sustainable economic development in Michigan and the nation.

10. Main Reason for the Carbon AQIP Project Tie Campus Sustainability & Carbon Neutrality to Our Accreditation

11. Goals of Carbon Neutrality AQIP • Incorporate into our educational offerings the impact of institutions (Michigan Tech) on the environment in terms of the release and sequestration of carbon. • Establish research collaborations focused on organizational carbon footprint reduction via the enhancement of materials/energy usage efficiency and product/process innovation. • Improve our operations by involving students, staff, and faculty in developing metrics and undertaking a continuous improvement process to become more efficient in the use of energy and materials and thus reduce the carbon footprint of Michigan Tech. • CHANGE OUR CULTURE – WALK THE TALK!

12. Approve AQIP Process Admin. Setting of Policy & Targets Carbon Neutrality AQIP Process – Getting Started Expanding the basic steps… Define AQIP process & scope Approval of process & scope Present initial results from CA-CP model Define environmental policy, aspects, objectives, targets Aspects: In general, these are the environmental performance measures that the organization will focus on. We have decided to focus on carbon emissions –may consider additional measures in the future. Rest of Process AQIP Comm. Non-Acad. Units Exec Team Acad. Units CSE

13. Planning and Project Development Present initial results from CA-CP model Define environmental policy, aspects, objectives, & targets Present charge to Non-Acad. & Acad. Units Evaluate Carbon Footprint, Identify Improvement Opportunities, Assess Proposed Projects, Assist with Implementation, & Communication Define targets and project goals for Acad. Units Rest of Process Stage Gate for Project Implementation Formulate project plans (expected benefits & costs) Suggestions& Guidancefrom Non-Acad. Units AQIP Comm. Non-Acad. Units Exec Team Acad. Units CSE

14. Project Implementation, Review, & Communication Stage Gate for Project Implementation Project Implementation Evaluate Carbon Footprint, Identify Improvement Opportunities, Assess Proposed Projects, Assist with Implementation, & Communication Review and Evaluation and the Cycle Begins Again… "Objectives & Targets" "Revival" communicate to campus community Annual Updated Data from Non-Acad. Units AQIP Comm. Non-Acad. Units Exec Team Acad. Units CSE

15. CA-CP Model - Foundation of AQIP Project • Clean Air – Cool Planet Calculator http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/ • Excel-based spreadsheet - inventory of carbon emissions university campuses - use this spreadsheet to assess Michigan Tech’s carbon footprint

16. Recommendations Action 1: Use the CA-CP calculator to initially account for the University’s carbon emissions and offsets basing the carbon reduction goals on certain Scopes defined by American College & University President's Climate Commitment signatories. Action 2: Create a Green Campus Enterprise (GCE). A proposal has already been developed for the GCE and has been approved by the Enterprise Program but a faculty to member needs to found to oversee this effort. A financial commitment from the Executive Team is needed to support part of the salary for the faculty member. Action 3: Establish a named Sustainability Coordinator position at the university which would oversee the carbon reduction process. The main responsibility for the Campus Sustainability part of this project should be overseen by the Vice President of Administration, while the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs along with the Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs should oversee the education/research integration portion of this project.

17. Recommendations Action 4: Use the newly established Energy Advisory Group (EAG) to provide an interface to the Green Campus Enterprise. Action 5: Establish a sustainability website to communicate to the entire campus and to our stakeholders, the efforts that the University is undertaking to make our campus carbon neutral and sustainable and to highlight the educational and research efforts in this area. The initial website could be created through a Humanities course. This Sustainability Coordinator would oversee the website. Action 6: Have the Provost’s office monitor how individual academic units are contributing to this effort through the courses they offer and their everyday operations. This office would also make sure effectiveness reports are received annually from all groups.

18. Administrative Response • Action 1: Use CA-CP Calculator to estimate emissions • Data compilation and first estimate done by Carbon Neutral AQIP Committee • FY 09 inventory completed by Green Campus Enterprise. Inventory will be updated annually.

19. Administrative Response • Action 2:Create a Green Campus Enterprise (GCE) • Created a Green Campus Enterprise (GCE). • A faculty member (Chris Wojick) oversees this effort. • A financial commitment from the Executive Team has been given to support part the salary for the faculty member. The VP of Administration provides funding for work of enterprise (e.g., test equipment for energy monitoring/reduction).

20. Administrative Response • Action 3:Establish a named Sustainability Coordinator Position • Established a ½-time Sustainability Coordinator – this is not a created position because of the lack of funds to fund a new position at the level the committee suggested. (Partially implemented) • The Campus Sustainability Coordinator will be overseen by the Director of Facilities Management (John Rovano) and will work with the Chair of the Energy Advisory group. • The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs along with the Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs are overseeing the education/research integration portion of this project.

21. Administrative Response • Action 4:Use the newly established Energy Advisory Group (EAG) to provide an interface to the Green Campus Enterprise (GCE) • Done – The advisor for GCE sits on the EAG • GCE students are working on projects requested by EAG

22. Administrative Response • Action 5:Establish a sustainability website • Not accomplished; however, discussion with the VP of Administration has begun to have students in the GCE spearhead the creation of a website. The EAG supports this but as of this time no action has been taken.

23. Administrative Response • Action 6:Have the Provost’s office monitor Academic Unit Contributions • Sustainability Coordinator is developing a list of sustainability courses. • No other monitoring going on.

24. Questions?