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ENVIRONMENTALSUSTAINABILITY:AROADMAPFORCALVINCOLLEGE
December2016
TaskforceMembersBrianPaigeandJamieSkillen,Co-Chairs
BeckyHaney,LeeHardy,JackPhillips,BeckiSimpson,DaveWarners
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EXECUTIVESUMMARY
TheSustainabilityCharterTaskforce(taskforce)workedforninemonthsreviewingCalvinCollege’ssustainabilitygoalsanddevelopingrecommendationsthatwillensuretheirtimelyachievement.ItdividedtheworkamongfivegroupsfocusedontheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment,organizationandgovernance,curriculum,lifestylechoices,andmessaging.Basedonthiswork,thetaskforcemakesthefollowingrecommendations.
Recommendation1:Definesustainability:ThetaskforcerecommendsthatinSpring2017,theEnvironmentalandEnergyStewardshipCommitteereviewandrecommendforcampus-wideadoptionthetaskforce-recommendedformaldefinitionofsustainability.Aconcretedefinitionwillbringclarityandfocustothebroadrangeofsustainabilityactivitiesgoingforward.
Recommendation2:SigntheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment(formerlytheACUPCC)andbegintrackingCalvin'scarbonreductionandfinancialsavings:ThetaskforcerecommendsthatPresidentLeRoysigntheSecondNatureCarbonCommitmentbyFebruary1,2017,pledgingCalvinCollegetoactonthetask-force-recommendedimplementationplantoachievenetcarbonneutralitywithin40years.Bypledgingtoeliminatethecollege’sdirectcarboncontributionstoclimatechange,PresidentLeRoywillaffirmanddeepenthecollege’scommitmenttocreationcareandsocialjustice,aswellassetinmotionactionsthatwillleadtolong-termfinancialsavings.
Recommendation3:AppointaDirectorofSustainability:ThetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegeappointaDirectorofSustainabilitytobegininbudgetyear2018(July1,2017).Adirectorwillbeabletoadviseandcoordinatetheworknecessarytoachievethecollege’sstatedsustainabilitygoals,andinsodoing,assurethatmaximumcostsavings,efficiencygains,andbenefitsareachieved.ThetaskforcealsorecommendsthattheCommitteeonGovernancerevisethemandateoftheEnvironmentalandEnergySustainabilityCommitteetogiveittheresponsibilityofadvisingtheDirectorofSustainability.
Recommendation4:CommittoachievingsustainabilityliteracyforallgraduatesandbeginassessingsustainabilityliteracySLOsaspartofthecorecurriculuminAY2018-2019:Thetaskforcerecommends,pursuanttoStrategicPlanI.1.d,thattheCCCandEPCreviewandadoptthetaskforce-recommendedSLOsandcurriculumplanthatwillcollectivelyguidesustainabilityliteracyforallgraduates,withimplementationbeginninginAY2018-2019.
Recommendation5:Expandincentivesandawareness-buildinginitiativesforlifestylechoicesthatalignwiththecollege’ssustainabilitygoals:ThetaskforcecommendstheStudentLifeDivisionforitsrobustsupportofstudent-ledinitiativesthatpromotesustainablelifestylechoices.ThetaskforcerecommendsthatStudentLifeexpandandformalizesustainablelivingaspartoftheco-curricularexperienceandincludesustainablelifestylechoicesaspartoforientationprogrammingbeginninginSummer2017.ThecommitteerecommendsthecollegebuildonthesuccessoftheseinitiativesbyexpandingHealthyHabitstoincludesustainablelifestyleincentivesandawarenessprogrammingforfacultyandstaffbeginningSpring2017,withfurtherinitiativestobedevelopedandcarriedforwardbyaDirectorofSustainability.
Recommendation6:Aligncampusmessagingwithacohesivesustainabilitynarrative:ThetaskforcerecommendsthatinSummer2017,theBrandStewardbegintoreorganizeandupdatethemultiple,disparatevenuesforsustainabilityinformationonthecollegewebpagesandprintedliteraturetoconveyacoherentandconsistentmessage.ThetaskforcefurtherrecommendsthattheBrandStewardworkwithaDirectorofSustainabilityinAY2017-2018todevelopamessagingstrategytoleveragethecollege'ssustainabilityeffortsandachievementsinsupportofeffortstoincreaseenrollmentandexpandadvancement
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INTRODUCTION
InJanuary2016,CalvinCollegePresidentMichaelLeRoyindicatedaninterestinthefeasibilityofsigningtheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment.Consequently,VicePresidentsToddHubersandSallyVanderploegcommissionedachartertaskforce1)toadvisePresidentLeRoyonthefeasibilityandcostsofachievingnetcarbonneutrality,2)torecommendtoolsforachievingthesustainabilitygoalsoutlinedintheStrategicPlan,“Calvin2019,”and3)torecommendorganizationalchangesnecessarytofurtherinstitutionalizesustainabilityasacorecollegevalueacrossoperatingunits.
Thetaskforceworkedforninemonthstofulfillitscharteredgoals.Giventhetaskforce’sbroadmandate,itdividedworkintofiveworkinggroupstoaddressmorespecifictopicareas:SecondNatureCarbonCommitment,organizationandgovernance,curriculum,lifestylechoices,andmessaging.
A. GuidingDocuments
Thetaskforce’sbroadworkwasguidedbyseveralauthoritativecollegedocuments,anditsrecommendationswereshapedfurtherbyanexternalevaluationconductedbySecondNature.Thefirstsourceofguidancewasthe“StatementonSustainability,”whichtheboardoftrusteesapprovedin2007.KeyelementsofthatstatementaresummarizedbelowinTable1.1.
Table1.1:“StatementonSustainability”(2007)
OurpurposeistoinfuseCalvin’svigorousliberalartseducationwiththoughtful,BiblicallybasedprinciplesthatlayafoundationforlivinginawaythathonorstheCreatorandhisbelovedcreation.TheReformedtraditionrecognizestheimportantroleofcreationasGod’sgeneralrevelationofgoodnessandgrace.Wealsorecognizeourresponsibilitytointerpret,wiselyuse,andcompassionatelycareforGod'screation.Indoingso,wetakeseriouslytheBiblicalmandatetobestewardsofGod’sgoodearth.
Sustainablelivingisthedailyworkingoutofthestewardshipmandate.WeseektoliveaspartofthenaturalworldinwaysthatmirrorthecareandloveGodhasforthecreation.Toliveinasustainablefashionmeansourdailyactivitieswillbeconductedinsuchamannerthattheydonotseriouslyjeopardize,butinsteadpromote,thewellbeingofotherpeople,otherspecies,andtheabilityoffuturegenerationsofallcreaturestoflourish.Thisstatementisintendedtochallengeourselvestoleadlivesofincreasedmeaningandpurpose,livesthatpromotehealingandreconciliationwithincreation.Weconsiderthisresponsetobeadivinecalling,theworkingoutofwhichwillbearfruitsofloveandhopeinourgroaningworld.
Thestatementgoesontosuggestgoalsinthirteendistinctareas:
a. TeachingandResearch h.FoodandFoodServicesb. PurchasingandAdministrativeServices i.CampusGroundsandLandUsec. WasteReductionandRecycling j.BuildingConstruction:NewandRenovationd. EnergyPurchasing k.CampusSitePlanninge. WaterandWastewater l.InvestmentPolicesf. HazardousMaterials m.Outreachg. Transportation
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Thetaskforcealsoworkeddirectlyfromthecollege’sstrategicplan,“Calvin2019.”TherelevantexcerptsarecapturedbelowinTable1.2.
Table1.2:“Calvin2019”
Introduction:
ThegoalofthisStrategicPlanistobuildonthissustainabilityandenvisionandpursuenewopportunitiesinthenearfuturethatwilladvanceitshistoricmission.Itassumesthatwewillcontinuetodowhatwearealreadydoingwell.Itfocusesonsomespecificnewinitiatives,severalareaswheretheCollegewillconsidernewprogramsandbuildingprojects,andthemoreeffectiveandsystematicmeasuringofhowwellwearedoingthesethings,anddoingallofthesethingsinwaysthataresustainableecologically,communally,andfinancially.
I.StrengthenCalvin’sMissioninEducation
I.1.dTheframeworkwillensurethatcross-cuttingeducationalcomponents(e.g.diversity,sustainability,andothersasapprovedbyFacultySenate)areintegratedintotheeducationalgoals,outcomes,andassessmentplansofthecorecurriculum,academicprograms,andtheco-curriculum.
I.3.dTheprovostwillcoordinateadditionalcollege-widesupportforfacultyandstaffdevelopment(e.g.,todevelopfaith-informedpedagogy;todeepentheologicalunderstandinginrelationtodisciplinesorprofessions,togainfurthercompetenceindiversity,culturalcompetency,andgloballiteracy;tointegratesustainabilitythemesintothecurriculum;todevelopcross-orinter-disciplinaryteachingskills).
III.StrengthenCalvin’sMissioninEducation
Sustainabilityinthismissionrefersspecificallytothenaturalenvironmentoncampusanditsmaterialinfrastructure,buttheidealalsopointstosustainingthehealthandwelfareofthecommunityofpeoplewhomakeuptheCollege.
III.6.Embraceandenactenvironmentalsustainabilityasacorevalue.
a. GoverningcommitteesandboardswithresponsibilitiesrelevanttosustainabilitywillcontinuetoalignthecollegewiththeguidelinesexpressedintheStatementonSustainability.
b. EnvironmentalsustainabilitywillbedevelopedasavaluedthemeinCalvin'seducationalframework,scholarlyagenda,andoperationalpractices.
V.SecureCalvin’sFinancialFuture
Developingandimplementingthecampusmasterplanalsoinvolvessustainabilityinthespecificecologicalsense,inconsideringwhetherCalvinwillbecomeasignatorytotheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresidents'ClimateCommitment,insustainingspecificareaswhereourPhysicalPlantalreadymeetsorexceedsbestpracticesinenvironmentalsustainability,andinconsideringnewwaystobebetterstewardsofourresources.
V.4.bCalvinwillcompleteacost-implementationanalysistoinformadecisiononwhetherCalvinbecomesasignatoryoftheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresident'sClimateCommitment.
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Thetaskforce’srecommendationswerefurtherinformed,butnotdependenton,a2015externalevaluationbySecondNature:“CalvinCollegeSustainabilityAssessment.”Thereportidentifiesseveralinstitutionalstrengthsintheareaofsustainability,includingtheEnvironmentalStewardshipCommittee,theStatementonSustainability,theCalvinEnergyRecoveryFund(CERF),andtheCalvinEnvironmentalAssessmentProgram(CEAP).Thereportalsohighlightsseveralweaknesses,particularlyinorganizationandgovernance,whichlimitthecollege’sabilitytoinstitutionalizesustainabilityandtocoordinatesustainabilityworkacrossoperatingunits.
B. DataSources
Thetaskforceutilizedexistingdatafromtwosources.First,thetaskforcereliedonthecollege’s“SustainabilityScorecard,”whichhastrackedprogressonsustainabilitygoalsforthepastsevenyears,revealingtrendsinenergyconsumptions,wasteproduction,andotherimportantareasrelatedtosustainability.
Second,thetaskforcebenefittedenormouslyfromdatagatheredinthefallof2015fortheSustainabilityTrackingAssessment,andRatingSystem(STARS).STARSisastandardized,comprehensivereportingsystemdevelopedbyTheAssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation(AASHE).Ittracksaninstitution’sworkinacademics,engagement,operations,planningandadministration,andinnovation,anditprovidesaratingsystemthatallowsforeasycomparisonsamongcollegesanduniversities.CompletedinFebruary2016,CalvinCollege’sfirstSTARSassessmentearneditasilverrating.Theassessmenthighlightedareasofsignificantsustainabilityachievements(e.g.wastereduction,recycling,andcomposting)aswellasareasinwhichthecollegehasmadelittleornoprogress(e.g.investmentpolicies).
C. WhyCalvinCollegeShouldDeepenItsCommitmenttoSustainability
Asexplainedabove,CalvinCollegehasalreadymadesignificantcommitmentstosustainabilityandmeaningfulprogresstowardsitsstatedgoals.Initsdeliberations,thetaskforcerepeatedlyemphasizedtheneedtodeepenthesecommitmentsandaccelerateprogress.First,thecollegeshoulddosoasaprincipledexpressionofitsReformedChristianmissiontotrainmenandwomentobeagentsoftransformationandrenewalinGod’sworld.ItshouldprioritizesustainabilitybecausedoingsoisawaytoimageGodintheworldandtoliveoutGod’sloveforthewholecreation,bothhumanandnonhuman.The“StatementonSustainability”outlinesthiscommitmenteloquently.
Second,Calvinshouldpursuethegoalsofsustainabilityinordertomaintainastrongrecruitingpositioninthetightmarketofhighereducation.Collegestudentsareincreasinglyconcernedaboutsustainabilityissues,andthisisinfluencingtheircollegeselection.ThePrincetonReviewprovidesevidenceofthisinitsannual“CollegeHopesandWorriesSurveyReport.”Inthe2016report,thePrincetonReviewsurveyedover10,000prospectivestudentsandparentsfromall50statesandDC,aswellasfromover20countries.Outofthosesurveyed,61%saidthatacollege’s“commitmenttoenvironmentalissues(fromacademicofferingstopracticesconcerningenergyuse,recycling,etc.)”affectedtheircollegedecision.AsCalvinstrugglestomeetitsrecruitinggoals,then,itshouldworkdiligentlytofollowthroughonitsexistingcommitmentstosustainabilityandcommunicatethesecommitmentsmoreeffectively.
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Recommendation1:AdoptaformaldefinitionofsustainabilityinSpring2017
Inapprovingthe“StatementonSustainability,”theCalvinCollegeboardoftrusteesindicateditscommitmenttosustainabilityasaguidingvalueandprinciple,and“Calvin2019”setsseveralspecificsustainabilitygoals.ThetaskforcerecommendsthatCalvinCollegesharpenitsformaldefinitionofsustainabilitytobetterguideitsworkandtomoreclearlycommunicateitsintentionstoprospectivestudents,alumni,anddonors.Specifically,thetaskforcerecommendsthattheEnvironmentalandEnergyStewardshipCommitteerecommendaformaldefinitionofsustainabilityforcampus-wideadoptioninSpring2017.Forthecommittee’swork,thetaskforceoffersthefollowingdraftcommitmentanddefinitionasastartingpoint.
A. Commitment:
CalvinCollegeequipsstudentstothinkdeeply,toactjustly,andtolivewholeheartedlyasChrist’sagentsofrenewalinGod’sentirecreation.Theworkofrenewal,whichincludeswisestewardshipofcreation,meansrestoringandsustainingtheintegrityofthenaturalworldaswellasprotectingandadvancingtheflourishingofallmembersofthehumancommunity,presentandfuture,whileatthesametimemindingthecapitalresourcesandviabilityoftheeconomyandtheinstitutionsitsupports.
B. FormalDefinition:
ForCalvinCollege,sustainabilityisthecommitmenttopracticesthatdonotdepletehumanandnaturalresourcesatunacceptableratesnorharmsocialandnaturalenvironmentsinunacceptableways.
C. Explanation
Theword“sustainability”madeitsofficialdebutinwesternenvironmentaldiscussionswiththe1980reportproducedbytheInternationalUnionfortheConservationofNature.ItwasadvancedintheBrundtlandReportof1987whenitwasattached,initsadjectivalform,totheconceptofdevelopmentinanattempttoreconciletheapparentconflictbetweentheneedfortheeconomicactivityindevelopingcountriesandconcernsabouttheenvironmentimpactofsuchactivity.“Sustainabledevelopment”becamethenameforawayofmeetingtheeconomicneedsoftheworld'spoorwhileatthesametimepreservingtheintegrityandcapacitiesofthenaturalenvironment.InthewordsoftheBrundtlandReport:"Sustainabledevelopmentisdevelopmentthatmeetstheneedsofcurrentgenerationswithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds."Sincethen,theword“sustainability”hasgoneintowidecirculation,acquiringadditionalmeaningsinavarietyofcontexts.Wehaveattemptedtoconstructaformaldefinitionofsustainabilitythatisbothpreciseandgenerous,coveringthevariouscontextsinwhichitisusedbutatthesametimecapturingitsunivocalsense.Tomakeprogressinthisdirection,weproposetotaketheconceptofsustainabilityoutoftheairofabstractionandfocusonthecharacteristicsofasustainablepractice.Thosecharacteristicswillthenfilloutwhatwemeanwhenweusetheabstractnoun"sustainability."
WecantakeourpointofdeparturefromtheBrundtlandReport.Whatisitaboutasustainablepracticethatenablesittomeettheneedsofthepresentwithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds?Toanswerthisquestion,weneedtotakethedefinitiononestepfurther.Atitssimplestandmostformallevel,asustainablepracticeisapracticethatdoesnotdepletetheresourcesitdependsonatanunacceptablerate.Assuch,theconceptofsustainabilitycanbeappliedtoanumberofcontexts.Abusinessthatconsistentlypaysoutmoremoneythanittakesinisunsustainable.Itwillgobankrupt.Amethodoffarmingthatremovesthenutrientsofthesoilwithoutreplacingthemisunsustainable.Thesoilwillbecomedepleted.Aworkscheduleoflonghoursthatusesupmoreenergythancanberestoredbythefewhoursgiventosleepisunsustainable.Theworkerwillburnout.Aglobaltransportationsystemthatdailyconsumesenormousamountofoilisunsustainable.Oilisafiniteresourceandwilleventuallydryup.
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Thereisasecond,related,andequallyimportantsenseofsustainability.Ithastodowiththeeffectsoftheoutputofapracticeontheenvironmentinwhichthatpracticetakesplaceandonwhichitdepends.Burninghugeamountsoilonadailybasiswillnotonlyuseuptheworld’soilsupplyatanunacceptablerate,itwillalsopumptonsofhydrocarbonsintotheatmospherethateventuallypromisecataclysmicclimatechange.Herewewouldsaythatthepracticeisunsustainablebecausetheoutputofthepracticethreatenstodestroyorseverelycompromisetheconditionsofitsownexistence.Acertainkindofunrestrainedcapitalism,onethatfuelsanextremepolarizationbetweenthefewrichandthemanypoor,isunsustainableinthissense.AsbothPlatoandAristotle(andKarlMarx,forthatmatter)predicted,asocietyundergoingthisprocesswillbecomesounstablethattheeconomyitselfwillfalterasaresult.Likewise,theuseofcropsgeneticallymodifiedtowithstand“weed”killersisunsustainableifitleadstothedestructionofcollateralplantscrucialtothelifeofthepollinatorsthattheentireeco-systemdependson.
So:twokindsofsustainability.Onedoesnotdepletetheresourcesitdependsonatanunacceptablerate;theotherdoesnotspoiltheenvironmentinwhichitoperatesatanunacceptablerate.Calltheone“resourcesustainability”andtheother“commonssustainability.”Theywilloftenoverlapforanygivenpractice;buttheyarenonethelessdistinct.Asustainablepractice,then,neitherdrainsthetanknorfoulsthenest.Putpositively,asustainablepracticerecognizes,honors,andmaintainstheintegrityofcreationfrombothitspointofinputanditspointofoutput.Thisunderstandingexplainstheformaldefinitionofsustainabilityofferedabove.
DeterminingwhatisorisnotanacceptablerateofdepletionofresourcesorharmtotheenvironmentrequiresadditionalframingforCalvinCollegetooperationalize.Whetherresourcesarebeingdepletingatanunacceptableratewilldependonanumberoffactors,andwillinevitablybethesourceofcontroversy.Therateofdepletionwilldependonthevolumeandfrequencyofconsumption.Again,whethertherateofspoilageofthecommonsisunacceptablewilldependonvolumeandfrequency.Ourjudgmentconcerningthesustainabilityorunsustainabilityofapractice,then,willdependonourestimationofathreshold.Thisestimationdemandsmeaningfulmetricsandwillberelevanttotheprohibitionandregulationofourownpracticesaswellasthedevelopmentofpublicpolicy.
Itisimportanttoemphasizethatsustainabilityisnotsimplyanecologicalconcept.Indeed,forCalvinCollegetopursuesustainability,itmustpursuegoalsinseveralareaswhichattimesconflict.Thereforethetaskforceoffersanexpandedstatementofcommitmentthatdrawsonasecondpopularexplanationofsustainability:JohnElkington’saccountingframework,knownastheTripleBottomLine.Elkingtonarguesthatthreeareasoraspectsofsustainabilitymustbesimultaneouslyconsidered:people,planet,andprofits;or:equity,ecology,andeconomy.Elkingtonhererecognizesthatsustainabilityhasmultiple,interdependentdimensions,andhearguesthatpursuingonlyoneattheexpenseoftheothertwowillyieldshorttermsuccessbutlongtermfailure.Allthreemustberealized.Onevalueofthiseconomicperspectiveonsustainabilityisthatitrecognizestheirreduciblerealityoftradeoffs.Allthreedimensionsofsustainabilityshouldberealizedsimultaneously,andoftenthisispossiblethroughcarefulplanning.Butinaworldofscarcity,tradeoffsareattimesunavoidable.Forexample,capitalintensiveinvestmentingreenbuildingconstructionmayadvanceecologicalsustainabilityandyetbeeconomicallyunsustainableforabusinessenterpriseiftheadditionalbuildingdebtassumedwillnotbeoffsetbythepaybackinareasonableamountoftime.Andiftheenterprisegoesbankrupt,itcannotcontinuetheworkofecologicalsustainabilityintothefuture.ThetaskforcecommendsElkington’sframeworktothecollegebothasanencouragementtopursueallthreedimensionsofsustainabilityandasasourceofaccountabilityfortheirreducibletradeoffsthatmustbemade.
Whiletheterm“sustainability”isrelativelynew,themoralvaluesitrepresentsareembeddedfirmlyinthecollege’sReformedheritage.Inparticular,themeaningofsustainabilityoutlinedabovereflectsthetraditionalvirtuesoffrugalityandjustice.Frugality,ChristiansocialethicistJamesNashexplains,“denotesmoderation,temperance,thrift,cost-effectiveness,efficientusage,andasatisfactionwithmaterialsufficiency—similartothe
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“contentment”celebratedinthefirstPaulinelettertoTimothy.”1Justice,Nashgoesontowrite,“demandsprovisionsforthebasicneedsandrightsofall,includinga‘preferentialoption’fortheeconomicallyvulnerableandpowerless”asexpressedthroughouttheOldandNewTestaments.2Sustainabilityreframesandexpandsthesetraditionalvirtuesinlightofourcontemporaryscientificunderstandingofcreationandtherealityofaglobalizedmarketeconomy.Frugalityandjusticearenotnarrowlyindividualisticoreconomicvirtues;theyarealsocollectivevirtuesforCalvinCollegetoexpresswithfullrecognitionofthewaythathumansareinextricablyembeddedinthenonhumancreation.
“WhatdoestheLordrequireofyou,”theprophetMicahasksrhetorically,“toactjustly,tolovemercy,andtowalkhumblywithyourGod.”Thethreedimensionsofsustainability—ecology,equity,andeconomy—arepartandparcelofthiscommand.Consequently,theyarepartandparcelofthecollegemissiontotrainmenandwomentobeagentsofrenewalinGod’sworld.
1JamesA.Nash,"TowardtheRivivalandReformoftheSubversiveVirtue:Frugality,"inConsumption,Population,andSustainability:PerspectivesfromScienceandReligion,ed.AudreyR.Chapman,RodneyL.Peterson,andBarbaraSmith-Moran(Washington:IslandPress,2000),173.2Ibid.,179.
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Recommendation2:SigntheSecondNatureCarbonCommitmentinFebruary2017andbegintracking
Calvin'scarbonreductionsandfinancialsavings
TheStrategicPlan(V.4.b.)states:“Calvinwillcompleteacost-implementationanalysistoinformadecisiononwhetherCalvinbecomesasignatoryoftheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresident'sClimateCommitment,”nowreferredtoastheSecondNatureClimateLeadershipCommitments.Uponcompletionofthisanalysis,thetaskforcerecommendsthatPresidentLeRoyacceptsthecostimplementationanalysisandsignstheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment.Bypledgingtoeliminatethecollege’sdirectcarboncontributionstoclimatechangewithin40years,PresidentLeRoywillaffirmanddeepenthecollege’scommitmenttocreationcareandsocialjusticeandsetinmotionlong-termfinancialsavings.
ThetaskforcerecommendsthattheDirectorofInstitutionalEffectivenessandAnalyticscreateadashboardtotrackcarbonreductionsandfinancialsavings,themanagementofwhichwillbeunderaDirectorofSustainability.
Thetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegecommitstoimplementthefirstthreeyearsofproposedprojectsandreinvestthefinancialsavingsforfurthercarbonreduction.Afterthreeyears,thenextphaseoftheimplementationplanwillbeevaluatedandmodifiedbasedonthecurrentenergyandtechnologicalcontext.
A. TheSecondNatureClimateLeadershipCommitments
SecondNature’sClimateLeadershipCommitments,formerlyknownastheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresident’sClimateCommitment,providecollegesanduniversitypresidentswithahigh-visibilityplatformtoarticulatetheirinstitutions’commitmentstoaddressingglobalclimatechange.Hundredsofcollegeanduniversitypresidentshavealreadysignedoneofthreecommitments:theCarbonCommitment,theResilienceCommitment,andtheClimateCommitment.TheCarbonCommitmentrequiresthesignatoryinstitutiontoachievenetcarbonneutrality—emittingnomorecarbonthanitcansequester—byaself-determineddate.TheResilienceCommitmentrequiresthesignatoryinstitutiontoincreaseitscommunity’sresiliencetotheimpactsofclimatechange.TheClimateCommitmentisacomprehensivepledgetoachievebothcarbonandresiliencegoals.ThetaskforcebelievesthatPresidentLeRoyshouldsigntheCarbonCommitment.
B. CalvinCollegeandtheCarbonCommitment
CalvinCollege’smissionisrootedinandcontinuestobeshapedbytheReformedtraditionofChristianfaith;itisaconfessionalmission,informedbytheministryoftheChristianReformedChurchofNorthAmerica.Thecollegemission—equippingstudentstothinkdeeply,toactjustly,andtolivewholeheartedlyasChrist’sagentsofrenewalintheworld—reflectsthetransformationalemphasisoftheReformedtradition.
LivingasChrist’sagentsofrenewalrequiresknowledgeofGod,anunderstandingofthestructuresandintegrityofGod’screation,andconcernabouttheimpactsofsinontheworld.Asstatedinthe“ExpandedStatementofMission”(2004),wemustcultivate“ajoyfultrustinthetriuneGod,anattachmenttoaChristianworldview,astrongdesiretoconnecttheoreticalunderstandingwithChristianconduct,areadinesstocontendagainstevilandoppression,awillingnesstoworkforthecommongoodandtheBodyofChrist,andadedicationtothecauseofChrist’srenewaloftheearthandhumanlife”(28).
TheChristianReformedChurchofNorthAmericahasidentifiedclimatechangeasapressingmoral,ethical,andreligiousissue,whereChristiansarecalledtothevitalworkofrenewal.In2012,thechurchapproveda
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reportfromtheCreationStewardshipTaskforceReport,whichprovidesdirectiontochurchesandpeopleofgoodwillinaddressingclimatechange.Thetaskforcewarnedthat“human-inducedclimatechangeposesasignificantthreattofuturegenerations,thepoor,andthevulnerable,”anditcalledforimmediateactionthatincludesthereductionofcarbonemissions.Thechurch’sstatementdrawsfrombroadscientificconsensusonthemechanismsandpotentialimpactsofanthropogenicclimatechange.
ForCalvinCollegetofulfillitsmission,wemustaddressclimatechangeinoureducationalcurriculum,ourco-curriculum,andourcampusoperations.Wemust,inotherwords,providestudentswiththenecessaryknowledge,concern,andcompetencytobeagentsofrenewalinaworldthreatedbyanthropogenicclimatechange.Andwemustdemonstrateactsofrenewalthroughourcampusoperations.TheCarbonCommitmentprovidesaframeworkforthesepracticalactsofrenewal.
C. AchievingCarbonNeutrality
Netcarbonneutralitymeansthatcarbonemissionsareequaltocarbonsequestration,whetherdirectsequestrationbythecollegeorindirectsequestrationthroughthepurchaseofcarbonoffsets.Thetaskforcepreparedacarbonbudgetthatidentifiesthecollege’scurrentemissionsandsequestrationratesandproposesprojectsthatwillbringthesetwofiguresintocloseralignment,ultimatelyachievingnetcarbonneutralitywithin40years.
AsshowninTable2.1below,CalvinCollege’scarbonemissionstotal27,385tons/yr.ThetaskforceispleasedtonotethatthecollegehasalreadybeenreducingitscarbonemissionsthroughtheongoingworkofthePhysicalPlantstaffandtheCalvinEnergyRecoveryFund(CERF).
Table2.1CalvinCollegeannualcarbonemissions
Year CarbonEmissions(mtce)2009 29,6162010 28.9742011 28,9152012 28,1512013 28,1492014 26,7922015 27,385
Carbonemissionsinfactdecreasedbetween2014and2015.Theapparentincreasecomesfromaddingcommutingcarbonemissions,whichwerenotreportedbefore2015.Followingthepreviousmethodology,the2015numberwouldbe26,675tons.
Thecollegealreadysequesterssomeofitscarbonthroughitsvegetatedlandholdings(Table2.2).
Table2.2CalvinCollegelandholdings,forestedacreage,andcarbonsequestration
Parcel EstimatedAcreage
EstimatedForestedAcreage
EstimatedAnnualSequestration(@5mtce/acre)
Campus 300 50 250
EcosystemPreserve 100 100 500FlatIronLake 70 35 175
CampWaltmanLake 319 300 1595Total 789 485 2425
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Appendix1providesalistofspecificcarbon-reductionprojectsthroughwhichCalvinCollegecouldreduceitscarbonemissionsby65%.Thefirst50%reductionscouldbeachievedoverthenext26years,largelyself-fundedbysavingsthatthecollegerealizesfromtheseprojects(Table2.3).
Table2.3:CumulativeCost/SavingsChart
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Calvincouldreduceitscarbonemissionsbyanother15%byinstallingageothermalsystem.AsindicatedinAppendix1,thisprojectwouldrequiresignificantcapitalinvestmentbeyondthecollege’soperatingbudget.However,thecostofgeothermalwillundoubtedlychangeoverthenext25years,sothetaskforcerecommendsreevaluatinggeothermalcostsinthefuture.
Withexistingsequestrationandtheproposedcarbonreductionprojects,thecollegewould,attheendof40years,stillhaveacarbonbalanceof7,529tons/year.Ifnewtechnologiesdonotallowforfurthercarbonreductions,andthecollegedoesnotincreaseitscarbonsequestrationcapacity,thecollegecouldstillachievenetcarbonneutralitybypurchasingcarbonoffsets.ThisessentiallymeanspayingathirdpartytoundertakeprojectswhichsequestercarbononCalvin’sbehalf.Giventhecurrentcostsofcarbonoffsets,thiswouldrequirelessthan$100,000peryear,whichisonlyafractionoftheongoingannualsavingsthatthecollegewillhaverealizedbyreducingitsenergyneeds.
TheobjectiveofgeneratingthisplanistoshowthatoncePresidentLeRoysignstheCarbonCommitment,itisreasonabletoexpectthatwithin40yearsCalvinCollegewouldbecomecarbonneutral.Giventhedynamicnatureofenergysystemsandongoingtechnologicaldevelopments,therewillundoubtedlybenewoptionsappearinginthefuturethatareeithercurrentlyunknownorprohibitivelyexpensive.Withthatcaveatthe40-yearplanisanindicationthattoday,atthisparticularpointintime,suchacommitmentisnotonlyahopefulsymbol,butalsoanimplementableandachievableundertaking.Furthermore,aswebecomeengagedinthiscampaignwewilleducateandinspirebehaviorchangesinourstaff,students,andfaculty.
Tobeclear,theinitiativesproposedinthisreportareallrealizableprojectswefeelcanbeimplementedatCalvin.Thereareotherpotentialprojectswehavenotincludedbutthatmaybeaddedinthefuture(likethesolargardensthatSt.OlafandGVSUaredeveloping–seehttp://wp.stolaf.edu/blog/st-olaf-celebrates-carbon-neutrality/andhttp://www.gvsu.edu/ens/solargardens).Inaddition,thecostofsomeoftheseprojectsmaydecrease,andthepriceoffossilfuelsmayincreaseinthefuture,eitherofwhichwouldacceleratethetimeframeweproposeandcouldmakeviableprojectswecurrentlyassessasunrealistic(suchasalargegeothermalarray.Becauseofimprovingefficienciesandthenon-renewablenatureoffossilfuels,itishighlyunlikelyourproposed40-yeartimeframewillneedtobeextended.
WebeginthisplanwithprojectsthatwillneedtobedoneregardlessoftheCarbonCommitment,andthatcanbedonewithasustainabilityalternativethatmovesusinthedirectionofclimateneutrality.Theseprojectsdonotrequirecapitalexpendituresupfrontbeyondnormaloperatingbudgetexpenses.Becausetheyaffordsavingstothecollege(bothintermsofcarbonemissionsandfinancialexpenditures),weproposetousethosesavingstosubsequentlyfundprojectsthatwouldnottypicallybecoveredbythenormaloperatingbudget.ThisisessentiallyanexpandedGreenRevolvingFund(GRF)model(http://greenbillion.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/GRF_Implementation_Guide.pdf),whichhasbeenimplementedatmanyothercollegesanduniversities(http://www.aashe.org/resources/campus-sustainability-revolving-loan-funds/all/)andwhichwehavebeendoinghereatCalvinonasmallerscalewiththeCalvinEnergyRecoveryFund(CERF).
Althoughthisplandoesforeseeperiodswherethecommitmenttocarbonneutralitywilltemporarilynecessitateanegativefinancialbalancetothecollege(noteespeciallyyears8-15),thelong-termoutlookisthatthisplanwillsavethecollegemoney.Furthermore,theplanascurrentlyproposedwillreduceCalvin’sannualcarbonemissionsfrom27385mtceto7529mtce.Ourproposaltoachievethisfinalbalancewouldbetopurchasecarbonoffsets,whichwewillhavemorethanenoughmoneytodowiththesavingsaccruedovertime.
(http://agb.org/trusteeship/2015/mayjune/the-virtuous-cycle-of-green-revolving-funds)
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Onefinalnote–apossiblestrategyforaddressingclimatechangeatanationalorstatelevelistheimpositionofacarbontax.CountriessuchasSwedenandIrelandhavealreadydonethis,ashastheprovinceofBritishColumbia(withCanadaasawholesettofollowsuitin2018).Ifacarbontaxbecomesinstitutedinourstateoratthefederallevel,whichmayhappenatsomepointinthefuture,effortsweundertaketodaytoreduceourcarbonemissionswillnecessarilyhavedirectfinancialbenefits.
Thekeyfindingsfromthetaskforce’sworkanditscarbonplanareasfollows:
1. CalvinCollegecarbonemissionsarecurrentlyestimatedtobe27,385metrictons(mtce)peryear.2. Thecollege’scarbonemissionsarealreadydecreasingyeartoyear,thankstoongoingworkbythe
PhysicalPlantandtheCalvinEnergyRecoveryFund(CERF).3. CalvinCollegealreadysequestersanestimated9%ofitscarbonemissions.Carbonsequestrationisa
measureofcarbonthatbecomesstoredintoplantbiomass(andeventuallyintosoilorganicmaterial).Sequestrationcalculationsareprimarilybasedonacreageofforestedland,andwehavechosentousearelativelyconservativevalueof5mtcesequesteredperacreofforestland.ThepropertyaroundWaltmanLakeisthesinglelargestproviderofsequestration.
4. Thecollegecouldreduceitscurrentcarbonemissionsbyroughly50%overthenext40yearswithoutsubstantialbudgetaryincreasesifitfollowsthemodelofCERFandreallocatesenergysavingsyeartoyeartofundenergy-relatedprojects.
a. Estimatedcostsforthefirst50%carbonreductionstotal$34millionover40years.b. Estimatedenergycostsavingstotal$49millionover40years.
5. Thecollegecouldreduceitscarbonemissionsbyanother15%throughtheinstallationofgeothermalsystems.Unlesscostsdecreasesignificantlyoverthenextfewdecades,thesesystemswillrequireasignificantcapitaloutlay.
6. Theremaining26%ofthecollege’scarbonemissionscouldbefurtherreducedthroughlow-carbonsourcesofelectricitythatwillbecomemorereadilyavailableduringthelifeofthecommitment,purchasingcarbonoffsets,orpurchasingadditionalpropertythatsequesterscarbon.Forperspective,usingaconservativecurrentratetobuycarbonoffsets($13/mtce),thecollegecouldoffsettheremaining26%ofitscarbonemissionforanestimated$100,000annually.Thisisasmallfractionofthe$1.8millionannuallythatthecollegewillsaveasaresultofitsenergyreductionprojects.
Toconclude,thecommitteeemphasizesthatthereiscurrentlyalimitednumberofChristiancollegesthataresignatoriesontheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment,affordingCalvinanopportunitytotakealeadingroleinthistypeofexpressionofChristianenvironmentalstewardship.SuchacommitmentwouldbeconsistentwithCalvin’slongstandingdevotiontofaith-basedcreationcare.Moreover,thiscommitmentmayalsobenefitcurrentcollegesharedgoalsofrecruitmentandretentionbycreatingadifferentiatingdistinctivefeatureanda"centerofexcellence"benefitforCalvinCollege.
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Recommendation3:AppointaDirectorofSustainability
Inthe“CalvinCollegeSustainabilityAssessment,”authorsfromSecondNaturecongratulatethecollegeforitssignificantworkintheareaofsustainability.But,theywrite,“theexcellentworktodateisprimarilydrivenbydedicatedfaculty,staff,andstudentswhoemergeasleadersinsustainabilitythroughpersonalinterestinanddedicationtotheidealsofsustainability.”Overandagainstthisstrength,theauthorsarguethatthecollegelacksadequateinstitutionalization,integration,coordination,andstrategiccommunicationofsustainabilityeffortsandprinciples.Indeed,theyidentifylackofinstitutionalintegrationasthenumberoneobstacletoreachingitssustainabilitygoals.Thetaskforceconcurswiththisassessment,anditrecommendsthatthecollegebuildtheorganizationalcapacityneededtoinstitutionalizeandcoordinateitssustainabilitywork,beginningwiththeappointmentofaDirectorofSustainabilitytobeginworkonJuly1,2017.AlistofdutiestobeperformedbytheDirectorarefoundinAppendixII.ThetaskforcealsorecommendsthattheCommitteeonGovernancerevisedtheEnvironmentalandEnergyStewardshipCommittee’smandate,makingitanadvisorycommitteetotheDirectorofSustainability.
A. OrganizationalModels
ThetaskforceconductedasurveyofgovernancemodelsatfortyofCalvin’speerinstitutions,identifiedeightpotentialmodelsthatemergedfromthatanalysis,andevaluatedeachofthosemodelsaspossiblegovernancestructuresforCalvin.Thewiderangeofgovernancestructures,summarizedinsupportingdocumentation,wasrevealing.Commitmentsrangedfromnovisiblestructuretoexecutive-levelpositionsworkingoutoftheOfficeofthePresident.Forthoseinstitutionswithvisiblegovernancestructures,wecategorizedthemineightorganizingmodels(Executive,SustainabilityInstitute,OfficeofSustainability,DirectorofSustainability,SustainabilityCoordinators,HousedinAcademicDepartment,SustainabilityCommittee,andSustainabilityCabinet)(LinktoEightOrganizingModelsinOneNote).Alleightmodelsessentiallyprovideawayofassigningresponsibilityforcoordinatingsustainabilityworkacrossoperatingareas,which,inturn,makesaccountabilitypossible.ThisispreciselywhatSecondNatureandthetaskforcebelievethatCalvinCollegeneedstodevelopment.
B. Recommendation
ThetaskforceworkedtodeterminethebestmodelforCalvinCollege,accountingforitsoverarchingorganization,itsinstitutionalculture,anditsresources.Wherewouldanindividualorcommitteeneedtoexistwithinthecollege’sorganizationalstructureinordertohaveaclearviewofthediversesustainabilityeffortsalreadyunderwayandtoadequatelyinformtheappropriatedecision-makers?
AfterevaluatinghoweffectivelyeachoftheeightmodelsusedatotherinstitutionswouldserviceCalvinCollege,thetaskforceidentifiedthreedistinctoptions,ortiers,forsustainabilitycoordination.AllthreetiersarefeasiblewithinCalvin’sculturalcontext;theyrangeprimarilyintermsofresourcecommitmentsandefficacy.Table3.1summarizestherecommendations.Tier1wouldrequirelittleadditionalinvestment,butitwouldalsoyieldthelowestreturnoninvestment;Tier2isourrecommendedoption;andTier3isaspirational.Nomatterwhichtierthecollegeselects,therecommendationsinthisreportcanprovideinitialprioritiesforsustainabilitycoordination.Movingforward,thetaskforcerecommendsthattheresponsiblepartyusetheSTARScertificationprocesstoestablishannual,measurablesustainabilitygoals.
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Table3.1SustainabilityGovernanceOptions.
Tier1:Re-purposetheEnvironmentalandEnergySustainabilityFacultyGovernanceCommittee(EESC)tobeanadvisingbodytothePresident’sCouncilandmaketheChairofEESCamemberofthePresident’sCouncil.
Tier2:CreateaDirectorofSustainabilitypositionwithEESCasitsadvisingcommittee.EitherkeepEESCinfacultyCOGormoveitfromFacultyGovernancetoanadvisorycommittee(likeISC).
Tier3:CreateanOfficeofSustainability,withaDirectorandsupplementalsupport.
Tier1:TheTier1optionwouldre-purposeafacultygovernancecommitteetoactasanadvisorycommitteetothePresident’sCouncil.ItwouldrequireasignificantchangetothisFacultyGovernanceCommittee’sMandate,orevenachangetoadifferenttypeofcommittee,suchastheITAdvisoryCommittee.Whilethisoptionrequiresthefewestresources,itwouldrequirethattheChairofEESCbegivenappropriatereleasetimefromteachingorstaffresponsibilitiestoeffectivelyundertakethesignificantamountofnewresponsibilitiesrequiredforthisrole.TheresponsibilitiesastheChairofthiscommitteewouldbeanorderofmagnitudelargerthanthoseofachairofaregularfacultygovernancecommittee.ThisrolewouldtakeonaminimalsubsetoftheactivitiesexpectedofaDirectorofSustainability,aslaidoutinthedescriptioninTier2.
Tier2:TheTier2recommendationwouldcreateaseparatepositionofDirectorofSustainabilitythatservesonthePresident’sCouncilandre-frametheEESCmandatetoincludeservingasasteeringcommittee.TheDirectorofSustainabilitywouldbechargedwitharticulatingthevisionforsustainabilityeffortsacrossthecollegeaswellascoordinating,communicating,tracking,reporting,andmonitoringsustainabilityactivitiesfortheStrategicPlan.
ThecollegehasclearneedofaDirectorofSustainability.Thesheerdiversityandscopeofthecollege’sexistingeffortsinthisareaareimpressiveandshouldbecelebrated.Yetthisdiversityandscoperestslargelyonthepassionofindividualfacultyandstaffmembersratherthananycoordinatedinstitutionaleffort.Asaresult,responsibilitiessuchasgatherandreportingSTARSdataishandledonanadhocbasiswithoutanypromiseofconsistentrevision;officessuchasCommunicationsandMarket,AlumniRelations,Development,andAdmissionsdonothaveacoherentpictureofsustainabilityeffortstoutilizeintheirwork;andinformationremainssiloedacrossthecollege.Thecomplexityofthecollege’sgoodworkinsustainabilityrequiressomecoordination,andaDirectorofSustainabilityfitswiththecurrentdirectionofadministrativeorganizationthatthecollegeispursuing.
ThispositioncouldbecreatedwithinthePeople,Strategies,andTechnologyDivisionandreportdirectlytoVPofPST,orcreatedwithintheAdministrationandFinanceDivisionandreportdirectlytoVPofAdminandFinance.Afull-timeDirectorofSustainabilitywouldgreatlyincreasethevisibilityandeffectivenessofsustainabilityeffortsatCalvingoingforward.Whilethiswouldrequiresomeinitialinvestmentbythecollege,afull-timeDirectorofSustainabilitywouldbepositionedtoensurecost-savingsandrevenue-generationthatapart-timeEESCchaircouldnotproduce.
Thetaskforcerecognizesthatanyrecommendationwithbudgetramificationsfacesasignificanthurdleinthecollege’scurrentenrollmentandfinancialsituation,soweaddthefollowingrecommendationstoaddressthebudgetaryimplications.First,thetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegeappointthefirstDirectorofSustainabilitytoservea3-yearpilotterm,duringwhichtimetheDirectorandhisorhersupervisorwillfurtherclarifythejobdescriptionandmakenecessaryadjustmentstotheorganizationalmodel.
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Second,duringthis3-yearpilotperiod,thetaskforcerecommendsthatthepositionbefundedthroughacombinationofsourcesthatwouldspreadthecostasbroadlyasthedirector’sresponsibilities.Herearepossibleavenuesoffunding:
• ThecollegecouldrepurposerevenuefromCargillfunds,whicharecurrentlyallocatedtothesustainabilitymajorinitiative,beginningin2018-2019.Therevenuefromthesefunds,usingthecollege’scurrentendowmentprojectionsof4.5%,isroughly$23,000peryear.
• SelectthefirstDirectorofSustainabilityfromthecurrentfaculty.Byreplacingthisfacultymemberwithanentry-level,termappointeeoradjunctfacultyperson,thecollegewouldrealizesignificantsavingsthatcouldbeallocatedtotheDirectorofSustainability’ssalary.
• Distributetheposition’sremainingcostacrossthecollege’soperatingdivisions.Eachdivisionwouldthenneedtoreallocate$10,000orless.
Third,duringthe3-yearpilotperiod,thetaskforcerecommendsthattheDirectorofSustainabilitycraftalong-termfundingmodelthatcombinescost-savingsfromenergyreductionprojects,overheadfundsfromvariousgrants,andasmallcampaignforanendowment.
Tier3:TheTier3optionwouldnotonlyappointaDirectorofSustainability,butcreateanOfficeofSustainabilitythatwouldhousesomeadditionaladministrativeresourcesfortheDirectortocoordinateandsupportthecampus-widesustainabilityactivities.CalvinCollegeisaleaderinSustainabilityalongmaydimensions,suchas:performance,research,communityengagement,studentengagement,andinservice-learning.Asthecollegereachesitsstrideinitscampus-widesustainabilityefforts,anOfficeofSustainabilitycouldfurtherleveragetheseinter-relatedeffortsintoamorevisiblenarrativeandhavetheresourcestodeepenacademicandco-curricularpossibilitiesforstudentsandfaculty.
C. RelationshiptoOtherTaskforceRecommendations
ItisdifficulttooverstatetheneedforbettersustainabilitycoordinationatCalvinCollegetotrulyinstitutionalizethiscommitment.Indeed,severaloftherecommendationsinthisreportdependonit.TheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment,achievingsustainabilityliteracyasajointventureinthecurriculumandco-curriculum,educatingandincentivizingsustainablelifestylechoices,andcoordinatingsustainabilitymessagingallrequiresubstantiallevelsofcoordinationacrossoperatingareasofthecollege.WithoutaDirectorofSustainabilityorsomeotheroverarchingmodelofleadership,furtherprogressonreachingthecollege’ssustainabilitygoalswillbelimited.
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Recommendation4:Committoachievingsustainabilityliteracyforallgraduatesandadoptsustainability
literacySLOsforthecorecurriculumbeginningAY2018-2019
TheStrategicPlancommitsCalvinCollegeto“ensur[ing]thatcross-cuttingeducationalcomponents(e.g.diversity,sustainability,andothersasapprovedbyFacultySenate)areintegratedintotheeducationalgoals,outcomes,andassessmentplansofthecorecurriculum,academicprograms,andtheco-curriculum.”Fulfillingthiscommitmentwouldmeanteachingtheconceptsofsustainabilitywithintheacademicdivision,shapingstudents’characterandmoralintuitionswithrespecttosustainability,andhoningstudents’skillsthroughsustainabilityprojectsandpractices.Itwould,indeed,requireacoordinatedeffortacrossseveraloperationalareas.
ThetaskforcerecommendsthattheEducationPolicyCommitteeandtheCoreCurriculumCommitteeachievethestrategicplangoalthroughtwointerrelatedactions.First,thetaskforcerecommendsthatthecommitteesrecommendandthatFacultySenateapprovesustainabilityliteracyasaneducationalgoalforallCalvinCollegegraduates.EnvironmentalstudiesprofessorDavidOrrhasbeenaleadingproponentofsustainabilityliteracyinhighereducation,callingforcollegesanduniversitiestocultivating“knowing,caring,andpracticalcompetence”aroundsustainability.3Second,thetaskforcerecommendsthatEPCandCCCsupportandthatFacultySenateapprovestudentlearningoutcomes(SLOs)forthecorecurriculumthatwillguidesustainabilityliteracy.
SLO’sforSustainabilityLiteracy
Toadoptsustainabilityliteracy,thecollegemustbeginwithaclearsenseofthenecessarystudentoutcomes,bothsothatthecollegecandevelopthetoolsneededtoachievetheseoutcomesandsothatitcandevelopanappropriateassessmentplantomeasureprogress.InTable4.1below,thetaskforcerecommendsthefollowingstudentlearningoutcomesthattogetherwouldconstitutesustainabilityliteracy.Table4.1alsocontainsbroadrecommendationsforassessment.
WhiletheseSLO’sandassessmenttoolsrequireeffortfromanumberofoperatingareasofthecollege,responsibilityfallsheavily,thoughnotexclusively,ontheacademicdivision.Thetaskforcerecommendsthattheacademicdivisiontaketheleadinitiallyonformalizingsustainabilityliteracygoalsandassessmentplans.ThenewDirectorofSustainability,shouldthecollegechoosetoappointone,wouldworktocoordinatetheseplanswiththoseofStudentLifeandotherrelevantdivisions.
3DavidOrr,EcologicalLiteracy:EducationandtheTransitiontoaPostmodernWorld(Albany,NY:UniversityofNewYorkPress,1992),92.
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A. CurriculumPlan
Ifthecollegeadoptsthetaskforce’srecommendationtomakesustainabilityliteracyagoalforallgraduates,itwillneedtomakesomemeaningfulchangestothecurrentcurriculuminordertotrackeachstudent’sengagementwithsustainabilityeducation.ThefollowingthreemodelsfortrackingsustainabilitySLOsprovidearangeofalternativestoachievingthesameend.Theycanbeunderstoodasmovingprogressivelytowardamoreconsistentlearningexperienceforallstudents.ThetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegeadoptTier1inthenearfutureandconsiderTiers2and3asitmakesmoresignificantchangestotheoverallcorecurriculum.
Tier1:TaggedSystem
Tier2:IntroduceaSeparateCoreCategory
Tier3:AddanewSustainabilityCoreCourse
Table 4 . 1. C a l v i n C o l l e g e S u s t a i n a b i l i t y S L O s a n d A s s e s s m e n t F r a m e w o r k
EachStudentWillBeAbleto: Dimensions PossibleAssessmentMethods:1. Definesustainability. • Studentswillbeabletodefinitionsustainability inaway
thatlinksecological,social,andeconomicdimensions.
• Basic comprehension assessments that askstudents to remember knowledge contentrelated to sustainability. Use tools such assurveys,tests,andquestionnaires.
2. Providetheologicalgroundingforsustainabilitycommitments.
• ExplainsustainabilityasavocationalcallingwithintheChristiannarrativeofcreation,fall,andredemption.
• IdentifycoreChristianvirtuesandexplainhowtheyadvancesustainability.
• Comprehensionassessmentsthataskstudentstorelatetheologicalconceptstosustainability.Assesswithtestsandessays.
3. Explainhowhumanandnonhumansystemsareinterrelated.
• Demonstratetheabilitytoexplainandapplysystemsanalysis.
• Identifythenaturalresourcesandecologicalservicesthatmeetbasichumanneeds.
• Identifybasiceconomicandpoliticalinstitutionsandactionsthroughwhichweadvanceorunderminesustainability.
• Explainhowleadingenvironmentalproblemsandsolutionsemergefromtheinteractionbetweenhumanandnonhumansystems.
• Basiccomprehensionassessmentsthataskstudentstoremember knowledgecontentrelatedtotheinteractionsofhumanandnaturalsystems.Usetoolssuchassurveys,tests,andquestionnaires.
• Advancedcomprehensionassessmentsbasedonresearchpapersandprojects.
4. Applysustainabilitytopersonal,campus,andcommunitylife.
• Explainhowindividualchoicescontributetoincreased/decreasedenvironmentaldegradationorstewardship.
• Participateinprogramsandinitiativesdesignedtocultivatesustainabilityskillsandvirtues.
• E-Portfolios,potentiallyconsistingofwrittenessaysandreflections,researchprojects,andpresentations.
• ActivityPortfolio,includingservicelearningactivities,campuslifestylechallenges,andotherextracurricularactivities.
• Assessmentinthiscategorywouldbeaquantitativeassessmentofparticipationinsustainabilityactivitiesratherthananassessmentofknowledgeorvaluesgainedfromthoseactivities.
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Tier1:InordertofulfillthefournewSLOs,studentsmustfulfilla"SustainabilityKnowledge"requirementanda"SustainabilityPractice"requirement.Thetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegeallowsinstructorstoapplyfor"SustainabilityKnowledge"and/or"SustainabilityPractice"tagsfortheircourses.Toobtaina"SustainabilityKnowledge"designation,theinstructorwouldneedtodemonstratehowstudentswouldmeetthefirstthreesustainabilitySLOs:SLO1(Definition),SLO2(TheologicalFoundation)andSLO3(KnowledgeofSocialandNaturalSystemsInteractions).Toobtaina"SustainablePractice"designation,instructorswouldneedtodemonstratehowstudentswouldmeetsustainabilitySLO4inthecourse,throughacademically-basedservice-learning,forexample.SeveralcorecoursesandcourseswithinmajorprogramscurrentlymeetthecriteriaforSustainabilityKnowledge,SustainablePractice,orboth,makingitfeasibletoachievedesiredsustainabilityliteracygoals.CoursesthatparticipateinCEAP(CalvinEnvironmentalAssessmentProgram)wouldautomaticallybetaggedasboth"SustainabilityKnowledge"and"SustainablePractice",forexample.SeveralDCMcourseswouldmeetoneorbothofthesustainabilitytags,andmorecouldbeadded.
Additionally,studentscouldsatisfythe“SustainablePractice”requirementthroughavarietyofco-curricularactivitiesaswell,suchasparticipatinginastandaloneservice-learningopportunity,aSpringBreakservicetrip,attendingaPlasterCreekStewardsworkday,orparticipatinginonoftheopportunitiesprovidedbyStudentLife,forexamplebyadoptingsustainablelivingchoicesduringKill-a-WattorservingasaSustainabilityCoordinatorforon-campusresidences.
Inadditiontominimalimpactonstudents’schedulesandcorerequirements,anotherbenefitofthistaggedsystemsisthatitwouldprovideameansforfacultytoincreasethedemandfortheircoursesbyincludingsustainability-relatedunitsintheirSLOs.Awidevarietyofcoursesacrossthecurriculumalreadydothis,asevidencedbytheSustainabilityCourseInventorycompiledinFall2015.Thesecourseswouldrequiremoderate,ifanychanges,butwouldsimplyneedtobelistedasacoursethatmeetstheappropriateSustainabilityrequirements.
OncethesechangestoCalvin’sprogramrequirementsareapprovedbytheappropriateprocess,implementingandoverseeingthestart-upofthetaggedsystemwouldbeoneoftheprimaryresponsibilitiesofaDirectorofSustainability.Thefirststepwouldbetoidentifyandtagthecoursesthatcurrentlyexist.Second,aclearandefficientsystemtoapprovecoursesforthetaggedsystemwouldbesetupandfacultywouldbeinvitedtosubmitcurrentorslightlymodifiedcoursesfortags.ThetaggedsystemwouldalsorequireadditionalresourcesfromAcademicServicesuponstart-uptoincorporatetheserequirementsintothecatalog,transcript,AERs.
ThetaskforcealsorecommendsthatSLOs1(Definition)and2(TheologicalFoundation)beincludedintheFirstYearSeminar,sothatthedefinitionsofsustainability,diversityandinclusionareidentifiedearlyonasintegraltothecollege’smission.Likewise,DevelopingaChristianMindcourseswouldincludeanapplicationofthecollege’stheologicalgroundingtosustainability,diversityandinclusioneveniftheydonotfocusontheseparticularareasintheoverallthemeofthesection.
Thistaskforcehighlyrecommendsimplementingthetaggedsystem,withanevaluationattheendofeachofthefirstthreeyearstorecommendfine-tuningandadjustments,asnecessary.
Tiers2and3:ForTier2,ifandwhentheCoreCurriculumisre-examined,thetaskforcerecommendsaddingaseparatecorecategoryforsustainability.Similartoothercorecategories,thiswouldrequirestudentstochoosefromalistofspecificcoursesthatincludesustainabilitySLOs.ForTier3,acourseorsetofcoursesthatdirectlyincorporatethesustainabilitySLOscouldbecreatedandaddedtotheCalvincurriculumoverall,orwithineachofthemajorprograms.
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B. Assessment
ToassesstheSustainabilitySLOsatthecollegelevel,thetaskforcealsorecommendsthatassessmentofsustainabilitySLOsbeimplementedthroughapre-testandapost-testofsustainabilityliteracy.Asustainabilityliteracypre-testcouldbeincludedaspartofDCMandasustainabilityliteracypost-testcouldbeincludedaspartofanongoing,regularlyconductedseniorsurvey,oraspartofanycoursethatfulfillstheIntegratedStudiescorerequirement.Thesedata,mergedwiththesustainabilitytranscriptfortheparticipants,wouldbeexaminedanddiscussedbytheDirectorofSustainabilityandEESConanannualbasisduringthestart-upyears,andthenonabi-annualbasis.RecommendationstotheProvost,EPC,StudentLife,andAcademicServicesformodificationstothecurricularplanwouldbetheresponsibilityoftheDirectorofSustainability.
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Recommendation5:Expandincentivesandawareness-buildinginitiativesforlifestylechoicesthatalign
withthecollege’ssustainabilitygoals
ThetaskforcecommendstheStudentLifeDivisionforitsrobustsupportofstudent-ledinitiativesthatpromotesustainablelifestylechoices.ThetaskforcerecommendsthatStudentLifeexpandandformalizesustainablelivingaspartoftheco-curricularexperienceandincludesustainablelifestylechoicesaspartoforientationprogrammingbeginninginSummer2017.ThecommitteerecommendsthecollegebuildonthesuccessoftheseinitiativesbyexpandingHealthyHabitstoincludesustainablelifestyleincentivesandawarenessprogrammingforfacultyandstaffbeginningSpring2017,withfurtherinitiativestobedevelopedandcarriedforwardbyaDirectorofSustainability.
Animportantcomponentofaninstitutionalcommitmenttoenvironmentalsustainabilityisacoordinatedcommunitycommitmenttosustainability,particularlytothegoalofcarbonneutrality.Whilelifestylecommitmentsalonewillnotachievethesameimpactaslargersystemicchangesandinvestmentsincarbonneutrality,theyfosteranawarenessoftheissues,createacalltoaction,andprovidesomemeasuredreductionincampuscarbonemissions.
Forexample,facultyandstaffcommutingcontributesupto710mtceannuallytothecollege’scarbonbudget.Walkingandbikingtowork,ortakingpublictransportation,wouldreducethisnumbersignificantly.ThesinglelargestsourcesofcarbonemissionsatCalvinCollegearenaturalgasheatingandelectricity.Consolidatingnightclassesinonebuilding,ratherthanheatingandlightingallacademicbuildings,couldsignificantlyreducecarbonemissionsandutilityexpenses;eliminatingunnecessaryofficeapplianceswoulddothesame.Whatismore,individualchoicesaboutdietandotherconsumerpatterns,couldadvancethecollege’sothersustainabilitygoalsonandoffcampus.
Thetaskforcereviewedexistinginitiativestoencouragesustainablelifestylechoicesanddiscoveredthattheseinitiativesexistprimarilyforstudents,ratherthanfacultyandstaff.ThetaskforcecommendsStudentLifefortheseinitiatives:sustainabilitycoordinatorsonthedormfloors,Kill-A-Wattduringinterim,dormroomsustainabilitycertification,MadFarmerFoodFest,etc.Certainlymanyfacultyandstaffhavemadepersonalcommitmentstosustainability,butthecollegehasfewformalinitiativesdesignedtoshapetheoverallcultureofCalvinfacultyandstaffthroughtheirindividuallifestylechoices.
Thetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegecontinueandexpandstudentinitiativesandworkquicklytobuildcomparableinitiativesforfacultyandstaff.SomeoftheseinitiativescouldbeabsorbedbytheHealthyHabitsprogram,particularlywheretheseinitiativeshavebenefitsforpersonalhealth.Forexample,HealthyHabitsalreadyhasprogramsthatfocusonactivecommutingandhealthyeating.Theseprogramscouldbeexpandedtoemphasizereducedcarbonformsofcommutingandeatingpracticesthatcombineconcernsforpersonalandecologicalhealth.OtherinitiativescouldberunbyanewDirectorofSustainability.Greenofficeauditscouldencouragefacultyandstafftoreducetheiroverallenergyconsumption;short-termchallengesduringinterimorsummercouldencouragefacultyandstafftotestnewpractices,whetheritiseatingavegandietorreducingwasteintheirhomesandoffices.
Itisimportanttoemphasizethatinitiativestopromotesustainablelifestylechoicesbyfacultyandstaffwouldproducebenefitsbothonandoffcampus.Theywouldenlistfacultyandstaffineffortstomeetthecollege’sspecificsustainabilitygoals,suchasachievingnetcarbonneutralityanddivertingwastefromlandfills.
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Theywouldalsoequipfacultyandstafftoliveouttheirstewardshipcommitmentsathome,expandingthecollege’sinfluenceintheprojectofrenewingsociety.
Appendix2providesanannotatedlistofspecificsuggestionsthatthecollegecouldpursue.Collectively,theserecommendationsachievetwobroadoutcomes:
First,theycreategreaterconsistencyacrossstudent,faculty,andstaffeffortsintheareaofenvironmentallysustainablepersonalactions.Asnotedelsewhereinthisreport,therehasbeenavarietyofgrassrootseffortssurroundingpersonalactionsthatreducecarbonfootprints,howevertheanalysisofthiscommitteerevealsthattheyarenotcoordinated,andassuch,theirimpactandeffectaredifficulttomeasure.
Second,theycreateparityandpotentiallyintegratesustainabilitygoalswithotheraccountabilitygoalsacrossthecampus–effortslike"healthyhabits"orastrongercommitmenttodiversityandinclusion.
Thelistisbynomeansexhaustive,andthetaskforcerecommendsthatanewDirectorofSustainability,ifthecollegechoosestocreatethisposition,takealeadingroleinidentifyingandcoordinatingnewinitiatives.
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Recommendation6:Aligncampusmessagingwithacohesivesustainabilitynarrative
ThetaskforcerecommendsthatinSummer2017,theBrandStewardbegintoreorganizeandupdatethemultiple,disparatevenuesforsustainabilityinformationonthecollegewebpagesandprintedliteraturetoconveyacoherentandconsistentmessage.ThetaskforcefurtherrecommendsthattheBrandStewardworkwithaDirectorofSustainabilityinAY2017-2018todevelopanmessagingstrategytoleveragethecollege'ssustainabilityeffortsandachievementsinsupportofeffortstoincreaseenrollmentandexpandadvancement.
Thecommitteeundertookacomprehensiveanalysisoftheexistingmannerandmethodofcommunicationaroundenvironmentaleffortsandsustainabilitypracticesthatcontributetocarbonneutralityefforts.Thecurrentcommunicationsprofilereflectsthedisparatenatureoftheeffortsatthecollege.Thereexistavarietyofwebsites,pamphlets,documentsandreportsthatpromoteenvironmentalsustainability,aswellasstudentorganizations,clubs,governanceandquasigovernancegroups,andadministrativedepartmentswhichpurporttorepresenttheseactionsattheCollege.Thereisnosingleofficeorevidenceofacomprehensiveplanforcoordinatinga"calltoaction"orclearlyexplainingacommitmenttosustainability.
A. MessagingRecommendations
Thetaskforcerecommendsaconcertedefforttomakesustainabilitymessagingmoreprominent,coherent,andconsistent.Thiswillrequireanumberofseparateactions:
1. Forclarityinitsmessaging,settleonandadoptaparticulardefinitionofenvironmentalsustainability.Thisisdefinitionisarticulatedintheintroductiontothisreport.
2. Createasanctionedweblocationthatoutlinesthecollegescommitmenttoandprogressonachievingnetcarbonneutralityandthatprovidesagatewaytootherenvironmentalsustainabilityeffortsoncampus.
3. Developaconsistent,recognizableillustration,graphic,orlogokitforuseacrosstheCollegeonsustainabilityinitiativesandmarketing.
B. MessagingResponsibility
Sustainabilitymessagingisembeddedinawiderangeofcollegeactivities,soresponsibilityformessagingwillremaindiffuse.IfthecollegechoosestoappointaDirectorofSustainability,heorsheshouldtakeresponsibilityforcoordinatingthisworkacrossthecollege.ThedirectorshouldworkcloselywithCommunicationsandMarketingonwebsitemanagement,takingprimaryresponsibilityforthespecificcontentofthesustainabilitygatewaylocation.Thedirectorshouldalsocoordinatewithotherofficesoncampustoavoidduplicatedandconflictingmessaging.
Appendix1:CarbonNeutralityPlan4
TableA1.1
4Amorecompleteimplementationplanandanalysisisavailableinthesupportingdocuments.
CurrentNetEmissions*: 24,960 MTCE/yr
Projects SubProject Investment
MTCESavingsper$1spent UtilityBills MTCE Energy Notes
ConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCELECTRICAL $0 206.07 $30,500 206 elec 0.8% BehavioralchangesonlyConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCNATGAS $0 78.48 $7,000 78 gas 0.3% BehavioralchangesonlyComputers $0 64.66 $9,570 65 elec 0.3% ExpectedefficiencyincreasesCoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsELECTRICAL $0 13.51 $2,000 14 elec 0.1% BehavioralchangesonlyCoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsNATGAS $0 13.45 $1,200 13 gas 0.1% BehavioralchangesonlyCampusLightingtoLED Streetlights $146,550 1.02 $9,310 149 elec 0.6% EnergySavings(Nightonly)SteamBoilerstoHotWater KDH $550,000 0.88 $43,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportCampusLightingtoLED OccupancySensors $30,940 0.68 $3,130 21 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsSteamBoilerstoHotWater Commons $885,000 0.54 $49,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportSteamBoilerstoHotWater 3DormsconvertDomestic $185,000 0.52 $6,000 95 gas 0.4% ENGR3332015ReportCampusLightingtoLED Campusbldgs(LED) $2,900,000 0.47 $203,066 1372 elec 5.5% EnergySavingsCampusLightingtoLED VanNoordArena $225,000 0.44 $14,768 100 elec 0.4% EnergySavingsAirCompressors $58,750 0.43 $3,770 25 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsCampusRooftopSolarAdditions Several$.5-1mprojects $15,104,010 0.37 $1,200,000 5606 elec 22.5% ThisisGeneratedElectrictyCampusWindowsReplacement Campus $7,478,580 0.36 $237,795 2666 gas 10.7% ACUPCC2012ReportPneumatictoElectricControls $1,375,000 0.22 $44,883 303 elec 1.2% ReducedenergyusageCampusLightingtoLED DormTaskLamps $106,960 0.18 $1,226 20 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsCampusRoofs/insulation Campus $4,861,425 0.05 $23,335 262 gas 1.0% ACUPCC2012ReportGeothermal RestofCampus $93,156,276 0.04 $336,116 3768 gas 15.1% ACUPCC2012ReportGeothermal KDHandDorms $27,752,000 0.01 $26,332 295 gas 1.2% ACUPCC2012ReportRenewableElectricty PurchasedfromConsumers $0 0.00 $0 1407 elec 5.6% Provideruses10%renewable
Total: $154,815,491 2,252,001$ 17,431 70%RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions: 7,529
*CurrentNetEmissions:TotalMTCEfromall campusoperationsin2015lesscarbonsequesteredbyCalvinproperty.
CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects
AnnualSavings
%ofTotal
SortedbyCarbonReducedper$1Spent
25
TableA1.2
CurrentNetEmissions*: 24,960 MCTE/yr
Projects SubProject InvestmentYrstoPayback Utilities mtce Energy Notes
ConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCELECTRICAL $0 0 $30,500 206 elec 0.8% BehavioralchangesonlyConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCNATGAS $0 0 $7,000 78 gas 0.3% BehavioralchangesonlyCoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsELECTRICAL $0 0 $2,000 14 elec 0.1% BehavioralchangesonlyCoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsNATGAS $0 0 $1,200 13 gas 0.1% BehavioralchangesonlyComputers $0 0 $9,570 65 elec 0.3% ExpectedefficiencyincreasesRenewableElectricty PurchasedfromConsumers $0 0 $0 1407 elec 5.6% Provideruses10%renewableCampusLightingtoLED OccupancySensors $30,940 10 $3,130 21 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsCampusRooftopSolarAdditions Several$.5-1mprojects $15,104,010 13 $1,200,000 5606 elec 22.5% Self-GeneratedElectricitySteamBoilerstoHotWater KDH $550,000 13 $43,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportCampusLightingtoLED Campusbldgs(LED) $2,900,000 14 $203,066 1372 elec 5.5% EnergySavingsCampusLightingtoLED VanNoordArena $225,000 15 $14,768 100 elec 0.4% EnergySavingsAirCompressors $58,750 16 $3,770 25 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsCampusLightingtoLED Streetlights $146,550 16 $9,310 149 elec 0.6% EnergySavings(Nightonly)SteamBoilerstoHotWater Commons $885,000 18 $49,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportPneumatictoElectricControls $1,375,000 31 $44,883 303 elec 1.2% ReducedenergyusageSteamBoilerstoHotWater 3DormsconvertDomestic $185,000 31 $6,000 95 gas 0.4% ENGR3332015ReportCampusWindowsReplacement Campus $7,478,580 31 $237,795 2666 gas 10.7% ACUPCC2012ReportCampusLightingtoLED DormTaskLamps $106,960 87 $1,226 20 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsCampusRoofs/insulation Campus $4,861,425 208 $23,335 262 gas 1.0% ACUPCC2012ReportGeothermal RestofCampus $93,156,276 277 $336,116 3768 gas 15.1% ACUPCC2012ReportGeothermal KDHandDorms $27,752,000 1054 $26,332 295 gas 1.2% ACUPCC2012Report
Total: $154,815,491 2,252,001$ 17,431 70%RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions: 7,529
*CurrentNetEmissions:TotalMTCEfromall campusoperationsin2015lesscarbonsequesteredbyCalvinproperty.
CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects
%ofTotal
AnnualSavingsSortedbyYearstoPayback
26
TableA1.3
CurrentNetEmissions*: 24,960 MTCE/yr
Projects SubProject Investment
CostSavingsper$1spent UtilityBills MTCE Energy Notes
ConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCELECTRICAL $0 30,500 $30,500 206 elec 0.8% Behavioralchangesonly
Computers $0 9,570 $9,570 65 elec 0.3% Expectedefficiencyincreases
ConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCNATGAS $0 7,000 $7,000 78 gas 0.3% Behavioralchangesonly
CoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsELECTRICAL $0 2,000 $2,000 14 elec 0.1% Behavioralchangesonly
CoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsNATGAS $0 1,200 $1,200 13 gas 0.1% Behavioralchangesonly
CampusLightingtoLED OccupancySensors $30,940 0.10 $3,130 21 elec 0.1% EnergySavings
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions Several$.5-1mprojects $15,104,010 0.08 $1,200,000 5606 elec 22.5% Self-generatedElectricity
SteamBoilerstoHotWater KDH $550,000 0.08 $43,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportEstimates
CampusLightingtoLED Campusbldgs(LED) $2,900,000 0.07 $203,066 1372 elec 5.5% EnergySavings
CampusLightingtoLED VanNoordArena $225,000 0.07 $14,768 100 elec 0.4% EnergySavings
AirCompressors $58,750 0.06 $3,770 25 elec 0.1% EnergySavings
CampusLightingtoLED Streetlights $146,550 0.06 $9,310 149 elec 0.6% EnergySavings(Nightonly)
SteamBoilerstoHotWater Commons $885,000 0.06 $49,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportEstimates
PneumatictoElectricControls $1,375,000 0.03 $44,883 303 elec 1.2% Reducedenergyusage
SteamBoilerstoHotWater 3DormsconvertDomestic $185,000 0.03 $6,000 95 gas 0.4% ENGR3332015ReportEstimates
CampusWindowsReplacement Campus $7,478,580 0.03 $237,795 2666 gas 10.7% ACUPCC2012ReportEstimates
CampusLightingtoLED DormTaskLamps $106,960 0.01 $1,226 20 elec 0.1% EnergySavings
CampusRoofs/insulation Campus $4,861,425 0.00 $23,335 262 gas 1.0% ACUPCC2012ReportEstimates
Geothermal RestofCampus $93,156,276 0.00 $336,116 3768 gas 15.1% ACUPCC2012ReportEstimates
Geothermal KDHandDorms $27,752,000 0.00 $26,332 295 gas 1.2% ACUPCC2012ReportEstimates
RenewableElectricty Util ityProvider $0 0.00 $0 1407 elec 5.6% Provideruses10%renewable
Total: $154,815,491 2,252,001$ 17,431 70%RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions: 7,529
*CurrentNetEmissions:TotalMTCEfromall campusoperationsin2015lesscarbonsequesteredbyCalvinproperty.
CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects
AnnualSavings
%ofTotal
SortedbyEnergySavingsper$Invested
27
TableA1.4
CurrentNetEmissions*: 24,960 MTCE/yr
Projects SubProject Investment Utilities mtce Energy NotesConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCELECTRICAL $0 $30,500 206 elec 0.8% BehavioralchangesonlyConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildingsDV,HH,SCNATGAS $0 $7,000 78 gas 0.3% BehavioralchangesonlyCoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsELECTRICAL $0 $2,000 14 elec 0.1% BehavioralchangesonlyCoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildingsNATGAS $0 $1,200 13 gas 0.1% BehavioralchangesonlyComputers $0 $9,570 65 elec 0.3% ExpectedefficiencyincreasesRenewableElectricty PurchasedfromConsumers $0 $0 1407 elec 5.6% Provideruses10%renewableCampusLightingtoLED OccupancySensors $30,940 $3,130 21 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsAirCompressors $58,750 $3,770 25 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsCampusLightingtoLED DormTaskLamps $106,960 $1,226 20 elec 0.1% EnergySavingsCampusLightingtoLED Streetlights $146,550 $9,310 149 elec 0.6% EnergySavings(Nightonly)SteamBoilerstoHotWater 3DormsconvertDomestic $185,000 $6,000 95 gas 0.4% ENGR3332015ReportCampusLightingtoLED VanNoordArena $225,000 $14,768 100 elec 0.4% EnergySavingsSteamBoilerstoHotWater KDH $550,000 $43,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportSteamBoilerstoHotWater Commons $885,000 $49,000 482 gas 1.9% ENGR3332015ReportPneumatictoElectricControls $1,375,000 $44,883 303 elec 1.2% ReducedenergyusageCampusLightingtoLED Campusbldgs(LED) $2,900,000 $203,066 1372 elec 5.5% EnergySavingsCampusRoofs/insulation Campus $4,861,425 $23,335 262 gas 1.0% ACUPCC2012ReportCampusWindowsReplacement Campus $7,478,580 $237,795 2666 gas 10.7% ACUPCC2012ReportCampusRooftopSolarAdditions Several$.5-1mprojects $15,104,010 $1,200,000 5606 elec 22.5% Self-GeneratedElectricityGeothermal KDHandDorms $27,752,000 $26,332 295 gas 1.2% ACUPCC2012ReportGeothermal RestofCampus $93,156,276 $336,116 3768 gas 15.1% ACUPCC2012Report
Total: $154,815,491 2,252,001$ 17,431 70%RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions: 7,529
*CurrentNetEmissions:TotalMTCEfromall campusoperationsin2015lesscarbonsequesteredbyCalvinproperty.
%ofTotal
CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects
AnnualSavingsSortedbyUpfrontCost
28
TableA1.5:OnePlanforCarbonReductionBasedontheCERFModelofReinvestingEnergySavings:Years1-27
Project%Project
%Complete Year
OperatingBudgetNormalExpense
CapitalCostCurrentYearAmount
NEWSavings(Year)
RunningToralSavings(Year)
CompoundedSavingsYeartoYear
CollegeAccumulatedRunningTotal
RenewableElectricty 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
ConsolidateNightClasses/CloseBuildings 100.00% 100.00% 1 $0.00 $0.00 $37,500.00 $37,500.00 CoordinateReservationswithOpenBuildings 100.00% 100.00% 1 $0.00 $0.00 $3,200.00 $40,700.00
PneumatictoElectricControls 12.00% 12.00% 1 $165,000.00 $0.00 $5,386.00 $46,086.00
YearTotal 1 $46,086.00
YearStart 2 $46,086.00 $46,086.00 $46,086.00
OccupancySensors 100.00% 100.00% 2 $30,940.00 $0.00 $3,130.18 $49,216.18
Streetlights(Partial) 50.00% 50.00% 2 $73,275.00 $0.00 $4,654.89 $53,871.07
VanNoordArena(Partial) 50.00% 50.00% 2 $112,500.00 $0.00 $7,384.00 $61,255.07
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 5.00% 5.00% 2 $145,000.00 $0.00 $10,153.28 $71,408.35
DormTaskLamps(Partial) 50.00% 50.00% 2 $53,480.00 $0.00 $613.20 $72,021.55
YearTotal 2 $25,935.55
YearStart 3 $118,107.55 $72,021.55 $118,107.55
Streetlights(Partial) 25.00% 75.00% 3 $36,637.50 $0.00 $2,327.44 $120,434.99
VanNoordArena(Partial) 50.00% 100.00% 3 $112,500.00 $0.00 $7,384.00 $127,818.99
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 15.00% 3 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $148,125.55
DormTaskLamps(Partial) 50.00% 100.00% 3 $53,480.00 $0.00 $613.20 $148,738.75
YearTotal 3 $30,631.21
YearStart 4 $220,760.30 $102,652.76 $220,760.30
Streetlights(Partial) 25.00% 100.00% 4 $36,637.50 $0.00 $2,327.44 $223,087.75
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 25.00% 4 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $243,394.31
AirCompressors(Partial) 25.00% 25.00% 4 $14,687.50 $0.00 $942.47 $244,336.78
PneumatictoElectricControls 3.00% 15.00% 4 $41,250.00 $0.00 $1,346.50 $245,683.28
YearTotal 4 $24,922.97
29
Project%Project
%Complete Year
OperatingBudgetNormalExpense
CapitalCostCurrentYearAmount
NEWSavings(Year)
RunningToralSavings(Year)
CompoundedSavingsYeartoYear
CollegeAccumulatedRunningTotal
YearStart 5 $348,336.03 $127,575.73 $348,336.03
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 35.00% 5 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $368,642.60
AirCompressors(Partial) 25.00% 50.00% 5 $14,687.50 $0.00 $942.47 $369,585.06
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 5.00% 5.00% 5 $55,200.50 $700,000.00 $60,000.00 $429,585.06
YearTotal 5 $81,249.03
YearStart 6 $557,160.79 $208,824.76 -$142,839.21
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 45.00% 6 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $577,467.35
AirCompressors(Partial) 25.00% 75.00% 6 $14,687.50 $0.00 $942.47 $578,409.82
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 1.00% 6 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $580,787.77
YearTotal 6 $23,626.98
YearStart 7 $789,612.53 $232,451.74 $89,612.53
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 55.00% 7 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $809,919.09
AirCompressors(Partial) 25.00% 100.00% 7 $14,687.50 $0.00 $942.47 $810,861.56
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 5.00% 10.00% 7 $55,200.50 $700,000.00 $60,000.00 $870,861.56
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 2.00% 7 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $873,239.51
YearTotal 7 $83,626.98
YearStart 8 $1,105,691.24 $316,078.72 -$294,308.76
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 65.00% 8 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $1,125,997.81
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 3.00% 13.00% 8 $53,120.30 $400,000.00 $36,000.00 $1,161,997.81
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 3.00% 8 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $1,164,375.76
YearTotal 8 $58,684.51
YearStart 9 $1,480,454.47 $374,763.23 -$319,545.53
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 75.00% 9 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $1,500,761.03
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 2.00% 15.00% 9 $102,080.20 $200,000.00 $24,000.00 $1,524,761.03
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 4.00% 9 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $1,527,138.98
YearTotal 9 $46,684.51
30
Project%Project
%Complete Year
OperatingBudgetNormalExpense
CapitalCostCurrentYearAmount
NEWSavings(Year)
RunningToralSavings(Year)
CompoundedSavingsYear
toYear
CollegeAccumulatedRunningTotal
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 85.00% 10 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $1,922,208.77
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 5.00% 20.00% 10 $55,200.50 $700,000.00 $60,000.00 $1,982,208.77
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 5.00% 10 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $1,984,586.72
YearTotal 10 $82,684.51
YearStart 11 $2,406,034.46 $504,132.25 -$293,965.54
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 10.00% 95.00% 11 $290,000.00 $0.00 $20,306.56 $2,426,341.03
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 5.00% 25.00% 11 $55,200.50 $700,000.00 $60,000.00 $2,486,341.03
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 6.00% 11 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $2,488,718.98
YearTotal 11 $82,684.51
YearStart 12 $2,992,851.23 $586,816.76 -$407,148.77
Campusbldgs(LED)(Partial) 5.00% 100.00% 12 $145,000.00 $0.00 $10,153.28 $3,003,004.51
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 3.00% 28.00% 12 $53,120.30 $400,000.00 $36,000.00 $3,039,004.51
SteamBoilerstoHotWaterKDH 100.00% 100.00% 12 $195,000.00 $355,000.00 $43,000.00 $3,082,004.51
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 7.00% 12 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $3,084,382.46
YearTotal 12 $91,531.23
YearStart 13 $3,671,199.22 $678,348.00 -$483,800.78
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 7.00% 35.00% 13 $257,280.70 $800,000.00 $84,000.00 $3,755,199.22
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 8.00% 13 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $3,757,577.17
YearTotal 13 $86,377.95
YearStart 14 $4,435,925.17 $764,725.95 -$519,074.83
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 7.00% 42.00% 14 $257,280.70 $800,000.00 $84,000.00 $4,519,925.17
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 9.00% 14 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $4,522,303.12
YearTotal 14 $86,377.95
YearStart 15 $5,287,029.06 $851,103.90 -$467,970.94
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 5.00% 47.00% 15 $255,200.50 $500,000.00 $60,000.00 $5,347,029.06
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 10.00% 15 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $5,349,407.01
31
YearTotal 15 $62,377.95
Project%Project
%Complete Year
OperatingBudgetNormalExpense
CapitalCostCurrentYearAmount
NEWSavings(Year)
RunningToralSavings(Year)
CompoundedSavingsYeartoYear
CollegeAccumulatedRunningTotal
YearStart 16 $6,200,510.91 $913,481.85 -$54,489.09
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 5.00% 52.00% 16 $270,200.50 $485,000.00 $60,000.00 $6,260,510.91
SteamBoilerstoHotWater3Dorms 100.00% 100.00% 16 $85,000.00 $100,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,266,510.91
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 11.00% 16 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $6,268,888.86
YearTotal 16 $68,377.95
YearStart 17 $7,182,370.70 $981,859.80 $342,370.70
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 5.00% 57.00% 17 $270,200.50 $485,000.00 $60,000.00 $7,242,370.70
SteamBoilerstoHotWaterCommons 100.00% 100.00% 17 $335,000.00 $550,000.00 $49,000.00 $7,291,370.70
PneumatictoElectricControls 3.00% 18.00% 17 $41,250.00 $0.00 $1,346.50 $7,292,717.20
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 12.00% 17 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $7,295,095.15
YearTotal 17 $112,724.45
YearStart 18 $8,276,954.95 $1,094,584.24 $401,954.95
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 11.00% 68.00% 18 $161,441.10 $1,500,000.00 $132,000.00 $8,408,954.95
PneumatictoElectricControls 7.00% 25.00% 18 $96,250.00 $0.00 $3,141.83 $8,412,096.78
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 13.00% 18 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $8,414,474.73
YearTotal 18 $137,519.78
YearStart 19 $9,509,058.98 $1,232,104.03 $134,058.98
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 12.00% 80.00% 19 $312,481.20 $1,500,000.00 $144,000.00 $9,653,058.98
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 14.00% 19 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $9,655,436.93
YearTotal 19 $146,377.95
YearStart 20 $10,887,540.95 $1,378,481.98 $12,540.95
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 10.00% 90.00% 20 $330,401.00 $1,180,000.00 $120,000.00 $11,007,540.95
CampusWindowsReplacement 1.00% 15.00% 20 $74,785.80 $0.00 $2,377.95 $11,009,918.90
CampusRoofs/insulation 5.00% 5.00% 20 $3,071.25 $240,000.00 $1,166.75 $11,011,085.65
YearTotal 20 $123,544.70
32
Project%Project
%Complete Year
OperatingBudgetNormalExpense
CapitalCostCurrentYearAmount
NEWSavings(Year)
RunningToralSavings(Year)
CompoundedSavingsYear
toYear
CollegeAccumulatedRunningTotal
CampusRooftopSolarAdditions 10.00% 100.00% 21 $330,401.00 $1,180,000.00 $120,000.00 $12,509,567.63
CampusWindowsReplacement 5.00% 20.00% 21 $73,929.00 $300,000.00 $11,889.75 $12,521,457.38
CampusRoofs/insulation 5.00% 10.00% 21 $3,071.25 $240,000.00 $1,166.75 $12,522,624.13
YearTotal 21 $133,056.50
YearStart 22 $14,024,650.81 $1,635,083.18 $9,650.81
PneumatictoElectricControls 15.00% 40.00% 22 $206,250.00 $0.00 $6,732.50 $14,031,383.31
CampusWindowsReplacement 9.00% 29.00% 22 $73,072.20 $600,000.00 $21,401.55 $14,052,784.86
CampusRoofs/insulation 10.00% 20.00% 22 $36,142.50 $450,000.00 $2,333.50 $14,055,118.36
YearTotal 22 $30,467.55
YearStart 23 $15,690,201.53 $1,665,550.73 $625,201.53
PneumatictoElectricControls 15.00% 55.00% 23 $206,250.00 $0.00 $6,732.50 $15,696,934.03
CampusWindowsReplacement 11.00% 40.00% 23 $72,643.80 $750,000.00 $26,157.45 $15,723,091.48
CampusRoofs/insulation 10.00% 30.00% 23 $36,142.50 $450,000.00 $2,333.50 $15,725,424.98
YearTotal 23 $35,223.45
YearStart 24 $17,390,975.71 $1,700,774.17 $1,125,975.71
PneumatictoElectricControls 15.00% 70.00% 24 $206,250.00 $0.00 $6,732.50 $17,397,708.21
CampusWindowsReplacement 15.00% 55.00% 24 $71,787.00 $1,050,000.00 $35,669.25 $17,433,377.46
CampusRoofs/insulation 10.00% 40.00% 24 $36,142.50 $450,000.00 $2,333.50 $17,435,710.96
YearTotal 24 $44,735.25
YearStart 25 $19,136,485.13 $1,745,509.42 $1,371,485.13
PneumatictoElectricControls 15.00% 85.00% 25 $206,250.00 $0.00 $6,732.50 $19,143,217.63
CampusWindowsReplacement 15.00% 70.00% 25 $71,787.00 $1,050,000.00 $35,669.25 $19,178,886.88
CampusRoofs/insulation 20.00% 60.00% 25 $22,285.00 $950,000.00 $4,667.00 $19,183,553.88
YearTotal 25 $47,068.75
33
Project%Project
%Complete Year
OperatingBudgetNormalExpense
CapitalCostCurrentYearAmount
NEWSavings(Year)
RunningToralSavings(Year)
CompoundedSavingsYeartoYear
CollegeAccumulatedRunningTotal
YearStart 26 $20,929,063.30 $1,792,578.17 $1,164,063.30
PneumatictoElectricControls 15.00% 100.00% 26 $206,250.00 $0.00 $6,732.50 $20,935,795.80
CampusWindowsReplacement 15.00% 85.00% 26 $71,787.00 $1,050,000.00 $35,669.25 $20,971,465.05
CampusRoofs/insulation 20.00% 80.00% 26 $22,285.00 $950,000.00 $4,667.00 $20,976,132.05
YearTotal 26 $47,068.75
YearStart 27 $22,768,710.22 $1,839,646.92 $1,003,710.22
CampusWindowsReplacement 15.00% 100.00% 27 $71,787.00 $1,050,000.00 $35,669.25 $22,804,379.47
CampusRoofs/insulation 20.00% 100.00% 27 $22,285.00 $950,000.00 $4,667.00 $22,809,046.47
AppendixII:DirectorofSustainabilityResponsibilities
ThetaskforcerecommendsthatCalvinCollegeappointaDirectorofSustainabilitytocoordinateanddirectsustainabilityactivitiesacrossoperatingunits.Thecollegehasalreadydoneasignificantamountofworkonsustainability,drivenlargelybythepassionandcommitmentofindividualemployees.ADirectorofSustainabilitywillinstitutionalizethisworkandensurethatthisworksisgreaterthanthesumofitsparts. ToassisttheadministrationincraftingajobdescriptionforanewDirectorofSustainability,thetaskforcehascreatedalistofresponsibilitiesappropriatetotheposition.Asignificantnumberoftheresponsibilitieslistedbelowreflectcommitmentsthatthecollegehasmadewithoutalongrangeplanallocatingresourcestoensuretheircompletion.Indeed,thetaskforcebelievesthatcreatinganewposition,DirectorofSustainability,iscriticaltothecollege’ssustainabilitysuccess.
1. DevelopandimplementtheCarbonNeutralityplan• Managetherevolvinginvestmentfund• Prioritizeprojects• Trackandreportonprojects(carbonreduction,savings,costs)• Pursueandmanageadditionalgrantanddonorfundsforprojects
2. Inventory,coordinateandstreamlineallsustainabilityactivitiesatthecollege• Establisheffectivepartnershipsbetween,andworkcollaborativelywith,sustainabilityactorsacrossthe
college,includingthoseinthefollowingareas:o Curriculumo Research&Scholarshipo Service-Learningo StudentLifeo CreationCareCurriculumo FaithFormationo CommunityEngagemento PhysicalPlanto Energyo Vendorselectiono FoodServiceso WasteManagemento MasterPlano Investmento Health&Well-beingo Affordabilityo Diversityo Enrollment&Retentiono Advancemento Technologyo Transportationo Other
3. Developcross-divisionalSustainabilitySteeringCommitteeandmandate
• WorkwithEnvironmentalandEnergySustainabilityCommittee(EESC)todefinescopeandresponsibilities
35
4. Advisecollegeleaders• DevelopplantoincorporatesustainabilitygoalsandtargetsintoStrategicPlan• DevelopandoverseestrategiestomeetStrategicPlansustainabilitygoals• WorkwithIE&AtodevelopinstitutionallyaligneddashboardsandKPIsforsustainability• Createcollege-widecultureofsustainability• Guideandinformthecollegeinadoptingbestpractices• WorkwithCollegeChaplainsandfaithformationprogramsaroundcreationcarecurriculumandliturgy
5. OverseeSTARS(trackingandimplementation)andSustainabilityReporting• Workcross-divisionallytointegrateSTARSintoorganizationalbehavioranddecisionmaking• Buildsystemsandprocessesfordatacollectionandmanagement• ManagereportingforannualSTARSsubmission
6. ImplementSustainabilityLiteracyAssessmentacrosstheCurriculum• IntegratewithCoreAssessmentandEducationalFramework• Coordinatewithotherassessmentexpertsoncampustoensureintegratedmodel• Assesssustainabilityliteracy• Advisedepartmentsonsustainability-relatedprogramandcourselearningobjectives
7. Developaconsistentnarrativeandmessageregardingsustainabilityforcollege-widemarketingandcommunication• Developandmaintainwebresourcesthatreportworkcompletedandserveasasourceofinformationfor
individualsoncampus.
8. Findpermanentfundinganddetermineformalorganizationalmodel• Seekgrantfundingforparticularprojects• Exploreenergyrebatesandincentivestorecommendoptimaltimingforimplementation
9. Maintainprofessionalexpertise,stayingcurrentinthefieldandparticipatinginongoingprofessionaldevelopment.
10. Representthecollegeexternallyinnetworksrelatedtosustainability.• CoordinatefaithfulpracticesandadvocacyeffortswiththeCRCNAOfficeofSocialJusticeClimateWitness
Project• Coordinateandcommunicatebestpracticeswithpeerinstitutions• RepresentthecollegeatAASHEmeetings
AppendixIII:LifestyleChoicesandInitiatives
Itwillbeclearinthesuggestionsbelowthatthesuccessofthesustainablelifestylesuggestionsbelowdependsoncoordinateandsupport.ADirectorof
Sustainabilitywillplayacentralroleinpromotingandcoordinatingthesenewinitiatives.
Manyofthestudentinitiativescanbeexpandedtoincludefacultyandstaff,thoughthetaskforcerecommendsdevelopinganincentivesystemthat
differssignificantlyfromthatusedtoencouragestudents.BasedonconversationswiththesustainabilitydirectoratElonCollegeandinternaldeliberation,the
taskforcebelievesthatindividualincentivestendtobemoreeffectiveinmotivatingfacultyandstaff,whileteam-basedincentivesandconteststendtowork
wellamongstudents.
CurrentPractice ProposedImprovement ImpactDREAMcertificationforstudents:EachInterimaround25%ofourstudentswho
liveinresidencehallsp(425of1700students)
“DREAMcertify”theirroomsbytakinganonline
assessmentwhichevaluatesthesustainabilityof
theirresidencehallroomandlivingroutines.
TheDREAMcertificationformcanfoundonline:
calvin.edu/go/kill-a-watt
GreenOfficeAudit&Certificationforfaculty/staff:Weproposeadaptingthisprogramtoservefacultyandstaffintheformofa
GreenOfficeAudit.This“audit”wouldcreateaprocessforfacultyandstaff
memberstoreviewtheimpacttheirdailyworkhasontheenvironment,and
explorenewwaystolivemoresustainabledailyworklives.ADirectorof
Sustainabilitywouldcoordinatethisprogram.
PossibleIncentivesfortheGreenOfficeAudit
*Windowclingwhichdenotestheirachievedcertificationlevel.
*Freemealpasstothedininghall.
*ListofparticipantspublishedintheAcademicBulletin.
Seethefollowingwebsitesforexamplesof“GreenOfficeAudit”formsand
processes:
·BatesCollegehttp://www.bates.edu/sustainability/get-involved/get-
involved-for-faculty-and-staff/green-certification-program-for-offices/
·DukeUniversity
http://sustainability.duke.edu/action/certifications/greenworkplace/
·UniversityofCaliforniaRiverside
http://sustainability.ucr.edu/certification/greenofficeprogram.html
Variouspracticeswould
reduceoverallenergyuse.
Forexample,eachperson
whodecidestoturnher
officelightsoffforhalfthe
day,wouldsavethecollege
48kWhr/day,or12,480
kWhr/year.Thiscalculation
isbasedontheassumption
thereare260workingdays
inonecalendaryear.
LifestyleChallengesforstudents:EachJanuary,about35%ofresidencehall
studentstryoutnewsustainablelifestylehabits
aspartofKill-A-Watt.Studentschoosefroma
menuofseverallifestylechallengeoptions,such
asbecomingveganorvegetarian,goingcarless,
takingshortershowers,givingupplasticbottles,
unpluggingapplianceswhennotinuse,orusing
coldwaterforlaundry.Onaverage,astudent
LifestyleChallengesforfaculty/staff:WeproposetoexpandtheseLifestyleChallengestoincludetheentire
campus.Faculty,staff,andstudentswouldsignuponlinetotryoutnew
sustainableLifestyleHabitsduringinterim,includingridingbus,carpooling,
usingpaper/plasticproducts,communityinvolvement,homeenergyaudit,
replacinglightbulbswithLEDlightsathome,dietarychanges,etc.
Participantscouldqualifyforvariousincentivessuchasthefollowing:
*Asmallbuttonwithagreenleafthatsays“Takingthechallenge.”
*Bonusbucks
Challengeswouldcontribute
toenergyandresource
reductions,suchasfaculty
committingtoreducetheir
printer/copierusebyaset
percentage.
37
whosignsupforLifestyleChallenges,willtake
on6-8newlifestylechallengesforinterim.See
www.calvin.edu/go/kill-a-watt)
*Drawingforgrandprize:ahomeenergyauditandmoneytocomplete
sustainabilityupgradesathome.
TransportationandParking:ThecollegecurrentlyhasanActiveCommute
Weektoencouragebikingandwalkingtowork.
ThecollegealsoprovidesRapiddiscountcards
forstudents,staff,andfacultytouseonpublic
transportation.
Expandsustainabletransportationprogramsandincentives:*Increasestudentparkingfeeandencouragealternatevehiclesharing:
Ridesharing,Enterprisecar-sharingprogram,publictransportation,etc.
*Chargeanannualfeeforfaculty/staffparkingpassandusethismoney
fromthisfeeforsustainabilityinitiativesandincentives.Offeradiscounted
passforcarpoolvehicles.
*Establish“prime”parkingspacesforcarpoolandlow-emissionvehicles.
Exampleprogram:ElonCollegehttp://www.elon.edu/e-
web/bft/sustainability/ci-transport.xhtml
*Explorethepossibilityofaddingbikelanestocampusroadsandsidewalks.
*Offerbikelockersorbikeracksunderawnings,tocreateweather-
protectedparkingforbikes
*Adddividersorcurtainstoshowersonstafflockerrooms,sothereare
individualshowerstalls.Thiswillremoveonebarriertobikingtowork,as
manypeoplewouldfeelmorecomfortableusingaprivateshower.
*Offerfreeathleticcomplexlockerstoanystaff/facultywhocommitto
bikingorwalkingtoworkforatleast50daysoftheyear.
*Addcampusshowersinkeycampuslocations,otherthanthefieldhouse.
*Calvinvanshuttleroutesforstaff(morningandevening).
Encouragingcarpoolingand
lowemissionvehicleswould
contributedirectlyto
Calvin’scarbonreductions.
SustainableDining:DiningServicesparticipatestheRealFood
Challenge,aprogramthatpromotesthe
purchaseanduseofmorelocalfood.Calvinalso
hasanactiveFoodRecoveryNetworkprogram,
inwhichstudentvolunteerstransportleftover
dininghallfoodtocommunityfoodpantriesand
shelters.Inaddition,thedininghallcurrently
workstosupportlocalorganicfarms,provides
vegetarianandveganoptions,minimizesuseof
disposabledinnerware,usedcompostable
disposable,compostsfoodwaste,and
implementsareusablemugprogram.
ExpandsustainablepracticesincollaborationwithDiningServices:Someideasinclude:
*Educatingstudentsandstaffmembersaboutcurrentinitiativesthrough
consistentsignageDiningServiceslocations.
*Increasedveganentreesandsignage;meatlessMondays;andeducational
materialaboutvegansourcesofprotein.
*Expandcompostingthroughoutcampus,wherefeasible.
*Promotestaff/facultydiningplansasatietocarbonneutralityand
environmentalsustainability(sostaffdon'tdriveoff-campusforlunch)
Someoftheseprograms
wouldcontributedirectlyto
foodwastereductions.
Manywouldnotaffectthe
college’scarbonbudgetor
measuredgoals,butthey
wouldbuildacultureof
sustainability.
38
CommunityGardens:Calvincurrentlymaintainstwocommunity
gardens:asmallgardeninwhichstudentscan
rentgardenplots,andalargergardenthat
producesmarket-qualityfoodusedbyDining
Services.Studentsareemployedtoworkinthe
garden,organizingvolunteers,acquiringseeds,
planting,weeding,harvesting,andcleaning.
Severalfacultyconveneclassesinthegardenfor
anythingfromexpressingcreativeideasabout
foodinart,toscienceinvestigationsstudying
leadinfood,tointroductoryclassesbecoming
awareofhealthfulcharacteristicsofsoils.
Communityeducationeventsareheldatthe
garden,andthehousenexttothegardenis
hometoasmallliving-learningcommunityof
students,whohavefacultymentors.TheGEO
Departmentalsomaintainsbeehivesinthe
largercommunitygarden.
Expandparticipationandlearningthroughtheuseofourcampusgardens:*Invitecommunityorganizations,DiningServices,HealthyHabits,Culinary
Club,studentorganizations,andGardenHouseliving-learningstudentsto
facilitatecommunityeducationevents.
*Addsignagethatexplainsthevisionandpurposeofthegarden.
*Createanew,well-tendedherbgardeninamorevisiblelocationnear
KnollcrestDiningHall.
*Buildingagazebointhegardenforeducationalprograms.
*Offerproducebenefitsforfacultyandstaffwhovolunteerinthegardens.
*WorkwithCalvin’scommercialcompostingcompanytodeterminethe
feasibilityof1)returningcomposttocampusand2)sellingcompostto
faculty/staffforhomeuse.
*ExpandthelargercommunitygardenonHampshireintotheneighboring
yardinordertoaddasmallorchard.
PossibleCommunityEducationseminartopicideas:
*Howtoputinasmallgardenofyourown
*Howtocompostinyourbackyard
*Makerainbarrels(throughWMEAC)
*Beekeepinglessons
Thecommunitygardens
servebothaseducational
toolsandascentersof
communityoncampus.
ExpandHealthyHabitstopromotesustainablelifestylechoices:RoyZuidema,whooverseestheHealthyHabitsprogramatCalvin,eagerto
collaborateandpromotethelifestyleinitiativeslistedinthisdocument.
Ideasinclude:
*Offermoreseminarsonsustainabilitytopicssuchasvegetarianism,
gardening,readingfoodlabels,eatinglocally
*Hostabookdiscussiongrouponhealthandsustainability.
*Hostafallwellnessrelatedevent,inconnectionwithAASHESustainability
MonthinOctober.
*Provideadditionalresourcesandincentivesforbikingtowork.
*CollaboratewithHumanResourcestoofferrecognitiontostaffmembers
whoconsistentlybiketowork
*PartnerwithOutdoorRecreationtoofferbikemaintenanceworkshops
throughHealthyHabits
*PromoteandexpandtheActiveCommuteWeek
*Worktowardscreatingmoreinfrastructuretosupportbikingtowork(such
asbikelockers,bikelanes,showersinotherlocations,etc.)
39
*ExpandtheresponsibilitiesoftheHealthyHabitsambassadorstoinclude
sustainabilityissues.HealthyHabitsambassadorscouldworktopromote
bothhealthandsustainabilityintheirdepartments.
SustainabilityCoordinator:Calvinhasaresidencehall-basedleadership
positioncalled“sustainabilitycoordinator.”
Thereareafewsustainabilitycoordinatorsin
eachresidencehallwhopromotesustainable
practicesandeventsintheirowncommunities,
andthisteamalsoworkstogetheroncentralized
programsforthebroadercommunity,suchas
Kill-a-wattandMadFarmerFoodFest
Createsustainabilityambassadorsinfaculty/staffdepartmentsatCalvin:ThiscouldbestructuredsomewhatsimilarlytothecurrentHealthyHabits
Ambassadorprogram,whereonerepresentativefromeachdepartment
workstowardsconnectingtheirdepartmenttothecampus’ssustainability
initiatives.Alternatively,thecurrentdirectorofHealthyHabits(Roy
Zuidema)alsosuggestedthattheHealthyHabitsAmbassadorscould
potentiallyincludesustainabilityinitiativesaspartoftheirrole.
Exampleprogram:ElonCollegehasaSustainabilityAmbassadorsprogram,
whichcouldpotentiallyserveasamodelorstartingpoint.Their
sustainabilitydirectorinvitesrepresentativesfromthroughoutthestaff
departmentsofthecollegetojointogetherforaspeciallunchmeetingonce
persemester.Duringthismeeting,staffbringfeedbacktothedirectorof
sustainability.Thistimeisalsousedtobrainstormnewsustainability
initiativesandreportbackonprogressfrompastgoalsandinitiatives.
CampusMinistriesPartnership:CampusMinistriesCurrentlyourCampusMinistriesofficeoccasionally
organizeschapelservicesthatarefocusedoncreation-care.Thisofficealso
partnerswiththeresidencehallsustainabilitycoordinatorstoplana
collaborativedormworshipnightandtooffercreation-carebiblestudies
duringInterim.OneadditionalideawouldbefortheCampusMinistries
officetoencouragethepursuitofasustainablepracticeforlent,suchas
fastingfrommeatoncertaindays.