fy 12 ohio university sustainablity report
DESCRIPTION
The FY 12 Sustainability Report outlines the progress made toward each of 35 Benchmarks outlined in Ohio University's Sustainability Plan and identifies “Next Steps” for the university’s future sustainable efforts.TRANSCRIPT
Ohio University Sustainability Report
Completed: August 2012 Published: October 2012
Edition 1
Prepared by: Ohio University Office of Sustainability
with support from Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 3
Overall Benchmark Progress 4
Benchmarks 5
Progress by Categories Academics & Research 6 Land Management 11 Outreach and Reporting 14 Purchasing 17 Transportation 22 Waste 25 Fundraising & Endowment 29 Climate Commitment 31 Buildings & Energy Infrastructure 33
Acknowledgements 37
2
Executive Summary
In 2007, President Roderick McDavis signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Com-
mitment. With this act, the University was committed to setting a target date and plan for institutional car-
bon neutrality and integrating sustainability into the curriculum and college experience. To aid these efforts,
President McDavis established the Presidential Advisory Council for Sustainability Planning (PACSP) in
2009. PACSP then worked with various campus and community constituents in the development of the
Ohio University Sustainability Plan, which was adopted by the President in June 2011. Driving visions,
benchmarks, suggested strategies and full details regarding creation of the Sustainability Plan are addressed in the Plan itself. The Sustainability Plan moved into the implementation phase during the 2011-2012 aca-
demic year under the direction of the Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee (EECC) of the Faculty
Senate.
In this, the first year of the Sustainability Plan’s existence, the implementation process consisted of identify-
ing and reaching out to responsible parties for each benchmark. To compile data regarding progress on
benchmarks, members of the Office of Sustainability first identified parties who already had efforts under-
way, were familiar with the Sustainability Plan and/or had resources or procedures in place which were
available to address the benchmark.
To facilitate easy comprehension in this report, benchmarks were divided into subcategories. The bench-
mark priority level (ranked 1-35) is retained and located to the left of each benchmark report. This report
documents the progress made for each benchmark and identifies next steps to ensure continued progress.
In the first year of implementation, the following have been achieved:
An implementation and reporting process was created
A campus-wide departmental liaison program proposal was created to aid implementation
4 benchmarks are reported as having achieved “Significant” progress (11.4%)
“Some” progress was made on 6 benchmarks (17.1%)
While sustainability continues to be a high priority of Ohio University, 25 of the benchmarks received
“minimal” or “insignificant” progress ratings. It should be noted that this plan is expected to be accom-
plished in the long-term and such level of reporting is to be expected. Though, it is clear that additional
work must be accomplished if the institution is to successfully accomplish all elements of this plan. To
begin, additional data collection is necessary in a variety of areas. This will require the support of additional
staff or volunteer hours. Additionally, increased outreach and programming must occur in order to im-
prove the sustainability literacy of the entire campus community. Infrastructure development will continue
to be a high priority of the institution and will receive significant support through research, grant writing
and staff resources.
None of the efforts reported here could have been accomplished if it weren’t for the passion and dedica-tion of individuals throughout the institution. We are grateful to those who chose to report their efforts
to EECC and the Office of Sustainability. It is anticipated, though, that a number of efforts were not includ-
ed here merely because the reporting agents were unaware of such efforts. All members of the campus
community are invited to self-report any personal and professional efforts being taken to improve Ohio
University’s sustainability profile. Reports may be emailed to us at [email protected] at any time
throughout the year.
3
Insignificant Minimal Some Significant Complete
Benchmarks: 1 - Reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions
2 - Reduce campus and building energy intensity
3 - Increase renewable energy
4 - LEED certify new buildings and major renovations on all campuses
5 - Reduce solid waste
6 - Institute annual sustainability profile tracking and assessment process
7 - Increase recycling rates
8 - Improve sustainability literacy of students, faculty and staff
9 - Increase enrollment in sustainability-themed courses, majors, and programs
10 - Integrate sustainability goals and objectives into capital campaign
11 - Provide undergraduate students with a sustainability-focused major, degree program, or equivalent
12 - Evaluate LEED EBOM of existing facilities
13 - Prohibit the installation of permanent irrigation systems that rely on potable water
14 - Increase purchase of local food
15 - Improve identification and proper handling of hazardous waste
16 - Improve sustainability profile of student, staff, and faculty vehicles
17 - Institute storm water management plan
18 - Improve sustainability profile of campus fleet
19 - Increase use of green cleaning products
20 - Increase the percentage of paper products on campus that include post-consumer recycled content
21 - Assess endowment investment in sustainable corporations and entities and recommend strategies for
increasing investment in these corporations and entities
22 - Implement recruitment strategies targeting sustainability-minded students, faculty, and staff
23 - Strengthen sustainability research activities
24 - Prohibit elective use of Styrofoam materials and containers
25 - Sub-meter campus facilities
26 - Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
27 - Decrease use of Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV)
28 - Increase purchase on non-food local goods and services and environmentally preferable goods
29 - Increase purchase of environmentally preferable computer products
30 - Provide information to diners regarding sustainability-attributes of food options
31 - Develop sustainability guidelines for concessionaires and franchisees
32 - Increase food donations to local service organizations
33 - Encourage residency in City of Athens for Athens campus employees
34 - Implement notification system for local service organizations regarding availability of surplus items
35 - Define and track sustainability research activities
5
Academics and Research
FY 2012 Highlights:
Honors Tutorial College established a B.S.
in Environmental Studies. The academic
program is scheduled to begin in 2012-13,
Ohio University defined “sustainability lit-
eracy” and created surveying methods
for the student population.
The Common Experience Project theme
for the coming 4 years has been selected
as “Sustainability.” 6
Academics and Research
8. Improve sustainability literacy of students, faculty and staff
Target and Date:
December, 2011: Define ‘sustainability literacy’
June 2012: Establish ‘sustainability literacy’ baseline
Annually: Increase sustainability literacy among students, faculty and staff by 5%
Status:
Sustainability-“Sustainability literacy” was defined: “A person literate in sustainability understands basic defini-
tions of sustainability and understands how to incorporate sustainability values and practices into everyday
living and their personal and professional choices.” “Basic definitions of sustainability” include the Brundtland
definition (“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their needs,” from The Report of the Brundtland Commission, Our Common Future, Oxford University
Press, 1987) and the intrinsic connection between the three pillars of sustainability as highlighted in the Ohio
University approach of “people, planet, prosperity.”
To measure sustainability literacy, a pilot sustainability literacy study was completed for the 2011-2012 aca-
demic year. From this study, a baseline sustainability literacy survey was created which will be given to in-
coming freshmen via the CIRP survey, and to outgoing seniors through an emailed exit survey. The 2012
freshmen CIRP survey will provide the sustainability literacy baseline by which future increases in sustainabil-
ity literacy will be measured. Starting in spring 2013, an exit sustainability literacy survey, facilitated by Office
of Sustainability, will be distributed via email to graduating seniors each year.
The theme for the Common Experience Project, an academic effort to promote unified curriculum messag-
ing, for 2012-2015 will be “sustainability.”
Note: Sustainability literacy evaluation helps identify a community’s placement within three phases of sustain-
ability progression, as defined by Leith Sharp through her Organizational Change Management theory. The
three phases are: Awakening, Pioneering and Transforming. In the institution’s effort to assess “sustainability
literacy,” efforts will be made to assist student in their navigation through all phases of this process on at
least one topic within sustainability. Therefore, it is anticipated that additional metrics and programming will
need to be defined and created to adequately measure progress in this goal.
Reporting Bodies:
EECC, Office of Sustainability, University College, Enrollment
Next steps:
Address faculty/staff literacy; pilot SOUL program.
7
Progress Level: Some
Academics and Research
Ahead of the Curve
Interior Architecture,
College of Fine Arts
“The Ohio University Interior Ar-chitecture program curriculum addresses the architecture of in-side space…In today's world every-thing designers and architects do is tempered by, and filtered through, the lens of sustainability. “Within this program we address sustainability as an overarching component in designing the archi-tecture of inside spaces. We ad-dress the concepts of material content, manufacturing processes, life cycle assessment of materials and building and installation meth-ods.”
- Matthew Ziff Associate Professor
Interior Architecture Area Chair
9. Increase enrollment in sustainability-themed courses,
majors and programs.
Target and Date:
December, 2011 – Define sustainability-themed courses, majors, and
programs. Determine baseline,
Annual – 5% increase in sustainability – themed course offerings and
enrollment
Status:
Sustainability-themed courses have been defined. Baseline data gath-
ering is underway.
Sustainability has been selected as the theme for the Common Experi-
ence Project for the next four years. This program is aimed at offer-
ing all OU students with a consistent message regarding institutional
values by incorporating sustainability into a variety of curricula, re-
gardless of discipline. All faculty participating in this voluntary pro-
gram will take a survey to self-identify sustainability themed courses
which they teach. At the close of FY12, this survey had been created
and distributed for responses.
Reporting Bodies:
EECC, Office of Sustainability, University College, Enrollment
Next steps:
Continue to implement survey distribution and collection. All faculty
are invited to self-report by sending an email to
[email protected]. Office of Sustainability will then be responsi-
ble for compiling a list of sustainability themed courses and submitting
the list to Enrollment when available. Enrollment will then report the
number of students in each sustainability themed course. The same
will be done for sustainability themed majors, but enrollment numbers
will only be compiled annually.
8
Progress Level: Minimal
Academics and Research
11. Provide undergraduate students with a sustainability-focused major, degree program or
equivalent.
Target and Date:
2015: One major, degree program or equivalent.
Status:
Honors Tutorial College (HTC) will offer a B.S. Environmental Studies, beginning in 2013. Details are availa-
ble at http://www.honors.ohio.edu/programs/environmental-studies.html
Reporting Body:
Office of the Provost
Next steps:
Assess HTC program and consider future steps
23. Strengthen sustainability research activities
Target and Date:
2012-2013: 25% increase in full-time faculty engaged in sustainability research and 75% increase in sustainabil-
ity research in all academic departments and centers by 2020 or a 5% increase per year in each category be-
ginning 2012 -2013.
Status:
Minimal progress has been made since Benchmark 35 must first be completed in order to calculate the base-
line for Benchmark 23
Reporting Bodies
Center of Excellence in Energy and Environment (CE3), Vice President of Research & Office of Research and
Sponsored Programs, all individuals or units engaged in sustainability-related research.
Next steps:
Complete baseline inventory for benchmark 35. Start discussions with internal grant administrators about
incentives for sustainability research. Assess how types of research are funded, acknowledged and rewarded
during faculty promotion and tenure across campus. Develop a reporting mechanism that encourages all fac-
ulty to self-report their sustainability-related research activities (especially those not grant-funded).
9
Progress Level: Significant
Progress Level: Insignificant
Academics and Research
35. Define and track sustainability research activities.
Target and Date:
July 2011: Define ‘sustainability research activities’
September 2011: Conduct inventory of sustainability research activities by faculty, department, collabora-
tion, awards, and award dollars
Status:
A definition of sustainability research activities was created: “Sustainability” research activities must be
multidisciplinary and must advance knowledge in all three of the tenets of sustainability: preserving the
planet, promoting a strong economy and fostering healthy populations. Activities which will be included in
the inventory of sustainability research activities will include controlled terms from each of the three ten-
ets.
The list of controlled terms for sustainability research activities was created. A list of 55 faculty members
potentially conducting current sustainability research was created. The controlled terms and a full list of
faculty can be found online.
Reporting Bodies:
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Office of Sustainability, all individuals or units engaged in sus-
tainability-related research.
Next steps:
Office of Sustainability and the Common Experience Project will work to inform faculty members of the
controlled terms which will signify sustainability research in research publications or grant submissions and
thereby allow the university to track and acknowledge their research. The Office of Sustainability will ac-
tively request feedback from faculty on additional controlled terms while simultaneously offering faculty
members a place to self-report sustainability research activities in unpublished work. With the help of
SOUL, the institution will be able to create an inventory of sustainability research activities in 2012-2013.
10
Progress Level: Minimal
Land Management
FY 2012 Highlights:
Installation of permanent irrigation
systems relying on potable water is
prohibited for new construction.
Integrated pest management is
currently implemented throughout
much of the Athens campus.
11
Land Management
Ahead of the
Curve
Facilities Management
Ten years ago, Facilities
Management recognized
the economic and environ-
mental benefits of reusing
rain water for irrigation.
Therefore, when the Ohio
University golf course was
renovated in 2002, a pond
was constructed on the golf
course for the purpose of
collecting rain water. This
pond is the primary source
of irrigation water for all
Ohio University athletic
fields. A well beneath the
pond is used as a back-up
source of water.
Left: The retention pond
located on the Ohio Univer-
sity golf course in Athens,
Ohio.
13. Prohibit the installation of permanent irrigation systems
that rely on potable water.
Target and Date:
Total ban by June 2011
Status:
While this practice is essentially in effect for all new construction as part
of LEED-equivalent requirements, no formal standard yet exists.
Reporting Bodies:
Design and Construction, Facilities Management
Next steps: Write and incorporate formal standard into Design and
Construction procedures and/or LEED-equivalent requirements. Also,
create inventory of existing irrigation systems with a goal of gradually
converting all systems to non-potable water.
12
Progress Level: Significant
Land Management
17. Institute storm water management plan.
Target and Date:
Plan adopted June 2012
Status:
Construction projects over one acre require storm water management plans. At this point a campus-wide
storm water management plan is not established.
Reporting Body:
University Planning
Next Steps:
We recognize the importance of considering the built environment’s impact on storm water flow after con-
struction is complete and it is recommended that a lead within EECC, Office of Sustainability or Facilities
Planning and Space Management be designated to coordinate this effort.
26. Practice integrated pest management.
Target and Date:
Plan adopted by 2011.
Status:
Integrated pest management is already taking place throughout much of main campus, but no formal written
procedures exist.
Reporting Body:
Grounds Services
Next Steps:
The Office of Sustainability will facilitate procedure writing, utilizing the expertise of Grounds Services, the
Plant Biology and Biological Sciences departments. Branch campuses will be included in the discussion so
they may determine how to effectively adopt strategies for their own campuses.
13
Progress Level: Insignificant
Progress Level: Minimal
Outreach & Reporting
FY 2012 Highlights:
Publication of “Routes, ” the Office of
Sustainability’s online publication.*
Implementation and reporting plan is
established for the Ohio University
Sustainability Plan.
The first Sustainability Plan Report is
published in Summer 2012.
*Learn how to receive “Routes” updates by
emailing us at [email protected].
14
Outreach & Reporting
6. Institute annual sustainable profile tracking and assessment process.
Target and Date:
Formal mechanism implemented within 3 months of Sustainability Plan adoption
Status:
The Office of Sustainability compiled data and published an annual sustainability report. The Office of Sus-
tainability also created a new publication, Routes, to inform the campus community about sustainability initi-
atives and progress on the Sustainability Plan throughout the academic year.
As this is the first Sustainability Plan report, the Office of Sustainability is collecting feedback regarding con-
tent and ease of readability. Comments can be sent to [email protected].
Each report will include an invitation for reporting bodies to provide the Office of Sustainability with feed-
back on how to improve the data gathering and communication process. The establishment of the tracking
and assessment process is in draft form, and this activity will remain in process in perpetuity.
Reporting Body:
Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee, Office of Sustainability
Next steps:
Compile feedback and adjust process as needed
15
Progress Level: Significant
Outreach & Reporting
22. Implement recruitment strategies targeting sustainability-minded students, faculty and
staff.
Target and Date:
Fall 2012 - use the sustainability profile of the school as a tool to recruit students with an expressed interest
in sustainability. Faculty and staff will be recruited based on an expressed interest in sustainability and envi-
ronmental issues.
Status:
The Office of Sustainability attended all transfer and recruitment fairs in 2011-12 and has begun discussions
with Admissions staff regarding future recruitment strategies as they relate to sustainability. Sustainability
highlights have been included in all freshman orientation materials for Fall 2012. Additionally, sustainability is
highlighted in upcoming versions of the OU Viewbook.
Reporting Body:
Human Resources, Undergraduate Admissions, Office of Sustainability.
Next steps:
Work with the Undergraduate Admissions and UCM to integrate sustainability information into all recruit-
ment materials
30. Provide information to diners regarding sustainability-attributes of food options.
Target and Date:
Labeling and marketing program by 2012
Status:
Currently Culinary Services uses an icon to label items with local ingredients. It is anticipated that future
efforts will include a broader definition of “sustainability-attributes” so as to include more education in the
labeling and marketing program.
Reporting Body:
Auxiliary Services
Next Steps: The Office of Sustainability will continue to work with Auxiliary Services to provide increased
education and labeling of Ohio University culinary options.
16
Progress Level: Minimal
Progress Level: Minimal
Purchasing
FY 2012 Highlights:
A formal draft of OU’s current green
cleaning procedures is created for LEED
credit submission.
Green cleaning continues to be imple-
mented throughout the Athens campus.
“Sustainability” is highlighted in the
Pouring Rights RFP process.
17
Purchasing
14. Increase purchase of local food.
Target and Date:
0.5% per year between 2011 and 2016
Status:
Currently there is no system in place to track purchases of local food. The University does currently pur-
chase local food and is committed to purchasing more. Discussions with Culinary Services and Procure-
ment have begun regarding the infrastructure that needs to be in place in order to properly establish a sys-
tem for tracking local food purchases.
Reporting Body:
Auxiliary Operations.
Next steps:
Office of Sustainability will continue to offer support to appropriate staff in Auxiliary Operations regarding
the establishment and maintenance of a formal tracking process.
19. Increase use of green cleaning products.
Target and Date:
Exclusive use of certified products when available and competitively priced.
Status:
A draft of Ohio University’s green cleaning procedures was written and submitted for the LEED certifica-
tion of 15 Park Place. The green cleaning products and materials listed in these procedures are already be-
ing purchased for use throughout the campus. Details of the procedures can be found online.
Reporting Body:
Facilities Management.
Next steps:
Facilities Management will continually evaluate new green cleaning products. Office of Sustainability will
work with procurement to formalize procurement process for green cleaning products purchased through-
out the university, including branch campuses
18
Progress Level: Minimal
Progress Level: Some
Purchasing
20. Increase the percentage of paper products on campus that include post-consumer recycled
content.
Target and Date:
75% of all annual paper products purchased will include at least 40% PCC by June 2012.
Status:
The “Print Responsibly” program was introduced in 2012, which could centralize some paper purchases.
Reporting Body:
Procurement
Next steps: The Office of Sustainability will work with Procurement to determine the percentage of paper
products purchased with 30% or more PCC in 2011 as baseline for comparison with future years. An educa-
tional campaign through SOUL should be explored.
24. Prohibit elective use of Styrofoam materials and containers.
Target and Date:
Total ban with exemptions, effective June 2011.
Status:
An amendment to change ‘Styrofoam’ to polystyrene was submitted to the EECC by the Director of Sustain-
ability in Spring 2012. This will ensure that all polystyrene use is limited, as opposed to limiting just one spe-
cific brand of polystyrene. Though this is not yet an institutional policy, Culinary Services stopped purchasing
polystyrene food containers in 2007 to give purchasing preference to convenience and ethics. When asked
about the change Chef Matt Rapposelli responded “We wanted to go to compostable containers and it is
easier from an inventory perspective to stock just the one type of container as well as we knew it was a bet-
ter choice.”
Reporting Body:
Procurement
Next steps: The Office of Sustainability is working with BobCatBUY managers to utilize the software as a me-
dium for informing OU purchasers about alternative options for similar products that do not contain polysty-
rene that are made available through BobCatBUY. Identifying where polystyrene is still in use on campus and
researching and publicizing alternatives may help a polystyrene ban take effect. Outreach to purchasers
needs to be done to better educate our campus community about this effort and the reasoning behind it.
19
Progress Level: Minimal
Progress Level: Minimal
Purchasing
28. Increase purchase of non-food local goods and services and environmentally preferable
goods.
Target and Date:
0.5% per year between 2011 and 2016
Status:
Representatives from Procurement have confirmed that classification options for non-food goods and ser-
vices exists. The classifications are currently listed as, “Recycled,” “Energy Star” and “Green.” Office of Sus-
tainability will continue to work with Procurement to establish an efficient way for properly tracking local
and environmentally preferable goods in BobCatBUY.
Reporting Body:
Procurement.
Next steps: Office of Sustainability will continue to work with Procurement to establish an efficient way for
properly tracking local and environmentally preferable goods in BobCatBUY. Together, these two entities
will work with SOUL to determine the most commonly purchased local products and create a marketing
campaign to inform the campus community of these products.
29. Increase purchase of environmentally preferable computer products.
Target and Date:
75% of all annual computer products purchased will be rated EPEAT Gold or better by FY2012..
Status:
This item was minimally addressed this Fiscal Year. It was determined that Apple products are purchased
through the Tech Depot and the university has a Dell Contract through BobcatBUY.
Reporting Bodies:
Technology Depot, Office of Information Technology, Procurement
Next steps: Office of Sustainability will work with Tech Depot and Procurement to identify a list of EPEAT
rat ed computers. Then, all parties will work together to begin tracking the purchase of such products
through BobCatBUY and annual Tech Depot reports.
20
Progress Level: Insignificant
Progress Level: Insignificant
Purchasing
31. Develop sustainability guidelines for concessionaires and franchisees.
Target and Date:
Guidelines developed by June 30, 2012
Status:
Sustainability was highlighted as a priority in Ohio University’s recent Request for Proposals (RFP) for new
Pouring Rights vendor contracts. Suppliers were expected to address eight areas of sustainability in their
proposals: support for recycling; waste reduction; energy conservation; promotional support; reporting; car-
bon footprint reduction; social responsibility; and, end-of-life activities. PepsiCo prevailed as the winning sup-
plier and has expressed its commitment to sustainability through innovative programs and initiatives that ad-
dress personal nutrition, water and emissions reduction, energy conservation and recycling efforts, to name a
few. Additionally, PepsiCo representatives agreed to make annual sustainability and resource consumption
reports available upon request.
Reporting Bodies:
Procurement/Auxiliaries, Athletics, Office of Sustainability
Next Steps: Interested parties will continue to work together to ensure a positive implementation of all areas
of sustainability that were guaranteed by the supplier. Office of Sustainability will maintain a strong working
relationship with Procurement and Auxiliaries so as to continue to incorporate sustainability into the RFP
process at Ohio University.
21
Progress Level: Some
Transportation
FY 2012 Highlights:
Parking pass fees instituted in 2011-12 to
encourage alternate transportation to single
-occupancy vehicles.
Policy 47.001 goes into effect, requiring all
newly-acquired vehicles to meet or exceed
CAFE standards.
22
Transportation
16. Improve sustainability profile of student, staff and faculty vehicles.
Target and Date:
Guidelines developed by June 30, 2012
Status:
Although a formal program to improve sustainability profile of vehicles is still in the discussion stage, many
students, faculty and staff have proactively and independently purchased vehicles classified as LEFE. Office of
Sustainability staff and volunteers are currently in the process of cataloging all vehicles on campus that are
associated with a parking pass in an effort to develop baseline LEFE data.
Reporting Body:
Transportation and Parking Services
Next Steps: Office of Sustainability will work with SOUL to create s program aimed at encouraging students,
faculty and staff to purchase LEFE when personal vehicles are replaced.
18. Improve sustainability profile of campus fleet.
Target and Date:
Average fuel economy of the campus fleet will increase by 5% per year beginning in the fall of 2011. All cars
and light trucks acquired from outside the university beginning in June 2011 will meet or exceed 2011 federal
CAFE standards.
Status:
Policy number 47.001 went into effect on December 22, 2011. As a condition of this policy, all cars and light
trucks acquired from outside the university must be approved by Transportation and Parking Services. One
of the approval requirements includes that vehicles must now meet or exceed 2011 federal CAFÉ standards.
Additionally, it should be noted that all 15-passenger vans are being replaced with newer, more fuel efficient,
12-passenger vans.
Reporting Body:
Transportation and Parking Services.
Next steps: Transportation and Parking Services will continue to provide the Office of Sustainability with
data tracking the vehicles registered with the university through annual parking passes. The Office of Sustain-
ability will analyze fuel economy data during the 2012-2013 academic year.
23
Progress Level: Insignificant
Progress Level: Minimal
Transportation
27. Decrease use of Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV).
Target and Date:
85% of all students and 20% of all faculty and staff will use a non-SOV option as their primary method of
transportation by 2015, including but not limited to non-motorized, shared, and alternative fuel options.
Status:
Parking pass fees were instituted in academic year 2011-12.
Reporting Bodies
Transportation and Parking Services, Human Resources, University Planner, University-City Transit Partner-
ship
Next Steps: FY2012 parking pass numbers will be compared to FY2013 parking pass numbers and both will
be compared to total enrollment and faculty/staff numbers.
33. Encourage residency in City of Athens for Athens campus employees.
Target and Date:
Informational materials will be provided to all incoming faculty and staff prior to relocation by 2012
Status:
The City of Athens Planner worked to create a map of residential neighborhoods (Athens, Ohio) to be used
in the Welcome Packet being created by the Office of Sustainability for all new faculty and staff. This Wel-
come Packet is intended to offer those relocating to the Athens area with an overview of sustainable oppor-
tunities in the region
Reporting Bodies:
Human Resources, Office of Sustainability.
Next steps: It is anticipated that the Sustainability Welcome Packet will be made available to all new and/or
relocating faculty/staff by late 2012.
24
Progress Level: Minimal
Progress Level: Insignificant
Waste
FY 2012 Highlights:
Expansion of compost facility, June 2012, to 6 tons per day capacity.
This expansion will allow the institution to responsibly manage all
organic waste generated on its Athens campus.
A comprehensive recycling inventory was completed.
25
Waste
5. Reduce Solid Waste
Target and Date:
5% per year between 2011 and 2016.
Status:
During the 2011 fiscal year, 9,422 tons of solid waste were generated by Ohio University. Categories of sol-
id waste are: landfilled (3,214 tons), recycled (5,956 tons, no construction recycling reported), composted
(251.5 tons), and construction and demolition (0 tons reported).
The expansion to the compost facility was completed in June 2012. The compost facility, already the largest
at any university in the country, will be able to process 6 tons of material per day beginning FY13. All com-
postable waste generated by the university will be able to be processed in this facility.
In FY12 the University launched the “Print Responsibly” program which will aid in institutional waste reduc-
tion efforts.
The Recycling and Refuse Office expanded their move-out program in 2012, going door-to-door on campus
and off campus to inform students of recycling and reuse opportunities for their solid waste.
Reporting Bodies
Recycling and Refuse, Culinary Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Off-Campus Living, Procurement,
Office of Sustainability, SOUL
Next Steps: Report FY12 data and compare to FY11 data to determine if target decrease was met; expand
on-campus compost program to all dining hall and dining ware; pilot program for SOUL in 2012.
26
Progress Level: Minimal
Waste
7. Increase Recycling Rates
Target and Date:
80% by weight of all recyclable solid waste by 2016.
Status:
The university completed a comprehensive evaluation of all material recycled in FY2011. 5,956 tons of ma-
terials were recycled, out of 9,422 tons of solid waste generated by Ohio University (no recycling or solid
waste data was provided by Design and Construction for FY11). Therefore the rate of recycling was 63%.
Reporting Bodies
Recycling and Refuse, Design and Construction
Next Steps: Report FY12 data and compare to FY11 data to determine if target decrease was met; expand
on-campus compost program to all dining hall and dining ware; pilot program for SOUL in 2012
15. Improve identification and proper handling of hazardous waste.
Target and Date:
Implement tracking system for purchased hazardous chemicals by 2013.
Status:
It is the intention of Procurement Services that all hazardous materials purchases are made through BobCat-
BUY. This will allow Environmental Health and Safety to identify individuals and units that are purchasing
hazardous waste. Additionally, the system requires purchasers to identify that they are aware of proper han-
dling procedures.
Processes for safely disposing of chemical and hazardous wastes do currently exist. They are outlined at
http://www.ohio.edu/riskandsafety/ehs/hazmat/chemical.htm. In addition, the Hazardous Materials Manage-
ment Manual is in the process of being updated.
Reporting Bodies:
Environmental Health and Safety, Procurement.
Next steps: Confirm with the BobCatBUY manager that the system is in place and operating.
27
Progress Level: Some
Progress Level: Minimal
Waste
32. Increase food donations to local service organizations.
Target and Date:
Meet with Athens County Health Department, Culinary Services, and local service groups to discuss current
obstacles and establish baseline goals for improvement by the end of Fall Quarter 2011.
Status:
At this time, health code restrictions limit our ability to comply with this benchmark.
Reporting Body:
Culinary Services
Next Steps: The Office of Sustainability will work with Culinary Services to consider opportunities that may
exist for pursuing grant funding in support of a refrigerated vehicle for food delivery. This would allow the
institution to comply with health department code restrictions.
34. Implement notification system for local service organizations regarding availability of sur-
plus items.
Target and Date:
Notification system active within 3 months of Sustainability Plan adoption.
Status:
This benchmark was not addressed by the Office of Sustainability in FY12.
Reporting Bodies:
Moving and Surplus, Office of Sustainability.
Next steps: The Office of Sustainability intends on working collaboratively with various relevant faculty/staff
in FY13 to offer support in the advancement of this benchmark. It is the intention of the Office of Sustaina-
bility to develop relationships with additional student-centered entities such as Student Affairs, Undergradu-
ate Student Senate and Graduate Student Senate.
28
Progress Level: Insignificant
Progress Level: Insignificant
Fundraising & Endowment
FY 2012 Highlights:
President McDavis announced
the formation of the Ad Hoc
Committee on Socially
Responsible Practices on Feb,
29, 2012
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Fundraising & Endowment
10. Integrate sustainability goals and objectives into capital campaign.
Target and Date:
Goals will be developed and integrated into the capital campaign by the Fall of 2012.
Status:
In FY12, “sustainability” was highlighted throughout the University’s Capital Improvement Plan. Such inclu-
sion in such a prominent institutional document suggests that conversations regarding inclusion in the capital
campaign will happen more organically in the future.
Reporting Body
University Advancement
Next Steps: The Office of Sustainability will begin conversations with University Advancement to determine
the role sustainability can play into future campaign priorities and/or values.
21. Assess endowment investment in sustainable corporations and entities and recommend
strategies for increasing investment in these corporations and entities.
Target and Date:
Annual assessment beginning in the academic year following sustainability plan adoption.
Status:
On February 29, 2012, President McDavis announced the formation of the Ad Hoc Committee on Socially
Responsible Practices whose responsibilities will focus on “examin(ing) issues that arise related to the univer-
sity's socially responsible management of its resources.”
Reporting Body:
Investment Board.
Next steps: The committee will first examine the current campaign to become a “conflict free” campus. In
an effort to properly address Item 21, we will rely on the outcomes developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on
Socially Responsible Practices, as they will be great leaders in this conversation and can lay a strong founda-
tion for us as we move forward.
30
Progress Level: Insignificant
Progress Level: Minimal
Climate Commitment
FY 2012 Highlights:
Greenhouse gas emissions dropped
slightly in FY11 from FY10
Feasibility Study is conducted in an
effort to replace coal as the university’s
primary source of heat generation.
Ohio University submits its first 5-year
Progress Report to ACUPCC.
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Climate Commitment
1. Reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) across all campuses.
Target and Date:
By 2030: 25% below 1990 levels. By 2050: 80% below 1990 levels. By 2075: carbon neutrality.
Status:
Data was gathered for FY2011 and corrections were made to previous data collected to determine an accu-
rate baseline. Data is not yet complete for baseline, so reductions cannot yet be determined, though there
were fewer greenhouse gas emissions reported in FY2011 than in FY2010.
A Feasibility Study for the replacement of the use of coal at the Lausche power plant occurred throughout
the year. The institution will use the results of that study to move forward with their efforts to reduce
Greenhouse Gas emissions through this project.
A team of more than 70 students, faculty, staff and community members collaborated on the development of
a Climate Action Plan, which will assist in the target reductions identified in this benchmark.
Reporting Bodies
Culinary Services, Department of Parking and Transportation, Facilities Management, Procurement, Provost,
Residential Housing, Office of Sustainability.
Next Steps: To complete the baseline, data must be determined for transportation sources of emissions for
past years (gasoline and diesel fleet (1991-2004), university aircraft (1991-1999) and purchased air travel
(1991-1998)). Next steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been identified in the Climate Action
Plan, which will be adopted in FY13.
32
Progress Level: Minimal
Buildings & Energy Infrastructure
FY 2012 Highlights:
Avoided 24 MW peak.
Walter International Education Center was
renovated to LEED Silver standards.
Building to or exceeding LEED Silver certifi-
cation is now an OU Design and Construc-
tion Standard.
Installation of photovoltaic systems at the
Lausche storage shed and the OU Compost
Facility. The units have a combined capacity
of 93 kW.
33
Buildings & Energy Infrastructure
2. Reduce campus and building energy intensity.
Target and Date:
Reduce building energy intensity 20% below 2004 levels by 2014 and 40% below 2004 levels by 2030. Avoid
24 Megawatt (MW) peak on the Athens campus. Lower peak to 23 MW by 2016.
Status:
Energy intensity was 181,000 BTU/GSF in 2004. 2011 levels were 180,000 BTU/GSF or 0.55% lower than
2004 levels. We just barely avoided a 24 MW peak in FY11. Institutional peak was 23.1 MW.
Reporting Bodies
Facilities Management, Office for Design and Construction & Residential Housing
Next Steps: Office of Sustainability will continue to work with Facilities Management to provide support in
accomplishing these goals through efforts such as energy conservation programming and outreach.
3. Increase renewable energy generation and sourcing.
Target and Date:
20% of all campus energy use by 2020.
Status:
At the commencement of Fiscal Year 2012, Ohio University managed 19.13 kW of installed PV capacity. At
the close of FY12, OU boasted two new PV systems with a 93 kW combined capacity, thus increasing the
institution’s solar generation by nearly 500%. It is anticipated that the energy generated by renewables at
Ohio University will provide approximately 8% of institutional energy generation and sourcing in FY13
(calculations based on the Clean Air Cool Planet Carbon Calculator).
This increase in solar energy generation was made possible through funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). More information
about ARRA grant funding opportunities can be found at http://www.recovery.gov. To track the progress of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
(EECBG) through ARRA, visit http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/eecbg.html. To track all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visit www.recovery.gov.
Reporting Body:
Facilities Management
Next steps: Office of Sustainability will maintain a positive working relationship with Facilities Management
and serve in a support role in their acquisition of additional renewable energy options. This is especially im-
portant as the university transitions off coal as the power plant study addresses options for increasing re-
newable energy sources. 34
Progress Level: Insignificant
Progress Level: Minimal
Buildings & Energy Infrastructure
4. LEED certify new buildings and major renovations on all campuses.
Target and Date:
LEED Silver minimum certification for all building and renovation projects budgeted at or above $2 million,
effective FY2011. Equivalent LEED-based approach for projects budgeted under $2 million, effective FY2012.
Status:
Ohio University applied for its first LEED Silver certification in FY 12. The application was submitted for the
newly renovated Walter International Education Center located at 15 Park Place on the Athens campus. As
per the OU Sustainability Plan, the University has adopted a LEED silver design standard for significant reno-
vation and construction projects. From the Ohio University Design and Construction Standards: “It is our
goal to meet or exceed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification standards
for both new construction and existing buildings.” More information regarding this standard is available
online.
Reporting Body:
Facilities Management
Next Steps: The university will continue to encourage LEED accreditation of OU Project Managers and build
in certification costs of all major construction and renovation projects to all construction budgets. For more
information about additional design standards, please refer to the Construction & Design section of the Cli-
mate Action Plan.
35
Progress Level: Some
Buildings & Energy Infrastructure
12. Evaluate LEED EBOM of existing facilities.
Target and Date:
Checklist evaluation of at least one existing facility over 15,000 gsf. By October 1, 2011.
Status:
A LEED-EBOM evaluation is currently underway for Cutler Hall. Results of this evaluation will be made avail-
able online at www.ohio.edu/sustainability in FY13
Reporting Body:
Facilities Management
Next Steps: The Office of Sustainability will determine prioritization for any follow-up procedures identified
in the Cutler Hall evaluation and identify key stakeholders for such efforts. If resources are available, LEED-
EBOM evaluations of other buildings will continue to occur and a university-wide Master Site list for LEED/
LEED-EBOM registrations will be developed.
25. Sub-meter campus facilities.
Target and Date:
2014: Building level meters for electricity and water for 50% of facilities over 15,000gsf
2021: Building level meters for electricity and water for 100% of facilities over 15,000gsf
Status:
The OU energy dashboard offers the campus real-time information about Athens campus energy use. Sub-
metering will happen slowly, as funds allow. It is anticipated that new construction will be outfitted with sub-
meters. In the meantime, Office of Sustainability will work with SOUL to identify potential opportunities for
grant funds that could assist with sub-metering projects. Buildings are already metered for water.
Reporting Body:
Facilities Management
Next steps: Sub-metering is a prohibitively expensive process and obtaining grants to assist with the costs
would catalyze achievement of the target. Along these lines, it may be useful to connect facilities with stu-
dents or staff in the Office of Sustainability who could research and assist with grant writing.
36
Progress Level: Significant
Progress Level: Insignificant
Acknowledgements
The success of the Ohio University Annual Sustainability Report is greatly dependent on the leadership and vision of all faculty, staff and students on all Ohio University campuses.
A great deal of our efforts are augmented and complemented by various leaders and invested parties from surrounding communities.
Special thanks is extended to those entities mentioned as a “Reporting Body” for one or more Benchmarks in this plan.
Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee The Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee serves as the monitoring agent to the Sustainability Plan.
Rachel Ackerman, Student Representative Annie Laurie Cadmus, Director of Sustainability Ana Rosado Feger, Assistant Professor of Operations Management Joshua Felker, Student Representative Cliff Hamilton, Hazardous Materials Coordinator Kyle Kingma, Graduate Student Representative Paul Logue, Athens City Planner Scott Miller, Director of Energy & Environmental Programs, Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Affairs Terri Nelson, Manager of Southeast Ohio Library Deposit Jill Rosser, English Faculty Steve Scanlan, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, EECC Chairperson Hogan Sherrow, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Henry Woods, Recycling and Refuse Coordinator
The Office of Sustainability The Office of Sustainability serves as the primary point of contact for questions or concerns regarding the implementation of the Benchmarks described within this document. The following staff members were
integral to the development of an implementation and reporting mechanism during Fiscal Year 2012.
Annie Laurie Cadmus, Director of Sustainability Jessica Bilecki, Graduate Assistant for Marketing and Outreach Elaine Goetz, Graduate Assistant for Research and Reporting
37
For additional information about the
Sustainability Plan, the planning process,
and for a PDF of the original June 2011 version, please visit:
www.ohio.edu/pacsp