Analysis of Clarkson s STARS Silver Rating December 2012 https://stars.aashe.org/institutions/clarksonuniversity-ny/report/2012-11-30/
Background - STARS The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS was developed by AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. In the STARS system, points are earned in three separate categories, each with a maximum of 100 points. Education and Research (ER) Operations (OP) Planning, Administration and Engagement (PAE) The average of these three separate scores plus added innovation points result in the total score. The STARS rating is defined by the following score thresholds: Rating Minimum Score Required STARS Reporter No scores are made public STARS Bronze 25 STARS Silver 45 STARS Gold 65 STARS Platinum 85 12/19/2012 2
STARS at Clarkson The STARS system at Clarkson was initiated in October 2011. This assessment is used as part of the sustainability strategic planning process to benchmark our current strengths and areas to improve A full year of data collection resulted in the final report and submission to AASHE in November 2012. A letter from President Collins was submitted with the completed data. The final score and rating are valid until November 2015. This data collection, interpretation and submission effort was lead by the Institute for a Sustainable Environment under the direction of Susan Powers. Campus Sustainability Interns Emily Ball and Fei Dai and many offices from across campus helped to gather data for the assessment. 12/19/2012 3
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CLARKSON UNIVERSITY'S STARS SCORE 12/19/2012 5
Education & Research 71.3% Planning, Administration and Engagement 55.3% Operations 35.6% Innovation (1 additional point) TOTAL 55.1 Clarkson has joined 111 other schools at the Silver Rating (48%). No school has achieved the Platinum level. 12/19/2012 6
Points achieved By Major Category Planning Administration and Engagement Operations Education & Research Strengths Diversity Coordination (planning) Water Research Curriculum Co-curricular education Areas to improve Investments Waste management Transportation Purchasing Energy Climate Buildings 12/19/2012 7
Planning Administration and Engagement Details - Strengths Operations Education & Research 12/19/2012 8
Details Areas to Improve Planning Administration and Engagement Operations Education & Research 12/19/2012 9
Raising our STARS rating Fossil fuel consumption reduced through Efficient and conservative energy use Development of clean and renewable alternatives Climate action plan developed and implemented Solid waste reduced and diverted recycling and anaerobic digestion Sustainability integrated into expectations of employees and students; appropriate training provided Educational initiatives continued Sustainability in classes University used for experiential learning Community service common for students (and tracked) Increase % food purchases that are considered sustainable Social responsibility considered in endowment investments Sustainable construction and O&M practices are documented and practiced LEED certification sought for strategically important buildings Purchasing policies defined and documented that integrate sustainability principles Truly innovative campus sustainability projects developed (e.g., Smart dorm project) Goal Clarkson will achieve a STARS rating of GOLD by 2017 12/19/2012 10
HOW DO WE COMPARE TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS? 12/19/2012 11
Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Clarkson University s silver rating (55 pnts.) is slightly better than average of schools in NY (52), But lower than peer schools across the Northeast (63) and across the country (61), where more have a gold rating. Columbia, GA Tech and CSU are the strongest and worthy of further analysis. Our E&R scores are among the highest, but Operations lower than most. 12/19/2012 12
Points for specific categories compared to other institutions FURTHER DETAILS 12/19/2012 13
Key Education and Research Categories CU strong in all of these areas except incentives for sustainability research We are generally strong compared to NYS and Northeast schools, less strong on a national level Strongest schools include GA Tech, CSU, Columbia
Key Building and GHG Categories Most schools are doing better than us in terms of the % sustainable food purchases We are ~average for greenhouse gas emission reductions as others in out region, schools nationally are not doing as well We are below typical for building construction and O&M
Key Energy Categories Many schools are doing better than us in terms of clean and renewable energy, NYS is again behind the NE and nation in this set of comparisons We are ~average for bldg. energy consumption, though a few schools are real stand outs Cal. State, Duke, GA Tech, Ithaca Cornell and UNH (landfill biogas) are doing very well with clean energy. Most other schools are also struggling with this.
Key Waste Management Categories Almost all schools are doing better than us in reducing waste and diverting the waste that they do generate to recycling or composting (digestion) activities Most schools at national comparison level and approximately half of schools in our region are doing better than us with C&D waste management (though we have poor data to assess this) Almost all schools CU included are doing well with electronic wastes
Key Purchasing Categories We are way behind almost all of our peers in terms of having written policies and practices for including sustainability as aspects of our purchasing operations. 12/19/2012 18
Key Planning and Admin Categories We are way doing very well with Coordination & Planning and Diversity & Affordability categories. Many schools have significantly more HR points, largely due to more training and staff PD While several schools have no investment points like us and only Stanford comes close to the maximum 16.75 points in this category, most schools are doing better than us in this area. The 5-8 points that many schools have earned are likely due to the establishment of an SRI advisory committee and shareholder advocacy
Key Engagement Categories We are way doing very well with sustainability policy advocacy - along with most other schools. Our limited continuing education is apparent here, most schools are doing a lot more of this. Surprisingly, even without adequate means of tracking community service, we are doing well with our student participation relative to other schools (though our data have many uncertainties). None of these schools received full credit here (SUNY ESF close)
APPENDIX DETAILED STARS POINTS 12/19/2012 21
Clarkson University -- STARS Detailed Scores Nov. 30, 2012 Current Possible Future TOTAL RATING 55.1% 77.4% (SILVER) (GOLD) Category Points achieved Possible points % possible points Feasible Addition al points Projects to achieve pioints EDUCATION AND RESEARCH 71.3% 88.6% Co-Curricular Education 12.25 18 68% Student Sustainability Educators Program 0 5 0% 5 Establish a student peer-to-peer educators program Student Sustainability Outreach Campaign 5 5 100% Sustainability in New Student Orientation 2 2 100% Sustainability Outreach and Publications 4 4 100% Student Group 0.25 0.25 100% Organic Garden 0.25 0.25 100% Model Room in a Residence Hall 0 0.25 0% Themed Housing 0 0.25 0% 0.25 Smart Dorm project Sustainable Enterprise 0.25 0.25 100% Sustainability Events 0.25 0.25 100% Outdoors Program 0.25 0.25 100% Themed Semester or Year 0 0.25 0% Curriculum 36.39 55 66% Sustainability Course Identification 3 3 100% Sustainability-Focused Courses 6.34 10 63% 1 Sustainability-Related Courses 3.14 10 31% 5 Sustainability Courses by Department 5.83 7 83% Sustainability Learning Outcomes 8.08 10 81% Undergraduate Program in Sustainability 4 4 100% Graduate Program in Sustainability 4 4 100% Sustainability Immersive Experience 2 2 100% Sustainability Literacy Assessment 0 2 0% Incentives for Developing Sustainability Courses 0 3 0% 3 See above Faculty workshops and incentive to increase # sustainability focused courses Faculty workshops and incentive to increase # sustainability related courses Research 22.63 27 84% Sustainability Research Identification 3 3 100% Faculty Engaged in Sustainability Research 10 10 100% Departments Engaged in Sustainability Research 4.63 6 77% Sustainability Research Incentives 3 6 50% 3 Establish incentives for faculty to do sustainability related research Interdisciplinary Research in Tenure and Promotion 2 2 100% 12/19/2012 22
OPERATIONS 35.6% 71.4% Buildings 3.81 13 29% Employee training and awareness, Define and publish policy for O&M (including sustainability) and use it for bldg. O&M Consider LEED certification for Woodstock apartments, Cheel renovation Building Operations and Maintenance 0 7 0% 7 Building Design and Construction 1.81 4 45% 2 Indoor Air Quality 2 2 100% Climate 4.93 16.5 30% Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 2 2 100% Employee training and awareness, Continue energy efficiency projects, energy management and switches to renewable energy resources Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction 2.93 14 21% 3 Air Travel Emissions 0 0.25 0% Local Offsets Program 0 0.25 0% Dining Services 4.15 8.5 49% Food and Beverage Purchasing 2.4 6 40% 2 Increase local (or otherwise sustainable) food purchases Trayless Dining 0.25 0.25 100% Vegan Dining 0.25 0.25 100% Trans-Fats 0.25 0.25 100% Guidelines for Franchisees 0 0.25 0% Pre-Consumer Food Waste Composting 0.25 0.25 100% PostConsumer Food Waste Composting 0 0.25 0% Food Donation 0.25 0.25 100% Recycled Content Napkins 0.25 0.25 100% Reusable Container Discounts 0.25 0.25 100% Reusable To-Go Containers 0 0.25 0% Energy 2.99 16.5 18% Employee training and awareness, Continue energy efficiency Building Energy Consumption 1.39 8 17% 4 projects, energy management Clean and Renewable Energy 0.1 7 1% 3 Switch to renewable energy resources Timers for Temperature Control 0.25 0.25 100% Lighting Sensors 0.25 0.25 100% LED Lighting 0.25 0.25 100% Vending Machine Sensors 0.25 0.25 100% Energy Management System 0.25 0.25 100% Energy Metering 0.25 0.25 100% 12/19/2012 23
Grounds 3 3.25 92% Integrated Pest Management 2 2 100% Native Plants 0.25 0.25 100% Wildlife Habitat 0.25 0.25 100% Tree Campus USA 0 0.25 0% 0.25 Become member of Tree Campus USA Snow and Ice Removal 0.25 0.25 100% Landscape Waste Composting 0.25 0.25 100% Purchasing 1 7.5 13% Employee training and awareness, Establish and implement green Computer Purchasing 0.5 2 25% 1.5 purchasing policies Cleaning Products Purchasing 0 2 0% 2 (same) Office Paper Purchasing 0 2 0% 2 (same) Vendor Code of Conduct 0 1 0% Historically Underutilized Businesses 0.25 0.25 100% Local Businesses 0.25 0.25 100% Transportation 4.18 12 35% Campus Fleet 0.16 2 8% 1 Continue program to buy hybrid / electric vehicles Student Commute Modal Split 2.6 4 65% Employee Commute Modal Split 0.67 3 22% 1 Encourage alternatives to single car/single driver Bicycle Sharing 0 0.25 0% Facilities for Bicyclists 0.25 0.25 100% Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 0.25 0.25 100% Mass Transit Programs 0 0.25 0% Condensed Work Week 0 0.25 0% Telecommuting 0 0.25 0% Carpool/Vanpool Matching 0 0.25 0% Cash-out of Parking 0 0.25 0% Carpool Discount 0 0.25 0% Local Housing 0 0.25 0% Prohibiting Idling 0 0.25 0% Car Sharing 0.25 0.25 100% 12/19/2012 24
Waste 4.32 12.5 35% Employee training and awareness, Reduce food waste and Waste Reduction 0 5 0% 3 disposable food containers Employee training and awareness, Full operation of digester; Waste Diversion 0.74 3 25% 2 Effective recycling programs Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion 0.33 1 33% Better statistics would help Electronic Waste Recycling Program 1 1 100% Hazardous Waste Management 1 1 100% Materials Exchange 0.25 0.25 100% Limiting Printing 0.25 0.25 100% Materials Online 0.25 0.25 100% Chemical Reuse Inventory 0 0.25 0% Move-In Waste Reduction 0.25 0.25 100% Move-Out Waste Reduction 0.25 0.25 100% Water 7.22 10.25 70% Water Consumption 4.22 7 60% 2 Employee training and awareness, Install more low flow fixtures Stormwater Management 2 2 100% Waterless Urinals 0 0.25 0% Building Water Metering 0.25 0.25 100% Non-Potable Water Usage 0.25 0.25 100% Xeriscaping 0.25 0.25 100% Weather-Informed Irrigation 0.25 0.25 100% 12/19/2012 25
PLANNING, ADMINISTRATION AND ENGAGEMENT 55.3% 69.3% Coordination and Planning 16 18 89% Sustainability Coordination 3 3 100% Strategic Plan 6 6 100% Physical Campus Plan 4 4 100% Sustainability Plan 3 3 100% Climate Action Plan 0 2 0% 2 Develop/Implement a climate action plan Diversity and Affordability 13.75 13.75 100% Diversity and Equity Coordination 2 2 100% Measuring Campus Diversity Culture 2 2 100% Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups 2 2 100% Support Programs for Future Faculty 4 4 100% Affordability and Access Programs 3 3 100% Gender Neutral Housing 0.25 0.25 100% Employee Training Opportunities 0.25 0.25 100% Student Training Opportunities 0.25 0.25 100% Human Resources 11.19 19.75 57% Sustainable Compensation 6.69 8 84% Employee Satisfaction Evaluation 2 2 100% Staff Professional Development in Sustainability 0 2 0% Sustainability in New Employee Orientation 2 2 100% Employee Sustainability Educators Program 0 5 0% Childcare 0 0.25 0% Employee Wellness Program 0.25 0.25 100% Socially Responsible Retirement Plan 0.25 0.25 100% Investment 0 16.75 0% Committee on Investor Responsibility 0 2 0% 2 Establish a SRI committee Shareholder Advocacy 0 5 0% Positive Sustainability Investments 0 9 0% 3 Invest some of endowment in SRI Student-Managed Sustainable Investment Fund 0 0.25 0% Sustainable Investment Policy 0 0.25 0% Investment Disclosure 0 0.25 0% 12/19/2012 26
Public Engagement 14.36 31.75 45% Community Sustainability Partnerships 2 2 100% Inter-Campus Collaboration on Sustainability 2 2 100% Sustainability in Continuing Education 2.67 7 38% 2 Offer continuing education programs Community Service Participation 2.99 6 50% 2 Establish program for tracking and encouraging community service Community Service Hours 0.7 6 12% 3 Establish program for tracking and encouraging community service Sustainability Policy Advocacy 4 4 100% Trademark Licensing 0 4 0% Graduation Pledge 0 0.25 0% Community Service on Transcripts 0 0.25 0% Farmers Market 0 0.25 0% 12/19/2012 27 INNOVATION 1 4 25% 1 Smart Dorm Project, others??