FINAL Strategic Proposal for Environmental Stewardship

Executive SummaryIn accordance to the Planning Proposal for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability submitted to the Office of the President in July 2009, a Strategic Proposal was d

Strategic Proposal for Environmental Stewardship &

Sustainability

Strategic Proposal for Environmental Stewardship &

Table of Contents

I Executive summary……… 3

II Committees……… 4

III Vision and mission and values……… 6

IV Narrative ……… 7

V Templates……… 9

VI Report card……… 18

VII References 24

VIII Appendices a Facilities & Operations Report 25

b Website Overview 29

c REC Survey 30

d Planning Proposal 39

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I Executive Summary

In accordance to the Planning Proposal for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability submitted to the Office of the President in July 2009, a Strategic Proposal was drafted to summarize the recommendations of three working committees: the University Stewardship Committee, the Research and Education Committee, and the Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Committee Together, the three committees outlined six strategic goals which seek to engage the community, integrate the sustainability into curriculum, integrate sustainability into research, identify baseline and benchmarking for sustainability related initiatives, prioritize sustainability in business models, and foster community partnerships for issues pertaining to the environment Initiatives were outlined for each goal and divided into no-cost, low-cost, and other plans, all which could be implemented in a period of five years Student input was an important component of the process, and is incorporated accordingly into the report The following report outlines the process in which strategies and tactics were reached, and includes reports of present measures

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II Committee Membership

A Strategic Planning Executive Committee (SPEC):

Chairperson:

Parviz Ansari Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Committee Membership:

Marian Glenn Faculty, College of Arts & Sciences

Paul Fisher Director, Teaching Learning Technology Center

Jeffrey Hurrin Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs & Enrollment

ServicesJacie Jones Undergraduate Student, School of Diplomacy

John Shannon Faculty, School of Business

John Signorello Associate Vice President for Facilities & Operations

Michael Taylor Faculty, College of Arts & Sciences

B University Stewardship Committee (USC):

Marian Glenn Faculty, College of Arts & Sciences

John Signorello Associate Vice President for Facilities & Operations

SPEC Consultants:

Paul Fisher Director, Teaching Learning Technology Center

Jeffrey Hurrin Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs & Enrollment

Services

Committee Membership:

David Edwards Laboratory Services, College of Arts & Sciences

Harry McClellan Alumnus

Dan Taylor Director, Business Affairs

C Research & Education Committee (REC):

SPEC Representatives:

Michael Taylor Faculty, College of Arts & Sciences

John Shannon Faculty, School of Business

D Community Education & Strategic Partnerships Committee (CESPC):

Co-Chairpersons:

Adam Loehner Director of Community Relations, University

AdvancementJasmin Verem Assistant Director for First Year Experience, Housing &

Committee Membership:

Linda Karten Account Manager, Public Relations & Marketing

Rosario Reyes Associate Dean for Community Development

Kathleen Sternas Faculty, College of Nursing

Brenda Knight College of Arts & Sciences

Lourdes Mitchel Faculty, College of Education & Human Services

Strategic Proposal for Environmental Stewardship &

be a leader in the advancement of environmental ethics, awareness, and responsibility as key elements of Catholic social teaching.

As a Catholic educational leader, we:

- conduct research that advances our understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship

- integrate the principles of sustainability into all activities

- evaluate and improve the environmental impact of our actions

- generate learning environments and strategic partnerships to empower those who seek to actively shape the world

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IV Strategic Report

In consonance with Bishop Bailey’s vision of a home for the mind, the heart and the spirit, the concept of environmental stewardship and sustainability has a deep history

at Seton Hall University In 2001 Monsignor Sheeran joined with other NJ University Presidents to communicate the responsibility of higher education leadership to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions Since then, a renewed consciousness is apparent in many aspects of university life, including a wide array of conservation practices by facilities engineering, the growth of interdisciplinary academic programs in environmental studies, and many comprehensive initiatives undertaken by Students Affairs, Gourmet Dining and University Advancement

In the spring of 2008 Monsignor Sheeran appointed an Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability committee to bring these issues forward in the strategic planning process led by Provost Esteban This report summarizes the mission, vision, strategies and tactics developed through the focused work of dozens who have reached out to the campus community and beyond, in order to generate the following lists of recommendations While best practices in environmental stewardship and sustainability are constantly evolving, this report serves as a snapshot of Seton Hall University today, with five-year recommendations derived from six strategic goals:

1 Educate, motivate, and engage the Seton Hall University community to

actively practice Catholic Social Teaching in a manner that goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship; caring for the created world, the only home of humankind.

2 Support the expansion of focus in the curriculum at Seton Hall

University on issues pertaining to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

3 Support the expansion of focus in research at Seton Hall University on

issues pertaining to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

4 Identify baseline indices and establish a thorough monitoring process to

benchmark the University’s resource use, while simultaneously exploring new environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives

5 Develop a business model focused on environmental sustainability and

stewardship

6 Identify and foster community partnerships that link Seton Hall

University to environmental sustainability initiatives in the broader community.

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The narrative that follows explains the genesis of these recommendations, and should

be read in conjunction with the accompanying table of strategies and tactics The reports of each three working groups are compiled into the following summary, as interpreted by the executive committee

The Community Education and Strategic Partnership Committee conducted a

campus-wide survey to determine a baseline for knowledge and behavior concerning energy, recycling, and other sustainable practices In addition, they solicited ideas from student clubs, Resident Assistants, Peer Advisors and a town hall meeting for students After extensive brainstorming, they recommended a marketing campaign,

“Live Blue, Think Green, Go Greener,” to educate the SHU community about sustainability and encourage us to be green and more energy efficient It involves mostly no cost to low cost initiatives, but depends highly upon collaboration and education across departments and divisions Even so, successful green initiatives must reach each individual Awareness and education are key issues If ten people correctly recycle glass bottles and one person contaminates the container with trash, the effort is wasted, likewise, if housekeeping lines recycling bins with black plastic bags, rather than clear plastic bags, the recycling will end up in the trash

The Research and Education Committee surveyed faculty on the extent to which

they have incorporated or could potentially incorporate environmental stewardship and sustainability into their teaching and research One hundred and twenty-four faculty members, drawn from all schools and colleges on campus, responded to the open-ended survey See data in Appendix B Action items were developed through extensive discussion within the committee and through consultation with colleagues

on campus who are interested in the topic Many recommendations could be implemented relatively quickly and at little cost, as they are directly linked to programs and initiatives already in place Other initiatives would require a more sustained investment of effort and resources, but they too would build on already fertile ground

The University Stewardship Committee was charged with investigating energy and

water use, food services, waste management, purchasing, and transportation The committee researched best practices and established Seton Hall University’s current status See Appendix A for a report from Facilities Engineering In addition to research

on the web the committee also met with experts from the US Green Building Council, Sustainable Energy Partners, Mr Steve Sansola, Co-chair of the Marist College Sustainability Committee, and John Cusack, Executive Director of the NJ Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability However, establishing baseline use has proved difficult as there are few existing resources to track the sources of many carbon-footprint related activities For instance, buildings on campus do not have individual electric meters and there are few means to study transportation in terms of commutes to campus, air travel on University business, sources of materials, etc

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A business model based on environmental stewardship and sustainability would demonstrate the University’s commitment to ethical and efficient practices For example, an e-waste policy to use recyclers who observe no-landfill, no export policies,

or a vendor policy which incorporates green practices into contracts Our virgin paper use, measured by orders to Corporate Express, is equivalent to about 1620 trees annually Paper manufacturing is one of the largest producers of air pollution contributing to respiratory problems It pollutes streams, harming aquatic life Also, 20% of the world’s population consumes 87% of the world’s printing and writing paper If Seton Hall went to 30% recycled content as the University standard, we would save 485 trees per year Reducing our paper use by 27% through better utilization of double sided print would compensate for the increased cost of 100% recycled paper There is a perception that “going green” is expensive But various incentives are available The University is evaluating the feasibility of using alternate energy sources such as solar, fuel cell and co-gen technology.

Sustainable business models evaluate up- front costs and long range returns, and sustainable indices guide institutions in long term planning for sustainable projects For example, while buying an Energy Star appliance may cost more initially, there is an expectation that energy savings (as well as rebates from PSE&G) make the product a better choice in the long run In addition, green products buy the University goodwill

in terms of attracting students who are concerned with living in a green environment and with alumni who might be willing to support green initiatives Drew University constructed a new dorm meeting silver LEED standards and received favorable publicity as one of the first of its kind in the state Many universities have adopted a goal of becoming carbon neutral by specific dates Some universities post practices to indicate where money can be saved Students have pointed out that “Reduce-reuse- recycle” could be expanded, for example, Move Out – “Freecycle” Campaign, and there

is also a need to go beyond managing trash, e.g locally grown foods market on campus, composting of waste food, e-books, “think before you print “ efforts , that relate to reducing the University’s carbon footprint and doing more with less

Going green also provides a natural linkage with communities outside the University Seton Hall can develop strategic partnerships and lead programs to educate, motivate and excite environmental stewardship and sustainability both inside and outside our campus community

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V Strategic Action Plans

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VI College Sustainability Report Card

The following is a compilation of student suggestions to improve Seton Hall University’s Sustainability Report Card, as reported by the Sustainable Endowments Institute The report is divided into reported measures that were listed in the report card, and potential measures, or measures that are currently being taken that were not included in the report

Proposed SHU Sustainability Report Card Improvements:

2 Cut paper use in the classroom and academic community Give printing limits to professors and students Students would have to pay per sheet after their allotted limits are reached, and professors would use their personal budget after the allotted printing amount All departments should be encouraged to use as little paper as possible, and opportunities for use of programs like “DYNO” should be readily available for any professors who are willing Its use could be especially encouraged in core classes where hundreds of students would be impacted It could also be mandated that all printers with the proper functionality should be set to double-sided printing, and that all new printer purchases are required to include the function.

3 Incorporate Amazon Kindles or some other digital reading device into the IT services of SHU If all incoming freshman received a Kindle as a portion of their

IT fees, the paper reduction would be tremendous The bookstore could also

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work to encourage the use of digital books or discover some way to include the option in their contracting with E-Follete.

4 Commit to a percentage of environmentally friendly purchasing All paper purchasing should be 100% recycled content – which could be supported by the lower rates of printing Fairtrade coffee, organic and local foods, energy star appliances, etc would all be preferred purchases.

5 Build commitment from the freshman Dedicate one University Life class to discussing SHU’s commitment to the environment, ways students can get involved, student opportunities, and potentially introduce competitions outlined

in other categories A template powerpoint and talking points could be provided

to all U-Life professors, to use as needed Also the freshman “gift” could be changed to re-usable bags or water bottles, and the book or speaker could be dedicated to environmental topics.

Climate Change & Energy: D

Reported Measures –

1 Seton Hall has implemented some energy efficiency technology, including motion sensor lighting, fluorescent fixtures with electronic ballasts, and a new efficient dishwashing machine.

2 A solar-powered exhaust fan was installed in a storage shed.

by the positions of work-study students and an Office/Director for Sustainability.

3 Subscribe membership to organizations such as AASHE and NJHEPS to utilize their resources This may include signing the President’s Climate Commitment and pledging to reduce the university’s carbon footprint It would build positive press and open the University to tremendous resources.

4 Establish an open forum for students/staff/faculty/administration to report what activities they have undertaken to reduce the school’s footprint, and a contest could be run to obtain the highest level of information and award those departments or organizations who have done the most A “green” awards ceremony could be held to award the students, clubs, organizations,