University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

1. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Sustainability update

2. Sustainability Update • Share highlights of sustainability progress • Provide primer on the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and update • Discuss some ways that you can be involved in sustainability efforts

3. Process – Sustainability Strategic Plan Develop vision, objectives and 5-year targets for Leadership,Education,Operations • Secure broad-based support from governance • bodies and community • Incorporate 2007 Sustainability Strategic Plan into • 5-year UCCS Strategic Plan – Regent approval • 2007-08 - Sustainability Council • – implementation and reporting on goals www.uccs.edu/~facsrvs/sustactplan/index.htm

4. UCCS Strategic Plan 2007-2012 IX. Become a Sustainable Campus • Strategies • Provide leadership, knowledge, and communications inspiring action in sustainability • Increase sustainable operations to provide a living laboratory for sustainability • Support campus innovations leading to sustainability • Selected measures • 1. In five years, UCCS is recognized as a leader in sustainability in the Pikes Peak region • 2. Achieve LEED certification or equivalent on new buildings and renovations • 3. Demonstrate decreases in annual greenhouse gas inventories and utilities usage, increases in recycling rates, and availability of local and organic foods • Distribute sustainability awards and recognition www.uccs.edu/plan

5. American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment Global climate destabilization and our mitigation efforts will shape the 21st century. Colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways to eliminate global warming emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality. 545 schools have signed the commitment Colorado Signatories

6. ACUPCCCommitment 1. Complete an emissions inventory 2. Within two years, set target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral 3. Take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions 4. Integrate sustainability into the curriculum and make it part of the educational experience 5. Make the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available

7. The Debate is Over … Bob Willard, 2008

8. UCCS 2007 Emissions 32,722 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent

9. ACUPCC Commitment – UCCS Progress Climate Action Committee formed • 3 short terms actions: • Energy Star Policy for purchasing appliances • Green building – commitment to achieving the highest level of LEED certification (within 5% of the budget) for buildings that receive over 25% state funding. For others, UCCS will implement an internal audit system to pursue a LEED silver equivalent. • Waste minimization – UCCS is participating in the waste minimization portion of RecycleMania - Using less products created from virgin materials reduces greenhouse gas emissions

10. State Legislation SB07-51– State agencies will build to the highest LEED certification possible (within 5 % of the budget) for buildings that receive a minimum of 25% funding from the state. For other non state-funded buildings, UCCS will internally audit buildings to achieve a LEED Silver or equivalent certification. Greening of State Government Executive Orders – by June 30, 2012: • 20% reduction in energy use (normalized per GSF) • 20% reduction in paper use • 10 % reduction in water consumption • 25% volumetric reduction in state vehicle petroleum consumption

11. New Buildings Recreation Center • Plan to submit for 42 points by end of May • Examining option for 25-40KW photovoltaic system Science Engineering Building • Goal of LEED Silver certified (will submit for Gold) • Plan to submit design phase by May 30 Event Center • Need to develop an internal audit system and stakeholder process to help guide achievement • of LEED Silver equivalency

12. Goal 1st Year – 26% of waste stream diverted New Recycling Program UCCS placed 17th among public institutions for a recycling rate of 25.8%

13. AASHE – STARS Sustainability Tracking and Rating System A self-reporting framework for gauging sustainability progress • Provide guide to advance sustainability in education and research, operations, and administration and finance • Enable meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions by establishing a common standard of measurement for sustainability in higher education UCCS is a pilot institution in the STARS program. February - December 2008 UCCS is a member of AASHE www.aashe.org

14. Building the Sustainability Office Rachel Rannow Research and Education Assistant – Graduate student - Sociology Matt Lasiter Utility Management Assistant Kevin Gilford –Research and Education Assistant – Graduate student GES Joe Lavorini Research and Education Assistant Alhanna Schaaf Recycling Education and Conservation Assistant Amy Filipiak GSPA Intern – Sustainable Transportation

15. Next steps • Create communication plan for sustainability • UCCS Sustainability Summit – October 2009 • Develop 1st annual UCCS Sustainability Report • Develop assessment of progress toward Sustainability Strategic Plan • Develop sustainability modules for Freshman Seminar • Develop behavioral campaign for energy and water conservation • Participate in Community Sustainability Conference (Nov.) • Increase outreach to Colorado Springs Community and beyond

16. What can you do? • Consider yourself a sustainability champion • Read the 2007 UCCS Sustainability Strategic Plan 3. Visit the Sustainability website often to keep yourself updated www.uccs.edu/~sustain 4. Familiarize yourself with waste minimization options and choose several to implement in your offices and with your staff 5. Contact the sustainability office and leadership with suggestions 6. Involve students in sustainability projects

17. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Questions? What can the sustainability office do to help you? UCCS Sustainability Website www.uccs.edu/~sustain