An Overview of Sustainability at the University of Denver

1. An Overview of Sustainability at the University of Denver History, Successes, and the Road Ahead Prepared for the University of Denver Administrative Council by Chad King, Becky Powell – October 2014

2. What is Sustainability? Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. -- United Nations Bruntland Commission Report, 1987 We recognize that people are at the centre of sustainable development and in this regard we strive for a world that is just, equitable and inclusive, and we commit to work together to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection and thereby to benefit all. --The Future We Want, United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, 2012

3. Areas of Focus

4. Sustainability in Context

5. A Growing Field of Research

6. A Growing Priority for Funding Agencies • Federal research agencies have identified Sustainability as a defining issue of the 21st C. • Explosive growth of sustainability science as research field since 1980s A A. Number unique authors vs. time B. Percent distribution by discipline A A Bettencourt & Kaur, PNAS 2011

7. A Growing Presence in the Curriculum • Interdisciplinary learningis one of the six strategic priorities for the Renew DU campaign • Sustainability-related courses offered in all schools & colleges • Sustainability Minor (Spring 2010) • >15 faculty from across campus engaged in discussions • Representing all divisions that grant undergraduate degrees

8. Student Engagement

9. Student Recruitment Was your decision affected by the University’s commitment to the environment? • 23% said this would "strongly" or "very much" contribute to school choice. The Princeton Review’s 2013 College Hopes & Worries Survey

10. From Engagement to Careers • Tay Dunklee, City of Denver Recycling • Megan Marshall, Center for the New Economy, CSU • Mariah Shell, Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado • Stuart Coles, Public Lands Outreach Coordinator, Wilderness Society • Jon Bortles, Director of Sustainability, CU Boulder • James Tyson, Consultant, bicycle planning, Santa Barbara Community College

11. Attracting & Retaining the Next Generation of Employees According to a 2012 Net Impact study , of business students

14. Higher Education as a Leader in Sustainability • as resiliency, reinvention, and right action • as a differentiator • as a demonstrable value • as community building • as a regional expectation • as a marketing tool • as a measurable metric

15. A Defining Issue: for the Region, for our Peers, for DU

16. City of Denver Sustainability Goals

22. Leading the Way in Athletics

23. DU’s unique landscape • Urban campus • Mid-sized university • Private university • Combination of professional schools + undergraduate liberal arts

24. Sustainability Directives University of Denver

25. Directives & Administration

26. DU’s Total Net Emissions • 20% Carbon Footprint reduction in FY13 over FY07 baseline

27. Efficiency and Cost Savings

28. 2014 Sustainability Plan Revision Goals: Create an approachable, short, engaging plan with measurable, achievable three year goals that will allow annual reporting on progress. Include recommended action items that are direct as well as aspirational.

29. 2013-2014 Sustainability Plan Revision • Process • 9 listening sessions: Staff, Faculty, Grad Students, Undergrad Students, Alumni • Sustainability Survey: Importance and Prioritization (n=555) • 14 authors, 13 sections • First Drafts • Review with 15 critical stakeholders • Second Draft • Public Review • Final Draft to Provost

30. DU in Regional and Global Context

31. Focal Areas

32. Challenges, Opportunities, Recommended Action Items

33. AASHE STARS • Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System • A transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. • Annual reporting on Sustainability Metrics • Shared with Princeton Review, Sierra Club’s Cool Schools

34. STARS Scope • Academics • Curriculum • Research • Engagement • Campus Engagement • Public Engagement • Operations • Air & Climate • Buildings • Dining Services • Energy • Grounds • Purchasing • Transportation • Waste • Water • Planning and Administration • Coordination, Planning, & Governance • Diversity & Affordability • Health, Wellbeing & Work • Investment • Innovation

35. DU Sustainability Ratings • AASHE STARS gold (2011), currently only 65 gold rated • Bicycle Friendly University (2012), one of 75 • BestColleges.com—Ranked in the top 50 greenest universities, No. 44. (2013) • Princeton Review—Named in the Guide to Green Colleges. (2014) • Sustainable Endowments Institute—Given an A- on the College Sustainability Report Card. (2011) • EPA—No. 1 in the Western Athletic Conference in the EPA Green Power Challenge. (2013)

36. Questions • How can we raise the profile of sustainability efforts and successes at DU? • Where should the Center for Sustainability fit in the University structure? • How can the Center for Sustainability work with you to improve our institutional practices?

37. Next Steps • AASHE STARS deadline, October 31, 2014 • Three year plan updates, Fall of 2016

38. Questions? • Additional Resources: • AASHE STARS: https://stars.aashe.org/ • Princeton Review, Green Honor Roll: • http://www.princetonreview.com/green-honor-roll.aspx • Sierra Club Cool Schools • http://sierraclub.org/sierra/slideshow/top-ten-coolest-schools-2014?slide= • Contacts • Chad King, Sustainability Coordinator, chad.king@du.edu • Becky Powell, Associate Professor of Geography, Co-Chair Sustainability Council, rebecca.l.powell@du.edu • Mollie Doerner, Masters Candidate, Geography, Co-Chair Sustainability Council, mollie.doerner@du.edu