Tech-Talks AQIP:
Carbon Neutral
January 14, 2010
4 – 5pm
Academic Quality Improvement Program
AQIP
AQIP is structured around quality
improvement principles and
processes and involves a structured set of
goal-setting, networking, and
accountability activities.
AQIP Cycles of Improvement
 Action
 Accreditation
 One-year cycle
 Seven-year cycle
 3 or 4 Action Projects
 Check-up Visit
 Annual updates
 Reaffirmation of
Accreditation
• Strategy
–
–
–
–
Four-year cycle
Systems Portfolio
Systems Appraisal
Strategy Forum
AQIP Action Projects
 Action Project Goals
 Focus and highlight Michigan Tech’s efforts in undertaking
specific improvement initiatives
 Provide evidence to the HLC the Michigan Tech is seriously
committed to a regimen of continuous improvement
 Three Action Projects must be
ongoing at all times
 Information on the projects
must be shared.
AQIP Categories
Helping Students Learn
Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives
Understanding Students’ and Other Stakeholders’ Needs
Valuing People
Leading and Communicating
Supporting Institutional Operations
Measuring Effectiveness
Planning Continuous Improvement
Building Collaborative Relationships
Summary of Action Projects
Title
Michigan Tech
Title
AQIP
Kickoff Date
Completion
Date
Status
Carbon Neutral
Carbon Counting
June 1, 2007
January 14, 2010
Final Report
Academic Advising
Enhancement
Academic Advising
Enhancement
April 3, 2009
August 2010
Ongoing
International
Experience
International
Experience
April 6, 2009
August 2010
Ongoing
Carbon Footprint Assessment and
Reduction: A Driver of Research
Collaborations and Curriculum Innovation
at Michigan Tech
Margaret R. (Peg) Gale and John W. Sutherland
(Chris Wojick, Margot Hutchins, Kristine Bradof, Robert Froese, Mike
Needham, Dana Johnson, Jillian Shubert, Dan Graham, Kaari Nevanen,
Steven Gailey, Steve Hook, Sally Sanderson, David Shepp, Nora Peterson,
Pam Brushaber, Dan Nestmann, Rebecca Rama, Yaw Ofori Lartey, Cindy
Schafer, Alisha Autio, Liz Fraki, Mike Foster, Adam Manty, Bill Marcinak,
Valerie Fuchs, Chuck Workman, Sandeep Sikarwar, Noah Schuster, Josh
Johnson)
Where have we come from?




University was created in 1885, educating students
in mining engineering and supporting Michigan’s
economic development through its educational and
research programs
Over the next fifty years, programs were added in
other engineering areas, business, technology, arts
and sciences, and forestry/environmental science,
all revolving around hands-on learning, with
application-based research
Environmental Sustainability Committee – est. 2001
Sustainable Futures Institute – est. 2003
Where have we come from? (cont.)
Updated Strategic Plan - 2004

Goal 2: Deliver a distinctive and rigorous discoverybased learning experience grounded in science,
engineering, technology, sustainability, and the
business of innovation.

Goal 3: Establish world-class research, scholarship
and innovation in science, engineering, and
technology that promotes sustainable economic
development in Michigan and the nation.
Main Reason for the Carbon AQIP Project
Tie Campus Sustainability & Carbon Neutrality to Our Accreditation
Goals of Carbon Neutrality AQIP


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Incorporate into our educational offerings the impact of
institutions (Michigan Tech) on the environment in terms of
the release and sequestration of carbon.
Establish research collaborations focused on
organizational carbon footprint reduction via the
enhancement of materials/energy usage efficiency and
product/process innovation.
Improve our operations by involving students, staff, and
faculty in developing metrics and undertaking a continuous
improvement process to become more efficient in the use
of energy and materials and thus reduce the carbon
footprint of Michigan Tech.
CHANGE OUR CULTURE – WALK THE TALK!
Carbon Neutrality AQIP Process –
Getting Started
Expanding the
basic steps…
Define AQIP
process &
scope
Approve
AQIP
Process
Approval
of process
& scope
Admin.
Setting of
Policy & Targets
Present initial
results from
CA-CP model
Aspects: In general, these are the environmental
performance measures that the organization will
focus on.
We have decided to focus on carbon emissions –
may consider additional measures in the future.
AQIP Comm.
Exec Team
Non-Acad. Units
Acad. Units
CSE
Define
environmental
policy, aspects,
objectives,
targets
Rest of
Process
Planning and Project Development
Present initial
results from
CA-CP model
Rest of
Process
Define environmental
policy, aspects,
objectives, & targets
Evaluate Carbon Footprint,
Identify Improvement
Opportunities, Assess Proposed
Projects, Assist with
Implementation, & Communication
Stage Gate
for Project
Implementation
Formulate project plans
(expected benefits
& costs)
AQIP Comm.
Exec Team
Non-Acad. Units
Acad. Units
CSE
Present charge
to Non-Acad. &
Acad. Units
Define targets
and project
goals for
Acad. Units
Suggestions &
Guidance from
Non-Acad. Units
Project Implementation, Review, &
Communication
Stage Gate
for Project
Implementation
Project
Implementation
Evaluate Carbon Footprint,
Identify Improvement
Opportunities, Assess Proposed
Projects, Assist with
Implementation, & Communication
and the Cycle
Begins Again…
"Objectives & Targets"
"Revival"
communicate to
campus community
AQIP Comm.
Exec Team
Non-Acad. Units
Acad. Units
CSE
Review
and
Evaluation
Annual Updated
Data from
Non-Acad. Units
CA-CP Model - Foundation of AQIP Project

Clean Air – Cool Planet Calculator
http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/

Excel-based spreadsheet - inventory of
carbon emissions university campuses - use
this spreadsheet to assess Michigan Tech’s
carbon footprint
Recommendations
Action 1: Use the CA-CP calculator to initially account for the University’s
carbon emissions and offsets basing the carbon reduction goals on certain
Scopes defined by American College & University President's Climate
Commitment signatories.
Action 2: Create a Green Campus Enterprise (GCE). A proposal has
already been developed for the GCE and has been approved by the
Enterprise Program but a faculty to member needs to found to oversee this
effort. A financial commitment from the Executive Team is needed to
support part of the salary for the faculty member.
Action 3: Establish a named Sustainability Coordinator position at the
university which would oversee the carbon reduction process. The main
responsibility for the Campus Sustainability part of this project should be
overseen by the Vice President of Administration, while the Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs along with the Vice President of Research
and Sponsored Programs should oversee the education/research
integration portion of this project.
Recommendations
Action 4: Use the newly established Energy Advisory Group (EAG) to
provide an interface to the Green Campus Enterprise.
Action 5: Establish a sustainability website to communicate to the entire
campus and to our stakeholders, the efforts that the University is
undertaking to make our campus carbon neutral and sustainable and to
highlight the educational and research efforts in this area. The initial
website could be created through a Humanities course. This Sustainability
Coordinator would oversee the website.
Action 6: Have the Provost’s office monitor how individual academic units
are contributing to this effort through the courses they offer and their
everyday operations. This office would also make sure effectiveness reports
are received annually from all groups.
Administrative Response

Action 1: Use CA-CP Calculator to
estimate emissions
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Data compilation and first estimate done by
Carbon Neutral AQIP Committee
FY 09 inventory completed by Green Campus
Enterprise. Inventory will be updated annually.
Administrative Response

Action 2: Create a Green Campus
Enterprise (GCE)
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

Created a Green Campus Enterprise (GCE).
A faculty member (Chris Wojick) oversees this
effort.
A financial commitment from the Executive Team
has been given to support part the salary for the
faculty member. The VP of Administration provides
funding for work of enterprise (e.g., test equipment
for energy monitoring/reduction).
Administrative Response

Action 3: Establish a named
Sustainability Coordinator Position
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Established a ½-time Sustainability Coordinator – this is not
a created position because of the lack of funds to fund a new
position at the level the committee suggested. (Partially
implemented)
The Campus Sustainability Coordinator will be overseen by
the Director of Facilities Management (John Rovano) and
will work with the Chair of the Energy Advisory group.
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs along
with the Vice President of Research and Sponsored
Programs are overseeing the education/research integration
portion of this project.
Administrative Response

Action 4: Use the newly established
Energy Advisory Group (EAG) to
provide an interface to the Green
Campus Enterprise (GCE)


Done – The advisor for GCE sits on the EAG
GCE students are working on projects requested
by EAG
Administrative Response

Action 5: Establish a sustainability
website

Not accomplished; however, discussion with the
VP of Administration has begun to have students in
the GCE spearhead the creation of a website. The
EAG supports this but as of this time no action has
been taken.
Administrative Response

Action 6: Have the Provost’s office
monitor Academic Unit Contributions
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Sustainability Coordinator is developing a list of
sustainability courses.
No other monitoring going on.
Questions?