Successes and Lessons
Learned: Developing A
State University
Sustainability Program
2009 Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference
Richard Bachoo, Chief Administrative Officer,
Central Connecticut State University
Jason Eisenhuth, Woodard & Curran
Presentation Agenda
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An Introduction to Central Connecticut State University
CCSU’s Sustainability Program: The Beginnings
CCSU’s Sustainability Program Development
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Beginning the Program
Performing the Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Realizing Successes and Improvement Areas
Moving Forward
Lessons Learned in Developing the Sustainability Program
Introduction to
Central Connecticut
State University
Overview of Central Connecticut State
University
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CCSU Statistics:
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~12,000 Students
~600 Faculty
~600 Staff
Nearly 3.4 Million ft2 of
Building Space
85,000 ft2 Research
Building Space
312-Acre Campus
CCSU is a commuter and residential campus,
located in New Britain, Connecticut, on the
outskirts of Hartford. Over 75% of CCSU’s
students are commuters.
CCSU’s Peer Institutions
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CCSU’s Peer Institutions
include:
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UMass Dartmouth
University of Southern Maine
Bridgewater State College
Montclair State University
CUNY Brooklyn
Southern Illinois University
University of Central Missouri
Valdosta State University
William Patterson University of
New Jersey
CCSU’s Sustainability Program:
The Beginnings
Sustainability At CCSU– The Beginnings
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Many CCSU departments and
individuals have been
practicing/ teaching/ promoting
sustainability for years, even
decades.
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Facilities
Housekeeping
Faculty
Purchasing
Examples of Sustainability At CCSU
– The Beginnings
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Installation of the new co-generation energy center
Use of green chemicals by housekeeping
Purchasing working recycled materials into contracts
Faculty developing sustainability into the curriculum
CCSU’s Sustainability
Program Development
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
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Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Find A Starting Point
Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Develop Recommendations
Chart a Course of Action
Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
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Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Find A Starting Point
Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Develop Recommendations
Chart a Course of Action
Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
CCSU’s Sustainability Program
Development Was Led By Senior Leadership
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In 2006, CCSU attended “Campus of the Future – A Meeting
of the Minds”
Conference was presented in a joint venture between
NACUBO, APPA, SCUP
CCSU’s Sustainability Program
Development Was Led By Senior Leadership
In 2006, President Jack Miller convened an
Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability
with an overall goal of developing an Institutional Plan
for Sustainability.
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
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Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Find A Starting Point
Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Develop Recommendations
Chart a Course of Action
Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
President’s Advisory Committee on
Environmental Sustainability Membership
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Co-Chaired by members of Faculty and Facilities Staff
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Dr. Abigail E. Adams, Professor of Anthropology
Dan Moran, Associate Chief Administrative Officer, Facilities
Includes members from across campus
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Facilities
Environmental Health & Safety
Purchasing
Faculty from various departments
Student Life/Student Affairs
Sodexho (Dining Services)
Students
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
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Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Find A Starting Point
Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Develop Recommendations
Chart a Course of Action
Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
CCSU Sustainability Committee’s
First Steps
CCSU selected Woodard & Curran as a partner
to create a more sustainable campus.
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Performed Baseline Sustainability Audit
Drafted Plans to Address Two Major Initiatives:
Recycling and Energy Conservation
Benchmarked CCSU Against Peer Institutions
Developed the first Greenhouse Gas Inventory
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
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Step 1: Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Step 2: Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Step 3: Find A Starting Point
Step 4: Determine Environmental Sustainability
Baseline
Step 5: Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Step 6: Develop Recommendations
Step 7: Chart a Course of Action
Step 8: Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
Benefits of Performing Environmental
Sustainability Baseline Assessment
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It is unlikely baseline metrics exist for all areas, even
with a strong campus sustainability program
Real cost savings can be identified
Identify opportunities to reduce footprint
Enhances sustainability culture on campus
Engages campus stakeholders on all levels
Highlights current and past program successes
Helps to frame future initiatives
Benchmarking – Measuring your campus against
peers
Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Scope – Addressed Ten Program Areas
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Energy Use & Air Emissions
Solid Waste & Recycling
Water
Purchasing
Hazardous/Chemical Waste
Building Design and Construction
Property Maintenance, Landscaping
& Pesticides
Transportation
Food Service Operations
Academic Programs
Campus Awareness/ Outreach
Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Assessment Process
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Developed a questionnaire
based upon scope of the
assessment and metrics to be
reviewed
Worked with CCSU to identify
stakeholders
Distributed questionnaire to
key stakeholders as identified
by CCSU
Comprehensive data review,
gap identification, and
analysis
Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Assessment Process
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Developed a questionnaire
based upon scope of the
assessment and metrics to be
reviewed.
Worked with CCSU to identify
stakeholders.
Distributed questionnaire to
key stakeholders as identified
by CCSU.
Comprehensive data review,
gap identification, and
analysis.
Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Assessment Process
▀
▀
▀
▀
Developed a questionnaire
based upon scope of the
assessment and metrics to be
reviewed.
Worked with CCSU to identify
stakeholders.
Distributed questionnaire to
key stakeholders as identified
by CCSU.
Comprehensive data review,
gap identification, and
analysis.
Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Assessment Process
▀
▀
▀
▀
Developed a questionnaire
based upon scope of the
assessment and metrics to be
reviewed.
Worked with CCSU to identify
stakeholders.
Distributed questionnaire to
key stakeholders as identified
by CCSU.
Comprehensive data review,
gap identification, and
analysis.
Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Assessment Process
▀
▀
▀
▀
Developed a questionnaire
based upon scope of the
assessment and metrics to be
reviewed.
Worked with CCSU to identify
stakeholders.
Distributed questionnaire to
key stakeholders as identified
by CCSU.
Comprehensive data review,
gap identification, and
analysis.
Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Assessment Process
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Interview with Faculty, Staff, and Students in
their working areas to gather information
through interviews, observations, and records
review.
Gather solid and correct quantitative data
Gather multiple points-of-view on
qualitative information about CCSU
Engage with key stakeholders to
educate and become educated
Observe, review, and fill in data gaps
associated with each program area
Baseline Sustainability Assessment Results
Baseline Sustainability Assessment Results
Baseline Sustainability Assessment Results
Baseline Sustainability Assessment Results
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
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Step 1: Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Step 2: Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Step 3: Find A Starting Point
Step 4: Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Step 5: Raise Awareness of Prior and Current
Successes
Step 6: Develop Recommendations
Step 7: Chart a Course of Action
Step 8: Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
Results of Baseline Sustainability Assessment –
CCSU’s Past Sustainability Successes
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New Energy Center: new,
state-of-the-art, efficient Energy
Center with cogeneration capabilities
Existing Recycling Program:
current recycling rate of 31%; CCSU
would have been 13th in
Recyclemania (nation-wide campus
recycling contest) if it had
participated in 2006
Water Conservation Measures:
56% of campus residences have lowflow features
Results of Baseline Sustainability Assessment –
CCSU’s Past Sustainability Successes
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Green Purchasing Practices: contracts promote
recycling; Purchasing buys green supplies where
possible
Hazardous Waste Minimization: chemical clean-outs;
CCSU has low generation rates compared with other
schools
Green Building Design: many buildings have green
features; CCSU has committed to constructing new
buildings in accordance with LEED
Green Cleaning Chemicals: Housekeeping uses green
supplies
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Find A Starting Point
Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Develop Recommendations
Chart a Course of Action
Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
Results of Baseline Sustainability Assessment –
5 Potential Areas for Opportunity
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Assign Sustainability/Recycling Coordinator
to Implement Recycling Management Plan
Launch Educational Campaign on Water
Conservation, Energy Conservation, and
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
Re-Evaluate Financial Feasibility of
Increasing Cogeneration (to decrease
carbon footprint)
Develop, Adopt, and Implement a Green
Building Policy
Develop, Adopt, and Implement an
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Policy
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Find A Starting Point
Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Develop Recommendations
Chart a Course of Action
Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
Progress Since Environmental
Sustainability Assessment
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President’s Climate
Commitment
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Became a Charter Signatory to
the PCC.
Committed to:
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Performing GHG inventory
Reducing GHG emissions to achieve
climate neutrality
Developing a Climate Action Plan
Sharing results with other schools
Progress Since Environmental
Sustainability Assessment
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Recycling
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Finalized Solid Waste
Reduction & Recycling
Management Plan
Pilot Recycling Program
has been Implemented
Progress Since Environmental
Sustainability Assessment
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Energy Conservation
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Draft Energy
Conservation Plan
completed
CCSU Recognized These Important Steps to
Developing a Successful Program
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Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Secure Buy-In From Senior Leadership
Form A Committee of Key Stakeholders
Find A Starting Point
Determine Environmental Sustainability Baseline
Raise Awareness of Prior and Current Successes
Develop Recommendations
Chart a Course of Action
Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
Develop an Institutional Sustainability Plan
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Develop a document of achievable sustainability goals
and initiatives for CCSU.
CCSU has set sustainability as a campus priority and a
Strategic Plan Objective.
Next Steps
Before Final Plan is Adopted:
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The Committee will circulate draft Institutional Sustainability Plan
Make publicly available CCSU’s efforts with the Association for the
Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and
elsewhere
Next Steps, cont.
The CCSU Community can:
▀ Review draft institutional
sustainability plan
▀ Report on work/research/courses
already in place that relate to
sustainability
▀ Consider serving on the
permanent sustainability council
Lessons Learned
Campus Sustainability is a
Cooperative Effort!
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Successful sustainability programs
include the entire campus community
– Administrators, Faculty, Staff,
Students, Alumni, Community
Members
CCSU’s Sustainability Program has
brought Faculty and Staff closer
together
Cooperation erases the idea that
stakeholders are dragging their feet in
campus sustainability efforts
Senior Leadership Buy-In is Essential
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CCSU’s program was established by the President
The Sustainability Committee is co-chaired by a
Professor and the Associate Chief Administrative
Officer
High-ranking members of the campus community
serve on the Sustainability Committee
Adequate reporting structure: The Sustainability
Committee reports to the President, and the Chief
Administrative Officer is the Executive Committee
Member responsible for the Council
Understand the Big Picture and Goals from
the Beginning
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Define Sustainability for Your Campus
How does sustainability fit into your campus’
goals?
Is creating a sustainable campus a top objective?
Human Practices Take Time to Adjust
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Undertaking sustainability is a dynamic
process that must permeate all facets of
an organization’s culture.
Some solutions do not alter human
practices
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Re-lighting the parking garage
Installation of low-flow features
Other initiatives require an adjustment of
human behavior
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Carpooling
Individual water and electric use
Keys to a Successful Sustainability Program
Understand Your Sustainability Goals
Define campus sustainability goals and
determine measures of success.
Sustainability Starts at the Top
Commitment and support by senior
campus leadership.
Successful Sustainability Program
Diverse Groups of Stakeholders
Encourages shared governance and
cooperation in decision making and
implementation.
Allow Time to Adjust Human Practices
Establishes systems to maintain focus and drive
improvement.
Questions, Comments, and Discussion
Thank you! To follow up with the presenters, please
contact:
Richard Bachoo, Chief Administrative Officer, CCSU
bachoor@mail.ccsu.edu
Jason Eisenhuth
jeisenhuth@gmail.com
(315) 854-5001