Sustainability at SIUC

SIUC Sustainability CouncilSpring 2011

Stewardship of our Environment, Community, and Resources

Introductions

• Ryan Klopf, Chairman• Dr. Jonathan Gray, Vice Chair• Susannah Bunny LeBaron, Green Fund Committee• Dr. Erin Seekamp, Curriculum Committee• Dr. Matthew Therrell• Justin Harrell, Assessment Committee• Makayla Trotter• William Connors• Paul Restivo

History & Early Successes

• Council formed by Dr. Goldman in Fall 2009– Advise the Chancellor and provide recommendations

related to environmental sustainability – Administer the Green Fund• $10 Green Fee approved by 75% of student vote in 2008

referendum

– Develop a metric to assess sustainability• Biennial assessment report

History & Early Successes

• Achievements– Sierra Club: Named SIUC as one

of the most improved schools in 2010

– Princeton Review Green Schools: SIUC will be listed in 2011

– Student sustainability leadership– Sustainability Advisory Panel

enables students, faculty, and staff to assist the Council

– First retreat to identify short, middle, and long term goals

2010 Green Fund Projects

$265,200

$69,416

$4,693 $37,457

$648

$5,839 $15,645 Energy

Food

Grounds

Research

Social

Transportation

Waste

• Fund innovative projects to advance sustainability• $479,580 committed to sustainability projects

Green Fund Committee• Projects save the

University money– Variable speed drives for

chilled water pumps: • Green Fund support

$25,000 ($65,000)• Savings $44,493·yr-1

– Campus police electric patrol vehicle• Green Fund Support

$5838.50 ($11,677) • Savings: $3,143

DPS officer patrolling sustainably

Student Transportation by Mode

0.6%

6.8%11.1%

6.3%

34.2%

0.9%

40.1%

Drive alone

Motorcycle/moped

Carpool (2 or more)

Saluki Express

Bicycle

Walk

Other

Green Fund Committee

• Projects fund student research– Solar water heater– First SIUC Climate Assessment– First transportation data

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

2001 2004 2007 2010

Year

To

tal E

mis

sio

ns

(M

etr

ic T

on

ne

s e

CO

2)

Scope 2 T&D Losses

P aper

Wastewater

Solid Waste

Study Abroad Air Travel

Directly Financed OutsourcedTravel

Commuting

P urchased Steam / Chilled Water

P urchased Electricity

Agriculture

Refrigerants & Chemicals

Direct Transportation

On-Campus Stationary

Green Fund Committee• Projects make Campus a

better place to live, learn, and work– Outdoor learning space– Green roof– Prairie restoration

Outdoor learning space

Native prairie habitat

Curriculum Committee

• Goals: – Assess presence of sustainability in the SIUC curriculum – Measure sustainability literacy

Own Literacy Faculty Literacy Students'' Literacy1

2

3

4

5

Sustainability Literacy Level

Assessment Committee

• Goal– First quantification of sustainability at SIUC will be

complete July 2011• Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS)

– Set goals and a roadmap to improve future sustainability reporting

Campus-wide Impacts• Sustainability contributes to:– Recruitment and retention• SIUC will be a uniquely green

Campus

– Student opportunities• Council membership and green

fund projects

– Financial health of SIUC• Green fund projects are saving

the University money

– Quality of Campus life• Quantitative and qualitative

value of a green Campus Research presentation, AASHE Conference

Restoring ecosystems on Campus

Priority Goals

• Hire a Sustainability Coordinator• Adopt sustainability standards for all new

construction (IL Green Buildings Act)• Encourage more efficient transportation• Advertise sustainability initiatives in

promotional materials

Creation of a Sustainability Coordinator at SIUC

• A Sustainability Coordinator will:– Provide stable leadership for long-term

sustainability efforts– Generate funds: grants, donations, efficiency cost

savings– Integrate sustainability in all Campus units– Track and assess all sustainability commitments

In Summary• A Sustainability Coordinator is the necessary next

step to further SIUC’s green efforts• Sustainability is an opportunity to improve

efficiency– Reduce costs, while making a greener Campus

• Sustainability – Improves SIUC’s image– Attracts new students, and engages current students

and faculty in forging a greener campus• Improves recruitment and retention

• The Sustainability Council is here to help

Final Thought• Sustainability is larger than us

Yellowstone national park

Lake Mead