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With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name: Kealy Devoy
Title: Sustainability Fellow
Date survey submitted: July 20, 2009
ADMINISTRATION
SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES
1) Does your school have its own formal sustainability policy?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe and provide URL, if available: The college created a list of goals for the “Year of Sustainability” and updates progress on these goals on the sustainability website.
2) Has the president of your institution signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. If completed, please provide the date the GHG Report was submitted to the ACUPCC: 1/15/2009
3) Has your institution signed the Talloires Declaration?
[ x ] No
[ ] Yes
4) Is there a sustainability component in your institution's master plan and/or strategic plan (check all that apply)?
[ ] No
[ ] Yes, in the master plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
[x] Yes, in the strategic plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
Strategic Objective V: A Sustainable Community
Maintain and create innovative programs, practices, and opportunities that sustain and enrich the members of the Davidson community and surrounding communities.
- Continue Davidson’s commitment to sustainability by fulfilling the Presidents Climate Commitment; expanding curricular and co-curricular programs involving the environment; focusing on reducing, reusing, and recycling; developing on-campus renewable energy sources; and incorporating principles of environmental sustainability into the college’s daily operations, community service, and outreach.”
ADVISORY COUNCIL
5) Does your school have a council or committee that advises on and/or implements policies and programs related to sustainability?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes
If you answered "No" to question 5, please proceed directly to question 11.
6) Please provide the name of the committee and list the number of meetings held since August 2008.
Name: Sustainability Council
Number of meetings: 2
Name: Sustainability Task Force
Number of meetings: 8
7) Please provide number of stakeholder representatives on the committee.
Sustainability Council
[# 3] Administrators
[# 3] Faculty
[# 4] Staff
[# 3] Students
[# 10] Other. Please describe: Alumni and community members that are sustainability professionals or work in a related field
Sustainability Task Force
[# 1] Faculty
[# 7] Staff, one representative from each major division of campus
8) Please provide the name of the chair(s) of the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year, and indicate which stakeholder group the chair(s) represents.
If 2009-2010 academic year information is not yet available, please provide information for 2008-2009 instead.
Sustainability Council
Name of chair(s): Tom Ross
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Staff
Sustainability Task Force
Name of chair(s): Kealy Devoy
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Staff
9) To whom does the committee report (e.g., president, vice president)?
Council: President
Task Force: President
10) Please list key issues/programs that the committee has addressed or implemented since August 2008.
Sustainability Council
Key issues/programs that the group has addressed/implemented since August 2008: Climate Action Plan for the ACUPCC (begun to address)
Progress made on each of these issues since August 2008: The Council divided into several groups and each came up with a list of 8-10 initiatives to reduce Davidson’s GHG emissions and prioritized at least the top 3.
Sustainability Task Force
Key issues/programs that the group has addressed/implemented since August 2008: Communicating sustainability initiatives among divisions, brainstorming sustainability programs such as paper reduction, water conservation, and recycling
Progress made on each of these issues since August 2008: Communicate progress on sustainability goals via website, held several competitions within offices for conservation
SUSTAINABILITY STAFF
11) Does your school employ sustainability staff (excluding student employees and interns)?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide titles and number of sustainability staff.
[# 1 ] Number of full-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ Sustainability Fellow ]
[# 0] Number of part-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ ]
12) Does the head of the sustainability staff report directly to the president or another high-level administrator (e.g., vice president, vice chancellor)?
[ ] N/A
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT
13) Does your school have an office or department specifically dedicated to furthering sustainability on campus?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe (including name of office or department and year created): Office of Sustainability, 2008
WEBSITE
14) Does your school have a website detailing its sustainability initiatives?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide URL: http://www.davidson.edu/sustainability/
GREEN PURCHASING
15) Does your school have a formal green purchasing policy?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to full policy, if available:
16) Does your school purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ x ] All
17) Does your school purchase environmentally preferable paper products (e.g., 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council)?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ x ] All. Please describe: Napkins are made from 100 percent recycled content, and all paper is made from at least 50 percent post-consumer content.
18) Does your school purchase Green Seal, Environmental Choice certified, or biorenewable cleaning products?
[ ] No
[x] Some. Please describe: Green Seal all purpose cleaner, represents about 50% of all cleaning supplies purchased
[ ] All. Please describe:
19) Are your school's computer/electronics purchase decisions made in accordance with standards such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[x] All
20) Does your school use only pesticides that meet the standards for organic crop production set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Canadian Organic Standards (excluding on-campus farms)?
[ ] No
[x] Some. Please describe: We use IPM (integrated pest management), only use pesticides when needed. We use a few herbicides (Roundup, etc) but we also use BT, insecticidal soap, etc.
[ ] All
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY
21) Has your school completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] No.
[ ] In progress. Please describe status and provide estimated completion date:
[ x ] Yes. Please provide total annual GHG emissions (in metric tons of CO2e). Also, include the start date for each year as well as the URL to each inventory, if available online, or attach the document.
2008: 23,387 / July 1, 2007 / http://acupcc.aashe.org/ghg-report.php?id=622
2007:
2006:
2005:
COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The purchase of carbon offsets does not count toward greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions for this indicator. They are counted in a subsequent indicator.
22) Has your school made a commitment to reducing GHG emissions by a specific amount?
[x] No, will be determined by January 15, 2010
[ ] Yes. Please list details.
Reduction level:
Baseline year:
Target date:
If you answered only "No" or "In progress" to question 21, please now skip to question 27.
REALIZED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
23) Has your school achieved a reduction in GHG emissions?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please list details.
Percentage reduced:
Baseline year:
Date achieved:
24) Please provide the total heating and cooling degree days averaged over the past three years.
Data on total degree heating and cooling days is available at: http://www.degreedays.net/. This information will be used to help reduce bias between schools in different climates.
Cooling degree days average over the past three years: 1843
Heating degree days average over the past three years: 3457
25) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-thousand-square-foot basis for the past three years.
Per-Thousand-Square-Foot Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total maintained building space in thousands of square feet.
2008: 14.9
2007:
2006:
26) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-full-time-student basis for the past three years.
Per-Student Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total number of full-time enrolled students.
2008: 13.6
2007:
2006:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
27) What programs or technologies has your school implemented to improve energy efficiency (e.g., cogeneration plant, retrocommissioning of HVAC systems, performing system tune-ups, temperature setbacks)?
New photocells will turn lights on later in the evening and turn them off sooner in the morning. Old lighting fixtures have been replaced with LED units. The college also executed a $400,000 lighting retrofit project that involved replacements in every campus building, such that 90% of campus lights are LED, CFL, or other efficient light bulb.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
28) Do you facilitate programs that encourage members of the campus community to reduce energy use (e.g., cash incentives, signs reminding individuals to turn off lights and appliances)?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe: The “Chill Out for Energy” campaign encourages faculty and staff to conserve energy. Dormitory bathrooms and lounges have sings on light switches to remind students to conserve energy. Each fall the Environmental Action Coalition student group hosts a campus-wide dorm energy competition to see which dorm reduces energy most. Prizes are awarded.
RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
29) Does your school generate renewable electricity?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please specify percentage of overall electricity generated from each of the following sources and describe details below.
[ %] B100 biodiesel
[ %] Clean biomass
[ %] Concentrating solar power (CSP)
[ %] Geothermal
[ %] Low-impact hydropower
[ %] Solar photovoltaics
[ %] Wind
[ %] Other
Description:
30) Does your school have solar hot water systems?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please specify number of systems and total BTUs generated annually, if available:
RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASE
31) Has your school purchased electric energy from renewable sources or renewable energy credits (RECs)?
RECs and electricity from renewable sources must be Green-e certified or meet the requirements of the Green-e standard.
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (kWh):
Percentage of your total electric energy use that it represents:
32) Has your school purchased non-electric energy from renewable sources?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (BTUs):
Percentage of your total non-electric energy use that it represents:
ON-SITE COMBUSTION
33) Please provide total BTUs of energy for heating and cooling from on-site combustion: 107,686,300,000 BTUs natural gas in 2008 (1,076,863 Therms)
34) Please list each fuel source (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil) and the percent of overall BTUs derived from that source: natural gas, 99%; fuel oil, 1%
35) Is any on-site combustion for heating and cooling derived from renewable sources?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Percentage on-site combustion derived from renewable sources: [ %]
Total BTUs of energy generated from renewable sources: [# ]
Description of renewable energy sources used for on-site combustion for heating and cooling:
FOOD & RECYCLING
The food portion of this category is covered in a separate dining survey.
RECYCLING OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS
36) Please indicate which traditional materials your institution recycles (check all that apply).
[ ] None
[ x ] Aluminum
[ x ] Cardboard
[ x ] Glass
[ x ] Paper
[ ] Plastics (all)
[ x ] Plastics (some) #1, #2, plastic bags
[x] Other. Please list: batteries, plastic grocery bags, ink cartirdges
37) Diversion rate: [12%]
RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
38) Does your institution have an electronics recycling program?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. If available, please indicate the total annual weight or volume of each material collected for recycling or reuse.
[ x ] Batteries
[ ] Cell phones
[ x ] Computers
[x] Lightbulbs
[ x ] Printer cartridges
[ ] Other E-waste. Please list:
COMPOSTING (ASIDE FROM DINING FACILITIES)
39) What percentage of your campus's landscaping waste is composted or mulched?
[ 98 %]
40) Do you provide composting receptacles around campus in locations other than dining halls (e.g., in residence halls, offices, academic buildings)?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
SOURCE REDUCTION
41) Do you have any source-reduction initiatives (e.g., end-of-semester furniture or clothing swaps and collections)?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please describe: the Clothing and Furniture Drive collects unwanted clothing, furniture, appliances, electronics, non-perishable food items, and house wares, and donates them to local charities.
GREEN BUILDING
GREEN BUILDING POLICY
42) Does your school have a formal green building policy?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to the full policy, if available: New construction projects must meet LEED standards.
GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
43) Please indicate LEED-certified buildings.
[#1] Total number of LEED-certified buildings.
[41,664 sq ft] Certified-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names: Duke Residence Hall
[ sq ft] Silver-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Gold-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
44) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED certification criteria but are not certified.
[#2] Total number of buildings that meet LEED criteria
[40,761 sq ft] Certified-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names: Cunningham Fine Arts Facility, Grey House Admission Building
[ sq ft] Silver-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Gold-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
45) Please indicate buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# 0] Total number of ENERGY STAR buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
RENOVATIONS AND RETROFITS
46) Please indicate LEED-EB certified buildings.
[# 0] Total number of LEED-EB certified buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
47) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED-EB certification criteria but are not certified.
[#0] Total number of buildings that meet LEED-EB criteria but are not certified. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
48) Please indicate renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[#0] Total number of renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
49) What energy-efficiency technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., HVAC systems, motion sensors, ambient light sensors, T5 lighting, LED lighting, timers, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of maintained building space have been retrofitted with motion sensors; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
Full-scale lighting retrofit such that 90% of lights are T8, LED, CFL, or other efficient bulbs.
Occupancy sensors are in place in 75% of classrooms and 25% of public restrooms.
A central chiller plant provides chilled water for air conditioning to 75% of campus.
Building automation controls are operating in the 20 most major buildings (classroom buildings, dorms, student union). This system allows for the control of set points and load shedding. Official policy states that buildings will be cooled to between 74 and 78 degrees F in summer and heated to between 68 and 72 degrees F in winter.
50) What water-conservation technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., low-flow faucets, low-flow showerheads, waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, gray water systems, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of the maintained building space have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
The college purchased a new Energy Star air-cooled ice machine for the sports complex training room.
Condensate water from several chillers is pumped back to the central plant to save water.
Dual flush toilets have been installed in 5 of the main buildings (dorms and classroom buildings).
90% of sinks have low-flow aerators installed (1.5 gpm or less).
90% of showers have low-flow heads installed (2.5 gpm or less).
51) What percentage of your institution's non-hazardous construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfills?
[50% for LEED projects, 25% for non-LEED projects]
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
52) Are there any sustainability-themed residential communities or housing options at your school?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Name of program: Eco House
Type of community (e.g., hall, building, house): house
Number of students involved: 10
Additional details: Students live in a house on campus that has been retrofitted to be more sustainable and partake in environmentally themed programs, research sustainability issues, eat a local diet, and implement sustainability practices in their daily lives.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
53) Does a portion of your new student orientation specifically cover sustainability?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe how sustainability is incorporated (e.g., information sessions, green tour): Students are provided with information about sustainability issues and initiatives with the annual orientation service walk, and an informational table distributing a campus sustainability quiz, for which prizes are awarded.
INTERNSHIPS/OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
54) Does your school offer on-campus office-based sustainability internships or jobs for students?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please provide number of students and average number of hours worked weekly per student:
[#1] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student: 10
[# ] Unpaid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
55) Does your school have residence hall Eco-Reps or other similar programs to promote behavioral change on campus?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below, and indicate URL if available:
[# ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Positions that award academic credit. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Uncompensated positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
56) Does your school have active student-run organizations devoted to sustainability efforts on campus?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide total number of active organizations, names of organizations, a brief description of each, and URLs, if available: The Environmental Action Coalition promotes sustainability on campus, runs the energy savings competition “Do it in the Dark,” Green Week festivities, movies, speakers, services days, and fundraisers. GreenPrint uses viral advertising campaigns to promote sustainable behavior of students. The Buildings and Grounds Committee arm of the Student Government Association acts as a liaison between the Physical Plant and the student body on sustainability issues.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
57) Does your school organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please list details for all competitions.
Name of competition: Recyclemania
Year initiated: 2008
Frequency of competition: annually
Participants: students
Incentives:
Goal of competition: increase recycling rate
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x32302.xml
Name of competition: Do it in the Dark
Year initiated: 2006
Frequency of competition: annual
Participants: students
Incentives: prizes include pizza party, CFLs, iPods, Klean Kanteen water bottles
Goal of competition: energy use reduction
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced: 25 percent in November 2008
Lasting effects of competition: students get in the habit of turning out lights, especially in common areas
Website: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x34280.xml
TRANSPORTATION
CAMPUS MOTOR FLEET
58) How many vehicles are in your institution's fleet?
[# 131]
59) Please list the number of alternative-fuel vehicles in each class.
[# 5 ] Hybrid. Please list makes and models: 2005 Ford Escape, 2004 Toyota Prius, 2005 Honda Accord, 2008 Ford Escape, 2007 Toyota Highlander
[# 12] Electric. Please describe type of vehicles: Club Car, EZGo Golf Carts
[# 1] Biodiesel. Please describe type of vehicles and list biodiesel blend(s) used: 2008 Bobcat cart for hauling trash receptacles
[# ] Other. Please describe:
60) What is the average GHG emission rate per passenger mile of your institution's motorized fleet?
[#19,279.69] pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per passenger mile traveled. Calculated with data from Davidson’s 2008 Clean Air-Cool Planet Campus Carbon Calculator: 23,351 miles yields 225.1 MT eCO2
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
61) Does your school offer incentives for carpooling?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe details of the program including the type of the incentive and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):
62) Does your school offer public transportation subsidies?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe the program including the size of the discount (as a percent of full price) and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):
63) Does your school provide free transportation around campus?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please describe: The college operates a free shuttle around campus three days per week during the school year.
64) Does your school operate a free transportation shuttle to local off-campus destinations?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe: The college operates a free shuttle to retail areas three days per week during the school year.
BICYCLE PROGRAM
65) Does your school offer a bicycle-sharing/rental program or bicycle repair services?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created: 2000
Number of bikes available: about 20 on campus during the academic year
Fees for participation: none
Repair services provided: bikes are repaired by volunteers through the Davidson Outdoors club
CAR-SHARING PROGRAM
66) Does your school partner with a car-sharing program?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created:
Total number of vehicles:
Number of hybrid vehicles:
Fee for membership:
PLANNING
67) Does your school have policies that support a pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly campus (e.g., in the school's master plan, a policy prohibiting vehicles from the center of campus)?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe: The campus was planned so that roads run around the perimeter of the campus to encourage walking. Sidewalks on campus are extra-wide to accommodate bikes. Bike racks are available at all academic buildings and residence halls.
68) What percentage of individuals commutes to campus via environmentally preferable transportation (e.g., walking, bicycling, carpooling, using public transit)?
[ 29%] of faculty and staff
STATISTICS
69) Campus setting:
[ ] Rural
[ ] Suburban
[ ] Urban
[x] Other. Please describe: small town nestled between rural and suburban area, with many amenities within 1 mile of campus
70) Total number of buildings: [#114]
71) Combined gross square footage of all buildings: [#1,567,766]
72) Full-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# 1,668]
73) Part-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [#0]
74) Part-time enrollment as a proportion to a full-time course load: [# ]
75) Percent of full-time students that live on campus: [93%]
Questions 76-87 are for informational purposes only; responses will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
OTHER AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Please mark an "X" next to each item that applies to your institution.
76) Outdoors club: [x]
77) Disposable water bottle ban: [x] for catering department
78) Participation in Recyclemania: [x]
79) Student trustee position: [x]
80) Environmental science/studies major: [ ]
81) Environmental science/studies minor or concentration: [x]
82) Graduate-level environmental program: [ ]
83) Student green fee: [ ]
84) Alumni green fund: [ ]
85) Revolving loan fund for sustainability projects: [ ]
86) Campus garden or farm: [x]
87) Single-stream recycling: [ ]
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