[PDF] ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A ROADMAP FOR CALVIN

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3INTRODUCTIONInJanuary2016,CalvinCollegePresidentMichaelLeRoyindicatedaninterestinthefeasibilityofsigningtheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment.Consequently,VicePresidentsToddHubersandSallyVanderploegcommissionedachartertaskforce1)toadvisePresidentLeRoyonthefeasibilityandcostsofachievingnetcarbonneutrality,2)torecommendtoolsforachievingthesustainabilitygoalsoutlinedintheStrategicPlan,"Calvin2019,"and3)torecommendorganizationalchangesnecessarytofurtherinstitutionalizesustainabilityasacorecollegevalueacrossoperatingunits.Thetaskforceworkedforninemonthstofulfillitscharteredgoals.Giventhetaskforce'sbroadmandate,itdividedworkintofiveworkinggroupstoaddressmorespecifictopicareas:SecondNatureCarbonCommitment,organizationandgovernance,curriculum,lifestylechoices,andmessaging.A. GuidingDocumentsThetaskforce'sbroadworkwasguidedbyseveralauthoritativecollegedocuments,anditsrecommendationswereshapedfurtherbyanexternalevaluationconductedbySecondNature.Thefirstsourceofguidancewasthe"StatementonSustainability,"whichtheboardoftrusteesapprovedin2007.KeyelementsofthatstatementaresummarizedbelowinTable1.1.Table1.1:"StatementonSustainability"(2007)OurpurposeistoinfuseCalvin'svigorousliberalartseducationwiththoughtful,BiblicallybasedprinciplesthatlayafoundationforlivinginawaythathonorstheCreatorandhisbelovedcreation.TheReformedtraditionrecognizestheimportantroleofcreationasGod'sgeneralrevelationofgoodnessandgrace.Wealsorecognizeourresponsibilitytointerpret,wiselyuse,andcompassionatelycareforGod'screation.Indoingso,wetakeseriouslytheBiblicalmandatetobestewardsofGod'sgoodearth.Sustainablelivingisthedailyworkingoutofthestewardshipmandate.WeseektoliveaspartofthenaturalworldinwaysthatmirrorthecareandloveGodhasforthecreation.Toliveinasustainablefashionmeansourdailyactivitieswillbeconductedinsuchamannerthattheydonotseriouslyjeopardize,butinsteadpromote,thewellbeingofotherpeople,otherspecies,andtheabilityoffuturegenerationsofallcreaturestoflourish.Thisstatementisintendedtochallengeourselvestoleadlivesofincreasedmeaningandpurpose,livesthatpromotehealingandreconciliationwithincreation.Weconsiderthisresponsetobeadivinecalling,theworkingoutofwhichwillbearfruitsofloveandhopeinourgroaningworld.Thestatementgoesontosuggestgoalsinthirteendistinctareas:a.TeachingandResearchh.FoodandFoodServicesb.PurchasingandAdministrativeServicesi.CampusGroundsandLandUsec.WasteReductionandRecyclingj.BuildingConstruction:NewandRenovationd.EnergyPurchasingk.CampusSitePlanninge.WaterandWastewaterl.InvestmentPolicesf.HazardousMaterialsm.Outreachg.Transportation

5Thetaskforce'srecommendationswerefurtherinformed,butnotdependenton,a2015externalevaluationbySecondNature:"CalvinCollegeSustainabilityAssessment."Thereportidentifiesseveralinstitutionalstrengthsintheareaofsustainability,includingtheEnvironmentalStewardshipCommittee,theStatementonSustainability,theCalvinEnergyRecoveryFund(CERF),andtheCalvinEnvironmentalAssessmentProgram(CEAP).Thereportalsohighlightsseveralweaknesses,particularlyinorganizationandgovernance,whichlimitthecollege'sabilitytoinstitutionalizesustainabilityandtocoordinatesustainabilityworkacrossoperatingunits.B. DataSourcesThetaskforceutilizedexistingdatafromtwosources.First,thetaskforcereliedonthecollege's"SustainabilityScorecard,"whichhastrackedprogressonsustainabilitygoalsforthepastsevenyears,revealingtrendsinenergyconsumptions,wasteproduction,andotherimportantareasrelatedtosustainability.Second,thetaskforcebenefittedenormouslyfromdatagatheredinthefallof2015fortheSustainabilityTrackingAssessment,andRatingSystem(STARS).STARSisastandardized,comprehensivereportingsystemdevelopedbyTheAssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation(AASHE).Ittracksaninstitution'sworkinacademics,engagement,operations,planningandadministration,andinnovation,anditprovidesaratingsystemthatallowsforeasycomparisonsamongcollegesanduniversities.CompletedinFebruary2016,CalvinCollege'sfirstSTARSassessmentearneditasilverrating.Theassessmenthighlightedareasofsignificantsustainabilityachievements(e.g.wastereduction,recycling,andcomposting)aswellasareasinwhichthecollegehasmadelittleornoprogress(e.g.investmentpolicies).C. WhyCalvinCollegeShouldDeepenItsCommitmenttoSustainabilityAsexplainedabove,CalvinCollegehasalreadymadesignificantcommitmentstosustainabilityandmeaningfulprogresstowardsitsstatedgoals.Initsdeliberations,thetaskforcerepeatedlyemphasizedtheneedtodeepenthesecommitmentsandaccelerateprogress.First,thecollegeshoulddosoasaprincipledexpressionofitsReformedChristianmissiontotrainmenandwomentobeagentsoftransformationandrenewalinGod'sworld.ItshouldprioritizesustainabilitybecausedoingsoisawaytoimageGodintheworldandtoliveoutGod'sloveforthewholecreation,bothhumanandnonhuman.The"StatementonSustainability"outlinesthiscommitmenteloquently.Second,Calvinshouldpursuethegoalsofsustainabilityinordertomaintainastrongrecruitingpositioninthetightmarketofhighereducation.Collegestudentsareincreasinglyconcernedaboutsustainabilityissues,andthisisinfluencingtheircollegeselection.ThePrincetonReviewprovidesevidenceofthisinitsannual"CollegeHopesandWorriesSurveyReport."Inthe2016report,thePrincetonReviewsurveyedover10,000prospectivestudentsandparentsfromall50statesandDC,aswellasfromover20countries.Outofthosesurveyed,61%saidthatacollege's"commitmenttoenvironmentalissues(fromacademicofferingstopracticesconcerningenergyuse,recycling,etc.)"affectedtheircollegedecision.AsCalvinstrugglestomeetitsrecruitinggoals,then,itshouldworkdiligentlytofollowthroughonitsexistingcommitmentstosustainabilityandcommunicatethesecommitmentsmoreeffectively.

6Recommendation1:AdoptaformaldefinitionofsustainabilityinSpring2017Inapprovingthe"StatementonSustainability,"theCalvinCollegeboardoftrusteesindicateditscommitmenttosustainabilityasaguidingvalueandprinciple,and"Calvin2019"setsseveralspecificsustainabilitygoals.ThetaskforcerecommendsthatCalvinCollegesharpenitsformaldefinitionofsustainabilitytobetterguideitsworkandtomoreclearlycommunicateitsintentionstoprospectivestudents,alumni,anddonors.Specifically,thetaskforcerecommendsthattheEnvironmentalandEnergyStewardshipCommitteerecommendaformaldefinitionofsustainabilityforcampus-wideadoptioninSpring2017.Forthecommittee'swork,thetaskforceoffersthefollowingdraftcommitmentanddefinitionasastartingpoint.A. Commitment:CalvinCollegeequipsstudentstothinkdeeply,toactjustly,andtolivewholeheartedlyasChrist'sagentsofrenewalinGod'sentirecreation.Theworkofrenewal,whichincludeswisestewardshipofcreation,meansrestoringandsustainingtheintegrityofthenaturalworldaswellasprotectingandadvancingtheflourishingofallmembersofthehumancommunity,presentandfuture,whileatthesametimemindingthecapitalresourcesandviabilityoftheeconomyandtheinstitutionsitsupports.B. FormalDefinition:ForCalvinCollege,sustainabilityisthecommitmenttopracticesthatdonotdepletehumanandnaturalresourcesatunacceptableratesnorharmsocialandnaturalenvironmentsinunacceptableways.C. ExplanationTheword"sustainability"madeitsofficialdebutinwesternenvironmentaldiscussionswiththe1980reportproducedbytheInternationalUnionfortheConservationofNature.ItwasadvancedintheBrundtlandReportof1987whenitwasattached,initsadjectivalform,totheconceptofdevelopmentinanattempttoreconciletheapparentconflictbetweentheneedfortheeconomicactivityindevelopingcountriesandconcernsabouttheenvironmentimpactofsuchactivity."Sustainabledevelopment"becamethenameforawayofmeetingtheeconomicneedsoftheworld'spoorwhileatthesametimepreservingtheintegrityandcapacitiesofthenaturalenvironment.InthewordsoftheBrundtlandReport:"Sustainabledevelopmentisdevelopmentthatmeetstheneedsofcurrentgenerationswithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds."Sincethen,theword"sustainability"hasgoneintowidecirculation,acquiringadditionalmeaningsinavarietyofcontexts.Wehaveattemptedtoconstructaformaldefinitionofsustainabilitythatisbothpreciseandgenerous,coveringthevariouscontextsinwhichitisusedbutatthesametimecapturingitsunivocalsense.Tomakeprogressinthisdirection,weproposetotaketheconceptofsustainabilityoutoftheairofabstractionandfocusonthecharacteristicsofasustainablepractice.Thosecharacteristicswillthenfilloutwhatwemeanwhenweusetheabstractnoun"sustainability."WecantakeourpointofdeparturefromtheBrundtlandReport.Whatisitaboutasustainablepracticethatenablesittomeettheneedsofthepresentwithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds?Toanswerthisquestion,weneedtotakethedefinitiononestepfurther.Atitssimplestandmostformallevel,asustainablepracticeisapracticethatdoesnotdepletetheresourcesitdependsonatanunacceptablerate.Assuch,theconceptofsustainabilitycanbeappliedtoanumberofcontexts.Abusinessthatconsistentlypaysoutmoremoneythanittakesinisunsustainable.Itwillgobankrupt.Amethodoffarmingthatremovesthenutrientsofthesoilwithoutreplacingthemisunsustainable.Thesoilwillbecomedepleted.Aworkscheduleoflonghoursthatusesupmoreenergythancanberestoredbythefewhoursgiventosleepisunsustainable.Theworkerwillburnout.Aglobaltransportationsystemthatdailyconsumesenormousamountofoilisunsustainable.Oilisafiniteresourceandwilleventuallydryup.

7Thereisasecond,related,andequallyimportantsenseofsustainability.Ithastodowiththeeffectsoftheoutputofapracticeontheenvironmentinwhichthatpracticetakesplaceandonwhichitdepends.Burninghugeamountsoilonadailybasiswillnotonlyuseuptheworld'soilsupplyatanunacceptablerate,itwillalsopumptonsofhydrocarbonsintotheatmospherethateventuallypromisecataclysmicclimatechange.Herewewouldsaythatthepracticeisunsustainablebecausetheoutputofthepracticethreatenstodestroyorseverelycompromisetheconditionsofitsownexistence.Acertainkindofunrestrainedcapitalism,onethatfuelsanextremepolarizationbetweenthefewrichandthemanypoor,isunsustainableinthissense.AsbothPlatoandAristotle(andKarlMarx,forthatmatter)predicted,asocietyundergoingthisprocesswillbecomesounstablethattheeconomyitselfwillfalterasaresult.Likewise,theuseofcropsgeneticallymodifiedtowithstand"weed"killersisunsustainableifitleadstothedestructionofcollateralplantscrucialtothelifeofthepollinatorsthattheentireeco-systemdependson.So:twokindsofsustainability.Onedoesnotdepletetheresourcesitdependsonatanunacceptablerate;theotherdoesnotspoiltheenvironmentinwhichitoperatesatanunacceptablerate.Calltheone"resourcesustainability"andtheother"commonssustainability."Theywilloftenoverlapforanygivenpractice;buttheyarenonethelessdistinct.Asustainablepractice,then,neitherdrainsthetanknorfoulsthenest.Putpositively,asustainablepracticerecognizes,honors,andmaintainstheintegrityofcreationfrombothitspointofinputanditspointofoutput.Thisunderstandingexplainstheformaldefinitionofsustainabilityofferedabove.DeterminingwhatisorisnotanacceptablerateofdepletionofresourcesorharmtotheenvironmentrequiresadditionalframingforCalvinCollegetooperationalize.Whetherresourcesarebeingdepletingatanunacceptableratewilldependonanumberoffactors,andwillinevitablybethesourceofcontroversy.Therateofdepletionwilldependonthevolumeandfrequencyofconsumption.Again,whethertherateofspoilageofthecommonsisunacceptablewilldependonvolumeandfrequency.Ourjudgmentconcerningthesustainabilityorunsustainabilityofapractice,then,willdependonourestimationofathreshold.Thisestimationdemandsmeaningfulmetricsandwillberelevanttotheprohibitionandregulationofourownpracticesaswellasthedevelopmentofpublicpolicy.Itisimportanttoemphasizethatsustainabilityisnotsimplyanecologicalconcept.Indeed,forCalvinCollegetopursuesustainability,itmustpursuegoalsinseveralareaswhichattimesconflict.Thereforethetaskforceoffersanexpandedstatementofcommitmentthatdrawsonasecondpopularexplanationofsustainability:JohnElkington'saccountingframework,knownastheTripleBottomLine.Elkingtonarguesthatthreeareasoraspectsofsustainabilitymustbesimultaneouslyconsidered:people,planet,andprofits;or:equity,ecology,andeconomy.Elkingtonhererecognizesthatsustainabilityhasmultiple,interdependentdimensions,andhearguesthatpursuingonlyoneattheexpenseoftheothertwowillyieldshorttermsuccessbutlongtermfailure.Allthreemustberealized.Onevalueofthiseconomicperspectiveonsustainabilityisthatitrecognizestheirreduciblerealityoftradeoffs.Allthreedimensionsofsustainabilityshouldberealizedsimultaneously,andoftenthisispossiblethroughcarefulplanning.Butinaworldofscarcity,tradeoffsareattimesunavoidable.Forexample,capitalintensiveinvestmentingreenbuildingconstructionmayadvanceecologicalsustainabilityandyetbeeconomicallyunsustainableforabusinessenterpriseiftheadditionalbuildingdebtassumedwillnotbeoffsetbythepaybackinareasonableamountoftime.Andiftheenterprisegoesbankrupt,itcannotcontinuetheworkofecologicalsustainabilityintothefuture.ThetaskforcecommendsElkington'sframeworktothecollegebothasanencouragementtopursueallthreedimensionsofsustainabilityandasasourceofaccountabilityfortheirreducibletradeoffsthatmustbemade.Whiletheterm"sustainability"isrelativelynew,themoralvaluesitrepresentsareembeddedfirmlyinthecollege'sReformedheritage.Inparticular,themeaningofsustainabilityoutlinedabovereflectsthetraditionalvirtuesoffrugalityandjustice.Frugality,ChristiansocialethicistJamesNashexplains,"denotesmoderation,temperance,thrift,cost-effectiveness,efficientusage,andasatisfactionwithmaterialsufficiency - similartothe

8"contentment"celebratedinthefirstPaulinelettertoTimothy."1Justice,Nashgoesontowrite,"demandsprovisionsforthebasicneedsandrightsofall,includinga'preferentialoption'fortheeconomicallyvulnerableandpowerless"asexpressedthroughouttheOldandNewTestaments.2Sustainabilityreframesandexpandsthesetraditionalvirtuesinlightofourcontemporaryscientificunderstandingofcreationandtherealityofaglobalizedmarketeconomy.Frugalityandjusticearenotnarrowlyindividualisticoreconomicvirtues;theyarealsocollectivevirtuesforCalvinCollegetoexpresswithfullrecognitionofthewaythathumansareinextricablyembeddedinthenonhumancreation."WhatdoestheLordrequireofyou,"theprophetMicahasksrhetorically,"toactjustly,tolovemercy,andtowalkhumblywithyourGod."Thethreedimensionsofsustainability - ecology,equity,andeconomy - arepartandparcelofthiscommand.Consequently,theyarepartandparcelofthecollegemissiontotrainmenandwomentobeagentsofrenewalinGod'sworld.1JamesA.Nash,"TowardtheRivivalandReformoftheSubversiveVirtue:Frugality,"inConsumption,Population,andSustainability:PerspectivesfromScienceandReligion,ed.AudreyR.Chapman,RodneyL.Peterson,andBarbaraSmith-Moran(Washington:IslandPress,2000),173.2Ibid.,179.

9Recommendation2:SigntheSecondNatureCarbonCommitmentinFebruary2017andbegintrackingCalvin'scarbonreductionsandfinancialsavingsTheStrategicPlan(V.4.b.)states:"Calvinwillcompleteacost-implementationanalysistoinformadecisiononwhetherCalvinbecomesasignatoryoftheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresident'sClimateCommitment,"nowreferredtoastheSecondNatureClimateLeadershipCommitments.Uponcompletionofthisanalysis,thetaskforcerecommendsthatPresidentLeRoyacceptsthecostimplementationanalysisandsignstheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment.Bypledgingtoeliminatethecollege'sdirectcarboncontributionstoclimatechangewithin40years,PresidentLeRoywillaffirmanddeepenthecollege'scommitmenttocreationcareandsocialjusticeandsetinmotionlong-termfinancialsavings.ThetaskforcerecommendsthattheDirectorofInstitutionalEffectivenessandAnalyticscreateadashboardtotrackcarbonreductionsandfinancialsavings,themanagementofwhichwillbeunderaDirectorofSustainability.Thetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegecommitstoimplementthefirstthreeyearsofproposedprojectsandreinvestthefinancialsavingsforfurthercarbonreduction.Afterthreeyears,thenextphaseoftheimplementationplanwillbeevaluatedandmodifiedbasedonthecurrentenergyandtechnologicalcontext.A. TheSecondNatureClimateLeadershipCommitmentsSecondNature'sClimateLeadershipCommitments,formerlyknownastheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresident'sClimateCommitment,providecollegesanduniversitypresidentswithahigh-visibilityplatformtoarticulatetheirinstitutions'commitmentstoaddressingglobalclimatechange.Hundredsofcollegeanduniversitypresidentshavealreadysignedoneofthreecommitments:theCarbonCommitment,theResilienceCommitment,andtheClimateCommitment.TheCarbonCommitmentrequiresthesignatoryinstitutiontoachievenetcarbonneutrality - emittingnomorecarbonthanitcansequester - byaself-determineddate.TheResilienceCommitmentrequiresthesignatoryinstitutiontoincreaseitscommunity'sresiliencetotheimpactsofclimatechange.TheClimateCommitmentisacomprehensivepledgetoachievebothcarbonandresiliencegoals.ThetaskforcebelievesthatPresidentLeRoyshouldsigntheCarbonCommitment.B. CalvinCollegeandtheCarbonCommitmentCalvinCollege'smissionisrootedinandcontinuestobeshapedbytheReformedtraditionofChristianfaith;itisaconfessionalmission,informedbytheministryoftheChristianReformedChurchofNorthAmerica.Thecollegemission - equippingstudentstothinkdeeply,toactjustly,andtolivewholeheartedlyasChrist'sagentsofrenewalintheworld - reflectsthetransformationalemphasisoftheReformedtradition.LivingasChrist'sagentsofrenewalrequiresknowledgeofGod,anunderstandingofthestructuresandintegrityofGod'screation,andconcernabouttheimpactsofsinontheworld.Asstatedinthe"ExpandedStatementofMission"(2004),wemustcultivate"ajoyfultrustinthetriuneGod,anattachmenttoaChristianworldview,astrongdesiretoconnecttheoreticalunderstandingwithChristianconduct,areadinesstocontendagainstevilandoppression,awillingnesstoworkforthecommongoodandtheBodyofChrist,andadedicationtothecauseofChrist'srenewaloftheearthandhumanlife"(28).TheChristianReformedChurchofNorthAmericahasidentifiedclimatechangeasapressingmoral,ethical,andreligiousissue,whereChristiansarecalledtothevitalworkofrenewal.In2012,thechurchapproveda

10reportfromtheCreationStewardshipTaskforceReport,whichprovidesdirectiontochurchesandpeopleofgoodwillinaddressingclimatechange.Thetaskforcewarnedthat"human-inducedclimatechangeposesasignificantthreattofuturegenerations,thepoor,andthevulnerable,"anditcalledforimmediateactionthatincludesthereductionofcarbonemissions.Thechurch'sstatementdrawsfrombroadscientificconsensusonthemechanismsandpotentialimpactsofanthropogenicclimatechange.ForCalvinCollegetofulfillitsmission,wemustaddressclimatechangeinoureducationalcurriculum,ourco-curriculum,andourcampusoperations.Wemust,inotherwords,providestudentswiththenecessaryknowledge,concern,andcompetencytobeagentsofrenewalinaworldthreatedbyanthropogenicclimatechange.Andwemustdemonstrateactsofrenewalthroughourcampusoperations.TheCarbonCommitmentprovidesaframeworkforthesepracticalactsofrenewal.C. AchievingCarbonNeutralityNetcarbonneutralitymeansthatcarbonemissionsareequaltocarbonsequestration,whetherdirectsequestrationbythecollegeorindirectsequestrationthroughthepurchaseofcarbonoffsets.Thetaskforcepreparedacarbonbudgetthatidentifiesthecollege'scurrentemissionsandsequestrationratesandproposesprojectsthatwillbringthesetwofiguresintocloseralignment,ultimatelyachievingnetcarbonneutralitywithin40years.AsshowninTable2.1below,CalvinCollege'scarbonemissionstotal27,385tons/yr.ThetaskforceispleasedtonotethatthecollegehasalreadybeenreducingitscarbonemissionsthroughtheongoingworkofthePhysicalPlantstaffandtheCalvinEnergyRecoveryFund(CERF).Table2.1CalvinCollegeannualcarbonemissionsYearCarbonEmissions(mtce)200929,616201028.974201128,915201228,151201328,149201426,792201527,385Carbonemissionsinfactdecreasedbetween2014and2015.Theapparentincreasecomesfromaddingcommutingcarbonemissions,whichwerenotreportedbefore2015.Followingthepreviousmethodology,the2015numberwouldbe26,675tons.Thecollegealreadysequesterssomeofitscarbonthroughitsvegetatedlandholdings(Table2.2).Table2.2CalvinCollegelandholdings,forestedacreage,andcarbonsequestrationParcelEstimatedAcreageEstimatedForestedAcreageEstimatedAnnualSequestration(@5mtce/acre)Campus30050250EcosystemPreserve100100500FlatIronLake7035175CampWaltmanLake3193001595Total7894852425

13Onefinalnote-apossiblestrategyforaddressingclimatechangeatanationalorstatelevelistheimpositionofacarbontax.CountriessuchasSwedenandIrelandhavealreadydonethis,ashastheprovinceofBritishColumbia(withCanadaasawholesettofollowsuitin2018).Ifacarbontaxbecomesinstitutedinourstateoratthefederallevel,whichmayhappenatsomepointinthefuture,effortsweundertaketodaytoreduceourcarbonemissionswillnecessarilyhavedirectfinancialbenefits.Thekeyfindingsfromthetaskforce'sworkanditscarbonplanareasfollows:1. CalvinCollegecarbonemissionsarecurrentlyestimatedtobe27,385metrictons(mtce)peryear.2. Thecollege'scarbonemissionsarealreadydecreasingyeartoyear,thankstoongoingworkbythePhysicalPlantandtheCalvinEnergyRecoveryFund(CERF).3. CalvinCollegealreadysequestersanestimated9%ofitscarbonemissions.Carbonsequestrationisameasureofcarbonthatbecomesstoredintoplantbiomass(andeventuallyintosoilorganicmaterial).Sequestrationcalculationsareprimarilybasedonacreageofforestedland,andwehavechosentousearelativelyconservativevalueof5mtcesequesteredperacreofforestland.ThepropertyaroundWaltmanLakeisthesinglelargestproviderofsequestration.4. Thecollegecouldreduceitscurrentcarbonemissionsbyroughly50%overthenext40yearswithoutsubstantialbudgetaryincreasesifitfollowsthemodelofCERFandreallocatesenergysavingsyeartoyeartofundenergy-relatedprojects.a. Estimatedcostsforthefirst50%carbonreductionstotal$34millionover40years.b. Estimatedenergycostsavingstotal$49millionover40years.5. Thecollegecouldreduceitscarbonemissionsbyanother15%throughtheinstallationofgeothermalsystems.Unlesscostsdecreasesignificantlyoverthenextfewdecades,thesesystemswillrequireasignificantcapitaloutlay.6. Theremaining26%ofthecollege'scarbonemissionscouldbefurtherreducedthroughlow-carbonsourcesofelectricitythatwillbecomemorereadilyavailableduringthelifeofthecommitment,purchasingcarbonoffsets,orpurchasingadditionalpropertythatsequesterscarbon.Forperspective,usingaconservativecurrentratetobuycarbonoffsets($13/mtce),thecollegecouldoffsettheremaining26%ofitscarbonemissionforanestimated$100,000annually.Thisisasmallfractionofthe$1.8millionannuallythatthecollegewillsaveasaresultofitsenergyreductionprojects.Toconclude,thecommitteeemphasizesthatthereiscurrentlyalimitednumberofChristiancollegesthataresignatoriesontheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment,affordingCalvinanopportunitytotakealeadingroleinthistypeofexpressionofChristianenvironmentalstewardship.SuchacommitmentwouldbeconsistentwithCalvin'slongstandingdevotiontofaith-basedcreationcare.Moreover,thiscommitmentmayalsobenefitcurrentcollegesharedgoalsofrecruitmentandretentionbycreatingadifferentiatingdistinctivefeatureanda"centerofexcellence"benefitforCalvinCollege.

14Recommendation3:AppointaDirectorofSustainabilityInthe"CalvinCollegeSustainabilityAssessment,"authorsfromSecondNaturecongratulatethecollegeforitssignificantworkintheareaofsustainability.But,theywrite,"theexcellentworktodateisprimarilydrivenbydedicatedfaculty,staff,andstudentswhoemergeasleadersinsustainabilitythroughpersonalinterestinanddedicationtotheidealsofsustainability."Overandagainstthisstrength,theauthorsarguethatthecollegelacksadequateinstitutionalization,integration,coordination,andstrategiccommunicationofsustainabilityeffortsandprinciples.Indeed,theyidentifylackofinstitutionalintegrationasthenumberoneobstacletoreachingitssustainabilitygoals.Thetaskforceconcurswiththisassessment,anditrecommendsthatthecollegebuildtheorganizationalcapacityneededtoinstitutionalizeandcoordinateitssustainabilitywork,beginningwiththeappointmentofaDirectorofSustainabilitytobeginworkonJuly1,2017.AlistofdutiestobeperformedbytheDirectorarefoundinAppendixII.ThetaskforcealsorecommendsthattheCommitteeonGovernancerevisedtheEnvironmentalandEnergyStewardshipCommittee'smandate,makingitanadvisorycommitteetotheDirectorofSustainability.A. OrganizationalModelsThetaskforceconductedasurveyofgovernancemodelsatfortyofCalvin'speerinstitutions,identifiedeightpotentialmodelsthatemergedfromthatanalysis,andevaluatedeachofthosemodelsaspossiblegovernancestructuresforCalvin.Thewiderangeofgovernancestructures,summarizedinsupportingdocumentation,wasrevealing.Commitmentsrangedfromnovisiblestructuretoexecutive-levelpositionsworkingoutoftheOfficeofthePresident.Forthoseinstitutionswithvisiblegovernancestructures,wecategorizedthemineightorganizingmodels(Executive,SustainabilityInstitute,OfficeofSustainability,DirectorofSustainability,SustainabilityCoordinators,HousedinAcademicDepartment,SustainabilityCommittee,andSustainabilityCabinet)(LinktoEightOrganizingModelsinOneNote).Alleightmodelsessentiallyprovideawayofassigningresponsibilityforcoordinatingsustainabilityworkacrossoperatingareas,which,inturn,makesaccountabilitypossible.ThisispreciselywhatSecondNatureandthetaskforcebelievethatCalvinCollegeneedstodevelopment.B. RecommendationThetaskforceworkedtodeterminethebestmodelforCalvinCollege,accountingforitsoverarchingorganization,itsinstitutionalculture,anditsresources.Wherewouldanindividualorcommitteeneedtoexistwithinthecollege'sorganizationalstructureinordertohaveaclearviewofthediversesustainabilityeffortsalreadyunderwayandtoadequatelyinformtheappropriatedecision-makers?AfterevaluatinghoweffectivelyeachoftheeightmodelsusedatotherinstitutionswouldserviceCalvinCollege,thetaskforceidentifiedthreedistinctoptions,ortiers,forsustainabilitycoordination.AllthreetiersarefeasiblewithinCalvin'sculturalcontext;theyrangeprimarilyintermsofresourcecommitmentsandefficacy.Table3.1summarizestherecommendations.Tier1wouldrequirelittleadditionalinvestment,butitwouldalsoyieldthelowestreturnoninvestment;Tier2isourrecommendedoption;andTier3isaspirational.Nomatterwhichtierthecollegeselects,therecommendationsinthisreportcanprovideinitialprioritiesforsustainabilitycoordination.Movingforward,thetaskforcerecommendsthattheresponsiblepartyusetheSTARScertificationprocesstoestablishannual,measurablesustainabilitygoals.

16Second,duringthis3-yearpilotperiod,thetaskforcerecommendsthatthepositionbefundedthroughacombinationofsourcesthatwouldspreadthecostasbroadlyasthedirector'sresponsibilities.Herearepossibleavenuesoffunding:• ThecollegecouldrepurposerevenuefromCargillfunds,whicharecurrentlyallocatedtothesustainabilitymajorinitiative,beginningin2018-2019.Therevenuefromthesefunds,usingthecollege'scurrentendowmentprojectionsof4.5%,isroughly$23,000peryear.• SelectthefirstDirectorofSustainabilityfromthecurrentfaculty.Byreplacingthisfacultymemberwithanentry-level,termappointeeoradjunctfacultyperson,thecollegewouldrealizesignificantsavingsthatcouldbeallocatedtotheDirectorofSustainability'ssalary.• Distributetheposition'sremainingcostacrossthecollege'soperatingdivisions.Eachdivisionwouldthenneedtoreallocate$10,000orless.Third,duringthe3-yearpilotperiod,thetaskforcerecommendsthattheDirectorofSustainabilitycraftalong-termfundingmodelthatcombinescost-savingsfromenergyreductionprojects,overheadfundsfromvariousgrants,andasmallcampaignforanendowment.Tier3:TheTier3optionwouldnotonlyappointaDirectorofSustainability,butcreateanOfficeofSustainabilitythatwouldhousesomeadditionaladministrativeresourcesfortheDirectortocoordinateandsupportthecampus-widesustainabilityactivities.CalvinCollegeisaleaderinSustainabilityalongmaydimensions,suchas:performance,research,communityengagement,studentengagement,andinservice-learning.Asthecollegereachesitsstrideinitscampus-widesustainabilityefforts,anOfficeofSustainabilitycouldfurtherleveragetheseinter-relatedeffortsintoamorevisiblenarrativeandhavetheresourcestodeepenacademicandco-curricularpossibilitiesforstudentsandfaculty.C. RelationshiptoOtherTaskforceRecommendationsItisdifficulttooverstatetheneedforbettersustainabilitycoordinationatCalvinCollegetotrulyinstitutionalizethiscommitment.Indeed,severaloftherecommendationsinthisreportdependonit.TheSecondNatureCarbonCommitment,achievingsustainabilityliteracyasajointventureinthecurriculumandco-curriculum,educatingandincentivizingsustainablelifestylechoices,andcoordinatingsustainabilitymessagingallrequiresubstantiallevelsofcoordinationacrossoperatingareasofthecollege.WithoutaDirectorofSustainabilityorsomeotheroverarchingmodelofleadership,furtherprogressonreachingthecollege'ssustainabilitygoalswillbelimited.

18A. CurriculumPlanIfthecollegeadoptsthetaskforce'srecommendationtomakesustainabilityliteracyagoalforallgraduates,itwillneedtomakesomemeaningfulchangestothecurrentcurriculuminordertotrackeachstudent'sengagementwithsustainabilityeducation.ThefollowingthreemodelsfortrackingsustainabilitySLOsprovidearangeofalternativestoachievingthesameend.Theycanbeunderstoodasmovingprogressivelytowardamoreconsistentlearningexperienceforallstudents.ThetaskforcerecommendsthatthecollegeadoptTier1inthenearfutureandconsiderTiers2and3asitmakesmoresignificantchangestotheoverallcorecurriculum.Tier1:TaggedSystemTier2:IntroduceaSeparateCoreCategoryTier3:AddanewSustainabilityCoreCourseTable4.1.CalvinCollegeSustainabilitySLOsandAssessmentFrameworkEachStudentWillBeAbleto:DimensionsPossibleAssessmentMethods:1. Definesustainability.• Studentswillbeabletodefinitionsustainabilityinawaythatlinksecological,social,andeconomicdimensions.• Basiccomprehensionassessmentsthataskstudentstorememberknowledgecontentrelatedtosustainability.Usetoolssuchassurveys,tests,andquestionnaires.2. Providetheologicalgroundingforsustainabilitycommitments.• ExplainsustainabilityasavocationalcallingwithintheChristiannarrativeofcreation,fall,andredemption.• IdentifycoreChristianvirtuesandexplainhowtheyadvancesustainability.• Comprehensionassessmentsthataskstudentstorelatetheologicalconceptstosustainability.Assesswithtestsandessays.3. Explainhowhumanandnonhumansystemsareinterrelated.• Demonstratetheabilitytoexplainandapplysystemsanalysis.• Identifythenaturalresourcesandecologicalservicesthatmeetbasichumanneeds.• Identifybasiceconomicandpoliticalinstitutionsandactionsthroughwhichweadvanceorunderminesustainability.• Explainhowleadingenvironmentalproblemsandsolutionsemergefromtheinteractionbetweenhumanandnonhumansystems.• Basiccomprehensionassessmentsthataskstudentstorememberknowledgecontentrelatedtotheinteractionsofhumanandnaturalsystems.Usetoolssuchassurveys,tests,andquestionnaires.• Advancedcomprehensionassessmentsbasedonresearchpapersandprojects.4. Applysustainabilitytopersonal,campus,andcommunitylife.• Explainhowindividualchoicescontributetoincreased/decreasedenvironmentaldegradationorstewardship.• Participateinprogramsandinitiativesdesignedtocultivatesustainabilityskillsandvirtues.• E-Portfolios,potentiallyconsistingofwrittenessaysandreflections,researchprojects,andpresentations.• ActivityPortfolio,includingservicelearningactivities,campuslifestylechallenges,andotherextracurricularactivities.• Assessmentinthiscategorywouldbeaquantitativeassessmentofparticipationinsustainabilityactivitiesratherthananassessmentofknowledgeorvaluesgainedfromthoseactivities.

20B. AssessmentToassesstheSustainabilitySLOsatthecollegelevel,thetaskforcealsorecommendsthatassessmentofsustainabilitySLOsbeimplementedthroughapre-testandapost-testofsustainabilityliteracy.Asustainabilityliteracypre-testcouldbeincludedaspartofDCMandasustainabilityliteracypost-testcouldbeincludedaspartofanongoing,regularlyconductedseniorsurvey,oraspartofanycoursethatfulfillstheIntegratedStudiescorerequirement.Thesedata,mergedwiththesustainabilitytranscriptfortheparticipants,wouldbeexaminedanddiscussedbytheDirectorofSustainabilityandEESConanannualbasisduringthestart-upyears,andthenonabi-annualbasis.RecommendationstotheProvost,EPC,StudentLife,andAcademicServicesformodificationstothecurricularplanwouldbetheresponsibilityoftheDirectorofSustainability.

23Recommendation6:AligncampusmessagingwithacohesivesustainabilitynarrativeThetaskforcerecommendsthatinSummer2017,theBrandStewardbegintoreorganizeandupdatethemultiple,disparatevenuesforsustainabilityinformationonthecollegewebpagesandprintedliteraturetoconveyacoherentandconsistentmessage.ThetaskforcefurtherrecommendsthattheBrandStewardworkwithaDirectorofSustainabilityinAY2017-2018todevelopanmessagingstrategytoleveragethecollege'ssustainabilityeffortsandachievementsinsupportofeffortstoincreaseenrollmentandexpandadvancement.Thecommitteeundertookacomprehensiveanalysisoftheexistingmannerandmethodofcommunicationaroundenvironmentaleffortsandsustainabilitypracticesthatcontributetocarbonneutralityefforts.Thecurrentcommunicationsprofilereflectsthedisparatenatureoftheeffortsatthecollege.Thereexistavarietyofwebsites,pamphlets,documentsandreportsthatpromoteenvironmentalsustainability,aswellasstudentorganizations,clubs,governanceandquasigovernancegroups,andadministrativedepartmentswhichpurporttorepresenttheseactionsattheCollege.Thereisnosingleofficeorevidenceofacomprehensiveplanforcoordinatinga"calltoaction"orclearlyexplainingacommitmenttosustainability.A. MessagingRecommendationsThetaskforcerecommendsaconcertedefforttomakesustainabilitymessagingmoreprominent,coherent,andconsistent.Thiswillrequireanumberofseparateactions:1. Forclarityinitsmessaging,settleonandadoptaparticulardefinitionofenvironmentalsustainability.Thisisdefinitionisarticulatedintheintroductiontothisreport.2. Createasanctionedweblocationthatoutlinesthecollegescommitmenttoandprogressonachievingnetcarbonneutralityandthatprovidesagatewaytootherenvironmentalsustainabilityeffortsoncampus.3. Developaconsistent,recognizableillustration,graphic,orlogokitforuseacrosstheCollegeonsustainabilityinitiativesandmarketing.B. MessagingResponsibilitySustainabilitymessagingisembeddedinawiderangeofcollegeactivities,soresponsibilityformessagingwillremaindiffuse.IfthecollegechoosestoappointaDirectorofSustainability,heorsheshouldtakeresponsibilityforcoordinatingthisworkacrossthecollege.ThedirectorshouldworkcloselywithCommunicationsandMarketingonwebsitemanagement,takingprimaryresponsibilityforthespecificcontentofthesustainabilitygatewaylocation.Thedirectorshouldalsocoordinatewithotherofficesoncampustoavoidduplicatedandconflictingmessaging.

ProjectsSubProjectInvestment

MTCE

Savings

per$1 spentUtilityBillsMTCEEnergyNotes

Total:$154,815,4912,252,001$17,43170%

RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions:7,529

CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects

AnnualSavings

%of Total

SortedbyCarbonReducedper$1Spent

ProjectsSubProjectInvestment

Yrsto

PaybackUtilitiesmtceEnergyNotes

Total:$154,815,4912,252,001$17,43170%

RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions:7,529

CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects

%of Total

AnnualSavings

SortedbyYearstoPayback

ProjectsSubProjectInvestment

Cost

Savings

per$1 spentUtilityBillsMTCEEnergyNotes

Total:$154,815,4912,252,001$17,43170%

RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions:7,529

CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects

AnnualSavings

%of Total

SortedbyEnergySavingsper$Invested

Total:$154,815,4912,252,001$17,43170%

RemainingAnnualCarbonemissions:7,529

%of Total

CalvinCollegeCarbonNeutralityProjects

AnnualSavings

SortedbyUpfrontCost

AppendixII:DirectorofSustainabilityResponsibilitiesThetaskforcerecommendsthatCalvinCollegeappointaDirectorofSustainabilitytocoordinateanddirectsustainabilityactivitiesacrossoperatingunits.Thecollegehasalreadydoneasignificantamountofworkonsustainability,drivenlargelybythepassionandcommitmentofindividualemployees.ADirectorofSustainabilitywillinstitutionalizethisworkandensurethatthisworksisgreaterthanthesumofitsparts.ToassisttheadministrationincraftingajobdescriptionforanewDirectorofSustainability,thetaskforcehascreatedalistofresponsibilitiesappropriatetotheposition.Asignificantnumberoftheresponsibilitieslistedbelowreflectcommitmentsthatthecollegehasmadewithoutalongrangeplanallocatingresourcestoensuretheircompletion.Indeed,thetaskforcebelievesthatcreatinganewposition,DirectorofSustainability,iscriticaltothecollege'ssustainabilitysuccess.1. DevelopandimplementtheCarbonNeutralityplan• Managetherevolvinginvestmentfund• Prioritizeprojects• Trackandreportonprojects(carbonreduction,savings,costs)• Pursueandmanageadditionalgrantanddonorfundsforprojects2. Inventory,coordinateandstreamlineallsustainabilityactivitiesatthecollege• Establisheffectivepartnershipsbetween,andworkcollaborativelywith,sustainabilityactorsacrossthecollege,includingthoseinthefollowingareas:o Curriculumo Research&Scholarshipo Service-Learningo StudentLifeo CreationCareCurriculumo FaithFormationo CommunityEngagemento PhysicalPlanto Energyo Vendorselectiono FoodServiceso WasteManagemento MasterPlano Investmento Health&Well-beingo Affordabilityo Diversityo Enrollment&Retentiono Advancemento Technologyo Transportationo Other3. Developcross-divisionalSustainabilitySteeringCommitteeandmandate• WorkwithEnvironmentalandEnergySustainabilityCommittee(EESC)todefinescopeandresponsibilities

354. Advisecollegeleaders• DevelopplantoincorporatesustainabilitygoalsandtargetsintoStrategicPlan• DevelopandoverseestrategiestomeetStrategicPlansustainabilitygoals• WorkwithIE&AtodevelopinstitutionallyaligneddashboardsandKPIsforsustainability• Createcollege-widecultureofsustainability• Guideandinformthecollegeinadoptingbestpractices• WorkwithCollegeChaplainsandfaithformationprogramsaroundcreationcarecurriculumandliturgy5. OverseeSTARS(trackingandimplementation)andSustainabilityReporting• Workcross-divisionallytointegrateSTARSintoorganizationalbehavioranddecisionmaking• Buildsystemsandprocessesfordatacollectionandmanagement• ManagereportingforannualSTARSsubmission6. ImplementSustainabilityLiteracyAssessmentacrosstheCurriculum• IntegratewithCoreAssessmentandEducationalFramework• Coordinatewithotherassessmentexpertsoncampustoensureintegratedmodel• Assesssustainabilityliteracy• Advisedepartmentsonsustainability-relatedprogramandcourselearningobjectives7. Developaconsistentnarrativeandmessageregardingsustainabilityforcollege-widemarketingandcommunication• Developandmaintainwebresourcesthatreportworkcompletedandserveasasourceofinformationforindividualsoncampus.8. Findpermanentfundinganddetermineformalorganizationalmodel• Seekgrantfundingforparticularprojects• Exploreenergyrebatesandincentivestorecommendoptimaltimingforimplementation9. Maintainprofessionalexpertise,stayingcurrentinthefieldandparticipatinginongoingprofessionaldevelopment.10. Representthecollegeexternallyinnetworksrelatedtosustainability.• CoordinatefaithfulpracticesandadvocacyeffortswiththeCRCNAOfficeofSocialJusticeClimateWitnessProject• Coordinateandcommunicatebestpracticeswithpeerinstitutions• RepresentthecollegeatAASHEmeetings

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