Texas A&M U Unveils Athletics Sustainability Master Plan
The university's newest sustainability plan serves a guide for how the athletics department will support the university in achieving the goals and actions. The 12 themes of the plan include zero waste; waste minimization; built environment and site design; energy use and greenhouse gas emissions; mobility and transportation; community engagement; student success; health and wellness; voice and influence; education, outreach and engagement; administrative support; and instruction and innovation.
Indiana U Publishes Climate Action Plan
The university's new Climate Action Plan establishes a 2040 carbon neutrality goal. It contains 12 recommendations across six categories–utility grid, infrastructure, renewables, behavior, financing and implementation.
AASHE Releases 2023 Sustainable Campus Index
AASHE recently published the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index, spotlighting sustainability achievements and celebrating top-performing colleges and universities in 17 impact areas. Powered by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), this annual report includes a new Trends & Innovations section identifying innovations and trends that are shaping the field of sustainability in higher education, including progress toward carbon neutrality, large-scale renewable energy transitions, advancing racial equity & social justice, closing the sustainability skills gap, major investments in sustainability research, and dissociation from fossil fuel companies.
U Michigan Hires Shana Weber as AVP for Campus Sustainability
Shana S. Weber was recently appointed as the university's first associate vice president for campus sustainability. Currently the founding director of Princeton University’s Office of Sustainability, Weber will work with all 19 schools and colleges, Student Life, Michigan Medicine, Athletics, and various organizations within Business & Finance to advance sustainability and carbon neutrality across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses. She assumes the role on Sept. 5.
AASHE Publishes 2023 Higher Education Staffing Report
Using data provided through AASHE's Higher Education Staffing Survey, the 2023 Salaries & Status of Sustainability Professionals in Higher Education Report examines the nature of sustainability positions at colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada and other countries. The report provides insights into salaries, funding, supervision, job satisfaction, challenges and more. Among the key findings, there was an increase in responses from chief sustainability officers and sustainability directors, and 73 percent of respondents indicated their position was housed in an office or unit with sustainability in its name, compared to 68 percent in 2020.
U California Implements Equity Weighted Social Cost of Carbon
UC implemented recently an equity-weighted social cost of carbon in its carbon neutrality planning. The SCC incorporates the societal costs of climate change into university investment decisions to reduce campus energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Kwantlen Polytechnic U Waives Tuition for First Nation Students
Beginning fall 2023, the university will waive tuition for incoming and current students who are members of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Musqueam, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem First Nations. The announcement was coupled with the release of a framework to address and reduce ongoing systemic colonialism, oppression and racism toward Indigenous people.
