Our World, Our Future Progress Report 2020-2021
Progress on actions Goal 1: Ecological Literacy Tagged course listings and professor-led research to the UN Global Goals Created list of recurring sustainability events during the academic year Hosted a 17 rooms orientation program for first-year students Developed Sustainability for Organizations badge Revived the Eco-Reps program Established a Student Sustainability Leadership Council Sponsored development opportunities for students
Goal 2: Impactful Research Hosted sustainability themed research coffee hours and symposiums Sustainability Coordinators participated in 2 citizen science projects
Goal 3: Equal Access Conducted training on inclusive hiring, cultural competency, and recruitment from underrepresented groups Implemented exit interviews Continued compliance on equity and discrimination statutes Established Food Pantry Adopted Open Access Policy Established the Harvey House, providing targeted programs, resources and staff that fully support the LGBTQAI+ community
Goal 4: Community Leadership Signed agreement with City of Albany to develop joint projects on sustainability Participated on the Albany County Climate Change Task Force Broadly communicated our institutional memberships and benefits with AASHE, NYSAR3, Second Nature, UC3 and SDSN Aligned the Engage UAlbany and Big Event opportunities with the UN Global Goals Established student representative for the Zero Waste Capital District meetings Athletics promoted the Fill It Forward and UCapture programs Sustainability added as a search choice for study abroad programs
Goal 5: Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resiliency Heat/Hot Water metering completed Continued implementation of 2013 Energy master plan with interior and exterior lighting upgrades to LED, design of LSRB HVAC System improvements, and feasibility study for athletic complex district geothermal system Initiated the installation of a 1.5 MW solar array on academic podium roofs Finalized scope of work for $2M NYSERDA grant funding for net zero plan Completed UAlbany climate vulnerability assessment Established fleet management committee Completed calculation of emissions from academic travel including study abroad and athletic travel, and food purchases Developed carbon profile for campus emissions Edited Commuting Patterns and Behavior survey for Fall 2021 distribution Received Fair Trade University designation Completed water metering project, installed low flow plumbing fixtures and designed water conservation prompts for dorms
Goal 6: Culture of Sustainability Completed analysis of Fall 2018 Sustainability Survey distribution Established Sustainability Ambassador program to promote events and initiatives Initiated the Fill It Forward program, encouraging the reduction of single use plastic and supporting clean water accessibility Established Green Workspace sub-committee as part of the Sustainability Coordinators group to manage program Created waste reduction outreach materials and “What is Recyclable” demos Established 2 of 4 sustainability plan implementation teams Promoted Green NY Council Train to Sustain and Lunchtime Webinar series for sustainability professional development Hosted sustainability training workshop for all campus employees
Highlights
2020-2021
Received Fair Trade University Designation - one of only 68 in the country Launched the Fill It Forward and UCapture programs Organized the NY Campus Crunch Co-hosted the 4 day Sustainable Futures Conference with The Future of Small Cities Institute and RPI Ranked #29 in the world for UN Sustainable Development Goal #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities by the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking Ranked #84 in the US on the Sierra Club Cool Schools List Office of Sustainability sponsored 9 programs with 270 people participating, promoted 13 events that had over 517 attendees and 3 conferences that saw over 1,018 registrants Offered student leadership opportunities including the Eco Careers Conference, Bard C2C Climate Training, LEED GA prep and certification