KCTCS Sustainable Development Framework Purpose The purpose of this framework is to establish the criteria for Plans that are to be developed, implemented, and updated by all KCTCS Colleges and the System Office and that those plans communicate sustainable development achievements and progress and provide benchmarking opportunities with peer institutions in other states. KCTCS leadership has committed that KCTCS will demonstrate commitment to enhancing the quality of life for citizens through the protection of Kentucky s natural resources and environment, providing green leadership to ensure that KCTCS not only preserves but enhances Kentucky s unique ecosystem. Four inter-related forces driving the KCTCS sustainability initiative are: 1) environment, 2) economics, 3) energy, and 4) stakeholders. Increasingly, KCTCS customers and other stakeholders ask not only for financial accountability, but environmental accountability as well. Stakeholders expect KCTCS to be efficient and effective in operations and provide work and learning environments that result in high productivity and learning in a way that is socially just and equitable. Increased accountability is required by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the federal government, and other stakeholders as evidenced in Kentucky Revised Statutes related to capital construction, high performing buildings, energy, education, environment, pollution, purchasing, et cetera. In addition, since 2004 the KCTCS Board of Regents has requested semi-annual sustainability updates. To continue successfully achieving the KCTCS Mission and Vision, KCTCS must continually identify strategies to become a more efficient financial, environmental, and social resource steward and manager. All agree that efficiency and effectiveness are instrumental to successfully meet customers needs and maximize investment returns. Therefore, the KCTCS Green + Initiative is being implemented to celebrate successes and address social, economic, and environmental imbalances to achieve efficiencies and manage resources without negatively impacting future generations ability to meet their own needs. An all-encompassing initiative, it is the intent that decisions be considered in light of sustainability and options selected that result in a net zero (or as close to net zero as possible) impact on future generations, which involves: Becoming cognizant of the economic, social, and environmental tradeoffs that exist in budget, academic, and programming decisions. Training faculty, staff, and students to live and work in a global green economy. Taking into account the various criteria and capital that accompany each part of sustainability, that is, economic, environmental, and social justice considerations. Creating a robust, efficient economy and advancing society without negatively impacting resources using a balanced approach. Using life cycle costing instead of what is the best deal at this point in time. Being proactive instead of reactive. KCTCS Definition The definition of sustainability adopted by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System is similar to the 1987 definition found in the United Nations Brundtland Report, which defines sustainable development as meeting today s needs without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The definition involves balancing the triple bottom line of sustainability, that is, balancing social, environmental, and economic needs and decisions to achieve a sustainable balance that leaves no negative impact on future generations. 1
Through implementing structured sustainable development plans, KCTCS will demonstrate progress toward establishing a new equilibrium that balances the three components of the sustainability definition and the components associated criteria: Economics: Economically sustainable, technologically feasible, operationally viable. Economics includes, but is not limited to, built capital/human made (buildings, equipment, information, infrastructure). Social justice: Socially desirable (equitable), psychologically nurturing, culturally acceptable. Social justice includes, but is not limited to, human (people) or social (connections) capital (skills, health, abilities, education, family, neighbors, community, government). Environment: Environmentally robust, generationally sensitive, capable of continuous learning. Environment includes, but is not limited to, natural capital, including natural resources (food, water, metals, wood, energy), ecosystem/services (soil, water, filtration, outdoor air quality, indoor air quality), and nature (mountains, animals, shorelines, sunlight, forests, birds, etc.). For KCTCS, sustainability s triple bottom line is managing the organization s mission in terms of economic performance, social/ethical performance, and environmental performance to obtain sustainable communities inside, across, and outside of KCTCS. Social Criteria: Socially desirable (equitable) Psychologically nurturing Culturally acceptable Environmental Criteria Environmentally robust Generationally sensitive Capable of continuous learning Economic Criteria Economically sustainable Technologically feasible Operationally viable Graphic Source: Johann Dréo and translated by User:Pro_bug_catcher, March 2006/ Translated January 2007 and Accessed October 21, 2010, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:sustainable_development.svg#file KCTCS Vision, Objectives, Focus Areas, and Strategy is more than being green. Multifaceted, sustainability touches every area of an organization, including postsecondary institutions. Sustainable development supports the collaborative culture upon which KCTCS is built. Much of sustainability is based upon innovation, proactivity, and continuous quality improvement (CQI) concepts, especially gaining efficiencies without compromising quality effectiveness, all of which are key components of KCTCS success and culture. At KCTCS, sustainable development is about partnerships, collaborations, communities, responsible stewardship, and thinking creatively to balance social, economic, and environmental resources to transform the KCTCS community and the communities it serves with an eye toward future generations. 2
An all-encompassing initiative to achieve the KCTCS Mission and Vision to transform the lives and communities of Kentuckians and equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to live and work in a global, knowledge-based economy, KCTCS has adopted the following sustainability vision, aim, objectives, focus areas, and strategy: Vision Consistent with the KCTCS Vision to be the nation s premier community and technical college system, be a leader in practices, educational and workforce training opportunities, and community engagement related to sustainable development or sustainability. Aim Demonstrate responsible stewardship and facilitate cultural change to: Enhance the well-being of people and KCTCS in a socially equitable manner. Focus on being Green Plus by balancing the social, environmental, and economic criteria (see diagram on page two) of the sustainability triple bottom line. Obtain sustainable communities inside, across, and outside of KCTCS. Objectives Facilitate cultural change to balance the social, environmental, and economic criteria of the sustainability triple bottom line across KCTCS. Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of KCTCS, its partnerships, and collaborations to spur sustainable economic development and a green economy. Embrace and practice social justice across KCTCS. Make KCTCS a model of sustainability in the Commonwealth, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness opportunities. Protect Kentucky s natural resources and environment, providing green leadership to preserve and enhance Kentucky s unique ecosystem, including tracking the KCTCS carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting, and air travel). Establish energy management strategies to stabilize and reduce long-term energy costs. Provide leadership, service, and support to build upon the sustainable foundation already in place across KCTCS. Benchmark sustainability progress using nationally recognized sustainability measures for higher education. Focus Areas Administration, including (but not limited to): o Public commitment to sustainability. o Participation in community projects. o Sponsorship of special sustainability-related events, such as Earth Day and Arbor Day. o Participation in national, regional, or local sustainability campaigns or competitions. Outreach and Service, including (but not limited to) partnerships promoting sustainable development (government, local school districts, postsecondary institutions, business and industry, civic organizations, other). Curriculum/Workforce Development, including (but not limited to): o Green career pathways. o Sustainable workforce development. o -related academic courses and programs. o Incorporation of sustainability principles into existing curricula. Student Opportunities, including (but not limited to): o Integration of sustainability into new student orientations. o Establishment of sustainability-related student organizations. o Sustainable development-related internships, community outreach/service, and service learning. 3
Faculty and Staff Development, including but not limited to: o Integration of sustainability into new employee orientations. o Sustainable development-related staff development. Operations, including (but not limited to): o Green building and renovations. o Green cleaning practices. o Energy efficiency, energy management, and energy efficiency controls, such as: Purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist. Reduce energy consumption 20 percent by 2020. Purchase or produce a portion of the college s electricity consumption from renewable sources. o Sustainable, green, or eco-friendly purchasing, including (but not limited to): Purchasing Kentucky Proud products. Using vendors identified on the KCTCS Diversity Suppliers list. Purchasing products made from post-consumer content recycled materials. o Ecological stewardship, such as Kentucky Proud food purchase, community gardens, natural landscaping, pursuit of Tree Campus USA designation. o Water usage. o Waste reduction (reducing, reusing, recycling), such as: Setting copiers to default to double side printing. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, adopting three or more associated measures to reduce waste. o Transportation, such as: Providing incentives for using or providing access to public transportation for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Pursuing Bike-friendly Designation status. AACC Green Mission, which states that by transforming their curricula, workforce development, community collaboration, and campus operations, community colleges will generate the skills, values, and behaviors that will prepare society and students to participate in a thriving green and sustainable economy. Strategy** Promote sustainable communities inside and outside of KCTCS, using an all-encompassing, no-silo approach, through adoption of sustainable development goals for each KCTCS focus area. Communicate KCTCS commitment to sustainability through adoption of sustainability performance metrics that facilitate benchmarking with peer institutions in other states and that are found in national, higher education sustainability assessments, including (but not limited to) the American Association for in Higher Education s (AASHE) Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). While formal participation in STARS is optional, local sustainability plans will be based on the AASHE STARS Technical Manual presented and subsequently updated on the AASHE website, beginning with Version 1.2 dated February 2012. In addition to (not a substitution for) the AASHE STARS metrics (as updated), other assessment metrics also may be used to communicate sustainable development achievements, such as the: o United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for New Buildings. o USGBC LEED for Existing Buildings. o EnergyStar Portfolio Manager. o American College and University Climate Commitment or the Talloires Declaration. o The Princeton Review Green Rating. o Sierra Magazine s Coolest Schools Questionnaire. **Note: Where applicable, KCTCS Focus Area goals may mirror STARS goals. 4
Framework In order to demonstrate and communicate sustainability leadership consistent with the KCTCS Vision to be a premier community and technical college system, each KCTCS college and the System Office will develop a local sustainability plan for presentation to the KCTCS Board of Regents in June 2013. The sustainability plans will communicate sustainable development goals, progress, and achievements and provide benchmarking opportunities with peer institutions in other states through adoption of sustainability performance metrics that facilitate benchmarking at a national level, including the metrics found in the American Association for in Higher Education s (AASHE) Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). Development, implementation, and modification of local plans will be the responsibility of local sustainability teams or green teams appointed by each college president and comprised of cross-functional membership with representation for each focus area previously listed in this document. To achieve the KCTCS Vision, Aim, Objectives,Focus Areas, and Strategy and ensure the ability to benchmark nationally against peer institutions, local KCTCS sustainability plans will include goals, strategies, and timelines to achieve and maintain the highest rating level possible for community and technical colleges on the American Association for in Higher Education s (AASHE) Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). While formal participation in STARS is optional, local sustainability plans will be based on the AASHE STARS Technical Manual presented on the AASHE website, beginning with Version 1.2 dated February 2012 and subsequently updated. In addition, the local sustainability plans also will include specific goals for KCTCS sustainable development focus areas previously referenced in this document. Where applicable, STARS goals may mirror the corresponding KCTCS Focus Area goal or vice versa. To summarize, local sustainability plans will consist of four major components, including a local sustainability statement; sustainability team responsibilities and organization; STARS goals, strategies, and timelines to achieve the goals; and KCTCS focus area goals, strategies, and timelines to achieve the goals. The specific components include: I. Local Statement (e.g., local working definition of sustainability, local sustainability vision, local sustainability objectives) II. Team Responsibilities and Organization A. General Responsibilities B. Membership (e.g., Team leadership, responsibilities, and areas represented, like President s Office, Facilities Management, Public Relations, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Human Resources, Technology Solutions, Finance, Faculty, Students) III. STARS Goals, Strategies, and Timelines (Note: Where applicable, STARS goals may mirror the corresponding KCTCS Focus Area goal.) A. Category 1: Education and Research Goals B. Category 2: Operations Goals C. Category 3: Planning, Administration, and Engagement (PAE) Goals D. Category 4: Innovation Goals IV. KCTCS Specific Focus Area Specific Goals, Strategies, and Timeline(s) (Note: Where applicable, KCTCS Focus Area goals may mirror the corresponding STARS goal.) A. Administration B. Outreach and Service C. Curriculum/Workforce Development D. Student Opportunities, including (but not limited to): E. Faculty and Staff Development, including but not limited to: F. Operations G. AACC Green Mission 5
Framework Development Timeline Unofficial start of KCTCS Initiative o 2004 KCTCS Board of Regents requests Status Reports o 2004 KCTCS becomes second postsecondary education institution to issue Energy Savings Performance Contracts o 2004 KCTCS begins incorporating Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) principles into capital construction projects Official Start of KCTCS Initiative o 2009 KCTCS Chancellor Appointed to the American Association of Community Colleges Task Force o August 2010 Director of Capital Construction and Hired o November 2010 Project Manager Hired o December 2010 Contacts appointed by each college president Development of an Action Plan o February to March 2011 Campus Visits o March 2011 Recommended action plan presented to the KCTCS President o April 2011 Findings from Campus Visits presented to KCTCS President s Leadership Team o April 2011 Initiative assigned to the President s Leadership Team s Services Transformation Team Presentation to the PLT Services Transformation Team o November 2011 Charge received to develop an overarching sustainability framework Work with Workgroup to draft framework: o January 2012 through February 2012 Present draft framework: o March 2012 to the Services Transformation Team o April 2012 to the PLT as an Information Item o June 2012 to the PLT as an Action Item Prepare local sustainability plans: o July 2012 through May 2013 o Updates provided to Services Transformation Team Present local sustainability plans to the Board of Regents as part of the semi-annual sustainability update: o June 2013 Implement, monitor, and update local sustainability plans: o July 2013 and ongoing thereafter o Updates provided to Services Transformation Team 6
KCTCS Framework Development Workgroup Led by the PLT Services Transformation Team Develops Proposed Framework KCTCS President Approves KCTCS Framework Services Transformation Team Guides KCTCS Framework Implementation College/System Office Committees or Green Teams Oversee Local Implementation via Local Plans Local Planning and Management: College and System Office Local Workgroup Develops Local Plan Local College /System Office President Approves Local Plan Local Committee or Green Team Guides and Monitors Plan Implementation and Updates 7
KCTCS Framework Operations Administration Curriculum/ Workforce Development 8 KCTCS Framework for Sustainable Communites Faculty and Staff Development Outreach and Service Student Opportunities NO SILOS! Inter-unit partnerships Inter-department partnerships Inter-college partnerships Community partnerships