Campus Sustainability Committee Home Page
This wiki site has been set up to communicate Fairfield University's progress on meeting the goals of its Campus Sustainability Action Plan, originally developed in 2015, and to provide ongoing information produced by and in coordination with the Committee.
Campus Sustainability Committee Meetings
- October 14, 2020
- November 11, 2020
- December 9, 2020
- January 27, 2021
- February 10, 2021
- March 9, 2021
- April 14, 2021 - Rescheduled
- Agenda
- Minutes
- May 20, 2021
- September 8, 2021
- Agenda
- Minutes
- October 13, 2021
- November 10, 2021
- December 8, 2021
- February 16, 2022
- March 23, 2022
- April 13, 2022
- Agenda
- Minutes
- September 7, 2022
- Agenda
- Minutes
- October 12, 2022
- November 9, 2022
- December 6, 2022
- February 15, 2023
- Agenda
- Minutes
- March 22, 2032
- Agenda
- Minutes
- April 12, 2023
- Agenda
- Minutes
Campus Research and Teaching - Map of Outdoor Locations
Campus Sustainability Plan
The complete text of the 2015 plan can be found here:
Progress Toward Campus Sustainability Plan Goals
Key:
Point Person - either first or primary point person specified in Campus Sustainability Action Plan Report
Key indicator and Data Source - type of data to be included for tracking purposes and where the data will be stored
Performance - for completed items to track any impact the item has on sustainability goals or campus life
Below includes summary of goals, strategies, point person, cost, impact on goal, and status outlined in the Campus Sustainability Action Plan - Spring 2015
| Goal | Strategies to Meet Goal | Point Person | Cost | Impact on Goal | 2015 Status | 2020 Status | Key Indicator | Data Source | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campus Operations | |||||||||
| Water Coolers | Water Cooler Promotions | Jim Fitzpatrick | $500 | High | In Progress | Sep-20 | |||
| Install additional water coolers | Curt Krushinsky | Medium | High | Ongoing | On Going | ||||
| Purchasing Policies | Audit and Review of University Purchasing Policies | Jim Fitzpatrick/Peter Perez | Low | High | Completion 08/30/2016 | Completed | |||
| University Vehicles | Audit and Review of existing University vehicles | Peter Perez | Low | High | Completion 8/30/2016 | Completed | |||
| Draft and propose policy for purchasing energy efficient vehicles | Peter Perez | Low | High | Completion 8/30/2016 | Completed | ||||
| Draft and propose vehicle idling policy | Frank Ficko | Low | High | Completion 8/30/2016 | Completed | ||||
| Cleaning Products | Cleaning product audit | David Frassinelli | Low | High | Completion 8/30/2016 | Completed | |||
| Collect and publicize links to vendor sustainability policies | Jim Fitzpatrick | Low | Low | Completion 8/30/2016 | Sep-20 | ||||
| Energy | |||||||||
| Reduction in Energy Consumption by 5% by FY 2012; by 20% by FY 2020 | Heat Recovery in facilities (new construction and renovations) | David Frassinelli | Medium | Medium | Ongoing | On Going | |||
| Replace fixtures with LED Lighting | David Frassinelli | Medium | Medium | 60% complete | 80% Wattage Reduction | 4yr Report | Facilities | ||
| Existing Building Commissioning (automatic lighting) | David Frassinelli | Medium | Medium | 10% complete | 20% Complete | ||||
| New HVAC equipment (Does not include Townhouses - complete) | David Frassinelli | High | Medium | Ongoing | On Going | ||||
| Envelope Upgrades to improve heat loss | David Frassinelli | High | Medium | Ongoing | On Going | ||||
| BMS Upgrades | David Frassinelli | High | Medium | Ongoing | On Going | ||||
| Continue doing night setbacks and increase setback range from 3 to 5 degrees | David Frassinelli | Low | Medium | 50% complete | 70% Complete | ||||
| Plug Load Reductions | David Frassinelli / LEAF | Low | Low | Timeframe 1-2 Years | Not Proceeding | IT Report | IT | ||
| Task Lighting/Light bulb restriction | LEAF | Low | Medium | 0% complete | Students Switching | ||||
| Shutting off lights: Develop PR program to encourage shutting lights | David Frassinelli | Low | Low | Timeframe 1-2 Years | Completed | ||||
| Encourage and educate students towards bringing energy efficient electronics | LEAF | Low | Low | In Progress | In Progress | ||||
| Make greater use of new ultrasonic technology occupancy sensors | David Frassinelli | Medium | Medium | Ongoing | On Going | ||||
| Reduction in Mobile Fuel Usage by 20% by 2025 | Install two electric charging stations | David Frassinelli | Medium | Low | 1 Year | Completed | |||
| Continue to replace traditional fleet vehicles to hybrid or other alternative technology | David Frassinelli | Medium | Medium | Ongoing | Not Proceeding | ||||
| Cut Carbon Emissions (achieving goals 1 and 2 above) | See strategies listed above | ||||||||
| Building Design and Construction | |||||||||
| New Facilities - LEED Silver Sustainability Standard | Energy efficient and sustainable design standards shall be utilized on all new projects | Curt Krushinsky | Medium | High | In Progress | On Going | |||
| Renovating and Retrofitting existing Buildings | Energy efficient and sustainable design standards shall be utilized on all renovations | Curt Krushinsky | Low | Medium | In Progress | On Going | |||
| Upgrade Building HCAS Systems | Existing HVAC systems shall be replaced with more energy efficient models | Curt Krushinsky | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | |||
| Sustainable Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment | Develop set of guiding principles and policies regarding the specification and purchase of items | Curt Krushinsky | Low | High | In Progress | LEED Item # 2 | |||
| Communicate Economic and Social Benefits | Communicate benefits of sustainable design | Curt Krushinsky | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | |||
| Educational Benefits | Incorporate green elements that allows ongoing educational benefits | Curt Krushinsky | Low | High | In Progress | Pending | |||
| Promote Awareness of Energy Consumption | Provide live and online opportunities for students to see consumption levels | Curt Krushinsky | Medium | High | Partially Complete | Completed | |||
| Waste Management | |||||||||
| Track Solid Waste Stream | Establish reporting rate for Single Stream Program's progress | Joe Bouchard | Low | N/A | < 1 Year | Completed | |||
| Implement tracking and reporting on wastewater volume | Low | Medium | < 1 Year | Sewer Bill | |||||
| Establish reporting on biological, chemical, and hazardous waste generation | Joe Bouchard | Low | Medium | < 1 Year | Completed | Lab Pak | |||
| Increase Diversion Rate to 35% by 2015 | Evaluate reinstating Curbside recycling | Joe Bouchard | Low | Medium | 1 Year | Not Proceeding | |||
| Mandatory education programs | Peter Crowley | Low | Medium | 1-2 Years | Completed | ||||
| Custodial - increased signage, more developed resources | Candido Rosario | Completed | |||||||
| Hazardous Waste and reduction | 5-10 years of sources and amounts of hazardous waste | Joe Bouchard | Low | Medium | 1 Year | On Going | |||
| Work with high users to identify methods to reduce or eliminate hazardous waste generation | Joe Bouchard | Low | Medium | 1-2 Years | Completed | ||||
| Implement methods to reduce or eliminate hazardous waste generation | Joe Bouchard | Unknown | High | 3-5 Years | On Going | ||||
| Land and Water Management | |||||||||
| Improve Campus Awareness and Importance of Outdoor Space Use | Calculate % of campus devoted to different land use | Curt Krushinsky | Medium | High | In Progress | On Going | |||
| Identify areas that are used for classroom activities and faculty/student research | Curt Krushinsky | Low | High | 1-2 Years | On Going | ||||
| Add educational signage that highlights activities/management strategies | Curt Krushinsky | Low | High | 1-2 Years | LEED Item # 2 | ||||
| Develop admission/outreach material to highlight campus features related to sustainability | Admissions/CSC | Low | High | 1-2 Years | |||||
| Improve Outdoor Water Management | Assess irrigation water use with an eye towards reducing use | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | In Progress | |||
| Assess current vegetated buffers around water bodies in relation to storm water run-off | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | Hopkins Pond | |||
| Implement plan to add buffers where needed and practical | David Frassinelli | Low | Medium | Short Term | On Going | Hopkins Pond | |||
| Reduce Indoor Water Consumption by 30% (by 2025) | Install low pressure shower heads in residence halls | David Frassinelli | Low | Medium | In Progress | In Progress | |||
| Assess low flush toilets in all existing bathrooms | David Frassinelli | Low | Medium | In Progress | Duplicate | ||||
| Purchase water efficient washing machines when replacement is due | David Frassinelli | Low | Medium | In Progress | In Progress | ||||
| Reduce Sewage Effluent by 30% | Meet water conservation strategies outlined in Goal 2 | David Frassinelli | In Progress | In Progress | |||||
| Reduce Fertilizer input to and export from campus | Assess current buffers around water bodies in relation to fertilizer capture | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | Completed | |||
| Assess current fertilizer application practices near water bodies | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | Duplicate | ||||
| Assess current fertilizer application practices near natural areas | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | ||||
| Consider an increase in the proportion of slow release fertilizer to reduce fertilizer runoff | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | In Progress | Using Slow Release | |||
| Increase in organic application to reduce fertilizer runoff and reduce greenhouse gas emission | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | |||||
| Consider modifying timing of fertilizer application to comply with best practices | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | ||||
| Consider designating some areas outside of high use core areas as reduced fertilizer areas | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | Completed | ||||
| Reduce Pesticide Use on Campus | Assess current pesticide application near water and create no pesticide zones | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | Completed | |||
| Assess current pesticide application near natural areas and create no pesticide zones | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | ||||
| Consider the use of organic pesticide application | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | ||||
| Consider designating some areas outside of high use core areas as reduced pesticide areas | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | ||||
| Reduce Impact of Ice and Snow management Practices | Assess current vegetated buffers around water in relation to salt and sand capture | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | Salt Only | ||
| Consider use of some alternative ice treatment materials | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | |||||
| Reduce Impact of Invasive Species | Develop list of invasive organisms with management priority | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | ||||
| Define areas of campus according to invasive species removal practice | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | IPM Programs | |||
| Identify priority areas of management | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | |||||
| Develop a plan for replant native plants following removal | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | On Going | ||||
| Enhance Biodiversity with Native Planting | Assess current plant choice practices and increase planting of native species | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | Completed | |||
| Use planting of native ornamentals to reclaim marginal areas of lawn | David Frassinelli | Low | High | In Progress | |||||
| Increase Breadth of Campus Composting Activities | Consider composting or other alternative methods of dealing with food waste | David Frassinelli/Jim Fitzpatrick | High | High | Unknown | Completed | Barone | Blue Earth | Weekly |
| Assess need of the current leaf composting operation | David Frassinelli | Low | Medium | 1-2 Years | Completed | ||||
| Academic Initiatives | |||||||||
| Develop Quantitative and Qualitative Metrics | Develop quantitative metrics for assessing academic programs related to sustainability | Environment Program Director | Low | High | In Progress | Completed | Using CAS Modalities | ||
| Develop qualitative metrics for assessing academic programs related to sustainability | Environment Program Directory | Low | High | In Progress | Completed | Using CAS Modalities | |||
| Seek internal and external support to develop and implement the use of metrics above | Environment Program Director | Low | High | 1-2 Years | Completed | Using CAS Modalities | |||
| Implement Use of Quantitative and Qualitative Metrics | Gather baseline information on the quantitative metrics | Environment Program Director | Low | High | 1-2 Years | Completed | Using CAS Modalities | ||
| Develop and implement systems for updating quantitative metrics on an annual basis | Environment Program Director | Low | High | 3-5 Years | Completed | Using CAS Modalities | |||
| Gather baseline information on the qualitative metrics | Environment Program Director | Low | High | 1-2 Years | Completed | Using CAS Modalities | |||
| Develop and implement systems for updating qualitative metrics on an annual basis | Environment Program Director | Low | High | 3-5 Years | Completed | Using CAS Modalities | |||
| Develop Metrics to Assess Research Programs | Develop metrics to assess research programs related to sustainability | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | In Progress | ||||
| Seek internal and external support to develop and utilize quantitative and qualitative metrics | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 1-2 Years | |||||
| Implement use of Metrics to Assess Research | Gather information on quantitative metrics | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 1-2 Years | ||||
| Develop and implement a system for updating quantitative metrics | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 3-5 Years | |||||
| Analyze Academic and Research Related to Sustainability | Assess academic programs related to sustainability using the Metrics | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | Completed/Ongoing | Done Annually | CAS Reorts | Reports Submitted to CAS | Good |
| Assessment on Academic and Research | Support development and implementation to support academic and research on sustainability | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | In Progress | ||||
| Develop specific strategies to support and improve academic and research | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 1-2 Years | |||||
| Implement strategies to support and improve academic and research | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 1-2 Years | |||||
| Secure Consistent Scheduling of Sustainability Courses | Offer foundational annual courses in the Environmental Studies program | Environment Program Director | Low | High | Ongoing | Completed | B | Excellent | |
| Offer other key courses relevant to sustainability | Environment Program Director | Low | High | Ongoing | Completed | Good | |||
| Increase Courses Related to Sustainability | Develop one or more courses in PH Dept that examines environmental and sustainability issues | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 3-5 Years | Not Completed | |||
| Develop one or more courses in RS Dept that examines environmental and sustainability issues | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 3-5 Years | Not Completed | ||||
| Develop one or more courses in VPA Dept that examines environmental and sustainability issues | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 3-5 Years | Not Completed | ||||
| Develop one or more courses in DSB that examines environmental and sustainability issues | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | Unknown | Not Completed | ||||
| Develop Freshman Cornerstone courses related to sustainability | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 1-2 Years | No Longer Relevant | ||||
| Add Additional Sustainability Courses | Add Earth Science Courses | Steering Committee | Low | High | 1-2 Years | Completed | PS 90; PS | ||
| Field Testing and Analysis | Steering Committee | Low | High | In Progress | Not Completed | ||||
| GIS Courses | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | Unknown | Not Completed | ||||
| State and Local Environmental Policy | Steering Committee | Medium | Unknown | Not Completed - Low Priority | |||||
| Comparative Environmental Policy | Steering Committee | Medium | Unknown | Not Completed - Low Priority | |||||
| US Environmental History | Steering Committee | High | Unknown | Not Completed | |||||
| Expand Faculty Positions related to Sustainability | Develop Case Statements | Environment Program Director | Medium | In Progress | Completed as necessary | ||||
| Hire FT Faculty member in Philosophy focusing on Sustainability | Low | High | Completed Fall '12 | Tenured | Excellent | ||||
| Hire FT Faculty member in Religious Studies focusing on Sustainability | Low | High | Unknown | Not Completed | |||||
| Hire FT Faculty member in History focusing on Sustainability | Low | Medium | Unknown | Not Completed | |||||
| Hire FT Faculty member in DSB focusing on Sustainability | Low | Medium | Unknown | Not Completed | |||||
| Ensure that current faculty focused on sustainability are replaced only by other faculty similarly focused. | Low | High | Ongoing | Successful to date | Biology Hire- 2020 | ||||
| Create one or more endowed chairs for faculty positions related to sustainability | Advancement | High | High | Ongoing | Not Completed | ||||
| Expand Living and Learning Related to Sustainability | Create a Sophomore living and learning cluster or floor related to sustainability | Student Affairs | Low | High | Unknown | Not Completed | |||
| Expand living and learning options for Juniors and Seniors related to sustainability | Student Affairs | Low | Medium | 1-2 Years | |||||
| Expand service learning course opportunities related to sustainability | Office of Service Learning | Low | Medium | 1-2 Years | Ongoing | Good | |||
| Expand internship opportunities related to sustainability | Medium | High | 1-2 Years | ||||||
| Increase All Awareness Related to Sustainability | Develop information about how sustainability fits into curriculum | Steering Committee | Low | High | 1-2 Years | Completed | Website; Advsing Materials | Good | |
| Develop "Professional Development" opportunities to students interested in sustainability | Steering Committee | Low | High | 1-2 Years | Ongoing | Good | |||
| Update and expand Environment Studies Program website | Environment Program Director | Low | High | Ongoing | Ongong | Good | |||
| Distribute information to University staff that helps advise students | Steering Committee | Low | High | In Progress | Ongoing | Good | |||
| Develop material to assist admissions understand academic and research related to sustainability | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | Low | High | 1-2 Years | Not Completed | ||||
| Student Engagement | |||||||||
| Education | Education through Resident Assistant/Resident Hall Association Members | Residence Life | Medium | High | Ongoing | ||||
| List of Student Engagement Opportunities for sustainability | FUSA/IRHA | Low | Medium | Ongoing | |||||
| Support students who would like to create civic engagement projects to promote innovative sustainability | Steering Committee | Medium | High | Ongoing | |||||
| Design and distribute campus promotional literature featuring sustainability | Facilities | Low | High | Ongoing | |||||
| Publications and Resources in Res Halls | Residence Life | Medium | Medium | Ongoing | |||||
| Change Behavior | Inform new students who to bring to campus to help reduce their carbon footprints | Residence Life | Medium | High | Ongoing | ||||
| Training of important student leaders who are informed about sustainability on campus | Residence Life | Low | Medium | Ongoing | |||||
| Greening Orientation/Fall Welcome | Office of New Student Programs | Medium | High | Ongoing | |||||
| During open houses promote sustainability initiatives | Admissions | Medium | Medium | Ongoing | |||||
| Campus Residence Hall Competitions | Residence Life | Medium | Ongoing | ||||||
| Promote initiatives that interdisciplinary/Departmental collaboration | Academic Departments | Medium | High | Ongoing | |||||
| Sustainability Reps in Residence Halls | Residence Life | Medium | Medium | Ongoing | |||||
| Finance | |||||||||
| Sustainability in Future Investments | Endowment Investment - Begin a sustainable investment initiative | VP Finance | Low | High | 5-10 Years | ||||
| Prospective Donors | Distribute information on Sustainability to Advancement for potential donors | Faculty Committee on Sustainability | High | Ongoing | |||||
| New Funding ideas brought to Advancement | Low | High | 5-10 Years | ||||||
| Student Projects | Students Sustainable Projects Grant Awards | Jim Fitzpatrick | Low | Medium | In Progress | Continuing | |||
| Administration | |||||||||
| Foster Campus Ownership of Sustainability Process | Open meetings of the CSC | CSC | Low | Ongoing | Completed | ||||
| Public Meetings of the CSC | CSC Faculty Secretary | Low | Ongoing | ||||||
| Keep student input integral to the structure and process of sustainability | FUSA/LEAF/Ophelia Rowe-Allen | Low | Medium | Ongoing | |||||
| Provide a Draft CSP for distribution | Jim Biardi | Low | High | Completed | Completed | ||||
| Submit CSP to Senior Staff and President | David Frassinelli | Low | High | Completed | Completed | ||||
| Ensure the Campus Sustainability Plan Becomes a Living Document | Annual Campus Sustainability Report | CSC | Medium | High | In Progress | On Going | |||
| Regular review of Campus Sustainability Plan and Goals | CSC | Low | Medium | 1-2 Years | On Going | ||||
| Regular review of the Effectiveness of the CSC | CSC | Low | High | Every 3 years | On Going | ||||
| Ensure Campus Sustainability Plan | Identify emergent initiatives from individuals/groups | CSC | Low | Medium | In Progress | ||||
| Assess policies for construction, purchasing, maintenance, and custodial services | David Frassinelli/Jim Fitzpatrick | Low | High | In Progress | Completed | Silver Checklist | |||
| Formalize sustainability as one of several priorities in Campus Purchasing Policy | Jim Fitzpatrick | Low | Medium | In Progress | |||||
| Incorporate sustainability perspectives in campus strategic planning | Medium | High | 3-5 Years | ||||||
| Ensure Progress Toward Campus Sustainability Plan Goals | Meet with senior administration to present CSP and suggest methods for sustainability | CSC | Medium | Medium | Spring 2016 | Completed | |||
| Periodic review of progress toward CSP Goals | CSP subsection | Low | High | 1-2 Years | |||||
| Periodic evaluation of personnel and resource allocation to ensure efficiency | CPS subsection | Low | High | 1-2 Years | |||||
Updated May 4, 2020