Division of Student Affairs

Division of Student Affairs

Sustainability Check-up

July 2012

2011-12 Division of Student AffairsSustainability Committee

Sharon Blansett, ChairMichelle Alexander

Tricia CesarinoJohn Duncan

Gregg HenderschiedtMickey Howard

Terry MacDonaldLayne PreborTracey ReevesClark SlagleSara Tanner

Contents• Intro• Method• Executive Summary• Responses• Top 5 Sustainability

Achievements 2009 – 2012• Future Directions

IntroThe purpose of this project was to collect information about sustainability practices, efforts, programs, and education from all Division of Student Affairs (DSA) Departments.

The information collected from the project is being used to report the present status of sustainability efforts within the DSA and to set future expectations and directions.

The DSA Committee used the DSA Sustainability Expectations from July 2009 as a resource document.

MethodParticipants: Departments

For the purposes of this project, DSA departments were identified and grouped in this manner:

• Office of the VP/ Florida Opportunity Scholars• Career Resource Center• Center for Leadership and

Service/Multicultural and Diversity Affairs/Off Campus Life

• Counseling Center/GatorWell• Dean of Students Office• Housing and Residence Education• J. Wayne Reitz Union• Recreational Sports• Student Activities/Student Legal Services

MethodParticipants: Individual Respondents

All DSA Directors as well as department committee representatives in consultation with department sustainability contacts responded to Questions 2 – 9 (Director’s Efforts).

Department committee representatives in consultation with department sustainability contacts responded to Questions 10 – 53 (Department Progress, Staff Efforts, Progress on 2009 – 2012 Goals).

MethodInstrument

Committee members created an online survey using Campus Labs technology. The questions in the survey were based on the DSA Sustainability Expectations from July 2009. This document relayed expectations and goals to be addressed by all DSA departments by July 2012.

Sections of Instrument• Expectations/Goals for Directors

Q. 2 - 9• Departments’ Progress Q. 10 -

24• Staff Efforts Q. 25 - 40• Progress on 2009 – 2012 Goals Q.

41 - 51

Executive SummaryExpectations/Goals for Directors

• In general, department representative/department sustainability contacts responses to questions #2 – 9 were consistent with or more favorable than the Directors’ self-assessments. The department representative/sustainability contacts’ responses are used in this report.

• Directors are making Average to Good progress.

ResponsesExpectations/Goals for Directors

• Directors reinforce recycling, reuse, and waste reduction expectations, training and education.

67% report Directors do this Most the Time or Always.

ResponsesExpectations/Goals for Directors

• Few Directors (33%) formally assign responsibility for sustainability programs and initiatives to staff members including assessing progress and performance during annual performance appraisals.

ResponsesExpectations/Goals for Directors

• 89% report that Directors support the purchase, installation, and/or maintenance of recycling receptacles in all areas managed by the departments.

• 100% report progress in waste reduction as Good or Excellent.

ResponsesExpectations/Goals for Directors

• 100% report appointing at least one representative to the DSA Sustainability Committee.

• 56% report appointing at least one representative to the UF Green Team (Captains).

ChallengesExpectations/Goals for Directors • Organizational Structure

– Size of department– Organizational transitions/moves– Varying locations of staff w/in departments

• Ongoing training of staff (especially student staff).

• PPD serviced areas vs. DSA staff serviced areas.

SuccessesExpectations/Goals for Directors • LEED certified new or EB buildings.• Renovation/repairs have sustainable focus.• Recycling receptacles placement throughout division.• Office paper recycling very high throughout division.• Purchasing practices align w/sustainable goals.• Examples of competitions or progress on sustainable

programs:– Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls– Shower Coach Challenge: Can You Take a 5 Minute

Shower– Reusable cup/utensil programs– ReRev for 24 pieces of cardio

Executive SummaryDepartments’ Progress

• Departments’ progress is Average to Good in most areas.

• Notable exceptions that are Above Average: paper recycling, purchasing, pest management, construction/renovation/repair.

ResponsesDepartments’ Progress

• Waste Reduction:

100% report Good or Excellent Progress.

ResponsesDepartments’ Progress

• Energy & Water Conservation:

78% report Good or Excellent Progress.(11% Fair Progress and 11% N/A)

ResponsesDepartments’ Progress

• Building Design & Project Standards

56% report Good or Excellent Progress.(45% N/A)

ResponsesDepartments’ Progress

• Product Purchasing:

44% report Good or Excellent Progress.(56% N/A)

ResponsesDepartments’ Progress

• Outdoor Environment:

33% report Good or Excellent Progress.(11% No Progress and 56% N/A)

ResponsesDepartments’ Progress

• Reduce Use of Pesticides:

11% report Excellent Progress.(11% No Progress and 78% N/A)

ResponsesDepartments’ Progress

• Reduce Use of Chemicals:

33% report Good or Excellent Progress.(67% N/A)

ChallengesDepartments’ ProgressChallenges to Sustainable Practices • Budget Constraints:

– Sustainable products typically cost more– Tight budget times

• PPD serviced areas vs. DSA staff serviced areas.

SuccessesDepartments’ ProgressSustainable Practice Successes • LEED certified new or EB buildings.• Renovation/repairs have sustainable focus.• Recycling receptacles placement throughout division.• Ink cartridge recycling.• Stopped buying styrofoam.• Electric: energy conservation messages on light

fixtures, motion sensors, energy-efficient lights/fixtures.

• Water: waterless urinals, auto-flush/dual flush/low flush toilets, water bottle filling stations.

SuccessesDepartments’ ProgressSustainable Practice Successes • Purchasing: office supplies, green cleaning

products, green chemicals.• Outdoor: pavers, low maintenance plantings, rain

barrels, composting, flower/veggie gardens, bio swales.

• Pesticides: IPM practices, Green Shield certified IPM, reduced use of pesticides on fields.

• Chemicals: Floor scrubbers that use water, microfiber reusable pads, green cleaning products, low VOC paint, slow release fertilizers on fields.

Executive SummaryStaff Efforts

• Staff efforts in most areas are Average.• Notable exceptions where staff efforts are

Above Average or Excellent: recycling paper and corrugated packing materials, purchasing practices, print cartridge recycling, reuse of paper products, and confidential document destruction.

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff recycles bottles and cans:

78% Most the Time or Always.(11 % Sometimes and 11% Seldom)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff recycles paper:

100% Most the Time or Always.

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff recycles corrugated cardboard packing boxes:

100% Most the Time or Always.

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff advises supervisor, building mgr., or PPD of locations where recycling receptacles are needed:

44% Always.(11 % Rarely, 11% Sometimes, 33% N/A)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff introduces new opportunities for water and energy conservation:

33% Always.33% Rarely.

(11% Seldom and 22% N/A)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff introduces new opportunities for waste recycling/reduction/reuse:

67% Most the Time or Always.(22% Sometimes and 11% Rarely)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff ensures provisions for recycling at department-sponsored events:

78% Most the Time or Always.(11% Sometimes and 11% Rarely)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff ensures provisions for recycling at department-sponsored events:

78% Most the Time or Always.(11% Sometimes and 11% Rarely)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff purchases products manufactured from recycled materials as cost and performance allow:

89% Most the Time or Always.(11% Sometimes)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff uses double-sided printing unless there are specific requirements for single-sided:

78% Most the Time or Always.(11% Sometimes and 11% Seldom)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff maintains paper recycling containers near printers and photocopy machines:

89% Always.(11% Seldom)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff recycles and reuses toner and print cartridges:

100% Most the Time or Always.

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff reuses office supplies and equipment:

89% Most the Time or Always.(11% Sometimes)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff purchases computers and other equipment in compliance with sustainable purchasing directives:

78% Always.(22% N/A)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff purchases paper products comprised minimally of 30% post-consumer recycled material from local vendors:

89% Most the Time or Always.(11% Sometimes)

ResponsesStaff Efforts

• Staff is in compliance with UF confidential documents destruction policies:

100% Always.

Executive SummaryProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Progress on 2009 – 2012 Goals is Average.• Notable exceptions where progress is Above

Average or Excellent: recycling, student-oriented processes are online or web-based, sustainable vehicle purchases (where applicable), and use green-cleaning practices and products (where applicable).

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Large-scale events are zero waste:

67% Sometimes or Most the Time.(22% Seldom and 11% Rarely)

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Student-oriented processes and info are online or web-based:

78% Most the Time.(22% Sometimes)

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Building Services staff practices green-cleaning technology and uses green-cleaning products:

33% Most the Time or Always.(56% N/A)

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Recycling:

89% Most the Time or Always.(11% Seldom)

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Standardized e-mail signatures:

67% Yes33% No

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Staff encouraged/supported in use of alternative transportation at work and commuting:

67% Yes33% No

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Non-student staff use alternative transportation (open-ended responses):

Around 20 – 25% of the time -- 57% Don’t Know – 29%

About 40% of the time – 14%

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• New and replacement vehicle purchases are hybrids, flex fuel, or alternative transportation:

44% Yes44% NA11% No

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Department evaluated adjusted work schedules:

56% Yes44% No

ResponsesProgress on 2009 – 2012 Goals

• Department evaluated staff recruitment policies for travel, food, accommodations, etc. to realize saving and reduce environmental impact:

67% Yes33% No

Goals/Action Plans: Next 6 Months

• Evaluate search processes to minimize environmental impact.

• Consider and take action on adjusted work schedules during intersessions.

• Increase online processes and information.• Encourage staff to participate in One Less Car

and similar alternative transportation activities.• Change wording to “be conscientious” vs.

“evaluate” regarding sustainability goals/action plans.

• Push towards more zero waste large programs.• Continue to pilot (and hopefully incorporate)

more green cleaning products and practices.• Utilize technologies (like Skype) for grad

interviews and initial screening for professional candidates.

Top Achievements 2009 - 2012• Online applications, processes, procedures,

training, handbooks, marketing, information relay, advertisement, etc. Creation of I-pad technology support programs.

• Sustainable programming/training for staff and students.

• Commitment to purchasing promotional items (including t-shirts) that are made from recycled/reusable materials.

• BYO cups/utensils/plates programs. Buying compostable cups/utensils/plates. Not buying plastics.

• Key large programs – Family Weekend, Gator Mania, Spring Check-out Recycling Project, Shower Coach Can You Take a Five Minute Shower? Challenge, etc. --commitments to reduce, recycle, reuse toward zero waste and to purchase recycled materials.

• Placement of recycling bins/receptacles in all areas served by DSA.

Top Achievements 2009 - 2012• LEED certifications (EB and new construction.)• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

certification (all campus housing).• Green Lodging Facility certification (JWRU

hotel).• Partnerships with and participation in Office of

Sustainability programs: One Less Car, Sustainable Solutions Awards, Common Reading Program, Food Fairs, Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls, Earth Day, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, etc.

• Instituted minimal paper accounting practices.• Installed Variant Refrigerant Flow (VRF)

systems.• Electric conservation: motion sensors,

upgraded CFL bulbs and fixtures, energy conservation education, light harvesting sun shades, solar dok charging station, ReRev cardio equipment, etc.

Top Achievements 2009 - 2012• Water conservation: low-flow shower heads

and faucets, motion sensing fixtures, waterless urinals, dual flush toilets, water conservation education, water bottle fillers for water fountains, etc.

• Floor care without chemical waxes or strippers.

Future DirectionsAs part of this project, each department also listed five goals for 2012 – 2015 that are unique and specific to each department. The DSA Sustainability Committee will use the information gathered in this project to set DSA Sustainability Expectations for 2012 – 2015.