THE

VISIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE GEORGETOWN INITIATIVE

study with recommendations for a campus climate action plan
prepared for the Hoyas Roundtable on Sustainability MARCH 15, 2012

GEORGETOWN ECO-ACTION

GEORGETOWN SUSTAINABILITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Georgetown University is taking ma jor steps toward a sustainable future. Georgetowns President John J. DeGioia has set a progressive and ambitious goal for greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets: a fifty percent reduction from 2005 levels by the year 2020. The University is on its way to reaching this goal: by the end of the 2010-2011 school year, the University had reduced emissions by over 17%. However, there is room for improvement in Georgetowns approach. Upper-level administrators at other competitive institutions like Stanford University, The Johns Hopkins University, and our neighbors at American University and The George Washington University have adopted strategic Climate Action Plans that lay out concrete steps for reducing their emissions, and have outlined sustainability strategies to advance green efforts campuswide. While there are creative solutions being developed at Georgetown, our campuses need a similar plan in order to reach our emissions reduction target. This will require and also facilitate improved communication among facilities and operations managers, academic departments, and students. The Visions for a Sustainable Georgetown Initiative was developed by undergraduate students interested in making Georgetowns environmental record even more competitive and attractive. The initiative, started as a student dialogue in summer of 2011, was formally launched with a public workshop in November 2011. This workshop provided a forum for students to brainstorm with University employees who are experienced in campus sustainability efforts. The ideas that were generated at the workshop are outlined in this study. They are presented as a series of recommendations meant to inform a new concrete, measurable sustainability strategy for Georgetown. If Georgetown is to continue to commit its students, faculty, and staff to be women and men for others, it is necessary that sustainability frame the universitys service on campus and beyond. This study has been prepared for a special Hoya Roundtable on Sustainability. This event will bring even more people into the conversation on making University operations and student life more sustainable, as well as expand environment-focused course options and other forms of education. The Roundtable will also be an opportunity to reflect on sustainability as a Jesuit value and an opportunity for collaboration with other institutions of higher education. We expect that as a result of this Roundtable Georgetown University leaders will commit to developing and funding a Climate Action Plan by the end of the year or as soon as possible. Our hope is that it will be written by a team of administrators and sustainability experts, and incorporate the student perspective expressed at the Visions for a Sustainable Georgetown Workshop.

VISIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE GEORGETOWN

TEAM AND MISSION
VISIONS CO-CHAIRS: Claire Austin (SFS 12), Jessie Robbins (SFS 12) WORKSHOP STEERING COMMITTEE: Erica Pincus (SFS 13), Emily Harris (SFS 14), Collin Segura (SFS 15) STUDY WRITING TEAM: Scotie Conner (MSB 15), Erin Auel (COL 14), Gabriel Pincus (SFS 14) STUDENT DISCUSSION LEADERS: Purchasing and Procurement Madeline Collins (COL 13) Environmental Education Coral Keegan (SFS 13) Waste Management & Minimization Emily Harris (SFS 14) Collin Segura (SFS 15) Student Outreach Zoe Petroupolis (SFS 14) Patricia Cipolitti (SFS 15) Energy Efficiency & Savings Erica Pincus (SFS 13) T ransportation Sara Eshleman (COL 12) Food Sourcing Eli August (COL 12) Bre Donald (NHS 12) Renewable Energy Development Brad Crist (SFS 12)

The Mission of the Visions for a Sustainable Georgetown Initiative is to demonstrate student interest in creating a sustainable plan for the university through a workshop and a formal study with recommendations that come from documenting the ideas generated by students at the workshop. Our goal for project recommendations is to act as a launch pad for student-led initiatives, while our structural recommendations are meant to be included in a larger strategy generated collaboratively by Georgetowns executive leadership and sustainability operations experts with input from the administrators, faculty, and students who are currently working on university operations and creative sustainability projects.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The students listed on the previous page would like to extend their gratitude to the following students, faculty, and administrators and who contributed their time and hard work to Visions for a Sustainable Georgetown. Without them the project would not have been a success: For their presentation and/or attendance at the Workshop: Father Kevin F. OBrien, S.J., Campus Ministry Erika Cohen-Derr, Center for Student Programs Audrey Stewart, Sustainability Coordinator Ed Barrows, G.U. Center for the Environment Lennie Carter, Aliz Agoston, and Andrew Henley, Purchasing and Procurement Office Russ Watts, Outdoor Education Kathryn Ticknor, Georgetown University Law Center For their financial and programming support: The Georgetown University Students Association Senate and the GUSA Fund Georgetown University Center for the Environment The Student Activities Commission For their advising, editing and production help: Audrey Stewart, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of the Vice President for University Facilities and Student Housing Karen Frank, Vice President for University Facilities and Student Housing Dr. Laura Anderko, Associate Professor, NHS Sara Hoverter, Staff Attorney & Adjunct Professor, G.U. Law Center Joanna Lewis, Fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Swedian Lie, Graphic Designer (COL 13)

VISIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE GEORGETOWN

THE WORKSHOP
On November 7th, 2011, over 50 Georgetown students and administrators gathered to brainstorm ideas for making different areas of university life more sustainable. The workshop began with a presentation from Rev. Kevin OBrien, S.J., Erika Cohen-Derr, and Audrey Stewart. Fr. OBrien spoke about the importance of sustainability to Georgetowns Jesuit heritage. Ms. Cohen-Derr discussed ways to integrate sustainability into student life. Ms. Stewart gave an overview of successful sustainability projects at Georgetown, as well as the Universitys commitment to cutting carbon emissions. After the presentations, the attendeesboth students and university employeessplit up into groups in different corners of the room with designated discussion leaders according to the topic with which they were most concerned. For about forty minutes the groups brainstormed ideas for putting sustainability at the forefront of Georgetowns growth, while the leaders provided some insight into the topic and took notes. The topics ranged from Energy Efficiency and Food Sourcing to Student Outreach and Environmental Education. As a concluding activity, each group nominated a member to present the groups ideas back out to all workshop participants, to generate enthusiasm and ongoing dialogue around possible opportunities to increase sustainability on campus. Many ideas were repeated throughout the study: students in several groups expressed interest in small-scale renewable installations as well as a sustainability consultant for student activities and University operations. They also wanted increased organic and local food options, and a uniform recycling system. One of the most successful examples of administratorstudent collaboration was in the Purchasing and Procurement group; three administrators from this group worked with Madeline Collins and other students to figure out the best way to include sustainable services in the Universitys preferred vendors, and agreed to explore opportunities to integrate sustainability standards in the criteria for sourcing paper, food, and janitorial and sanitation supplies.

GEORGETOWNS HISTORY OF SUSTAINABILITY

The reports authors would like to take this opportunity to commend and acknowledge the steps Georgetown has already taken to improve its environmental stewardship. President DeGoia launched our current journey toward becoming a more sustainable university by committing several years ago to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2020. Currently, the university has reduced its emissions by about 17.5%. In keeping with that commitment, Georgetown has begun several related projects aimed at improving our energy sustainability. For example, the University has set a standard that all new buildings and ma jor renovations be certified LEED Silver or higher. With the construction and opening of the Rafik Hariri Business School Building and several other buildings now seeking certification, including the new science building, Georgetown has held true to that standard. In transportation, GUTS buses now run on a biodiesel fuel blend, decreasing our use of fossil fuels. Georgetown has also been a participant in a research project with Toyota to demonstrate and gather data on how prototype plugin hybrid electric Priuses work in the real world. Georgetowns Main Campus has green cleaning standards for use by University Facilities employees. In 2009, Georgetown installed solar powered recycling stations, called Big Belly Trios, in key areas around campus, which has led to increased convenience for students who want to be responsible citizens. In fiscal year 2011, we achieved a 49% recycling rate, a more than three-fold increase from just three years earlier, and our goal for the current year is 55%. Georgetown was the first in the DC marketplace to compost food waste, with about 90% of Leos waste being composted. All excess cooking oil in Leos is collected for re-processing and re-use. Georgetowns great record in waste diversion demonstrates how focused efforts by all stakeholders, including the dedication of staff and resources, can produce tangible results. Students, especially undergraduates who live and study at Georgetowns main campus, also play key leadership roles. The student body recently passed the SAFE Reform, which will provide funding for solar panel installations on university owned townhouses and will establish a Green Revolving Loan Fund to provide ongoing funding for sustainable projects on campus. Campus organizations like the Corp have undertaken energy use audits, while offices like the Center for Student Programs and Office of Purchasing and Procurement are taking steps to green their operations. The Office of University Facilities and Student Housing and the G.U. Student Association are working with student business Georgetown Energy to install solar PV on a neighborhood block of campus townhouses. Students and administrators have recently worked together to set up composting among townhouses, expand double sided printing, and bring a weekly farmers market to campus. The accomplishments above lay a strong foundation upon which to build as we move forward to create a comprehensive sustainable ethic for the Georgetown community.

WHY GEORGETOWN NEEDS TO DEEPEN ITS COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

We recognize that we live in a world of finite resources and a limited ability to absorb the effects of ever-increasing human activity. The ultimate goal of any Campus Action Plan is to mitigate the Universitys impacts on the environment. Through its mission, Georgetown forms global citizens who seek to use their time at the university to shape their commitment beyond campus. A strong Georgetown commitment to the environment will instill Hoyas with the value and significance of sustainability.

TO FULFILL ITS COMMITMENT TO CUSP

On Wednesday, February 29th, D.C. area University Presidents, at the strong leadership of President DeGioia, signed on to the Mayors College and University Sustainability Pledge (CUSP). Each institution committed to develop a comprehensive plan and to move forward on sustainability targets on their own campus. We look forward to seeing Georgetown University continue to take a strategic leadership approach to sustainability in the future and hope that our ideas will be included in any planning process going forward. Nearly all of the countrys top competitive universities have committed to either creating or fulfilling the goals of a Climate Action Plan detailing their strategy to achieve their goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Most have formal decision-making processes to advance and integrate sustainability into all aspects of their Universitys mission & operations. For example, many have a presidentially appointed task force to advance planning and implementation. Georgetown is a positive force within Washington, D.C. Its students and faculty also enrich the community through service and outreach as well as opportunities for academic exploration. The District of Columbia Mayors Office has made sustainability a priority with its Sustainable D.C. Initiative. Mayor Gray wants the District to be the greenest city in America, and universities are a cornerstone of this effort.

TO CONTINUE ITS COMMITMENT TO JESUIT VALUES

Georgetown students embrace the Ignatian value of men and women for others. We recognize the value in making some sacrifice for the betterment of other people, especially in developing countries whose populations are most vulnerable to the natural disasters and dramatic weather fluctuations caused by climate change. In June 2001, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a Statement on Global Climate Change. At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of Gods creation and the one human family, the authors state. In August 2011, eight national organizations, including the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change and the Association for Sustainability in Higher Education, released Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A T oolkit for Mission Integration. The toolkit is based on the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor, and offers suggestions for institutions to Pray, Learn, Assess, Act, and Advocate on behalf of the environment. Georgetown can use this approach holistically to bring sustainability into its mission; this study focuses on ways to Learn, Assess, and Act in order to mitigate our institutional contributions to climate change.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The purpose of the Visions for a Sustainable Georgetown Initiative is not only to open a conversation on sustainability, but also to bring students, faculty, and administrators together to formulate a plan for concrete actions that will bring us closer to our goal of reducing our annual carbon emission tonnage. We welcome new ideas and we hope that students and administrators will bring innovative and challenging ideas for sustainability to the table. These recommendations are the culmination of the review and refinement process by the V4SG Steering Committee to synthesize and condense ideas from the workshop. They are classified below by our estimation of a reasonable time frame for completion: Immediate, less than one year; Short Term, one to three years; Medium Term, three to five years; and Long Term, five or more years. We recognize that these recommendations may be expensive to implement, but their payback in terms of quality of life improvements, gains in the natural environment, and even financial returns can be quite great. Energy efficiency measures and retrofitting are a prime example of actions that fit into this category. Some of the recommendations are already underway, and are included to ensure their success. Part of our effort is to avoid compartmentalizing projects that should be spearheaded by students, because we want to highlight collaboration. Recommendations for students to get engaged in campus initiatives and to adopt more sustainable behaviors in their daily routines are integrated into recommendations that require institutional changes.

CORE RECOMMENDATIONS
Develop and Commit to a Campus Climate Action Plan As we have explained throughout this study, a concrete, measurable Climate Action Plan is necessary for the University to meet its emissions targets. Small steps and individual projects are important, but a comprehensive plan would be a rubric against which University Facilities and administrators could track progress. Establish Georgetown Universitys Office of Sustainability In order for sustainability to be an integral part of decision-making among high-level administrators, we propose that Georgetown establish an independent Office of Sustainability. This office would be similar to those of peer institutions, and provide advice and support to students and administrators on sustainability projects while keeping the University on track regarding the Climate Action Plan. The office would also work with student groups to supervise working groups on sustainability issues and set up a sustainability review board for university operations projects as well as campus-wide events and initiatives.

IMMEDIATE
Standardize recycling in residences and academic buildings Always have trash cans by recycling bins, and vice-versa. Many waste receptacles are isolated, which defeats recycling purposes because people use a single container for both trash and recyclables. We need trash bins next to other recycling bins. Ensure uniform labeling for proper co-mingling and less confusion. Coordinate green policies at faculty meetings Faculty members are an important part of campus and should be included in green initiatives. They can work together to encourage students to use less paper or take on other personal sustainability targets. Meetings can also set departmental sustainability practices. Reduce Flyering on Campus Customize the Week at Georgetown listserv for student interests. The Week at Georgetown consolidates many flyers into one email, but it could do more. Two improvements can be made: 1) all events must submit event information to TWAG; 2) students can customize the types of events they wish to know about a student wishing to receive notifications about upcoming events can filter the events to his/her preferences. TWAG can also be formatted for Facebook and Twitter. Use LCD screens at Corp locations and around campus to advertise events. Install more screens at ma jor flyering points, and have student groups go through SAC or a GUSA office to upload flyers. Broadcast and in-site reminders of how many sheets of paper make up a tree. Have representatives in dorms and apartments encourage students to donate or recycle their unwanted belongings during move-in and move-out, as well as mid-semester move-out Coordinate with New Student Orientation and Project Hilltop. If students could more easily store furniture and other items between semesters, they would be less inclined to dispose of items they would otherwise keep. Set up a Georgetown Freecycle or Craigslist Students can exchange goods to reduce waste or offer carpooling to reduce emissions. Improve education on sustainability Attract well-known environmental speakers to campus. In addition to expanding our knowledge, these speakers would make students aware of the possibilities of environmental careers and research. Increase availability and prominence of information regarding sustainable methods, such as proper recycling, by making people on campus aware of what happens to waste. Ramp up publicity for the Switch it Off Campaign, Recyclemania and other projects.

SHORT TERM
Have a student sustainability consultant system for student groups Students would undergo some training on sustainability and be made to campus group directors. This can be a student project but will require support from the Office of Sustainability. Consultants could address group needs, such as event-planning and publicity, and advise group directors on practicing sustainable methods. Plan large events sustainably For large, campus wide events like Homecoming, Relay for Life, and Georgetown Day, work with the Office of Sustainability and student sustainability advisors. Ma jor events should coordinate with staff in the Office of Sustainability or student sustainability consultants depending on the size of the ma jor event. Require student events larger than 200 people to consult with the Office of Sustainability. Shift to web-based information to reduce paper consumption Have NSO and freshmen mailings over the summer be online. Limit University printing jobs sent to Kinkos, Fedex, and other services in favor of green printing labs. Consider the amount that needs to be printed. Improve sustainability at the dining hall Decrease the amount of Grab n Go packaging. Provide more organic and/or local food options on campus. - This could be done by starting w special days, such as Leos Goes Local ith This would require greater expansion of the Farmers Market and dedicated support for the Community Garden so that both are productive enough to significantly support Georgetowns needs. Establish more widespread composting programs In particular, allow for Corp composting for waste, coffee and food products. This could later be expanded to composting for townhouses and off-campus residences. Improve student access to and cost of using Metro Sell SmartTrip cards at Corp locations and/or University Bookstore. Additionally, Georgetown should look into offering student discounts on fare cards and Smartrip passes. Reduce Car Use Conduct a survey driving habits to determine emissions and to set a target to reduce these emissions. Encourage greater carpooling and use of public transportation. Commit to buying 25% renewable energy power from PEPCO The University currently buys renewable energy from HESS. A Georgetown Renewable Energy Standard would improve our environmental commitments and invest in more renewable energy in the DC area.

MEDIUM TERM
Create one universal paper purchasing policy Set a rolling benchmark for computer paper like having 70% post consumer use and moving up to 80%, etc every year or so. Buy paper from sustainable sources and sellers. Use high post consumer use paper towels and toilet paper. Mandate that all new light bulbs on campus be the best technology available Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs, and look into LED lighting in the future. Rethink Georgetown Biking Improve access and convenience of bicyclists on and around campus. Bring WABA Bike Safety classes to campus. Provide or subsidize helmets for students. Install more bike racks around campus. Remove abandoned bikes to decrease clutter and increase active usage. Create an online bike craigslist system where groups of students can buy, sell, and share bikes to use them when they need them. Create faculty and employee biking groups Have reusable cups for Basketball games The university can create a newly designed cup every season that they will distribute at Basketball games, decreasing the amount of waste that students produce. Incentive to reuse cups by working with vendors at the Verizon Center to decrease their drink costs if people bring back their reusable cups. Install water bottle fill stations The GU Law Campus has already been replacing its old water fountains with new water fountains that are specifically designed to allow easy water bottle refilling; the fountains even count how many plastic bottles have not been used because of re-filling. Create a pilot program for introducing a couple of these new filling station water fountains in high-traffic areas. Install water-free urinals and double flush toilets All toilets that need to be replaced must be double flush and all urinals must be water free. There is already a precedent on campus for both as bathrooms in Maguire have water free urinals and the toilets in Hariri are double flush. Have the Dining Hall publish food sourcing information Can include metrics (ie, cage free or organic eggs). Foods are already labeled for basic nutritional information, so Aramark could add the sourcing of the ingredients to that information card. Replace ICC solar panels Set up a working group that would identify various methods of funding including alumni donations, government grants and loans, private financing from green funds and administrative support.

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LONG TERM
Improve Residence Hall Energy Use Provide shower timers and lights on motion sensors for residence hall bathrooms. Have timed or motion-detecting lights in all residence halls and common rooms. Retrofit townhouses and apartments to be more energy efficient, including smart meter installation. Install programmable thermostats in dorm rooms. Provide incentives for saving energy, such as having students pay for their heat and energy use by apartment unit or room. Use Outdoor Spaces Efficiently Make outdoor lighting solar-powered or powered by LEDs. Improve the design of lamps and other lighting to improve the direction of lighting. Create rooftop gardens on academic buildings. Create a green space on Harbin Patio. Provide more outdoor eating spaces in general; consider creating a patio eating area for the dining hall. Paint the roofs of flat-roofed buildings white or install solar PV installations. Install small-scale renewable energy sources on campus: - Can power individual buildings - Windspire turbines take up less space and can generate energy locally Build Sustainability into Planned Renovations Increase goal for ma jor renovations to LEED Gold and hold all size renovations to a LEED Sliver standard. Incorporate university townhouses into sustainable housing plans, and assist students living off campus in desired sustainability renovation requests. At Yates Field House, use stationary bikes and elliptical to generate electricity. - Can power TVs and lights in the building Explore co-generation opportunities: - Expanding composting may provide opportunities for capturing gas through biomass gasification Shrink University Transportation Footprint Make the GUTS buses run on fuel that comes from a greater percentage of biofuel Make University go-carts electric powered, and install charging stations for these electric go-carts and for faculty and staff cars. Expand the sustainability effort to other campuses Coordinate Main Campus efforts with those of the Medical Center and Law Center. Improve energy and water efficiency in Georgetown villas in Turkey and Italy. Harness talent in Education City and launch sustainability projects at SFS-Qatar.

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STUDENT RESOURCES FOR LAUNCHING SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS

The inclusion of the following names and emails does not constitute an endorsement of all of the goals of the Visions for a Sustainable Georgetown Initiative as of March 2012. It is meant to be a source of information for students looking to start sustainability projects and administrators to connect with one another on University-level initiatives. SUSTAINABILITY WEB PORTAL: http://sustainability.georgetown.edu
G.U. Center for the Environment Ed Barrows barrowse@georgetown.edu Leslie Byers byersl@georgetown.edu Georgetown University Facilities and Student Housing Karen Frank frankk@georgetown.edu Audrey Stewart, ams399@georgetown.edu Xavier Rivera xir@georgetown.edu Margo Gottesman gottesmm@georgetown.edu Campus Ministry Kevin F. OBrien, SJ obrienkf@georgetown.edu Debbie A. Reichmann reichmad@georgetown.edu Center for Student Programs Erika Cohen-Derr elc7@georgetown.edu Off-Campus Student Life Ray Danieli rfd8@georgetown.edu Dana Frommer dsf27@georgetown.edu Brian Cain bwc32@georgetown.edu Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal Bill DelVecchio wad6@georgetown.edu Outdoor Education Russ Watts ww39@georgetown.edu Georgetown Faculty and Graduate Students Dr. Laura Anderko la266@georgetown.edu Sarah Hoverter smp32@georgetown.edu Tim Beach beacht@georgetown.edu Kathryn Ticknor ket37@georgetown.edu Georgetown University Students Association Clara Gustafson cjg44@georgetown.edu Vail Kohnert-Yount avk26@georgetown.edu EcoAction Megan Griffin mag293@georgetown.edu Fatima Taskomur fht3@georgetown.edu Georgetown Conservation Corps Erin Auel ema39@georgetown.edu Georgetown Energy Dan Mathis dpm49@georgetown.edu Harrison Gale hlg9@georgetown.edu Georgetown Farmers Market Gabriel Pincus glp9@georgetown.edu Corp Green Initiative Cathryn Courtin clc76@georgetown.edu

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