ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for Ball State University

Submitted on September 21, 2007; last updated on January 13, 2012

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification DRU: Doctoral/Research Universities
Control Public
Location Muncie, IN
Community Setting Mid-size city
USDOE Climate Zone 5
Current President or Chancellor's Name Jo Ann M Gora
Current President or Chancellor's Title President
Main Web Site http://www.bsu.edu/
Sustainability Web Site http://www.bsu.edu/sustainability

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Robert J Koester
Implementation Liaison's Title Professor and Director
Implementation Liaison's Department Architecture
Format of Structure Center- or Institute-Led
Number of Individuals in Structure 35
Stakeholder Groups Represented Community Leaders, Faculty, Students, Executive, Community Members, Staff, Alumni
Description The Council on the Environment (COTE) was established by the Provost upon recommendation of the Green-2 Committee which was charged with recommending plans and operational practices for implementing the tenets of the Talloires Declaration which was signed in 1999 by President John E. Worthen. Staggered appointments to the council are made by the Provost but nominated membership includes representation for every administrative unit on campus as well as groups within the local community. The Secretariat for COTE is the Center for Energy Research/Education/Service (CERES).

Tangible Actions

1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent.

Yes: In the newly adopted 2007-2012 University Strategic Plan, Goal IVE mandates that all new construction on campus will be LEED Silver certified at minimum and that all existing building renovation on campus will be considered for LEED EB certification at minimum.

2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.

Yes: Computing purchases on campus are made using Energy Star Certified products and recommendations are made to all incoming and returning students that reside on campus to acquire Energy Star-rated appliances for their residence hall living.

3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.

Yes: Unit-level strategic planning for sustainability has been called for in Goal IVF of the new university strategic plan and by January 2008 all units will address a policy for off-setting greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel. Discussions within the Council on the Environment will continue this fall semester to identify the opportunities fro funding to offset purchases.

4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution.

Yes: Through an agreement with the local Muncie Independent Transit System (MITS), free ridership is provided for students, staff and faculty. Moreover, this academic year at the request of the university, a new east-west bus route was implemented to enable students living in the respective neighborhoods to have more direct access to MITS for commuting to campus.

5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources.

No: No information provided.

6. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested.

No: No information provided.

7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.

Yes: Students have participated in the Recyclemania competition and campus-wide waste recycling is achieved through our contract with an independent waste hauler. Monthly reports are provided to the university identifying the proportion of the solid waste stream that has been recycled.