ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for Antioch University New England

Submitted on September 2, 2008; last updated on July 17, 2009

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification DRU: Doctoral/Research Universities
Control Private not-for-profit
Location Keene, NH
Community Setting Small town
USDOE Climate Zone 5
Current President or Chancellor's Name David Caruso
Current President or Chancellor's Title President
Main Web Site http://www.antiochne.edu
Sustainability Web Site http://www.antiochne.edu/ssj/default.cfm?ref=nav

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Abigail Abrash Walton
Implementation Liaison's Title Assistant to the President for Sustainability & Social Justice
Implementation Liaison's Department Office of the President
Format of Structure Committee
Number of Individuals in Structure 13
Stakeholder Groups Represented Faculty, Students, Executive, Staff
Description Antioch University New England's Sustainability & Social Justice Committee (SSJC) was created as implementation of a recommendation made during the school's 2003-4 Strategic Planning Process. In July 2008, the Chair of the SSJC was hired to the newly created position of Assistant to the President for Sustainability & Social Justice, which is a Cabinet-level position within the institution and reports directly to Antioch New England's president. She continues to serve as chair of the SSJC as well. Some members of the SSJC are recruited, and some participate at their own initiative. Participation in the SSJC is also open to any member of the ANE community. All SSJC meetings are noticed through ANE's internal and external communications systems.

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: ANE has committed to meeting LEED Silver standard or the equivalent in new construction.

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

Yes: No information provided.

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

Yes: ANE has made this commitment and has tracked all business air travel since September 2007.

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

Yes: During FY2007-08, ANE re-launched its Green Bikes program, making bicycles available to all ANE building users. ANE's facility is located adjacent to Keene's main bike path, making access to downtown shops, restaurants, city government, etc., quite convenient for ANE building users. Other forms of convenient public transportation are not available in Keene.

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

Yes: In New Hampshire, we do not have the opportunity to purchase electricity generated from renewable sources. Public Service of New Hampshire does not provide this option to consumers. However, we will advocate for this option in the state's Climate Action Plan and we will explore options for producing electricity from renewable sources as we engage in new construction or retrofitting of our existing facility. We have also taken initial steps to reduce our electricity consumption through outreach & education to building users, installation of light sensors in restrooms, and removal of vending machines.

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

Yes: We have recommended, through ANE's Social Justice Audit report, that Antioch University become an activist shareholder on this and other issues of concern.

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

Yes: During FY2008-09, ANE celebrated the 20th anniversary of recycling on campus and the 5th anniversary of composting by transitioning to compostable food service items and upgrading existing composting collection and processing systems. We have also transitioned to new, user-friendly and effective recycling collection bins for paper, cans, bottles, and plastics and new, user-friendly expanded compost collection bins. In addition, we track all compost collected and have increased composting by more than 400% during the first half of calendar year 2009.