ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for Saint Xavier University

Submitted on October 30, 2008; last updated on February 10, 2012

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification Master's/L: Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
Control Private not-for-profit
Location Chicago, IL
Community Setting Large city
USDOE Climate Zone 5
Current President or Chancellor's Name Christine Wiseman
Current President or Chancellor's Title President
Main Web Site http://www.sxu.edu/
Sustainability Web Site http://greencampus.sxu.edu/

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Peter Skach
Implementation Liaison's Title Director of Facilities Management
Implementation Liaison's Department Facilities Management
Format of Structure Committee
Number of Individuals in Structure 12
Stakeholder Groups Represented Faculty, Students, Executive, Staff
Description The University has decided to use its current standing committee, the Health, Safety, and Sustainability Committee. The University will expand this structure to include students working as interns in the Office of Environmental Sustainability and professors in the natural sciences from the College of Arts & Sciences,along with professors from the School of Nursing. The charter for this committee concerns with all issues relating to the Health, Safety & Environmental Sustainability of students, faculty, staff, and guests on campus. The primary role of the committee is to bring health, conservation and safety related issues forward and to solicit input from the entire University community. Saint Xavier University currently feels this committee is the appropriate venue to manage the ACUPCC and the Illinois Higher Education Sustainablity Compact.

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: Our two newest assets to SXU are Rubloff and O'Brien Halls. Rubloff, as of April 12, 2007 was accepted and recognized by the USGBC as a LEED Gold facility. O'Brien Hall, dedicated on Oct. 15th, 2008, was also accepted and recognized by the USGBC as a LEED Gold facility in late December 2008. The Byrne Memorial Library expansion project, which will occur over the next two years, has been registered with the USGBC for LEED-NC. All future new construction owned by the University will be USGBC LEED Silver or above.

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

No: No information provided.

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

Yes: This will be discussed as Saint Xavier University compiles the data for the Greenhouse Gas Audit. It will be part of Saint Xavier University's Climate- Action Plan in the near future.

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

Yes: As of August 2008, the University has embarked on a GreenBike Share Program with the premise of 24/7 access and limiting the use of primary fossil fuel transportation throughout the campus complex. This healthy alternative is modeled after successful systems in Europe by Veloway Transportation. 65 units have been purchased with the computer software system to assist in overall management and system accountability. This program will be managed and maintained by a student work force consisting of work study students and interns.
Since Saint Xavier University is located in Chicago, the University has provided students with convenient shuttle service to local shopping and downtown elevated transit lines out of Midway Airport.

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: As of this date January 2009, the University currently has Renewable Energy Credits (REC's) offsetting 1,200,000 kWh of traditional electrical fossil fuel providers. This equates from the University's annual load of 11,326,000 kWh offset by REC's equaling 10.6% and reducing by an estimated 1,644,000 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions annually based on the EPA E-GRID 2007 IL data.

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: Saint Xavier University has participated in this EPA Recycle Mania Program since the program's inception. Last year in the Grand Champion level, Saint Xavier came in 6th place overall with a waste recycling rate of 40.99%. Saint Xavier University will be participating again in January 2009. In 2009, the program will be managed by interns and student workers in the Office of Environmental Sustainability and by the University's student recycle technicians that are located in the University's Print Services Center.