Implementation Profile for Southern New Hampshire University
Submitted on July 2, 2008; last updated on July 13, 2009
Institution Information
| Basic Carnegie Classification | Master's/L: Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs) |
| Control | Private not-for-profit |
| Location | Manchester, NH |
| Community Setting | Mid-size city |
| USDOE Climate Zone | Not applicable |
| Current President or Chancellor's Name | Paul LeBlanc |
| Current President or Chancellor's Title | President |
| Main Web Site | http://www.snhu.edu |
| Sustainability Web Site | http://www.roymorrison.net |
Implementation Structure
| Implementation Liaison's Name | Roy Morrison |
| Implementation Liaison's Title | Director Office |
| Implementation Liaison's Department | No information provided |
| Format of Structure | Center- or Institute-Led |
| Number of Individuals in Structure | 16 |
| Stakeholder Groups Represented | Faculty, Students, consultants, Executive, Staff |
| Description | Office for Sustainability reports to President Paul LeBlanc and Vice President for Financial Affairs William McGarry. Director Roy Morrison and staff are employed as consultants. Office works closely with Dean Erickson of School of Liberal Arts and its Environment, Ethics and Public Policy program that is source of student interns for the Office, and Dean Swack of School of Community Economic Development.Office for Sustainability is undertaking broad range of sustainnbility projects with a particular focus on economic and ecological viability as such we work regularly with Robert Vachon, Director of Facilites on operational, purchasing, and energy issues. |
Tangible Actions
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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: We have developed detailed checklists and design standards for new building sustainbility goals focused initially on our two new buildings, the New Academic Building for the School of Community Economic Development and new Dining Commons.We have demonstrated the strong life-cycle cost benefits of sustainable design practices. |
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2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist. Yes: We are reviewing our purchasing policies to be in accord with Energy Star ratings. |
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3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution. Yes: After completing our carbon inventory we will be able to determine if we already have offset carbon from such travel with the extensive REC resources we have purchased as part of our renewable energy hedge. |
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4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution. No: No information provided. |
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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: 100% of SNHU electricity is now from renewable energy sources. This is the result of our renewable energy hedge the University negotiated with PPM energy. The renewable energy hedge offsets all SNHU carbon from electricity and natural gas for 15 years, from May 1, 2007 to April 30 2022.The renewable energy hedge is a model applicable to both institutions and businesses and makes energy a nearly flat net annual fixed cost, offsets carbon emissions from energy use, and supports the development of the renewable energy infrastructure. |
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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. |
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7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste. No: No information provided. |