ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for Northern Kentucky University

Submitted on November 15, 2007; last updated on August 15, 2012

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification Master's/L: Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
Control Public
Location Highland Heights, KY
Community Setting Urban fringe of large city
USDOE Climate Zone 4
Current President or Chancellor's Name Geoffrey S Mearns
Current President or Chancellor's Title President
Main Web Site http://www.nku.edu/
Sustainability Web Site http://access.nku.edu/FacilitiesManagement/

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Larry J Blake
Implementation Liaison's Title AVP for Facilities Management
Implementation Liaison's Department Facilities Management
Format of Structure Task Force
Number of Individuals in Structure 10
Stakeholder Groups Represented Faculty, Students, Executive, Staff
Description A Task Force has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the ACUPCC at NKU. The 10+ member Task Force is comprised of campus executives, faculty, staff and students, and reports to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management.

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: Northern Kentucky University
Green Building Standards Policy
2009

Responding to one of the seven tangible actions of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, Northern Kentucky University (NKU) has adopted the following policy concerning construction on the NKU campus and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

The LEED standards required by NKU will vary as follows according to a project’s budget scope:

1. All new construction and major renovation projects in the amount of $25 million or more in budget shall be designed, built and submitted for certification at the LEED Silver level or higher.

2. All new construction and major renovation building projects between $5 million and $25 million in budget shall be designed, built and submitted for certification at the LEED certified level or higher.

3. All new construction and major renovation building projects between $600,000 and $5 million in budget shall be designed and built using the LEED rating system as guidance.

NKU shall include this policy in its Facility Management Building Standards document. NKU will also promote this policy on its website and in appropriate public relations and marketing materials.

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

Yes: Northern Kentucky University
ENERGY STAR Procurement Policy
2009

Responding to the growing need for energy conservation, Northern Kentucky University (NKU) adopts this ENERGY STAR procurement policy.

ENERGY STAR is a federal program helping business and individuals save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products.

Energy-efficient products are indicated with the ENERGY STAR label, which can be found on many products, including but not limited to air conditioners, computers, appliances and office equipment (for a complete listing of ENERGY STAR qualified products, (see http://energystar.gov).

From this day forward, NKU shall purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products whenever they are available and the following two conditions are satisfied:

1. The quality and function of the ENERGY STAR qualified product is equal or superior to that of non-ENERGY STAR qualified products.

AND

2. The additional upfront cost of the ENERGY STAR qualified product is less than its resulting life cycle energy savings.

If it is not possible to satisfy both of these conditions, NKU shall purchase as energy-efficient products as possible.

Further, NKU shall insert the following statement into its bid documents:

ENERGY STAR is a federal program helping business and individuals save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products (see http://energystar.gov).

Do the products that will be purchased meet ENERGY STAR specifications for energy efficiency?

Yes_______

No________

If NO, please explain why ENERGY STAR qualified products cannot meet the intended function.

Procurement Services shall review NKU bid documents to ensure compliance with this policy.

NKU offices and departments are encouraged to establish their own internal procedures to ensure compliance with this policy when making purchases outside the bid process and/or without the assistance of Procurement Services. Please contact Procurement Services for more information about ENERGY STAR products.

NKU shall promote this policy on its website, inside its stores and within its marketing materials.

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

No: No information provided.

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

Yes: Since August 2007, NKU has partnered with the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) to provide free and unlimited rides for all NKU students, faculty and staff on regularly scheduled TANK buses as well as on-campus shuttles. Between August 2007 and June 2009, more than 360,000 bus trips have been taken through this "U-PASS" program for a savings of over 965 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

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.

No: No information provided.