ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for Simpson College

Submitted on November 13, 2008; last updated on May 7, 2012

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification Bac/A&S: Baccalaureate Colleges Arts & Sciences
Control Private not-for-profit
Location Indianola, IA
Community Setting Urban fringe of mid-size city
USDOE Climate Zone 5
Current President or Chancellor's Name John Byrd
Current President or Chancellor's Title President
Main Web Site http://simpson.edu/
Sustainability Web Site No information provided

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Jerry L Kelley
Implementation Liaison's Title Executive Assistant to the President
Implementation Liaison's Department Office of the President
Format of Structure Committee
Number of Individuals in Structure 45
Stakeholder Groups Represented Community Leaders, Faculty, Students, Executive, Community Members, Staff, Alumni
Description The President presented the goals of the PCC to the Board of Trustees and received support to implement the process and program. Goals of PCC were presented to the students, faculty and staff with a call for volunteers to work on structure to begin the process. Meetings have been held bi-weekly to establish areas of interest. Meetings have been attended by representatives of the campus community and city stake holders. Sub-committees have established in key implementation areas.
Sustainability efforts of the campus community and the city have been coordinated.

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: Remodel of Blank Performing Arts Center is in place with components of LEED construction.
The Kent Campus Center opening in 2012 has been designed to LEED standards.

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

Yes: All new purchases are ENERGY STAR where it is available. Retrofitting of current facilities with energy efficient appliances, lighting, heating, air conditioning, motion sensor lights, geothermal heating and air conditioning is in place and continuing. Student generated projects for biofuels in use by campus and community vehicles is in place and continuing.

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

Yes: This will be part of the offset plan as we develop it.

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

Yes: All campus related travel is being evaluated with best practices in each area being researched for future implementation. Information is being collected for a student developed data base to guide where the campus can have the most immediate change and where investment will be made. The city is researhing mass transportation and how the campus community can be part of it.

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: The Indianola Municipal Utility is making energy credits available for offsets of carbon based fuels. Credits support a wind generating system. Goal is to use offsets for 15% of campus energy use with additional offsets from other energu sources. The municipal utility has moved to 30%+ of electric generation from renewable or non fossil fuel.

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: Community is involved in recycle program with single stream recycling in place by Spring, 2009. Components of RecycleMania will be incorporated as part of campus wide recycle program. Hydration Stations have been placed where water bottle use is highest. Plastic has been diverted from waste stream.