Progress Report for Keystone College
Submitted on May 14, 2012; Last updated on May 15, 2012
The Progress Report is intended to help signatories assess and track progress toward the goals outlined
in their Climate Action Plans and to share that progress with their stakeholders and the general public.
click on a section heading below to expand its content; click again to collapse
General Statement of Progress
Under the leadership of President Boehm, Keystone has been at the forefront of the sustainability movement. In April, 2010, Keystone was named one of the most environmentally responsible institutions of higher learning in the nation by the Princeton Review.
Keystone College has undertaken a variety of important environmental and sustainability initiatives, many of which are implemented in partnership with Sodexo.
Recent initiatives include:
Installation of a new Energy Star compliant roof on Miller Library and Hibbard Campus Center.
Use of a $200,000 state grant to install energy efficient lighting and fixtures throughout campus; generation of 17 percent of the college’s electricity from renewable energy credits.
Use of an all-electric vehicle for on and off-campus travel.
Elimination of trays in the student restaurant, a move which saves over one thousand gallons of water per week.
Participation in “Recyclemania,” a national recycling competition with over 375 colleges and universities which results in approximately 10 tons of recycled paper, plastic, cardboard, bottles, and cans being eliminated from the campus waste stream.
In 2007, Keystone became a charter member of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Keystone and other members develop plans to reduce and ultimately neutralize greenhouse gas emissions on campus.
The list above provides a sample of our environmental actions. The reason why we do it is very clear. We have made a promise to protect and preserve our beautiful campus today and for generations to come.
GHG Emissions & Reduction Targets
| Climate Neutrality Target Date: | 2050 |
|---|
| Interim Milestone Emission-Reduction Target | Target Date | Baseline* |
|---|---|---|
| 5% reduction in Purchased Electricity Emissions | by 2010 | relative to baseline emissions in 2007 |
| 50% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2035 | relative to baseline emissions in 2007 |
| 100% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2 Emissions | by 2050 | relative to baseline emissions in 2007 |
| 40% reduction in Total Scopes 1, 2, 3 Emissions | by 2050 | relative to baseline emissions in 2007 |
GHGs summary
| Reporting Year | Gross Emissions | Net Emissions | Full Time Enrollments | Total Bldg. Sq. Ft. | [action] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 7021.0 | 6621.0 | 1530.0 | 316949.0 | [ view ] |
| 2010 | 7139.0 | -8566.0 | 1536.0 | 316949.0 | [ view ] |
| 2013 | 7193.0 | -8512.0 | 1650.0 | 316949.0 | [ view ] |
-
Change in GHG gross emissions
118.0
-
Change in GHG emissions per 1000 sq.ft. building space
0.372299644422
-
Change in GHG emissions per full time enrollment (FTE)
0.0588975694444
Education, Research, & Community Engagement
Curriculum
How is your institution making climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students?
From the moment students arrive on Keystone's campus as freshmen, they are given a packet of information related to the sustainable efforts that the college has made and continues to make. We urge students to be part of the solution to help Keystone achieve its goal of carbon neutrality in the future. Each first year seminar class features sustainability as a key topic and each incoming student is required to take this course.
Environmental Sustainability is part of the general education curriculum. The goal of the environmental sustainability perspective is to provide students the information necessary to identify and analyze how human activities impact the global environment.Education methods in use
- Included sustainability learning outcomes into institutional General Education Requirements.
Does your institution offer an undergraduate degree program(s) related to climate change/sustainability?
Yes
Environmental Resource Management
http://www.keystone.edu/academics/majors/bachelors_degree/detailed.dot?inode=203774&crumbTrail=Environmental%20Resource%20Management&pageTitle=Environmental%20Resource%20Management
http://www.keystone.edu/academics/generaleducation/environmentalsustainabilityperspective.dotDoes your institution offer a graduate degree program in climate change/sustainability?
No
Co-Curriculum
Does your institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?
Yes
http://www.keystone.edu/about_us/keystonecampus/greenkc/
http://www.keystone.edu/academics/generaleducation/environmentalsustainabilityperspective.dotDoes your institution include sustainability prominently in new student orientation?
http://www.keystone.edu/about_us/keystonecampus/greenkc/
The college also ensures that each new incoming student receive a packet of information relative to our sustainability efforts.
Research
If applicable, how is your institution expanding research efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality research?
Undergraduate research is a core part of the Keystone college educational experience. We are constantly searching for grants that will help students embark on important research that they feel passionate about. Climate neutrality research is a "hot topic" these days and we hope to have many students focus on this for years to come.Does your institution have a program to encourage student climate and or sustainability research?
Yes
The Natural Science and Mathematics department encourages students to focus their senior undergraduate research projects on climate and sustainability research. The projects are featured at the annual Student Undergraduate Reseach Celebration.Does your institution have a program to encourage faculty climate and or sustainability research?
No
Community Engagement
How is your institution expanding community outreach efforts toward the achievement of climate neutrality?
Keystone makes every effort to publicize out sustainability efforts.Does your institution participate in community climate change and or sustainability partnerships?
Yes
The Keystone College Environmental Education Institute (KCEEI) Keystone College’s Environmental Education Institute (KCEEI), is funded by Keystone College, the P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and The Overlook Estate Foundation with other grants pending. The Institute is committed to enhancing the teaching experience by providing hands-on, inquiry based science and environmental education to educators using nature as a laboratory. KCEEI's courses and workshops provide a wonderful learning atmosphere. Keystone College's 165-acre Woodland Campus, ponds, streams, wetlands, Lake Manataka Environmental Field Station, and Little Rocky Glen provide unparalleled opportunities.http://www.kceei.keystone.edu/CoursesWorkshop/weeklong.htm#Climate_Change_&_the_Energy_Challenge
Has your institution advocated for federal, state, and/or local public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance your goal of climate neutrality?
No