Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ

Skip to main content

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ Campus Sustainability Plan

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Strategic PlanRead the Full PlanI am thrilled to introduce the Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Sustainability Plan for the fiscal years 2025-2030. This plan reflects our commitment to sustainability across all facets of our institution and outlines a roadmap for creating a healthier, more equitable, and more resilient campus community.

Solving the climate dilemma is a global challenge but it starts locally. At Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ, sustainability is not just a buzzword but a guiding principle that influences everything we do. From reducing our carbon footprint to promoting diversity and inclusion, our Sustainability Plan encompasses a wide range of initiatives designed to make our College a leader in environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

As a coastal institution, the importance of addressing climate change and preparing for its impacts is deeply felt across our campus. That’s why we’re committed to achieving net zero emissions by our 100th anniversary in 2039. Through decarbonization, renewable energy projects, and climate preparedness efforts, we will work towards this ambitious goal while also ensuring the resilience of our campus in the face of environmental challenges.

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College was founded on the principle of education grounded in experience and, true to our roots, we will expand our sustainability-focused courses, create more opportunities for hands-on learning through living lab experiences, and foster deeper partnerships with local organizations to tackle real-world sustainability challenges.

Developing this Sustainability Plan was a collaborative effort that demonstrates the passion, commitment, and collective intelligence needed to address today’s challenges and I am confident that this Sustainability Plan will serve as a guiding light for our institution in the years to come.

Together, we will build a more sustainable future for Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College and future Gulls.

Sincerely,

Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D.
President
Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College

  • A Commitment to our Climate

    As part of the commitment to the vision of the Campus Sustainability Plan, President Steven DiSalvo signed Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ onto , confirming the College’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible.

    The Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments provide frameworks to advance campus climate action. While Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ will determine its own goals and actions, the key steps needed to fulfill the intention of the commitments include annual evaluations of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as continued measurement, demonstration of progress, and review of our journey towards carbon neutrality. In signing, President DiSalvo demonstrated incredible leadership by joining a network of over 400 higher education institutions working to create significant impact at their institution and beyond.

  • A Sustainable Foundation

    In the Fall of 2024, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College published the first Campus Sustainability Plan. The Plan will serve the operations of the 235-acre Beverly, Mass., campus, extending across all of its buildings and stakeholders to provide a strategic foundation to achieve Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ’s sustainability goals and vision, while aligning with the overall mission of the College.

    The Plan was developed through an iterative and collaborative process led by Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Campus Sustainability Committee, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability and President’s Council. Input and feedback were incorporated from diverse subsets of faculty, students, and staff across the campus who made up the Sustainability Committee, over multiple years of planning and dialogue. The Plan is a living document that will provide a sustainable roadmap and guide until 2030, when the Plan will be reassessed and updated to seek out new sustainability opportunities and build on existing successes. The plan will establish accountability for institutionalizing sustainable action and the ability to report and benchmark against internal and external baselines.

  • Engagement

    The four pillars that are the focus of this plan include Climate & Energy, Health Equity, Campus Operations, and Experiential Learning.

    Each core category focuses on building upon the strengths and addressing the weaknesses of the College to achieve our sustainability goals and create a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable campus community. The goals were designed to focus our operations on specific, measurable targets, and each individual goal represents an important target for the College to achieve. The Objectives under each pillar outline strategic commitments to meet and exceed our goals, while Actions reflect specific strategies to be taken with respect to each commitment.

  • Implementation & Reporting

    The implementation of Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Sustainability Plan is the responsibility of each member of our community. Institutional action will be the result of numerous partnerships and collaborations that address each sustainability pillar accordingly from the top-down or bottom-up.

    Universal support will be necessary to achieve the goals put forth. Data Collection and benchmarking will be continual, using verified mechanisms such as the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) . The Office of Sustainability Will issue an annual Sustainability Report updating the community on the College's Progress toward implementing the objectives detailed in this Plan and the overall status of our goals.

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Strategic Plan

Climate & Energy

Understanding and combating climate change is integral to our coastal institution. Adaptation and resilience are important considerations as temperatures increase, sea levels rise, and precipitation events become more frequent and intense. Mitigating the effects of climate change by reducing campus energy use and greenhouse gas emissions is a top priority.

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ’s emissions reduction strategy focuses first on energy use reduction and efficiency measures, followed by decarbonization, green building, and renewable energy. Throughout this process, it is important that we are preparing our campus for the future both in terms of decreasing fossil fuel dependence, and resilience.

GOAL: 

  • Achieve net zero emissions across campus by the College’s 100th Anniversary in 2039.

The Climate & Energy Pillar includes the following priority initiatives:

  • Decarbonization
    Actively decarbonize emissions from Scope 1 and Scope 2 campus operations and expand tracking of Scope 3 emissions through regular monitoring, accounting, and source reduction.
  • Renewable Energy
    Develop new onsite renewables and energy infrastructure to support 25% of campus power by 2030, while continuing to monitor and maintain existing solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Explore new technology, off-site opportunities, and offsets to meet energy needs and achieve net zero emissions.
  • Green BuildingCampus Planning and Construction
    Expand energy conservation measures (ECMs) in existing spaces, and pilot innovative new technologies that reduce energy use on campus. Develop Green Building Standards for all new construction and major renovations, and incorporate green infrastructure methods to reduce impact of buildings on the natural environment.
  • Climate Preparedness & Campus Resilience
    Develop a campus resiliency plan that incorporates the City of Beverly’s Coastal Resiliency Plan by 2030 to prepare the College for future climate change impacts to our campus.

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Strategic Plan

Health & Equity

Whether it is the opportunity to recharge and explore the campus through our hiking trails or beaches, offering sustainable and healthy food options, or incorporating healthier materials into indoor spaces, helping to create a healthy community is vital. Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ has a key role in ensuring personal well-being and health while supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We must work to make our campus more representative of the world in which we live.

In addition to focusing on the College’s impact, we recognize that low-income and marginalized communities often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental harm and lack access to environmental resources and benefits. By embracing sustainability, we aim to contribute positive social, economic, and environmental solutions that can address environmental injustices and create a more equitable community.

The Health & Equity Pillar includes the following priority initiatives:

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
    Support the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging as they review hiring and recruitment practices and campus-wide academic and social issues, and develop educational forums to confront systemic and environmental racism on campus and in our society.
  • Food & Dining
    Ensure equitable access to nutritious and sustainable food for the entire campus community that is affordable and meets various dietary needs.
  • Healthier Materials
    Endeavor to improve indoor air quality, occupant health, and comfort by making conscious decisions regarding healthy material compositions.
  • Wellness
    Promote and develop staff, faculty, and student sustainability & personal wellness programs that are accessible to the entire Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ Community.

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Strategic Plan

Campus Operations

The responsible operation of our facilities is fundamental to our financial soundness, conserving resources and reducing waste as the College continues to expand and grow. Institutionalizing sustainable operations will improve our community’s health while reducing our impact on the environment.

Though the scope of this pillar is broad, from waste and water reduction to responsible purchasing and grounds management, each action will have lasting impacts to make our campus a cleaner, safer and more efficient environment for human and natural inhabitants.

GOALS:

  • Reduce solid waste generation by 3% annually as compared to FY2019 baseline with the ambition to become a zero-waste campus.
  • Achieve 75% diversion rate for all waste generated on campus by 2030.
  • Reduce water use by 25% by 2030 from 2016 baseline.

The Campus Operations Pillar includes the following priority initiatives:

  • Water
    Decrease water consumption and elevate reclamation strategies on campus to decrease impact on surrounding North Coastal and Ipswich Watersheds.
  • Waste Reduction & Recycling
    Track waste data to ensure appropriate levels of waste service, identify opportunities for improvement, and accurately measure environmental impact. Strengthen operational programs to reduce campus waste, and standardize low- and zero-waste practices for campus programming and events.
  • Transportation
    Reduce emissions from transportation, increase safety and customer service of transportation options, and incentivize the use of alternative modes of transportation such as bike riding and public transportation.
  • Landscaping & Grounds
    Expand and manage green space on campus to increase biodiversity, reduce our impact, and promote responsible interaction for students, faculty, and staff.
  • Procurement
    Incorporate sustainable purchasing language into request for proposals (RFPs), vendor contracts, and everyday purchasing practices to encourage more responsible consumption.

Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Strategic Plan

Experiential Learning

Following the mission of the College, this plan will help to develop and support firsthand opportunities for student involvement. It will drive student engagement that utilizes the campus and surrounding community as a living lab. Living lab opportunities will create replicable, sustainable solutions that students can take with them as they assume their own careers and lives beyond Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ.

Experiential education about sustainable practices cannot be achieved by those at Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ alone- partnerships with local nonprofits, municipalities, businesses, and surrounding higher education institutions will be crucial to graduating informed global citizens ready to create positive change.

The Experiential Learning Pillar includes the following priority initiatives:

  • Courses & Curriculum
    Develop new and expand existing sustainability-focused courses to be integrated into general education core curriculum, and provide more sustainability related experiential learning opportunities.
  • Living Lab
    Establish a conceptual Sustainability Center to house sustainability efforts on campus, enhance engagement across the College, and cultivate sustainability research and solutions for our community and beyond.
  • Partnerships
    Collaborate with local nonprofits, municipalities, and private sector companies to create a more sustainable North Shore.
  • 2023–24 Committee

    Carly Thibodeau, Associate Director, Office of Sustainability (CHAIR)
    Emma Lacey, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Sustainability
    Paul Belski, Director, Dining Services, Sodexo
    Andy Brody, Professor, Interior Design, School of Visual & Performing Arts
    Charlotte Colella, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2024
    Maren Found, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2026
    Angela Gulino, Art Director, Communications & Marketing
    Lauri Rawls, Director, Community Service
    Mariah Slocum, Administrative Coordinator, Admissions

  • 2022–23 Committee

    Carly Thibodeau, Associate Director, Office of Sustainability (CHAIR)
    George Anderson, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Sustainability
    Paul Belski, Director, Dining Services, Sodexo
    Andy Brody, Professor, Interior Design, School of Visual & Performing Arts
    Charlotte Colella, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2024
    Maren Found, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2026
    Angela Gulino, Art Director, Communications & Marketing
    Kelly McKaig, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2024
    Lauri Rawls, Director, Community Service
    Mariah Slocum, Administrative Coordinator, Admissions
    Noelle Sweder, Residence Director, Residence Life

  • 2021–22 Committee

    Carly Thibodeau, Associate Director, Office of Sustainability (CHAIR)
    Paul Belski, Director, Dining Services, Sodexo 
    Anna McAllister, Faculty Department Lead and Professor, School of Business
    Kelly McKaig, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2023
    Lauri Rawls, Director, Community Service
    Mariah Slocum, Administrative Assistant
    Noelle Sweder, Residence Director, Residence Life

  • 2020–21 Committee

    Anthony Michetti, Director, Office of Sustainability (CHAIR)
    Paul Belski, Director, Dining Services, Sodexo
    Todd Comen, Dean, School of Hospitality Management
    Adeline Fullaway, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2022
    Rick Gagnon, Director, Physical Plant
    Jennifer Hilton, Director and Assistant Professor, Applied Behavior Analysis Programs
    Jessica Kaufman, Associate Professor, Biotechnology & Bioengineering, School of Arts & Sciences
    Christopher Kinkade, Area Director, Residence Life
    Mark Kulakowski, Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities & Recreation, Athletics & Recreation
    Josh Lynch, Environmental Health & Safety Manager, Physical Plant
    Anna McAlister, Associate Professor, Marketing
    Lauri Rawls, Director of Community Service
    Kevin Renz, Associate Dean of Interior Design & Interior Architecture, School of Visual & Performing Arts
    Andrea Rhoades, Adjunct Faculty, School of Social Sciences, Communication, & Humanities
    Abigail Robinson, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2021
    Caitlyn Sievers, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2023
    Mariah Slocum, Administrative Assistant
    Olivia Virgin, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ College Class of 2022
    Gabrielle Watling, Professor, School of Arts & Sciences
    Anna Wetterhorn, Assistant Director of Admission, Office of Admission
    Meghan Wrenn, Sustainability Coordinator,Office of Sustainability

  • President’s Council

Join us in our endeavors to become a greener campus!