American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 2

Introduction 3

ACUPCCTwo-MonthReportingForm 4

CarbonAudits 5

GHGMitigation 8

• Currentmeasures 8

• Futurestrategies 11

Educational,ResearchandCommunityOutreachEfforts 12

Financing 15

TrackingProgress 16

ClimateNeutrality 17

Appendix1:InsideRio,Volume10No.12008

Appendix2:ACUPCCTwo-MonthReportingForm

Appendix3:ACUPCCReportingSystemInformation

Appendix4:LeadershipCouncilMembership

Page 3 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 2– Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan

AcknowledgementsRioSaladoCollegeistotallycommittedtothetriplebottomline(3BL)ofsus-tainability:sociallyjustandequitable,economicallyrobustandenvironmentallyviable.ThisisdemonstratedinthefactthatsustainabilityisoneoftheCol-lege’scorevalues;isGoal8oftheStrategicPlan,Rio2012;andissupportedbyemployeesthroughvolunteerprograms,suchasPay30Forward.TheClimateActionPlan,though,focusesmainlyontheenvironmentalpieceofsustainabil-itythrougheffortstoreducetheCollege’scarbonfootprint.

Whileallemployeessupportsustainability,itwouldnothavebeenpossibletoproducetheRioSaladoCollege2009ClimateActionPlanwithoutthecontribu-tionsofthefollowingindividuals:

2009 Climate Action Plan ContributorsTheOfficeofthePresident Dr.LindaThor,President

Administration*ToddSimmons,VicePresident,BusinessandEmployeeServices

*VernonSmith,VicePresident,TeachingandLearning

LeadershipCouncil(seeAppendix4formembershiplisting)

Faculty*ShannonCorona,PhysicalSciences

BeatrizCohen,Counseling

CollegeStaff AlanTorvie,ArchitectandSustainabilityConsultant

DanielleTomerlin,SustainabilityConsultant

GenevieveWinters,Director,Research,PlanningandDevelopment

ChristyFlora,InstitutionalResearchAnalyst

*ElizabethCole-Fay,ProjectCoordinator

*RichardEspinoza,Director,Facilities

*DorothyStrait,Director,SiteOperations

LindaBird,ExecutiveAssistant

KevinBilder,Director,MarketingandPublicRelations

MatthewFreed,GraphicDesignerII

*SharonKoberna,Dean,AdministrativeandEmployeeServices

* DesignatesamemberoftheRioSaladoCollegeSustainabilitySteeringCommittee

IntroductionRioSaladoCollege(RioSalado)isoneofthe10collegesintheMaricopaCountyCommunityCollegeDistrict(MCCCD),whichisthelargestcommu-nitycollegedistrictinthenation.RioSaladohastheuniquedistinctionofbeing“theMaricopaCollegewith-outwalls.”Mostoftheinstructionisconductedon-line(distancelearning),withinbusinessesorpublicinstitu-tions,orinvariouscommunitycenters.

RioSaladoisoneoffivecollegesintheMCCCDthatwereCharterSignatoriestotheAmericanCollegeandUniver-sityPresidents’ClimateCommitment(ACUPCC)in2007.Thiscommitmenttoreducethecarbonfootprintsofthememberinstitutionsandtoseekclimateneutralitymandatedcertainrequirementsandstrategieslead-ingtosubmittalandexecutionofaClimateActionPlan.

TheRioSaladocarbon footprintisthesumofgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsgeneratedbythestudents

andstaffoftheinstitution.Theseemissionsincludesixdesignatedgasesandrefrigerants,butareprimar-ilycarbonbased–fuelsandelectricitygeneratedfromfossilfuels,andpri-marilycarbondioxide.ThemeasureofgreenhousegasesisexpressedasCO2equivalents(CO2e)andmeasuredinmetrictons.InordertoquantifyandcompareGHGemissionsforcolleges,theACUPCCreportstonsofCO2eperfull-timeequivalentstudent(FTE).TheACUPCCrequirementsincluded:

• WithintwomonthsoftheImple-mentationStartDate,establishaninstitutionalstructuretoguidethedevelopmentandimplementationoftheClimateActionPlan.

• WithintwomonthsoftheImple-mentationStartDate,select2ormoreTangibleActions,selectedfromalistof7options,tobeinitiatedandcompletedwhilethelongtermClimateActionPlanwasbeingdeveloped.

• WithinoneyearoftheImplemen-tationStartDate,andannuallythereafter,completeaninventoryandpublicreportongreenhousegasemissions(CarbonAudit).

• WithintwoyearsoftheImplemen-tationStartDate,developaClimateActionPlanthatincludesatargetdateandinterimmilestonesforachievingclimateneutrality.

• Onanongoingbasis,makepubliclyavailabletheinstitutionalstructure,greenhousegasinventory,ClimateActionPlan,andprogressreports,byprovidingthemtoAASHE(As-sociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation)forpostinganddissemination

ThisClimateActionPlanincludesasummaryofthefindingsoftheRioSaladocarbonauditoffiscalyear2007/2008greenhousegas(GHG)emissions,andthecurrentmeasuresandproposedstrategiestoreducetheRioSaladocarbonfootprint.

Page 5 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 4– Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan

ACUPCC Two-Month Reporting FormInstitutional StructureWhentheCollegesubmitteditstwo-monthreportingformitdesignatedtheLeadershipCouncil,whichincludesthePresidentandVicePresidents,Deans,AssociateDeans,FacultyChairs,andstaffandstudentrepresentationastheinstitutionalstructurewiththeresponsibilityforimplementationoftheClimateActionPlan.TheLeadershipCouncilisalsochargedwithadvancingallformsofsustainabilitywithinthecollege.

Carbon Audits2007-2008TheCarbonAuditforfiscalyear2007/2008wascompletedandthereportsubmittedtotheACUPCCinSeptember2008.ACarbonAuditforfiscalyear2008/2009isbeingcompleted,andwillbesubmittedtoACUPCCinSeptember2009.TheCarbonAuditwillberepeatedandsubmittedeachyear.

TheuniqueeducationaldeliverymethodprovidedbyRioSaladoresultsinoneofthesmallestcarbonfootprints(GHGemissionlevelsperstudent&staffpopulation)ofallthecollegesanduniversitiesthathavereportedto

ACUPCC Tangible ActionsRioSaladosubmittedtheACUPCCTwo-MonthReportingFormonNovember15,2007,whichindicatedthree(3)oftheoptionstobeaccomplishedbytheCollege.TheTwo-MonthReportingFormincludedthefollowingTangibleActions:

Action #2: Adopt energy efficient appliance purchas-ing policy

RioSaladoimmediatelyinstitutedapolicyrequiringthatallnewappliancepurchasesbeEnergyStarrated.

Action #4: Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all staff, stu-dents, and visitors

ThisActionrequiredeitherfreeorsubsi-dizedtransitpassesorfreecampusshuttles.ThroughtheMCCCD,RioSaladoprovidessubsidizedtransitpasses.

Action #5: Purchase or produce 15% of electricity from renewable resources

BothutilitycompaniesthatprovideservicetoRioSaladofacilitiesgenerate/purchasepercentagesoftheirelectricityfromrenew-ablesources.SaltRiverProject(SRP)cur-rentlyincorporates5%andwillincreasethatpercentageto15%by2020;andArizonaPublicService(APS)incorporates2%andwillachieve15%by2025.RioSaladoantici-patesreaching15%by2020.Inadditiontopurchasingrenewablepower,RioSaladoisinvestigatingsolarandotherstrategiesforon-siterenewablepowergeneration.

date.TheGHGemissionlevelof.9metrictonsofCO2eisapproximately24%ofthenationalaverageforcommunitycolleges.TheonlyotherinstitutionsreportingtoAASHEthathavesimilarcarbonfootprintsalsoprovideonlyorpredominantlyon-linedistancelearning.

Themajorityofinstitutions,includingRioSaladoCollege,usedtheCleanAir/CoolPlanet(CACP)CampusCarbonCal-culatortodeterminetheGHGemissionscreatedbytheirphysicalplant,students,andstaff.

“The UnIqUe edUCATIonAl delIvery meThod ProvIded by rIo SAlAdo reSUlTS In one of The SmAlleST CArbon fooTPrInTS...”

Page 7 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 6 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan

Insummary,theexceptionallysmallcarbonfootprintgen-eratedbyRioSalado’sfacilities,staff,andstudentsistheresultofRioSalado’seducationaldeliverymodalitiesandteachingmethods.

Online Distance Learning:

Onlinedistancelearningisaverysustainabledeliverymodality.Therearetwomainfactorsforthis:theneedforfacilitiesisminimizedandcommutingisnegligible.

•Facilities-BecausethemajorityofRioSalado’sstudentsareonlinelearners,theneedforclass-roomsandotherinstructionalspaceiselimi-nated.RioSalado’sbuildingsconsistprimarilyofadministration,facultyoffices,informationtech-nologyfacilities,andothersupportstaffspaces.

•Commuting-Commutingmilesandtheresul-tantfuelconsumptionareminimal.Commutingtoattendclassroomsessionsiseliminated,andevencommutingforadvising,registration,tobuyandsellbooksatthebookstore,topaytuitionatthecashiers’officeandothercentralofficefunc-tionsisoptional.Allstudent-relatedservicesareavailableonline.Commutingisonlyrequiredformid-termandfinalexaminationsatconvenientcollegelocationsformostcourses.

Off-Site Teaching:

AnotherlargesegmentofRioSalado’steachingisdoneoff-siteforemployeesofcorporateandgov-ernmentalpartners,anddualenrolledhighschoolstudents.ThesedeliverymodalitieseliminatetheneedforCollege-ownedfacilities.

•EducationServicePartners(ESP)-Theinstruc-tionoccursduringworkinghoursand,therefore,thecommutingmileageforthesestudentsisnotreportableforcarbonfootprintpurposesbyRioSalado.Itischargedtotheemployersincetheinstructionoccursasaresultofthestudents’employment.Rioprovideslearningopportuni-tiesforover50majorcorporations,militarybasesandgovernmentalagencies.

•Dualenrollmentsites(highschools)–RioSaladohasdualenrollmentprogramscounty-wideat53highschools.Theinstructertifiedhighschoolteachers.Studentsearnbothhighschoolandcollegecredit.Asaresult,commutingmileageiseliminatedforthisinstructionaldeliverymodal-ity.

•Incarceratedre-entry–RioSaladooperatesanoccupationaltrainingprogramthroughtheAri-zonaDepartmentofCorrectionsforinmates.Thetrainingconsistsofworkforce-basededucation(WBE)andlife-skillsinstruction.Thesestudentsdonotcreateanycommutingemissions.

TheGHGemissionsarecalculatedbythreesources(scopes):

Scope 1 Emissions

Defined-directemissionsoccurringfromsourcesownedorcontrolledbytheinstitution,includingstationaryandmobilecombustionandfugitiveandprocessemissions.

Manycollegesoruniversitiesowncentralpower,steam,chilledwater,orco-generationplants(fixedcombustion),butRioSalado’sprimaryScope1emis-sionsarethosegeneratedbythecollege’svehiclefleet(mobilecombustion).Therearenoprocessemissions(laboratory).Fugitiveemissions–leakageofrefriger-ant,arenotmeasured,butareassumedtobeinsig-nificant.TheRioSalado2007/2008annualScope1emissionstotaledanestimated72metrictonsofCO2e.

Scope 2 Emissions

Defined-indirectemissionsoccurringfrompurchasedelectricity,heating,cooling,orsteam.

RioSalado’s2007/2008Scope2emissionsconsistedofpurchasedelectricityonly,andtotaled4,046tons.

Scope 3 Emissions

Defined-indirectemissionsoccurringfrompurchasedsourcesnotownedorcontrolledbytheinstitution,includingstudentandstaffcommuting,airlinetravel,andsolidwaste.

RioSalado’sScope3emissionstotaled8,304tons,asfollows:

• Commuting 6,585

• AirTravel 594

• SolidWaste 1,125

TotalGHGemissionsforthe2007-2008fiscalyearwere12,422metrictonsofCO2e.TheaverageGHGemissionsof28communitycollegesnationwidethatreportedGHGinventoryresultswere22,842tons.WithaFTEstudentpopulationof13,709,andGHGemissionstotaling12,422tons,theRioSaladofootprintis.91tonsperstudentperyear.Thisratioisapproximately24%ofthenationalcom-munitycollegeaverageof3.84tonsperstudentperyear.

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Purc

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icity

Com

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ing

Air

trav

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Solid

was

te

53.0%

32.6%

0.6%

4.8%

9.1%

TOTAL EMISSIONS - 2008

Ascanbeseenbytheabovechart,only19.0%ofRioSaladoenrollmentsgenerateanysignificantcom-mutingemissions(In-person–11.1%andAdultBasicEducation(ABE)–7.9%).

2008-2009

The2008-2009fiscalyearcarbonauditisunderde-velopmentandwillbepublishedinOctober2009.

In-person 11.1%

Distance (online) 33.9%

ESP 29.8%

Dual Enrolled 13.6%

Incarcerated 3.6%

ABE 7.9%

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS - 2008

Page 9 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 8– Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan

Scope 3 Emissions

RioSaladohasimplementedmultipleinitiativestoreducecommutingmileage,including:

• MaricopaCountyTripReductionProgram:

» Carpoolingprogram:

› Registeredcarpoolers:Providesaccesstocarpoolbenefits

› Guaranteedrideshome:assuresregisteredcarpoolerswillgethomeifthedriverisn’tavailable

› Dedicatedpreferentialcarpoolparkingplaces:encouragescarpools

› Carpoolcoordination:collegeassistsfor-mationofpools

› Publicawareness:promotesthebenefitsofcarpooling

• WorkWeekReductionProgram:

» 4daysummerworkweeks:reducesstaffcom-mutingby20%

» Alternate4dayfall,winter,springworkweeks:reducesstaffcommutingby10%

• AlternativeWorkScheduleProgram:

» Telecommuting:substantiallyreducescom-muting

» Staggeredhours/flextime

• PublicTransitAssistance:

» SubsidizedBusPasses:Encouragesuseofpublictransit

» Publictransitdatabasetoassiststaffandstudentsinutilizingpublictransit:allowsstudentsandstafftoeasilydetermineroutesandschedules

GHG MitigationCurrent measuresPriortosigningtheACUPCC,RioSaladoandMCCCDbothhadinstitutedanumberofpracticesfocusedonreducingenergyuse,reducingGHGemissions,andadvancingothersustainabilitymeasures,allfocusedonthesustainabilitytriplebottomlineaspects:environmental,economic,andsocial.Theseincludeconservationofnaturalresources,educationofandoutreachtothecommunity,researchandoperatingcontinuity.TheClimateActionPlanwilladdressprimarilytheenvironmentalcomponent,buttheresultswillalsobenefittheothertwoaspects.

CurrentmeasuresfocusedonGHGemissionreductioninclude:

Scope 1 Emissions

SinceRioSaladodoesnotoperateon-sitepower,steam,orchilledwatercentralplants,andcarefullymonitorsfugitiverefrigerantemissions,theprimaryScope1emissions(72tonsin2008)arethosegenerat-edbyRioSalado’sserviceandcarpoolfleet.SincetheACUPCCImplementationDate,inSeptember,2007,RioSaladohasreplacedoldervehicleswithnewhighefficiencyhybridautomobiles,includingseveralToyotaPriushybridsandbi-fuel(ethanol/gasoline)ChevroletImpalas.

RioSaladoalsoutilizeslowornon-VOCemittingpaints,coatings,andcleaningsupplies,andinspectsHVACunitsregularlytoavoidrefrigerantleakage.

Scope 2 Emissions

Since2007,RioSaladohasadoptedanumberofpoli-ciesaimedatreducingkilowattusage,including:

•Reducedlightinglevels.Duringdaylighthours,mostperimeterofficesandworkspacesoperatewitheitherlightsofforwithonlyhalfthefluo-rescentlampson.Interiorspacesthatarelightlyoccupiedmaintainlowlightlevels

• Adjustedsetlevelsforairconditioning.Summerandlatespring/earlyfallairconditioninglevelsaresethigherthaninpreviousyears.Wintertemperaturesettingsarelower,toreduceheatingcosts

• Replacedmagneticballastswithelectronicbal-lastsandre-lampedfluorescentfixtureswithenergyefficientlamps.Inaddition,RioSaladohasreplacedanumberoffluorescentballastlampunitswithLEDlamps,forfurtherreductioninheatgenerationandenergyusage.

•Replacedthecoolingtowerinthelargestbuild-ing,withnewequipment,includingVariableSpeedDrivesonlargemotors.

• Installeddirectdigitalcontrol(DDC)energyman-agementsystemsinmostbuildings.

• Replacedwatersourceheatpumpunitswithnewerhigherefficiencyenergysavingunits,andestablishedprogressivemaintenancepolicies.

• Employedmanypowersavingandgreentech-nologyprogramstomanageandadministerthetechnologyenvironmentofthecollege;fromEnergy-starcompliantLCDmonitors,tothevirtu-alizationoftheserverenvironment.

• SolidWaste(recycling):Inordertoreducetheimpactofsolidwasteonlandfills,RioSaladoCollegeoperatesanextensiverecyclingprogramwithawiderangeofareas,including:

» Paperandcardboard:Riocontractswithacommercialvendortoacceptpapermaterialsforrecycling.Eachemployeeisfurnishedwithabluepaperrecyclingcontainerattheirofficeorworkstation,andthecontentsarecollectedandsoldtothecommercialvendor.

» ScrapMetal:Aluminum,steel,andcopperarecollectedandsoldtoalocalscrapmetalvendor,toberecycledandre-used.

» PlasticandGlass:Allplasticandglasscontain-ersaresortedandgiventotheCityofTempefortheirrecyclingprogram.

» Hazardousmaterials:Itemscontaininghazard-ousmaterialsorintegratedre-usablemetalsarerecycledthroughprogramsdedicatedtoproperre-useordisposal.Theseitemsincludebatteries,inkcartridges,lightfixturesandcom-puterequipment.

» Carpet:Usedcarpetisrecycledthroughanumberofcommercialsuppliers.

» Furnitureandequipment:RiobothdonatestoandreceivesfurnitureandequipmentfromaDistrictwidepoolfordistributionofuseditemstoavoiddiscardingunneeded,butstillserviceableitems.

Page 11 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 10 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan

whereinRiopartnerswithuniversities,otherMaricopacommunitycolleges,andavocationaltraininghighschooldistricttoprovide“one-stop”educationalopportunities.Thisconceptallowssharingoffacilitiesandextendedhoursofoperation,tooptimizetheuseofthesharedspaces;thus,reducingenergy,maintenance,andcommutingcosts.

• RioSaladoispartneringwithBrightenALife,acharitablenon-profit,CauseandEffectEvolutions,amarketingfirmandtheCityofPhoenixtoconstructandoperateagreencharterhighschool.Thetotalcostofconstructing,furnishingandequippingthebuildingsisbeingdonatedbylocalcontrac-tors,engineersandsuppliers.Thecharterhighschoolwillfocuson“greencollar”jobtrain-ing.ThebuildingsarebeingdesignedtobeLEEDplatinum.

Scope 3 Emissions

RioSalado’sScope3emissionsareprimarilythosegeneratedbystu-dentandstaffcommuting.WhiletheCollegehasnocontrolovereither,RioSaladohastakenmanystepstoencouragebothgroupstousealternativestocommutinginsingleoccupantvehicles(SOV).

• Carpooling:Futuremeasureswouldincludeincreasingeffortstoestablishmorecarpoolingopportunities,suchascoordi-natingparkandridelocationsforlong-distancecommutersor

future StrategiesScope 1 Emissions

RioSaladowillcontinuetore-placeoldergasoline-onlyvehicleswithfuelefficienthybridsorall-electricvehicles.

Scope 2 Emissions

BecauseallofRioSalado’sbuild-ingsareall-electric,thereisalargedegreeofpossibleimprovementinScope2emissions.Furtherplannedstrategiesinclude:

• ReplacefluorescentlampswithLEDlamps

• Re-commissionallbuildingsonaregularbasistoensureoptimumperformance.

• ImproveefficiencyofHVACsys-temsbyaddingVariableSpeedDrivesonallappropriatemotors.

• Addorreplaceobsoletemotionsensorstoturnlightsoffinunderusedareas.Theservingutilitieswillhelpanalyzeandre-commis-sionbuildingsystemsinordertoidentifyenergyreductionstrategies.

• Implementalternativerenewableenergyproductionmeasures,suchasphotovoltaicsolarsys-temsincorporatedintocoveredparkingstructures.

• Implementnewandimprovedinformationtechnologiestosup-portenergyandresourceconser-vationthroughouttheCollege’scomputingenvironment.

• RioSaladohasdevelopedtheconceptofa“Communiversity,”

providingfinancialcompensa-tiontocarpoolers.

• PublicTransit:ProvidefreeshuttlesfromtheRioSalado/MCCCDadministrativecom-plextothenewMetroLightRailstations.ThiseffortcanbeundertakeninconjunctionwiththeMCCCDandMaricopaCollegeFoundationbuildingswhichsharethesameblockasRioSalado’sTempesite.Alargeprivateemployeroccupiestheadjacentblockandisan-otherpotentialshuttlepartner.Theseorganizationscouldallworktogethertosupporttheshuttles.RioSaladoiscurrentlyinnegotiationwiththeCityofTempetoprovidean“Orbiter”municipalbusroutebetweentheRioSalado/MCCCDofficesandseverallightrailstations.

• Alternativecommutingmodes:Federallawnowrequiresemployerstoprovideaddedcompensationtoemployeeswhoridetheirbicyclestowork.RioSaladoisworkingwithMCCCDtodevelopprocedurestoprovidethiswhenrequested.RioSaladoalsoplanstoproviderechargeoutletsinparkinglotsforstaffandstudentswhodriverechargeableelectricvehicles.

• SolidWaste:RioSaladowillex-panditsrecyclingefforts.Thisincludesadoptingnewtechnol-ogiesastheyaredeveloped.

Duringthe2007/2008academicyear,

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RioSaladolaunchedamajorinitiativeinsupportoftheglobalsustainabilitymovement.RioSaladoisunalterablycommittedtodisseminatingitssus-tainabilityeffortsthroughouttheeducationalandbusinesscommunitieswithwhichitinteracts.Theseeffortsinclude:

PublicationsIn2008,theRioSaladoLeadershipteamoverseeingthesustainabilityfocusconductedapaneldiscus-siontopresentmorein-depthinformationaboutcollege-widegoalsandeffortstowardimplementingapositiveplanofaction.ThediscussionincludedthePresidentandaVicePresidentofRioSalado,Deans,AssociateDeansandFacultyChairperson.Thediscus-sionaddressedenvironmental,social,andeconomicsustainabilityandRio’seffortstoaddressthistriplebottomline.Thetextofthediscussionwasincludedinan8-pagepublicationandpostedontheRioSala-dowebsite.ItisincludedherewithasAppendix1.

Sustainable foods ProgramsRioSaladooffersbothOccupationalCertificateandAssociatesDegreesinsustainablefoodssystems.Thisincludes“seedstosupper”philosophies,cook-ingandhospitalityeducation,nutritionaleducation,utilizationoflocalresourcestoreducetransporta-tion,andothersustainableapproachestothefoodsandhospitalityindustries.AspartofthissustainablefoodsystemprogramRioSaladoisassumingop-erationalcontrolofitsfoodservice,whichconsistsoftheCafé@Rio.Theoperationwillfocusonlocalsustainablefoodproduction,reductionofenergyuse,composting,andwastereduction.

Sustainability and ecological literacy ProgramsRioSaladooffersanAcademicCertificateprograminSustainabilityandEcologicalliteracy.Thisprogramteachessustainablelivingpractices,skillsnecessarytobecomeecologicallyandenvironmentallyaware,ad-dressesenvironmentalethics,environmentalbiology,andcarbonfootprintreductionstrategies.

Green Industry PartneringRioSaladoisworkingwithrecognizedlocalgreenindustryorganizationstoconductnon-creditwork-shops,seminars,andotheractivitiestoincreasepublicawarenessofsustainabilityconcepts.Exam-plesare“GreenontheWeekend”–seminarsfocusedoncarbonfootprintreduction,homeretrofittingtoreduceenergyconsumption,useofsustainablebuild-ingmaterials,andotherstrategies.

Infusing Sustainability into Academic ProgramsRioSaladoisactivelyweavingsustainabilitythreadsintomanyoftheirexistingacademicandoccupation-alclasses.Foreignlanguageprograms,forexample,haveincorporatedsustainabilityconceptsandtermsintothecontentoftheclasses.Culinary,horticulture,business,leadership,andmyriadotherprogramshaveincluded“green”conceptsinthecurriculum.

maricopa Sustainability networking GroupTheMaricopaCenterforLearningandInstruction(MCLI)supports“DialogueDays,”anintercollegiateconferencecallthatsupportssystem-wideeffortstoinfusesustainabilityintothecurriculum.

“Pay 30 forward”IncelebrationofRioSalado’s30thanniversary,thePay30Forwardprogramfocusesonsocialsustainabilitybypromoting30,60,and90hourlevelsofpublicvolunteerservice.

America’s Greenest Campus ProjectRioSaladoparticipatesintheAmerica’sGreenestCampuscompetitionwhichfocusesonre-cycling,wastereduction,energyandcarbonfootprintreduc-tion,andotherenvironmentalsustainabilityefforts.

rio Salado College online Sustainability WebsiteAspartofRioSalado’swebsite,www.riosalado.edu,theCollegehasincludedasectiononSustainabilitythatincludes:

• “ThinkingGreen”andBeyond–apositionstatementregardingRioSalado’sapproachtosustainability

• RioSalado’sGreenCommitment–asummaryofRioSaladosustainabilityactionsandtheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresidentsClimateCommitment

• ParticipationinSustainability–Alistingofnationalsustainabilityinitiatives

• “Green”inAction–adiscussionofthebenefitsofon-linelearning,andactionsthatstudentsandstaffcantaketobesustainable–Reduce,Reuse,Recycle.

• LivingGreen–alistingofpartnershipswithlocalclearChannelradiostationsandsustain-abilitytips

• SustainabilityResources–Alistingofover25websitesandotherresourcestomakeadiffer-enceinsustainability.DirectionstotheMetroBusTripPlanner.

• “RethinkYourRubbish”Activity:-Alistof10actionstoreduceandrecycletrash.Reduce,Recycle,andRe-Use.

• FocustheNation,NationalTeach-In:RioSalado’sparticipationinnationalwebcastssup-portingsustainability.

Educational, Research, Community Outreach Efforts

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FinancingAchievingclimateneutralityisaveryexpensivegoal.Eventhoughitwillnotbeaccomplishedfordecades,thetotalcostwillbemillionsofdollars.ItwillbenecessarytoidentifymultiplesourcesoffundingbothwithinandoutsideRioSaladoandtheMCCCD.Therearefourmajorfundingsources:

• Collegeoperationalbudgets

• Collegecapitalbudgetsand/or2004GeneralObliga-tionBondsallocation

• Utilitycompanies’rebateprograms

• Donationsfromcontractors,engineersandsuppliers

College operational budgetsFundingformanyofthesmallerGHGreductionstrategieswillcomedirectlyfromnormalcollegeoperatingbudgets.Thesestrategiesinclude:

• ReplacingfluorescentlampswithLEDlamps.

• Addingorreplacingobsoletemotionsensorstoturnlightsoffinunderusedareas.

• PurchasingEnergy-starappliances.

• ComplyingwiththeCollege’sprogressivemainte-nanceprogramforallHVACequipmenttoensureoptimumoperatingefficiency.

• Re-commissioningallbuildingsonaregularbasistoensureoptimumperformanceofallbuildingsystems.

• Subsidizingbuspasses.

• Maintainingandexpandingthecurrentrecy-clingprogram.

College Capital budgetsCertaincapitalimprovementswouldrequirefundingfromRioSalado’scapitalbudgetsor2004GeneralOb-ligationbondsallocation.Thesecapitalimprovementswouldinclude:

• Collegevehicularfleetimprovements:replacementofolder,lessefficientvehicleswithnewermoreef-

ficienthybrids

• MajorHVACupgrades,suchaswholesalereplace-mentofindividualunitsorreplacementofmajorequipmentitems.

• Massivereplacementoffluorescentlightfixturebal-lastsandlampswithLEDlamps.

• Photovoltaicactivesolarinstallations.

Utility Company rebatesSeveraltypesofrebatesfromlocalutilitycompaniesexistinMaricopaCounty.ThetwoelectricutilitycompaniesservingRioSaladoareSaltRiverProject(SRP)andArizonaPublicSer-vice(APS).Eachcompanyhasthefollowingrebates:

• Energyefficiency

» APSGreenChoice

» SRPPowerWise

• Renewableenergyprojects

» APSGreenChoice

» SRPEarthWiseSolarEnergy

TheserebateprogramscouldprovidesomefundingfortheCollege’sfuturestrategiestobecomeclimateneutral.

Inaddition,eachcompanyhasaprogramwherecustomerscanpayalittleextratocontributetoarenewableenergyfundinordertodemonstratethattheirenergyisbeingprovidedfroma“green”source.Thesearebasicallyrenew-ableenergycredits(RECs).Asalastresort,buyingRECswouldallowtheCollegetoachieveitscommitmenttopurchase15%ofitspowerfromrenewableenergysources.

donationsMuchliketheprovenCauseandEffectEvolutions’method,RioSaladowillbeactivelyseekingcontributionsfromcon-tractors,engineersandsuppliers.Contributionsmaycon-sistofdonatedtimeand/ormaterialsordiscountedpricinginexchangeforthemediaexposurefromsolarprojectstohelpRioSaladobecomeoneofthefirsthighereducationinstitutionstoachieveclimateneutrality.

Tracking ProgressRioSaladoisimplementingmethodstotrackallaspectsofGHGemissionsonanongoingbasis,inordertomeasureprogresstowardclimateneutrality.Becausetheaccount-ingforthecollegeishandledbytheMCCCD,thetrackingmethodswillbenefitall10oftheMCCCDcommunitycol-leges.GHGemissiongeneratorstobetrackedare:

Scope 1 Emissions

RioSaladohasandwillcontinuetotracktotalannualconsumptionofgasolineforthefleet.

Scope 2 Emissions

RioSaladowillcontinuetotrackpowerconsumption,andwillinstituteaplantotrackeachbuildingsepa-rately,inordertomeasureprogressbyfacility.

Scope 3 Emissions

RioSaladowillincreaseeffortstoaccuratelydeter-mineactualstudentandstaffcommutingmiles,tripfrequency,andfuelefficiency.

GHG Audit Updating

TheGHGAuditcompletedinSeptember2008,whichtrackedemissionsforfiscalyear2007/2008willbeupdatedforfiscalyear2008/2009,andannuallythere-after.Theannualresultswillbetrackedandcomparedtoestablishtrendsforallemissions,andprovideaguidelinetowardclimateneutrality.

Page 17 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 16 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan

Climate NeutralityInorderforRioSaladotocalculateitsprojectedprogresstowardclimateneutrality,severalas-sumptionsmustbemade.Theannualassump-tionsare:

• MobileEmissions

ThemileagedrivenbytheCollege’sfleetwillnotchangeappreciably.Therefore,CO2ewillnotchange.

• Purchasedelectricity

» TotalpurchasedkWhwillincreaseatarateof2%.

» TotalpercentageofkWhfromrenew-ableenergysourceswillincreaseby12%.ThisincreasemaycomefromactualpowergeneratedbytheCollegeorthroughRECspurchasedfromthelocalutilityproviders.

• Commutingmileage

» Totalstudentcommutingmileagewillincreaseby3%.

» Totalemployeecommutingmileagewilldecreaseby4%.

Basedontheaboveassumptions,RioSaladowillreduceitsaveragecommutingmileageperFTEbynearly65%to420miles.

2030

2026

2022

2018

2014

2028

2024

2020

2016

2010

YEAR RENEWABLE ENERGY

2012

39% Renewable Energy

15% Renewable Energy

Basedontheaboveassumptions,RioSaladowillachieveits“two-monthreportingform”Ac-tion#5goalofusing15%renewableenergybytheyear2020.

2010

2014

2018

2022

2026

2012

2016

1200

1000

800

600

200

400

2020

2024

2030

2028YEAR

COM

MU

TIN

G M

ILEA

GE

per F

TE

Page 19 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 18 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan

• AirTravel

Mostinstructionoccursonlineoroff-sitethroughtheuseofadjunctfaculty.Airtravelwillnotchangeappreciablyasenrollmentsgrow.Therefore,CO2ewillnotchange.

• SolidWaste

AsrecyclingtechnologiesimproveandRioSaladoadoptsthesenewtechnologies,theCO2eperFTEwillactuallydecreaseslightly.

• Totalprojectedenrollmentswillincreaseasdetailedbelow.

Currently,RioSalado’s10-yearaverageannualgrowthis7.6%.Thisenroll-mentgrowthprojectionisbasedonanaverageannualgrowthrateof7%.

2010

2014

2018

2022

2026

2012

2016

60K

50K

40K

30K

10K

20K

2020

2024

2030

2028 YEAR

FTE

Basedontheaboveenumeratedassumptions,RioSaladowillhavereduceditscarbonfootprintby67%by2030.ThefollowingchartprojectsRioSalado’sprogresstowardthegoalofclimateneutrality.

2030

2026

2022

2018

2014

2028

2024

2020

2016

2010

YEAR

CO2e / FTE

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

2012

Appendix 1: Inside Rio, Volume 10 No.1 2008

Appendix 2: ACUPCC Two Month Reporting Form

Page X – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan Page X – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action Plan

Appendix 3: ACUPCC Reporting System Information

2008 GHG Report for Rio Salado CollegeHOME / GHG REPORT

Submitted on September 15, 2008; last updated on November 26, 2008

Summary StatisticsMaking fair comparisons between higher education institutions is always challengingdue to the rich diversity of higher education. The unverified nature of the informationin this database and unavailability of unbiased normalization metrics means suchcomparisons are even more difficult. Users should therefore approach directinstitution to institution comparisons with caution and recognize that all comparisonsbetween institutions are inherently biased.

TotalPer Full-TimeEnrollment

Per 1000SquareFeet

%Offset

Gross emissions (Scopes 1+ 2)

4,118metric tonsof CO2e

0.1 metrictons ofCO2e

16.8 metrictons ofCO2e

0%

Gross emissions (Scopes 1+ 2 + 3)

12,422metric tonsof CO2e

0.2 metrictons ofCO2e

50.7 metrictons ofCO2e

0%

Net emissions12,422metric tonsof CO2e

0.2 metrictons ofCO2e

50.7 metrictons ofCO2e

N/A

Emissions Inventory Methodology and BoundariesStart date of the 12-monthperiod covered in this report July 1, 2007

Consolidation methodologyused to determineorganizational boundaries

Operational control approach

If any institution-owned, leased, or operated buildings or other holdings thatshould fall within the organizational boundaries are omitted, briefly explainwhy.

N/A

Emissions calculation toolused Clean Air-Cool Planet

Please describe why this tool was selected.

Recommended by PCC

Please describe the source(s) of the emissions coefficients used.

CA-CP automatic calculations

Which version of IPCC's listof global warming potentialsdid you use?

No information provided.

Who primarily conductedthis emissions inventory? Sustainability office staff

Please describe the process of conducting the inventory.

Collection from many departments to gather consumption patterns, commuter

Which version of IPCC's listof global warming potentialsdid you use?

No information provided.

Who primarily conductedthis emissions inventory? Sustainability office staff

Please describe the process of conducting the inventory.

Collection from many departments to gather consumption patterns, commuterhabits, population statistics, etc.

Please describe any emissions sources that were classified as de minimisand explain how a determination of the significance of these emissions wasmade.

None

Please describe any data limitations related to this submission and anymajor assumptions made in response to these limitations.

None

Emissions DataEmissions from the following sources (in metric tons of CO2e)

Scope 1 Emissions

Stationary Combustion 0 metric tons of CO2e

Mobile Combustion 72 metric tons of CO2e

Process Emissions 0 metric tons of CO2e

Fugitive Emissions 0 metric tons of CO2e

Total Scope 1 emissions 72 metric tons of CO2e

Scope 2 Emissions

Purchased Electricity 4,046 metric tons of CO2e

Purchased Heating 0 metric tons of CO2e

Purchased Cooling 0 metric tons of CO2e

Purchased Steam 0 metric tons of CO2e

Total Scope 2 emissions 4,046 metric tons of CO2e

Scope 3 Emissions

Commuting 6,585 metric tons of CO2e

Air Travel 594 metric tons of CO2e

Solid Waste 1,125 metric tons of CO2e

Total Scope 3 emissions 8,304 metric tons of CO2e

Biogenic Emissions

Biogenic Emissions fromStationary Combustion No information provided.

Biogenic Emissions fromMobile Combustion No information provided.

Mitigation DataCarbon Offsets

Biogenic Emissions fromStationary Combustion No information provided.

Biogenic Emissions fromMobile Combustion No information provided.

Mitigation DataCarbon Offsets

Carbon offsets purchased 0 metric tons of CO2e

Offset verification program(s) No information provided.

Description of offsets purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)

None

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

Total RECs purchased 0 kWh

Percent of total electricityconsumption mitigatedthrough the purchase ofRECs

No information provided.

Emissions reductions due tothe purchase of RECs No information provided.

REC verification program(s) No information provided.

Description of RECs purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)

None

Sequestration and Carbon Storage

Sequestration due to landowned by the institution 0 metric tons of CO2e

Description of how sequestration was calculated

N/A

Carbon storage due tocomposting No information provided.

Normalization and Contextual DataBuilding Space

Gross square feet of buildingspace 244,831 sq ft

Net assignable square feet oflaboratory space 0 sq ft

Net assignable square feet ofhealth care space 0 sq ft

Net assignable square feet ofresidential space 0 sq ft

Population

Total Student Enrollment(FTE) 60,346

Residential Students 0

Full-time CommuterStudents No information provided.

The Office of the President• Dr.LindaThor,President

Administration• ChrisBustamante,VicePresident,CommunityDevel-

opment&StudentServices

• EdKelty,VicePresident,InformationServices

• ToddSimmons,VicePresident,BusinessandEm-ployeeServices

• Dr.VernonSmith,VicePresident,TeachingandLearning

• KishiaBrock,Dean,StudentServices

• Dr.JoJorgenson,Dean,CommunityDevelopment

• RickKemp,Dean,AcademicandPartnershipPro-grams

• SharonKoberna,Dean,AdministrativeandEmploy-eeServices

• BlairLiddicoat,Dean,AdultBasicEducation

• Dr.JamesPaluzzi,Dean,KJZZ/KBAQ/SunSounds

• DanaReid,Dean,CourseProductionSupport

• MaryRodes,Dean,SalesandMarketing

• RachelleClark,AssociateDean,StudentServicesandAdvisement,MATRepresentative

• MichaelCottam,AssociateDean,InstructionalDesign

• EarnestineHarrison,AssociateDean,Instruction

• RubyMiller,AssociateDean,AdmissionsandRecords

Faculty Chairs• MelanieAbts

• SueAdams

• JanineAdkins

• NicoleAlbo

• AngelaAmbrosia

• KirkBowden

• RonBurns

• PatCase

• ShannonCorona

• HazelDavis

• AngelaFelix

• JenniferFreed

• MaryHannaman

• JohnJensen

• JanetJohnson

• LizKaz

• TomLombardo

• CynthiaMaxson

• RobertSemmler

• KerrieSpecker

College Staff• InhyePeterson,PSAPresident

• VictoriaRosales,PTKStudentRepresentative

Appendix 4: Leadership Council Membership

space 244,831 sq ft

Net assignable square feet oflaboratory space 0 sq ft

Net assignable square feet ofhealth care space 0 sq ft

Net assignable square feet ofresidential space 0 sq ft

Population

Total Student Enrollment(FTE) 60,346

Residential Students 0

Full-time CommuterStudents No information provided.

Part-time CommuterStudents 10,252

Non-Credit Students No information provided.

Full-time Faculty 34

Part-time Faculty 1,100

Full-time Staff 452

Part-time Staff 0

Other Contextual Data

Endowment Size $29,804

Heating Degree Days No information provided.

Cooling Degree Days No information provided.

Please describe any circumstances specific to your institution that providecontext for understanding your greenhouse gas emissions this year.

No information provided.

Supporting DocumentationCompleted inventorynarrative

Rio Salado College Carbon Audit ResultsDownload (PCC Audit Final.pdf)

Completed inventorycalculator Download (PCC Calculator 2008 Only.xls)

Auditing and VerificationThese emissions data have been audited, verified, or peer-reviewed.

Please briefly describe this verification, if any.

Report was prepared by the Sustainability Officer who was hired specifically forthis audit.

2323West14thStreetTempe,AZ85281www.riosalado.edu