Documents/Resources

Sustainability Assessment 2006

With an annual operating budget of $1.88 billion, educating nearly 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students per year, employing approximately 8,000 and ranked among the best universities in the United States, the University of Virginia has a compelling impact on the economy, environment and society. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University prides itself on academic leadership, civic responsibility, self-governance and stewardship of the University Grounds and Academical Village.

Within this context of responsibility, UVA has the opportunity to address sustainability through reversing environmental degradation, repairing social inequity and building a strong economy. The UVA Sustainability Assessment was developed to appraise the state of the University's policies, culture and operations as related to principles and actions that support sustainability. The assessment process engaged more than 200 University members through introductory workshops, online surveys, interviews and research.

Download the complete Sustainability Assessment 2006 (PDF).

Blue, Orange and Green

An article on the growing environmental sensibility on Grounds, featured in Virginia, the alumni magazine.

Read the complete Blue, Orange and Green.

Faculty Senate Resolution on Climate Commitment March 2008

Resolution on Climate Commitment introduced by Malcolm Bell and William Keene and adopted by the Faculty Senate on March 11, 2008.

Download the Resolution (PDF).

Guidelines for Sustainable Buildings and Environmental Design

Included in the mission of the Office of the Architect is to provide physical planning and architectural services for the University, which also includes environmental stewardship, community outreach and expert professional services. The Office seeks to ensure an integrated approach toward the long term sustainability and management of UVA's architectural, environmental, cultural and land resources in support of the strategic objectives of the University. A valuable first step towards a sustainable future is the Office's work in developing cooperative relationships with both academic and administrative departments who will share similar approaches to sustainability.

Download the complete Guidelines for Sustainable Buildings and Environmental Design (PDF).

SPeAR Assessment

The new 2008 Grounds Plan will strive to promote progressively higher standards for sustainable planning and design, providing flexibility in achieving sustainability goals through the most technologically and economically feasible means. While the 2008 Grounds Plan presents a vision and guidance for University development over the next twenty or more years, UVa is actively involved with implementing sustainability programs in the present. UVa is utilizing the SPeAR (Sustainability Project Appraisal Routine) sustainability framework tool designed by ARUP, the global firm of engineers, planners, designers and business consultants. This tool was developed to allow continuous assessment in four major areas: natural resources, environment, social and economic, that broadly reflect the three major categories used in the triple bottom line of equity, economy and environment. The four quadrants represent specific issues identified within the United Nations' Brundtland Commission report, "Our Common Future", a basis for sustainability programs for local authorities around the world. It is intended that the SPeAR assessment process be coupled with the annual management objectives cycle at UVA and updated accordingly.

The SPeAR assessment is based on a seven-point scale, shown here in the exemplary diagram. Areas of strength are indicated by dark green segments close to the center of the perimeter, designated by the number "3" and areas of weakness are indicated by dark red segments around the perimeter designated by the number "-3". This enables trade-offs between indicators when specific alternative actions are compared. The baseline assessment establishes the current sustainable strategies implemented at UVa. The assessment identifies strengths, weaknesses, gaps and opportunities, which provide a starting point to track UVa's performance and to identify proposed improvements.

Download a sample SPeAR Assessment Diagram (PDF).