CUNY Master Plan 2012-2016

THE CUNY MASTER PLAN 2012-2016
CUNY, a broad program composed of three key pillars: the CUNY Sustainability Project, citywide Sustainable
Energy projects, and CUNY SustainableWorks.
CUNY Sustainability Project
In June 2007, Chancellor Goldstein accepted Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC “30 in 10” University
Challenge to reduce carbon emissions on its campuses by 30 percent by 2017. The CUNY Sustainability
Project was established to respond to this challenge and a core team formed to help each campus
create a 10-year sustainability plan. As part of this project, CUNY colleges also responded to New
York State Executive Order Number 4 calling for state agencies to green their procurement management,
enhance recycling and waste management, and develop a sustainability plan. This project seeks
to integrate sustainable practices into CUNY’s operations, curriculum, and research and by partnering
with civic and business leaders, to establish CUNY as a leader in areas that fall under the rubric of
sustainability.
The campus plans identified over 800 actions to implement by 2017. At the end of 2011, CUNY had
already reduced its emissions by 19 percent, more than halfway to its goal of 30 percent. PlaNYC, through
the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), reserved $30 million dollars for CUNY
infrastructure projects, with a $30 million dollar match from New York State, to be distributed by 2017.
As of December 2011, $19,293,000 had been allocated for projects, including funds for energy audits at the
community colleges.
Many degree programs now include sustainability components, and more than 100 continuing education
classes cover various sustainability topics. Through the Green Energy Training program at the Center
for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College, hundreds of students have been trained in solar
system design and installation, home energy auditing, and geothermal technologies. Solar teaching labs
at Bronx and LaGuardia Community Colleges and Medgar Evers College will ensure that CUNY can meet
the demand for green jobs and that clean technology is being piloted at the campuses.
Looking toward 2017, all new CUNY construction projects will continue to seek LEED Silver certification
or higher. The rooftops of most of CUNY’s buildings have been assessed for their potential to host
solar power, with a dozen put forward as potential sites. Further, two large solar installations at LaGuardia
and Borough of Manhattan Community Colleges, when completed, will further increase the use of renewable
energy at CUNY. By 2013, all campuses will have had a full energy audit, providing the colleges with
the documentation needed to secure additional funding for projects that will reduce emissions.
Sustainable Energy
In 2007, Sustainable CUNY was named the lead of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar America City
Partnership for New York City. Partnering with the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the
Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, Con Edison, and others, Sustainable CUNY is
working to strengthen and enable the solar market by addressing the barriers to using solar energy, and
expanding workforce and economic development initiatives.
86