Campus Policies and Guidelines
Sustainable Construction and Renovation Policy
The Sustainable Construction and Renovation Policy (SCRP) was originally adopted on March 5, 2021, with the first revision completed on May 10, 2024. Skidmore's McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center was the first major project advanced under the SCRP.
Purpose
Skidmore will continue to invest in buildings and other infrastructure to meet our community’s needs and achieve our aspirations. However, we also acknowledge that campus growth may appear to be at odds with our commitment to sustainability. As we continue to develop campus and pursue projects that are critical to enhancing a high-quality college experience, we must do so in a way that mitigates the negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of constructing and operating new infrastructure.
The Sustainable Construction and Renovation Policy informs decisions regarding the design, construction, and operation of our future built environment. The policy specifies both required and discretionary guidelines. This flexibility allows Skidmore to make strategic, data-driven decisions that balance sustainable infrastructure investments with budgetary limitations. The standards and guidelines outlined will guarantee that future campus development aligns with our institutional values, including health and well-being, justice and equity, environmental stewardship, and fiduciary responsibility. By following this policy, Skidmore will expand our living lab infrastructure, serve as a model for responsible campus development, and become more resilient to the effects of climate change.
Download the Sustainable Construction and Renovation Policy PDF
Purchasing Guidelines
Download the Purchasing Guidelines PDF
Skidmore College believes our procurement decisions should match our institutional values and commitment to sustainability and responsible citizenship. We recognize that every purchase has an environmental and social impact, and we are committed to making procurement decisions that are environmentally and socially responsible and support a thriving local economy. Our commitment extends across product categories, including paper, IT/Electronics, Fleet Vehicles, and Cleaning Products.
Office Paper
All office printing paper will meet or exceed 30 percent post-consumer recycled content or will be Forest Stewardship Council MIX certified. Each office is responsible for adhering to this policy, and the College’s WB Mason account settings will direct users to products that meet these criteria.
Janitorial Paper Products
All janitorial paper products, including paper towels and bathroom tissue, will be made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content or will be Forest Stewardship Council, Green Seal, or UL ECOLOGO certified.
Skidmore College will give preference to electronics or appliances that are Energy STAR certified or meet or exceed EPEAT Gold certification standards when economically feasible. Qualifying electronics include desktop and notebook/laptop computers, displays, thin clients, tablets/slates, televisions and imaging equipment (copiers, digital duplicators, facsimile machines, mailing machines, multifunction devices, printers and scanners).
Skidmore College will consider alternative-fueled vehicles when making all fleet vehicle purchases. Skidmore will give preference to hybrid or alternative-fueled vehicles when economically feasible. Alternative-fueled vehicles include:
- Gasoline-electric hybrid;
- Diesel-electric hybrid;
- Plug-in hybrid;
- 100 percent electric (including electric assist utility bicycles and tricycles);
- Fueled with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG);
- Hydrogen fueled;
- Fueled with B20 or higher biofuel for more than four months of the year; or
- Fueled with locally produced, low-level (e.g. B5) biofuel for more than four months of the year (e.g. fuel contains cooking oil recovered and recycled on campus or in the local community). (AASHE STARS 2.1, 2016)
Skidmore College gives preference to Green Seal or UL ECOLOGO certified cleaning products, providing that these products meet all required performance standards and are economically feasible.
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that includes frameworks to certify energy efficient buildings and products, and Portfolio Manager, an online tool to benchmark the energy and water performance of buildings.
EPEAT
EPEAT is a certification for computers and other electronic products. The standard’s evaluation criteria include energy efficiency, reduction and elimination of environmentally sensitive materials, materials selection, design for end-of-life, product longevity and life cycle extension, end-of-life management, corporate performance, and packaging characteristics. EPEAT currently registers products in 41 countries and regions.
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-profit organization that protects forests for future generations. FSC Chain-of-Custody certification traces the path of products from forests through the supply chain, verifying that FSC-certified material is identified or kept separated from non-certified material throughout the chain. FSC Forest Management certification confirms that a specific area of forest is being managed in line with the FSC Principles and Criteria.
UL ECOLOGO
The UL Environment ECOLOGO program certifies products, services and packaging for reduced environmental impact. ECOLOGO Certifications are voluntary, multi-attribute, lifecycle based environmental certifications that meet the ISO 14024 standards for eco-labeling.
(AASHE STARS Technical Manual, 2016)
