West Chester University

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021)

Achieved Silver status in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Reporting System (STARS) in 2020.
Heats and cools almost half of its buildings with geothermal energy; remaining buildings use high-efficiency natural gas boilers, resulting in greater energy efficiency and significant savings.

Received the 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
Launched the Real Achievement Matters (RAM) Initiative for students with intellectual disabilities.
Launched the Dub-C Autism Program to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Increased accessibility with single-occupancy, non-gender specific bathrooms, lactation rooms, and meditation/prayer spaces.
Established the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Increased resources for the Dowdy Multicultural Center.
Established the West Chester’s First Initiative to support first-generation college students.
Established the WCU Promise Program to support unaccompanied homeless and foster youth.
Established the WCU Resource Pantry to address food insecurity.
Increased graduate assistantships to support graduate students.
Launched the Student Emergency Aid Fund to support students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implemented a new mission statement in 2017.
Developed the Pathways to Student Success strategic plan.
Established the Budget Review Committee to promote transparency in budgeting.
Created the Office of Sustainability.
Created the position of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
Reorganized Academic Affairs to improve efficiency and equity in resource allocation.
Implemented a comprehensive and systematic process for the assessment of student learning (ASL).

Medium-term Goals:

Short-term Goals:

Decreasing state investment in public university systems.
Rising levels of student debt.
Demographic changes leading to an oversupply of colleges in some regions.
COVID-19 pandemic.
Racial and gendered equity gaps in access to the university and student success.
Underemployment of Black and LatinX faculty.
Need to improve student preparation for constructive discussions on difficult topics.
Need to increase transparency about non-union complaint resolution.
Need to increase clarity about the fee structure and total costs of attending college.
Need to develop new strategies to make progress on carbon neutrality goals.
Need to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on planning and resource allocation.

Implemented a strategic enrollment management plan.
Increased graduate enrollment.
Expanded operations in Philadelphia and at Delaware County Community College.
Refunded a portion of student housing, meals, and other expenses due to COVID-19.
Enhanced technology loaner program during COVID-19.
Established the Student Emergency Aid Fund.
Implemented an alternative grading policy during COVID-19.
Developed protocols for in-person and remote instruction during COVID-19.
Provided additional training for faculty and staff on online instruction.
Created the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Increased resources for diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Implemented the URM Task Force to address the achievement gap for African American men.
Established the Faculty Ombudsperson to address faculty concerns.
Implemented the Campus Climate Intervention Team to address acts of intolerance.
Developed a comprehensive plan for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Implemented a financial aid leveraging model to increase access to education.

Frameworks Used: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Certifications: Quality Matters (QM) Online Teaching Support certification