Policy for Unengaged ACUPCC Institutions
Effective March 15, 2010
Updated October 12, 2010
Background: As described in the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), signatory institutions agree to submit the following reports publicly as outlined and determined by their implementation start date:
- Implementation Profile within two months of the start date;
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory within one year of the start date;
- Climate Action Plan within two years of the start date;
- Updated Greenhouse Gas Inventory within three years of the start date and every other year thereafter;
- Progress Report on the Climate Action Plan within four years of the start date and every other year thereafter.
Institutions that do not submit reports by the deadlines (or by the deadline of a granted extension) are designated as not being in good standing with the Commitment until those reports are submitted.
Policy: When an ACUPCC institution fails to submit three consecutive reports within the designated reporting schedule — i.e. when they have three reports past due at the same time — they will be deemed as unengaged from the ACUPCC network and removed from the signatory list.
Rationale: Removal of unengaged signatory institutions from the ACUPCC network is necessary to ensure the integrity of the Commitment for those institutions that are engaged with the network and making good faith efforts to fulfill the Commitment. Ongoing, active participation in the network is necessary for the network to fulfill its purpose as a learning community and an agent of societal advancement.
Grace period: For signatory institutions that have been deemed unengaged, there will be a three-month grace period, providing those institutions the opportunity to engage with the network by submitting at least one of the three past due reports. Any institution that has three reports past due at the end of their grace period will be removed from the ACUPCC network and their names will be taken off the website.
Efforts to engage ACUPCC institutions: The ACUPCC Steering Committee and the ACUPCC support team, led by Second Nature, will make every reasonable effort possible to assist ACUPCC institutions in becoming and remaining engaged with the network, including taking the following actions:
- An email alert is sent to the president and implementation liaison (if listed) each time a reporting deadline is missed.
- The ACUPCC support team calls the office of the president after two reporting deadlines have been missed.
- A certified letter from the Co-Chairs of the ACUPCC Steering Committee is sent to the president after the third consecutive reporting deadline has been missed.
