2008 Leadership Academy Sustainability Project

B-Green GroupPeg Balachowski - Ronna DeLaVergne

Kathleen Koss - Belle Nishioka - Cindi Turner

June 13, 2008

Presidents’ Climate Commitment

It’s not easy being green…

It’s about change…

“Change your thoughts and you change the world.”

» Norman Vincent Peale, 1898 - 1993

It’s about change…

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

»Mahatma Gandhi, 1869 - 1948

What Is EvCC’s Role in Sustainability?

Environmental Sustainability Is

The ability to meet the needs of today’s people and environment without compromising the needs of subsequent generations.

A process that maintains and enhances economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural and social environment.

As a public institution:

• We have an ethical and civic obligation to safeguard a critical public resource;

• We have a duty to establish physical environments and organizational practices conducive to student learning and the health, well-being, and effectiveness of all people within the college community.

What Can We Do?

Initial Steps 1. Develop and

institute a formal policy addressing sustainability

2. Join with others involved in sustainability

A Sustainability Policy • Community Relations

• College Operations

• Ongoing Implementation

Community Relations

EvCC will be committed to playing a constructive and collaborative role in the life of surrounding community.

College OperationsEvCC will integrate the values of sustainability, stewardship and resource conservation into our interactions with our physical environment.

Ongoing ImplementationIntegrate sustainability criteria into budgeting, facilities and land-use practices, administrative reviews and promotion.

Encourage participation in sustainability programs among community, students, staff and administration.

What are the Benefits of a

Sustainability Policy?

$ Money in the Bank $$ Finding ways to cut energy consumption not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also saves money. $

Student Recruitment and Enrollment

Students, even more than the general public, tend to rank the environment as an important issue.

Rotary Club scholarship winners: young, green visionaries (05/29/08)

New Program Title:

Environmental Science Technology

“We need a broad, multi-disciplinary program that incorporates environmental science, natural sciences, soils testing, wetlands restoration and ecology, conservation, sustainable practices, etc.”

Alumni and Donor Interest

Sustainability programs may provide a new tool for fundraising.

Community RelationsLeadership in sustainability can result In:

• New community collaborations and involvement.

• Improved relationships with the local community by reducing environmental impact of campus operations.

Health and ProductivityCampus “greening” efforts often have positive effects on occupant health and productivity that maximize worker health and comfort.

Educational Value

Sustainability programs provide opportunities for students and staff to engage in one of the most prominent and far-reaching scientific and public policy issues affecting contemporary society.

Congruent with Campus Values

Green initiatives generally receive popular support among campus community members:

In 2001/02 a National Wildlife Federation survey revealed that approximately 50% of college presidents said that sustainability programs are either good for public relations or a good fit with the culture and values of American campuses.

Join others in the sustainability movement

Presidents’ Climate Commitment

What is the American College & University Presidents’ Climate

Commitment?

This consortium is garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education.

What Does It Do?– Provides a framework and support for

America’s colleges and universities to go climate neutral

– Addresses responsibility– Pledges a commitment to a better future

What They are Doing

• Completing an emissions inventory.

• Within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.

• Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions.

• Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience.

• Making the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available

Who Is Getting Involved ?

• Bainbridge Graduate InstituteGifford Pinchot, President*

• Bellevue Community CollegeB. Jean Floten, President

• Cascadia Community CollegeWilliam Christopher, President*

• Central Washington University Jerilyn S. McIntyre, President

• Centralia College James Walton, President

• Eastern Washington UniversityRodolfo Arévalo, President

• Lake Washington Technical CollegeL. Michael Metke, President

• Olympic College David C. Mitchell, President

• Pacific Lutheran University Loren J. Anderson, President*

• Seattle UniversityStephen V. Sundborg, President

• Shoreline Community CollegeLee D. Lambert, President

• The Evergreen State CollegeThomas L. Purce, President*

• University of Puget SoundRonald R. Thomas, President*

• University of WashingtonMark A. Emmert, President*

• University of Washington BothellSteven G. Olswang, Interim Chancellor*

• University of Washington TacomaPatricia Spakes, Chancellor

• Washington State University (4 institutions)Elson S. Floyd, President

• Western Washington UniversityKaren Morse, President*

• Whatcom Community CollegeKathi Hiyane-Brown, President

• Whitworth UniversityWilliam P. Robinson, President

* Members of the Leadership Circle - signatories who have agreed to help lead the initiative, promote it, and recruit colleagues to join.

505 College Presidents to date Including these from Washington State:

Who Is Getting Involved ?

• Bainbridge Graduate InstituteGifford Pinchot, President*

• Bellevue Community CollegeB. Jean Floten, President

• Cascadia Community CollegeWilliam Christopher, President*

• Central Washington University Jerilyn S. McIntyre, President

• Centralia College James Walton, President

• Eastern Washington UniversityRodolfo Arévalo, President

• Lake Washington Technical CollegeL. Michael Metke, President

• Olympic College David C. Mitchell, President

• Pacific Lutheran University Loren J. Anderson, President*

• Seattle UniversityStephen V. Sundborg, President

• Shoreline Community CollegeLee D. Lambert, President

• The Evergreen State CollegeThomas L. Purce, President*

• University of Puget SoundRonald R. Thomas, President*

• University of WashingtonMark A. Emmert, President*

• University of Washington BothellSteven G. Olswang, Interim Chancellor*

• University of Washington TacomaPatricia Spakes, Chancellor

• Washington State University (4 institutions)Elson S. Floyd, President

• Western Washington UniversityKaren Morse, President*

• Whatcom Community CollegeKathi Hiyane-Brown, President

• Whitworth UniversityWilliam P. Robinson, President

• Everett Community CollegeDavid Beyer, President

* Members of the Leadership Circle - signatories who have agreed to help lead the initiative, promote it, and recruit colleagues to join.

505 College Presidents to date Including these from Washington State:

How About EvCC!

http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/html/commitment.php