There are multiple factors that could be taken into account to judge how “green” a campus is, but I believe if an assessment was to be done, it would have reflect the organizational structure of higher education establishment, and the all the people who are involved needs. Currently, there are multiple assessments for colleges to use, but the most effective and transparent one I have found would be the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). Currently, 130 college campuses are participating STARS program, and each campus is able to share their assessment rating and give input for learning and collaboration. Based off the STARS assessment, there would be several broad topics that would be evaluated: Campus background info, education and research, administration and finance, and operations.
A key aspect of the STARS evaluation is the collecting of background data. Here the information would allow collaboration and goal setting with schools with similar backgrounds. Data such as population, community type, campus space, and financial info, allow the AASHE (organization that created the STARS assessment) better understand how certain characteristics affect sustainability.
Education and Research
With the STARS evaluation schools are raked on academic curriculum, co-curricular education and staff development and training, and research. The evaluation of education and research is a crucial aspect to learning and performing on green issues; this could make a deep impact by granting knowledge and having the ability to research potential goals. Here students and staff alike are given the opportunity to share of knowledge and engage in sustainable activities.
Shasta Community College has set an example in sustainable development and has provided variety courses to educate its community on renewable energy. Two renewable energy programs have been emplaced to give people the training for Photovoltaic Solar and Wind-Generation Technology. These high demand trades are equipping students and colleges with the ability to be the difference. Dependence solely on nonrenewable energy is not only irresponsible, but they are technologies which are outdated. sBy having educational institutions instilling of sustainability into their curriculum, not only would students and staff would be able learn of “green” methods, but in time would help create a new social norm.
Operations
Everything from the Buildings, Dining Services, Energy services, Energy and Climate, Grounds, Materials Recycling and Waste Minimization, Purchasing
(“Green” products or environmentally friendly products) and transportation are inspected and graded.
This part of the rating system could be simply stated as management of resources. Determining how “green” our campus operates reflects the school’s consumption and what it dose with its byproducts (whether that be recycled or land filled). If our school would simply recycle it would have a great impact that would ripple through out the world socially, economically and environmentally. According to the UC annual sustainability report, ”All ten campuses have met the goal of diverting at least 50 percent of municipal waste from being sent to landfills, and five campuses have already achieved a 70 percent diversion rate.” Collectively the whole UC system has chosen to set standards and benchmarks when it comes to operating recycling and reducing landfill waste. UC Davis since1985 has had Project Recycle which organized and implemented of recycle bin collection by students. According to the Davis’ Sustainable 2nd Century website, the 67 percent of waste is currently being diverted from landfills. It is not just the UC system that’s taking action, Orange Coast College has a full running recycling center that is open to the public.
Administration
This point of the “green” evaluation we would be looking at our infrastructure and investment management. Everything from creating a Sustainability Committee, setting goals, and building community relationships would to be the glue to the mission. Individuals and small groups could plan all they want, but without organization and steady funding, school-wide goals would never hold; It is most essential to have everyone involved and on the same page. Many schools have formed Committees and created action plans to present current data of consumption, and presented benchmarks to be targeted. In 2010, UCR created a compressive Climate Action Plan, that illustrated campus energy usage, estimated carbon emissions, and gave clear Reduction Measures. The dense plan really helped the committee gain a solid foothold on making a difference in the terms of sustainability and allowed everyone to see where the school stood.
In addition to the STARS evaluation, I would I would also include things like amount of trees and foliage on campus, native species, and edible landscaping.
http://www.shastacollege.edu/cms.aspx?id=6821
http://sustainability.ucdavis.edu/news/2011/january/waste_reduction.html
http://rs.acupcc.org/site_media/uploads/cap/379-cap_1.pdf
http://www.orangecoastcollege.edu/about_occ/facilities/recycling_center/
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment