Six Foundation Steps towards Campus Sustainability

Yan Wang, Ha Hoang, Dennis MilechinApril 22th, 2009

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

The goal of establishing a sustainability plan is gaining momentum in colleges and universities throughout North America.

This campus sustainability movement however is not only still undergoing refinement, but is also unique to the nature of a college campus.

In addition there is a need to provide campus administrators and faculty with a generalized plan of action.

IssuesIssues

To develop a six step plan that any college or university can follow to reach campus sustainability efficiently.

Six Step PlanSix Step Plan

Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability Committee

Immediate Policies

Action Plan

Implement Action Plan

Modify Action Plan

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 1: Commitment to Sustainability To demonstrate the determination publicly of going green and helps to get support from the campus community

Step 2: Sustainability Committee To be in charge of all sustainability actions and issues on campus such as incorporating departments and organizations

Step 3: Immediate Policies To provide quick responses to the commitment.

Step 4: Action Plan To provide a guide for a campus to reduce their impact on environment and achieve their goals

Step 5: Implement Action PlanTo put the developed action plan into practice

Step 6 : Modify the Action Plan To modify the action plan to make the plan more complete and work more efficiently

Step 1: Commitment Step 1: Commitment to Sustainabilityto Sustainability

“Public Declaration of Commitment to Environmental Protection and Serves as Frame Work for Decision Making and Goals”(Sarah Hammond Creighton)

Commitment greatly increases the likelihood that actual actions will be taken.

Step 2: Sustainability Step 2: Sustainability CommitteeCommitteeTask of a Committee: to implement the commitment, develop specific goals under the framework and promote commitment all over campus

Structure and Membership of A Committee: representatives from all sectors of the campus community. This allows for good communication

Influence of The Committee: empowered by top administrators the capability to guide and oversee implementation of school’s commitment

Step 3: Immediate Step 3: Immediate PoliciesPolicies

Importance: a way for campus show the determination while an action plan is being conduct, it is not ultimate solution to resolve campus’ environmental issues

Characteristics :

No time consuming,

Most likely will not be changed after taking inventory

Easy, cheap to implement.

Step 4: Action PlanStep 4: Action Plan

Identify Possible Solutions

Identify Possible Solutions

Identify Problem

Areas

Identify Problem

Areas

Analyze Data

Analyze Data

Take Inventory of

Campus

Take Inventory of

CampusStartStart

Create/ Modify Action

Plan

Create/ Modify Action

Plan

Set Targets and Goals

Set Targets and Goals

Step 5 and 6: Step 5 and 6: Implement & Modify Implement & Modify the Action Planthe Action PlanTo demonstrate progress.

To identify new problem areas.

To implement new sustainability solutions.

These six foundation steps for a campus sustainability master plan are for a college or university that is in the early stages of developing a sustainability program.

More research needs to be done, on the master plan development, to fully establish how a college or university can become sustainable

ConclusionConclusion

AcknowledgementAcknowledgementProfessor Frederick Hart, Professor Guillermo F. Salazar

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