Butte-Glenn Community College District 2008 Campus Sustainability Leadership Award Application
Category
Community Colleges & Other Two Year Institutions
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| Learning Resource Center at Butte Community College Photographer: Butte College Public Relations |
Contact
Michael Miller
Director of Facilities Planning & Management
Facilities Planning & Management
Butte-Glenn Community College District
Oroville, CA
(530) 895-2381
millermi@butte.edu
Governance & Administration
Butte-Glenn Community College District is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), and has partnered with California State University Chico on the American Democracy Project. The ADP is a state university and community college effort to increase civic engagement in sustainability awareness from young adults. A staff position, the Sustainability Projects Assistant has been created and funded through proceeds from the most recent Sustainability Conference hosted by Butte-Glenn Community College District. A Sustainability Committee has adopted the issue of Energy and Sustainability as one of the five campus-wide Strategic Initiatives.
Our president, Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg, signed the American College & University President's Climate Commitment as a means of showing the administration's unwavering commitment to meeting our goals in sustainability and energy management.
Operations
With the largest transportation system in the community college system of California, Butte College maintains ten biodiesel capable buses in its fleet. The transportation system increased its ridership by 20% by expanding bus service to eight different routes throughout Chico, Oroville, Paradise and surrounding towns. Over 300 carpool spaces exist as incentives for students.
The campus acts as its own water and waste treatment facility. Recycled tires were used to resurface the athletic track, and are currently used at the police academy firing range. The Food Services department participates in recycling and composting efforts on campus. Waste diversion on campus exceeds 55%.
Five new buildings completed between 2002 and 2009 will meet US Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards in order to maximize efficiency, natural and recycled materials and siting. The District is in the process of campus-wide projects to upgrade the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) units, as well as explore the use of hydrogen and solar energy.
Solar energy currently provides 28% of the campus' total energy, and has resulted in $300,000 in avoided energy costs. The District is currently in the planning stages for Phases II and III of additional solar projects.
Curriculum & Research
Butte-Glenn Community College District currently offers thirty-eight Sustainability Courses in eighteen different departments. A campus-wide Sustainability Curriculum assessment survey was distributed in order to assist in the development of Associate Degrees and Certificate Programs in the field of Sustainability.
The Facilities Planning & Management department conducted a solar installation training in partnership with California State University, Chico and Chico Electric as a means of teaching the community about the process.
Workshops covering Renewable Energy Technology, Composting, Sustainable Agriculture, and Green Building Techniques are offered to the campus community. A goal of achieving a Zero Energy Footprint by 2015 cannot be accomplished without educating the campus community.
The Sustainability Resource Center was established to offer the campus community information and an opportunity to get involved with efforts on campus and at home. In addition, the Student Alliance for Sustainability was formed through Associated Students, Students in Free Enterprise, Phi Theta Kappa, and Friends of the Refuge.
Events such as Sustainable Living Day, Energy Awareness Fair, Earth day Festival, New York TimesSustainability Essay Contest, Sustainability Projects Contest, and various film series and workshops engage the students outside the classroom, while incorporating the lessons being taught within the curriculum.
Campus Culture
The Student Alliance for Sustainability was formed through Associated Students, Students in Free Enterprise, Phi Theta Kappa, and Friends of the Refuge as a means of supporting individual efforts toward creating a campus culture of sustainability awareness. As a Grand Prize winner of the National Wildlife Federations' Chill Out: Solutions to Global Warming2008 Contest, the campus is proud to host events such as the Energy Awareness Fair, Campus Sustainability Day, Focus the Nation, the Earth Day Festival, Bio Tour, and Greendance Film Festival. Co-hosting the This Way to SustainabilityConference with CSU Chico is another way in which Butte College tries to create a culture of awareness coupled with action.
With 928 acres of land being used as a dedicated wildlife refuge, the campus community is actively engaged in efforts to maintain the integrity of the wildlife community.
Community Service and Outreach
One unit of credit is offered through Interdisciplinary 94. This credit may be earned by starting or participating in a sustainability project on campus or in the community, encouraging students to look beyond the classroom for service learning opportunities. Hosting the third annual Sustainability Conference at Butte-Glenn Community College District, as well as co-hosting the This Way to SustainabilityConference with CSU Chico has cemented our role as an educator and leader in sustainability efforts. The Sustainability Library acts as a resource center for the entire community to educate themselves about what our campus is doing, as well as efforts individuals and businesses can make in their own endeavors.
Our Director of Facilities Planning & Management, Michael Miller, is a member on the Advisory to the California Community College Investor Owned Utilities (CCC-IOU), Green Technology, and works with CSU Chico on a variety of outreach programs.
