Sustainability Remains a Top Priority on Campus

Considerable progress has been made during current academic year

WOOSTER, Ohio - Sustainability continues to be a top priority at The College of Wooster where "green" ideas are sprouting all across campus.

This past year, for example, the sustainability committee has worked to enhance cross-campus communication by posting information on a dedicated web page as well as a blog. It has also proposed a fund to provide seed money for sustainability initiatives, and provided support for student-run groups like the Community Bike Program and Greenhouse (a student organization designed to bring an environmental and sustainable consciousness to the campus community). In addition, a recent gift from an alumna led to the development of a competition that attracted several award-winning ideas, including placing racks in laundry areas to reduce the use of machine dryers and a renewed emphasis on separating trash from recyclable materials. Other initiatives include the implementation of a new recycling program, the integration of sustainability goals into the regular operations of the campus garden and WooCorps, and the development of a sustainable living option for students.

"One of the goals of the sustainability committee is to coordinate and support the projects that come from all parts of the campus community - from non-academic departments to students, faculty, and other staff members," said Susan Clayton, professor of psychology and environmental studies at Wooster. "It seems as though everyone has ideas about how the College can reduce its environmental footprint."

Visibility has also been enhanced through involvement in a panel discussion on "Sustainability at the College of Wooster" at an event organized by the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network; an exploration of possible participation in the President's Climate Commitment; and the sponsorship of a booth at The Ohio State University Scarlet, Green, and Grey Fair.

Looking ahead, the group plans to work on four primary goals in the coming year: (1) reducing energy use on campus in collaboration with the Energy Saving Performance Contract Initiative by setting specific goals for the amount of energy to be reduced; (2) promoting the use of green design in the Campus Center and other new construction; (3) investigating alternative energy sources on campus and setting specific short- and long-term goals for the percentage of energy to be obtained from renewable sources; and (4) exploring transportation alternatives in an effort to reduce the use of private cars on campus.