2018-19 Unit Plan
Sustainability Steering Committee

Mission Statement

The college continues its legacy of leadership in sustainability by modeling sustainability in its instructional program, curriculum, student and civic engagement activities, facilities and operations, land use planning and other practices.

Program Description

The Sustainability Committee provides oversight for the college's sustainability initiative.  This group consists of representatives from faculty, administrators, management, student services, public relations and marketing, information technology, and students.  
 
"Modeling Sustainability" has been a District strategic initiative for 10 years and will continue to be a focus for the college for the next 5 years as well (entering our 3rd planning cycle).

The steering committee has updated the "Modeling Sustainability" for 2018-2023 to include 3 areas of focus (pending Ed Master Plan committee approval):

Butte College embraces sustainability by engaging students, faculty, staff, and the community in dialogue and fostering sustainable practices and operations.  

The college will develop and implement a Sustainability Plan to include the following strategies:

A.       Providing educational opportunities in the area of sustainability by:  

1) Developing sustainability-focused courses, certificates and degrees in transfer and career-oriented education outcomes.
	•	Expand Sustainability Studies Certificate (18+)
	•	Create AS/AS Sustainability Studies (focused on transfer)
	•	Integrate sustainability certs/degrees into guided pathways
	•	Align Butte curriculum with CSU GE sustainability pathway and CSU sustainability minor 
	•	Outreach to regional high schools about educational opportunities
	•	Increase opportunities for campus internships that promote green practices.
	•	Support, along with local and regional partners, opportunities for student and faculty applied research, development and implementation of innovative practices outside of the classroom.  

2)    Providing Professional Development for faculty and staff in the area of sustainability. 
	•	Offer Bi-annual faculty education trainings related to curriculum development
	•	Offer Bi-annual workshops aimed at all employees (i.e. FLEX)
	•	Support conference attendance
	•	Support campus events and advocacy 

3)    Participating in local, regional and statewide planning and initiatives (i.e. City of Chico Sustainability Taskforce, Butte County, Advance Northstate)

B.       Reducing the college’s carbon footprint by:  
1)    Focusing on reducing single passenger commuting practices including collaboration with external agencies to provide public transportation.

2)     Considering alternative energy production in new construction including storage.

3)  Continuing to increase EV charging capacity on campus.  

C.       Demonstrating environmental stewardship through water conservation by:
1)      Xeriscaping to enhance the beauty of the campus through native plants and eco-grasses.

2)      Focusing on campus water conservation and the elimination of water waste.





Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes


        

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (OSLED Departments)


        

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)


        

Strategic Direction

The Sustainability Steering Committee is responsible for overseeing and supporting the success of the "Modeling Sustainability" strategic initiative. 

The committee has supported the development of faculty education, the Sustainability Studies certificate, curriculum development, a new degree program, and partnerships with CSU Chico and statewide curriculum initiatives.

The committee has supported educational workshops and events for all students, facutly and staff.  They have also supported and participated in community led and regional initiatives and events.

The committee has supported Facilities & Planning Management efforts to model environmental stewardship through conservation efforts with energy, building methods, water, and carbon emmission sustainability efforts on campus. 


Program Review

The Sustainability Committee conducts an annual Administrative Program Review with its unit plan.


Department Goals

1. Provide educational opportunities in the area of sustainability (i.e. degrees and certificates)

2. Reduce the college’s carbon footprint 

3. Demonstrating environmental stewardship through water conservation

 

 


Future Development Strategies

Strategy 1 - Develop educational opportunities in the area of sustainability

  • Expand Sustainability Studies Certificate (expand it to be 18+ units)
  • Create AS/AS Sustainability Studies degree (focused on transfer)
  • Integrate sustainability certs/degrees into guided pathways
  • Align Butte's curriculum with CSU GE sustainability pathway and CSU sustainability minor 
  • Outreach to regional high schools about educational opportunities
  • Increase opportunities for campus internships that promote green practices.
  • Support, along with local and regional partners, opportunities for student and faculty applied research, development and implementation of innovative practices outside of the classroom.  

Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
  • Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

Sustainability is part of the mission statement, one of the college's values and a strategic initiative.  Infusing sustainability into the curriculum and the institutional dialogue is critical to making the mission, value, and initiative a reality.


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 2 - Continue Efforts to reduce the College's Carbon Footprint

  • Continue to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) effects during new construction.
  • Continue to develop and implement energy conservation and alternative energy production, including storage.
  • Continue to increase EV charging capacity on campus.  
  • Continue to research best practices at other colleges, including but not limited to energy conservation, waste reduction and divestment campaigns
  • Continue to reduce single passenger commuting practices including collaboration with external agencies to align public transportation efforts.
  • Continue effective practices to reduce paper usage by implementing Image Now, emphasizing the use of MyBC and creating electronic forms for routine processes.

 

 


Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
  • Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning

Supporting Rationale

According to the last greehouse gas inventory of the college, 67% of our carbon emmissions come from cars & buses go to and from the college in addition to our on-campus fleet.  Focusing on transportation to reduce our carbon footprint should be a focus for the college if we want to reduce our impact to the environment. 


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 3 - Continue to demonstrate environmental stewardship through water conservation

Continue Xeriscaping to enhance the beauty of the campus through native plants and eco- grasses.

  • Continue to implement the plan to transition existing landscape and turf to low/no irrigation landscape.
  • Continue to implement state standards for irrigation (SB1881).
  • Incorporate into new building standards use of native plants and/or drought tolerant landscaping.

Focus on campus water conservation and the elimination of water waste.

  • Select plants that have low water requirements
  • Closely manage the irrigation system and make adjustments as needed to make it as efficient as possible
  • Repair leaks

Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
  • Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning

Supporting Rationale

Water conservation is a critical issue, particularly in light of the ongoing drought in California.  Butte College provides leadership on this critical issue and models appropriate and responsible water management to students and the community.


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 4 - Provide Professional Development for faculty and staff in the area of sustainability

  • Offer Bi-annual faculty education trainings related to curriculum development
  • Offer Bi-annual workshops aimed at all employees (i.e. FLEX)
  • Support conference attendance
  • Support campus events and advocacy 

Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

Sustainability is part of the mission statement, one of the college's values and a strategic initiative.  Infusing sustainability into the curriculum and the institutional dialogue is critical to making the mission, value, and initiative a reality.  In order to do so, faculty must be educated and prepared to update their curriculum with current data and best practices related to global sustainability efforts.


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Requested Non-Financial Resources

none.

Current Financial Resources

none.

Augmentation Requests

Original Priority Program, Unit, Area Resource Type Account Number Object Code One Time Augment Ongoing Augment
Description Supporting Rationale Potential Alternative Funding Sources Prioritization Criteria
1 Sustainability Committee Personnel $25,000.00 $0.00
Sustainability Curriculum Coordinator This augmentation provides funding for a faculty coordinator and FIG stipends to develop a chancellor level certificate, align our curriculum with local high schools and CSU Chico, plan for guided pathways and develop a new AA degree.
  • Implementing the 2018-2019 Strategic Direction Priorities
  • Meeting standards and working to achieve goals for course success, retention, degree achievement, certificate completion, transfer, and credentialing
  • Collaborating effectively with K-12 administrators, faculty, and counselors to set appropriate student expectations, align curriculum and pathways, and provide opportunities for high school students to earn college credits while in high school
2 Sustainability Steering Committee Operating Expenses 11.099.110.1.66013 55890 $10,000.00 $0.00
Operating Expenses Our operating expenses include membership fees, travel & conference expenses, workshop presenters, educational events (i.e. Campus Sustainability Day & Earth Day), curriculum development activities, and the strategic initiative award for sustainability.
  • Implementing the 2018-2019 Strategic Direction Priorities
  • Maintaining ongoing operations at current levels (excludes grants)
  • Meeting standards and working to achieve goals for course success, retention, degree achievement, certificate completion, transfer, and credentialing