Chandler-Gilbert Community College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The vision states “Our students are prepared to lead us into a promising and sustainable future.” One of the five values is “sustainability through engagement”.

The Operational Plan, which includes all college divisions. Latest published plan dated FY2017. All college departments are working on 2019 goals in SPOL (Strategic Planning Online). This plan is attached below.

Operational Plan: An Instructional Kitchen will create a valuable educational space which will enhance multiple departments and programs. This Instructional Kitchen will strengthen the existing Nutrition, as well as Sustainability Programs, by allowing the addition of new courses in the curriculum. It will increase student success by providing experiential learning opportunities and strengthen the college’s commitment to sustainability and the health and wellness of both students and employees. Climate Action Plan: • Increase the number of existing environmental science course offerings • Expansion and promotion of the certificate program in Sustainability • Recognize and celebrate best practices in instruction and co-curricular activities • Maintain a sustainability link on the CGCC website • Continue with planning for outdoor demonstration Environmental Technology Center (ETC) • Enhance, expand and update tools for use in the new ETC • Develop Solar Installation workforce development program

Operational Plan: Develop a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in chemistry at CGCC Action items: - Develop and support research experiences for our undergraduates (initially Honors students) - Go Green projects in organic chemistry at Williams Campus - Sustainable fish farm Williams Campus - Solar panel sustainable energy project at Williams Campus From CAP: • Conduct a greenhouse gas inventory every other year to monitor progress • Explore opportunities to retain a consultant for more detailed measurement of emissions or work with ASU Sustainability Program students to create mechanisms for a more detailed measurement

From CAP: • Promote service learning opportunities in areas of environmental stewardship From Strategic plan: Valuing sustainability through engagement

From CAP: • Develop partnerships with local vendors to work towards greater environmental stewardship by involvement with ETC • Encourage inclusion of sustainability topics in community education courses • Establish community gardens for instruction and for community use in the vicinity of the proposed Environmental Technology Center • Develop partnership with City of Chandler and community businesses to conduct demonstrations and information presentations about sustainable practices From Strategic plan: Valuing sustainability through engagement

From CAP: • Investigate the purchase of verifiable renewable energy credits for offsetting the student commuter emissions.

From CAP: • Implement additional day lighting strategies in new and existing buildings • All new construction will continue to meet a minimum of LEED – Silver certification with a goal of GOLD when fiscally possible

From CAP: • Increase renewable energy purchases from electrical provider from 15% to 25% • Increase renewable energy purchases annually by 5% – 10% • Explore opportunities to partner or add solar photovoltaic to campus rooftops

From CAP: • Food Services will investigate purchasing from local farmers and producers whenever possible

From CAP: • Purchase additional CNG and/or Hybrid vehicle for the college fleet yearly

From CAP: • Implement the recycle of all cardboard and disposable paper products from our auxiliary services – Bookstore, Copy Center and Food Services • Food Services to begin food waste contributions to student composting projects • Investigate the implementation of automatic by default duplexing for all copiers and printers

From CAP: • All expanded irrigation will utilize reclaimed water

Operational Plan: Quantify the fiscal, operational and environmental impact of recent sustainability investments on campus. The college has made a number of notable moves to support its commitment to sustainability, which opens the door to study the impact of these measures, explore future actions, and share this information in the broader community.

Operational Plan: Develop ergonomically flexible options for future office furniture investments. The traditional program of modular furniture is being well-managed, however is limited in it’s flexibility. The market now includes moderately-priced options for flexible, health conscious workspaces that might represent better, more cost effective options for future investment, especially in a less paper-intensive office environment.

Maricopa County Community College District Sustainability Resolution: The Maricopa County Community College District and its ten colleges are actively committed to sustainable stewardship of environmental resources and socially responsible practices. Through this resolution MCCCD will pursue the implementation of the three elements of sustainability: environmental responsibility, social equity, and economic viability. We will make decisions and take actions to satisfy our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. MCCCD seeks to strengthen efforts to protect the environment, to support equitable access to resources, and to foster and celebrate diversity. We will strive to prepare students with the knowledge, awareness, and technical competencies needed to steward the planet for generations to come. We will collaborate with our community partner through civic engagement and service to improve quality of life. Environmental stewardship, as well as concern for economic and social impacts and issues, is integral to MCCCD’s mission of providing the Phoenix metropolitan area, the State of Arizona, our nation, and the world with a well-educated and globally aware citizenry. In carrying out this resolution, the MCCCD leadership will recognize and encourage our internal and external communities to identify opportunities, to develop strategies, and to initiate and replicate practices that reflect our sensitivity toward the impacts of our social, economic, and environmental actions. Thereby we hope to achieve our goal of becoming a leader in our community and among educational institutions that value sustainability.

On District Sustainability page: Sustainability has many definitions, but one of the most common definitions used today is that of the Brundtland Commission established in 1987: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Sustainability can also be described by the triple bottom line, People, Planet, Profit. As a part of the 2008 Sustainability Resolution, Maricopa adopted a People, Planet, Profit policy. Through this resolution MCCCD pursues the implementation of the three elements of sustainability: Environmental responsibility Social equity Economic viability. We will make decisions and take actions to serve our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The Maricopa County Community College District strives to be the model for infusing sustainability in each aspect of an educational institution, in order to improve the quality of life in its community and foster student success.

ACUPCC/ Second Nature Climate Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, CGCC was a charter signatory to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment. By signing the commitment, CGCC has pledged to eliminate or offset all campus greenhouse gas emissions over time, and in the process, lead the transition to a sustainable economy. Adoption of these 5 ACUPCC Actions: 1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent. 2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist. 3. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution. 4. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources. 5. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste. SEE Your World: Adopted in May 2005, a college-wide initiative called SEE Your World focuses on social, environmental, and economic issues and promotes the college’s commitment to global learning. In adopting this initiative we have made what we do in relation to sustainability more visible and use what is happening with sustainability on campus as real-life applications in the classroom. Charter signatory of the SEED (Sustainability Education & Economic Development) Pledge: As a Community College leader, I am intensely aware of the vital role community colleges play in preparing our nation’s workforce and our ability to power community and economic change. Further, I understand the need to address environmental issues and transition to a healthy and sustainable economy. Recognizing this pivotal and unique challenge, I join with other community college leaders in a vision to train workers for high-growth jobs in the green economy and educate students about the importance of sustainability. To realize this vision, CGCC wishes to become a member of the AACC’s SEED: Sustainability Education and Economic Development Center. Specifically, through our membership in the SEED Center we agree to: 1. Identify, develop, and share, through the SEED Center, appropriate information on new and existing green economy courses, curricula, promising practices and programs that aid in building or advancing green job training and sustainability practices at the college and in the community. 2. Develop and engage staff and faculty in this effort, providing training and other resources to enable them to fully support our institutional efforts in this initiative. 3. Involve our students by sharing this vision of their role in the 21st century workforce through information on green certifications and career pathways and by inviting and supporting their participation in the courses and programs as they become available. 4. Engage community and green industry partners to identify priority-training needs and to create strong linkages between education and regional employment opportunities. 5. Enhance the reach, use, and effectiveness of the SEED Center among other community college leaders. I support the SEED Center as a resource that will enable my institution to better serve our students, better enable society to face our economic, environmental and social challenges, and accelerate our ability to meet the transformational changes before us. Strategic Plan 2016-2021: The vision states “Our students are prepared to lead us into a promising and sustainable future.” One of the five values is “sustainability through engagement”.

SEED Pledge: https://theseedcenter.org/membership/member-directory/member-directory-by-state/#AZ