Jefferson Community and Technical College

Jefferson provides our students with sustainability learning experiences outside the formal curriculum. By engaging in sustainability issues through co-curricular activities, such as outreach campaigns, sustainability-related events, student groups, and integrating sustainability into New Student Orientation, … read more

Jefferson provides our students with sustainability learning experiences outside the formal curriculum. By engaging in sustainability issues through co-curricular activities, such as outreach campaigns, sustainability-related events, student groups, and integrating sustainability into New Student Orientation, our students are able to apply their understandings of sustainability principles. As a result, sustainability is positively integrated into Jefferson’s culture.

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Jefferson is developing a formal education program and courses that address sustainability. A few ways Jefferson integrates sustainability into curriculum include, but not limited to, green career pathways, sustainable workforce development, sustainability-related academic courses and … read more

Jefferson is developing a formal education program and courses that address sustainability. A few ways Jefferson integrates sustainability into curriculum include, but not limited to, green career pathways, sustainable workforce development, sustainability-related academic courses and programs, and incorporation of sustainability principles into existing curricula.

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Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on campus. Jefferson continues to take steps to improve the sustainability performance of the college’s buildings and considers the … read more

Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on campus. Jefferson continues to take steps to improve the sustainability performance of the college’s buildings and considers the impacts on the surrounding site, energy consumption, usage of environmentally preferable materials, and indoor environmental quality.

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Jefferson is developing ways to measure and reduce the college’s greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming is expected to have myriad negative impacts throughout the world, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather events, sea … read more

Jefferson is developing ways to measure and reduce the college’s greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming is expected to have myriad negative impacts throughout the world, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather events, sea level rise, species extinction, water shortages, declining agricultural production, and spread of diseases. The impacts are expected to be particularly pronounced for poor communities and countries.

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By supporting a sustainable food system, Jefferson continues to adopt policies and programs to improve the sustainability performance of the college’s dining operations. Modern industrial food production often has deleterious environmental impacts. Pesticides and fertilizers … read more

By supporting a sustainable food system, Jefferson continues to adopt policies and programs to improve the sustainability performance of the college’s dining operations. Modern industrial food production often has deleterious environmental impacts. Pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture can contaminate ground and surface water, which has potentially dangerous impacts on wildlife and human health. Furthermore, the often long-distance transportation of food to institutions produces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution. Additionally, farm workers are often paid substandard wages, subjected to harsh working conditions, and exposed to dangerous pesticides. Jefferson uses our food purchases to support our local economies; encourage safe, environmentally-friendly farming methods; and help alleviate poverty for farmers.

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Jefferson continues to adopt policies and practices to conserve energy and use renewable resources reducing the college’s energy consumption by conservation and efficiency, and switching to cleaner and renewable sources of energy. Energy consumption is … read more

Jefferson continues to adopt policies and practices to conserve energy and use renewable resources reducing the college’s energy consumption by conservation and efficiency, and switching to cleaner and renewable sources of energy. Energy consumption is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global warming. Global warming is expected to have myriad negative impacts throughout the world, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather events, sea level rise, species extinction, water shortages, declining agricultural production, and spread of diseases. The impacts are expected to be particularly pronounced for poor communities and countries. In addition to causing global warming, energy generation from fossil fuels, especially coal, produces air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, dioxins, arsenic, cadmium and lead. These pollutants contribute to acid rain as well as health problems such as heart and respiratory diseases and cancer. Coal mining and oil and gas drilling can also damage environmentally and/or culturally significant ecosystems. Nuclear power creates highly toxic and long-lasting radioactive waste. Large-scale hydropower floods habitat and disrupts fish migration.

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Beautiful and welcoming campus grounds can be planned, planted, and maintained in any region while minimizing the use of toxic chemicals, protecting wildlife habitat, and conserving water and resources. Through integrated pest management, use of … read more

Beautiful and welcoming campus grounds can be planned, planted, and maintained in any region while minimizing the use of toxic chemicals, protecting wildlife habitat, and conserving water and resources. Through integrated pest management, use of native plants, promoting wildlife habitat, safely removing snow and ice, and composting landscape waste, Jefferson plans and maintains campus grounds with sustainability in mind.

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Jefferson recognizes that purchasing choices made by the college have an impact to the environment. When determining whether a product is environmentally preferable all phases of the product’s life cycle will be considered, including: raw … read more

Jefferson recognizes that purchasing choices made by the college have an impact to the environment. When determining whether a product is environmentally preferable all phases of the product’s life cycle will be considered, including: raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, operation, maintenance, disposal, potential for reuse and ability to be recycled. Jefferson’s various purchasing policies minimize negative environmental and social effects through the use of environmentally friendly products. In addition, Jefferson attempts to identify and reduce environmental impact and to maximize resource efficiency, minimize greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs. The goal of Jefferson’s purchasing policies is to reduce the adverse environmental impact of our purchasing decisions by buying goods and services from manufacturers and vendors who share our commitment to the environment.

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Jefferson is moving toward various sustainable transportation systems. Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants that contribute to health problems such as heart and respiratory diseases and cancer. Bicycling and … read more

Jefferson is moving toward various sustainable transportation systems. Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants that contribute to health problems such as heart and respiratory diseases and cancer. Bicycling and walking provide human health benefits and mitigate the need for large areas of paved surface, which can help campuses to better manage storm water. Institutions may realize cost savings and help support local economies by reducing their dependency on petroleum-based fuels for transportation. Jefferson promotes the use of alternative modes of transportation, restricts idling on all campuses, and supports telecommuting and condensed work weeks.

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Jefferson Community and Technical College is committed to not only protecting, but also improving the environment by supporting sustainable practices. The college diverts waste from going to landfills by recycling: the use, reuse, or reclamation … read more

Jefferson Community and Technical College is committed to not only protecting, but also improving the environment by supporting sustainable practices. The college diverts waste from going to landfills by recycling: the use, reuse, or reclamation of a waste, either on-site or off-site, after it is generated by a particular process. Not only does Jefferson recycle commonly used items (mixed paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and other metals), but a college-wide effort also exists to recycling old printer cartridges, batteries, electronics, and hazardous materials.

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Efforts to reduce water consumption on each of Jefferson’s campuses are an ongoing effort. In addition to conserving water and making efforts to protect water quality, the college supports stormwater management principles and xeriscaping. Pumping, … read more

Efforts to reduce water consumption on each of Jefferson’s campuses are an ongoing effort. In addition to conserving water and making efforts to protect water quality, the college supports stormwater management principles and xeriscaping. Pumping, delivering, and treating water is a major energy user, so institutions can help reduce energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation by conserving water. Likewise, conservation and effective stormwater management are important in maintaining and protecting finite groundwater supplies. Water conservation and effective stormwater management also reduce the need for effluent discharge into local surface water supplies, which helps improve the health of local water ecosystems.

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Jefferson’s Sustainability Coordinator, staff, and Green Teams provide the structure for the college’s sustainability programs. As a result, the college is moving toward a sustainable direction to reduce our use of natural resources and operating … read more

Jefferson’s Sustainability Coordinator, staff, and Green Teams provide the structure for the college’s sustainability programs. As a result, the college is moving toward a sustainable direction to reduce our use of natural resources and operating costs, improve environmental and social impacts, and make sustainability integral to the fabric of Jefferson. Staff and other resources help an institution organize, implement, and publicize sustainability initiatives. Strategic and physical campus plans guide Jefferson and its physical development. These important documents establish an institution’s priorities and influence budgeting and decision-making. Incorporating sustainability into these plans is an important step in making sustainability a campus priority.

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Jefferson works to advance diversity and affordability on every campus. Higher education opens doors to opportunities that can help create a more equitable world, and those doors must be open through affordable programs accessible to … read more

Jefferson works to advance diversity and affordability on every campus. Higher education opens doors to opportunities that can help create a more equitable world, and those doors must be open through affordable programs accessible to all regardless of race, gender, religion, socio-economic status and other differences. In addition, a diverse student body, faculty, and staff provide rich resources or learning and collaboration.

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Jefferson incorporates sustainability into human resources programs and policies. In addition to treating workers responsibly and fairly, Jefferson also promotes benefits, wages, and other assistance that serves to respectfully and ethically compensate workers. Faculty and … read more

Jefferson incorporates sustainability into human resources programs and policies. In addition to treating workers responsibly and fairly, Jefferson also promotes benefits, wages, and other assistance that serves to respectfully and ethically compensate workers. Faculty and staff training opportunities also equip faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability.

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The college gives back to our communities through community service, engagement, and partnerships. Jefferson connects to the community through a broad range of public engagement activities in the Louisville and surrounding areas. In addition, Jefferson … read more

The college gives back to our communities through community service, engagement, and partnerships. Jefferson connects to the community through a broad range of public engagement activities in the Louisville and surrounding areas. In addition, Jefferson embraces inter-campus collaboration and sustainability policy advocacy.

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