Joliet Junior College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Consistent with Joliet Junior College’s commitment to enhancing the sustainability of facilities, sustainability is also at the forefront in our efforts in curriculum, faculty development, and student engagement. It is through greater emphasis on education that stimulating discussions, collaboration, and cohesive efforts can promote a culture of sustainability throughout the campus and the surrounding communities. Phrases like sustainable living, global warming, and going green are all fast becoming common vernacular in today’s society. JJC is actively participating in this worldwide dialogue through the recent formation of a committee to address issues of sustainability at the college, while JJC Professor Bill Yarrow is contributing to the cause by making his classes completely paperless. Joliet Junior College’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) has approved and funded an initiative to advance sustainability across all departments and curriculum. The Senior Leadership Team is proposing to do this through the Grand Prairie Faculty Development Project. The project is funded and administered through the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. It is modeled after the AASHE Greening Your Curriculum initiative. JJC is now in Year 3 of the project. It’s developed into a 10 month project which involves spring coursework, summer retreat, fall project implementation, and spring assessment . The next annual faculty developing training will hopefully include 13 individuals, one from each academic department, with the goal of moving sustainability across all curricula. In addition, the Technical Department is working on a Sustainability in Construction certificate through funding from a National Science Foundation grant. The initiative has not yet gone through Curriculum Committee. Accomplishments to Date: Curriculum • Conducted a campus-wide survey of sustainable courses, modules, topics and proposals as a benchmark for developing new curriculum. • Offered two sustainability courses in Sustainable Construction and Sustainable Agriculture. • Two faculty members trained in the AASHE “Greening Your Curriculum – Train the Trainer” program to enable campus faculty development. Faculty • Numerous faculty along with staff and administrators are committed to participate in the IGEN consortium of Illinois Community Colleges working together to develop state- wide standards for sustainability and curriculum in multiple areas including Sustainability, Local Foods, Transportation, Energy, Technology, and Healthcare (www.igencc.org [http://www.igencc.org/]). • Increased contributing membership in the Joliet Junior College Sustainability Initiative (JJCSI) to include representatives from 100% of the academic departments. • Formed the Sustainability Academic Taskforce charged with the expansion of the sustainability curriculum, the encouragement of faculty participation in the sustainable course curriculum, and the evaluation of course delivery methods. Sources: • 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf • JJC Website: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Pages/green-news.aspx • Maria Rafac

JJC faculty that participate in the GPP are required to develop a sustainable element to their course(s) in summer, execute the module in the fall, and conduct a formal assessment in the spring. JJC is currently trying to define what makes sustainable curriculum. JJC will assess campus wide, what Sustainability Curriculum means to us and how it can be embedded into the general education outcomes.

Senior Leadership Team, The Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Academic Deans Offices, Academic Departments, and the Curriculum Committee.

As part of our mission, the JJC Sustainability Initiatives Committee is committed to becoming a leader in the community by promoting awareness and education. We hope to provide a place of sustainability for not only our students and employees, but also for the community we serve. The College is moving toward carbon neutrality through the Climate Action Plan but as a commuter college, this is not feasible over the long term. Source: JJC Website: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Pages/community-involvement.aspx In addition, Student Government also sets Sustainability as one of its goals for each year. The goal of Student Government is to “support the college’s goal of increasing awareness of sustainability and efforts we can make as individuals to be more sustainable.” In that vein, the members this year have decided to: Continue with the Recycled Art Show, sponsor a Prom Dress Swap where JJC students donate their dresses and Student Government will then donate them to an area high school, conduct a Book Swap to help reduce costs of textbooks for students and also work with departments on campus to continue the efforts to recycle used electronics. Source: Pam Dilday, Director, Student Activities and Student Life

Proposed Action Items: • Develop a faculty seminar to promote the exchange of the sustainable course curriculum, encourage the development of new courses, and provide information on means to integrate sustainability into existing courses. • Present a sustainable guest speaker seminar to increase awareness for faculty and student body participation. • Increase communication on the Sustainability website of current sustainability efforts, new course offerings, and campus activities. • Prepare and review inventory of distance education course offerings. Student Engagement (Past) • Increased efforts to recruit students into the JJCSI committee. Increased recycling efforts and education across campus. o Coordinate with student government sustainable initiative and programs such as Earth Day, etc. • Engaged students in JJC outdoor teaching laboratory and ongoing restoration projects. Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Sustainability Initiative Committee, Students for a Sustainable Future, Student Government, and the Sustainability Coordinator.

Joliet Junior College has a rich history in the variety and breadth of extra-curricular activities, programs, and events offered to our surrounding community. Featuring not only cultural topics, Joliet Junior College has tried to address current affairs and to engage community members in the intellectual discourse about the world they live in. We focus our efforts in sustainability and our responsibility to the community we serve through educational outreach and partnerships. Goal: To become a leader in sustainability programs and initiatives in the communities that we serve and to become a valuable resource for our district as we move to a more sustainable future. Selected Accomplishments to date: First Weekly JJC Farmers Market May 2013 The Joliet Junior College Farmers Market kicked off for the first time on Thursday, May 23, 2013, with more than 15 vendors and a crowd ready to shop. JJC was one of 131 projects in 39 states to receive funding under the USDA’s FMPP. The grants are targeted to help increase and strengthen direct producer-to-consumer marketing channels. Through a competitive grants application process, FMPP funds marketing proposals not only for farmers markets but also for community-supported agriculture programs. http://news.jjc.edu/2013/06/jjc-farmers-market-now-open-every-thursday/ JJC Honored with Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact award Nov 2012 Joliet Junior College was one of 21 Illinois colleges and universities honored recently with an Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact award, presented by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), a unit of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois on Nov. 9. The college was one of only eight institutions to earn a gold-level award for integrating sustainability throughout its campus and working towards measured improvement. The compact includes objectives such as purchasing renewable energy, implementing green building practices, developing sustainable transportation options, improving water conservation, and incorporating sustainable dining practices. http://news.jjc.edu/2012/11/jjc-honored-with-top-state-sustainability-award/ Celebrating Sustainability Festival Joliet Junior College hosts annual Celebrating Sustainability Festivals on main campus. The festival is a free family event that celebrates and explores sustainable practices, technologies and initiatives happening in and around Will County. The festival features activities, displays, speakers, demonstrations, entertainment, and Recyclepalooza. http://news.jjc.edu/2012/04/annual-gr2012-celebrating-sustainability-festival-at-jjc-may-19/ Sustainability Tours Tours of LEED Certified campus buildings. Local Foods Activities to Date • Hosted first Sustainable Farmers’ Market with the plans to provide a permanent annual market. • Produced off-season produce with hydroponic technology in the greenhouse. • Provided sustainably grown fruit and local CSA (community supported agriculture) opportunities to the community. • Organized a Local Foods Advisory Committee of local, regional, and community stakeholders. • Planted a vegetable and herb garden on campus with the help of student workers and volunteers. Partnerships Celebrating Sustainability Since 2010 Joliet Junior College has partnered annually with 10 local agencies to bring valuable information relative to healthy families and sustainable communities to the Will County communities. The partners include the City of Joliet, Joliet Job Corp, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Joliet Park District, Joliet Public Library, Joliet School District 86, Will County Land Use, Joliet Township Government and the University of Illinois Will County Extension. Greening your Business Joliet Junior College partners with the Will County Land Use to offer the community a half day seminar on greening their business practices. This educational event focuses on bringing business owners and operators in direct contact with the agencies, consultants, and businesses that offer sustainable services and products. Joliet Partners for Healthy Families Joliet Junior College partners with Presence Medical Center’s Joliet Partners for Healthy Families. JPHF’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and improve the overall health and wellness of our community for people of all ages, abilities and diverse backgrounds. Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Proposed Action Items: • Continue to offer educational activities, programs and events for our communities and to continue our partnerships and look to create new ones that move us as a community to a more sustainable future. • Provide sustainable construction tours of our new LEED facilities for campus visitors and school groups. Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Sustainability Community Engagement and Workforce Development Taskforces Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Joliet Junior College (JJC) signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2009. JJC’s participation in this initiative demonstrates institutional commitment to global, social and environmental responsibility. In this, JJC seeks to not only reduce the impact of the College’s operation on the environment but also to help create a generation of environmentally conscious leaders. This commitment involves developing a Climate Action Plan to lay out the strategies and action items leading toward future climate neutrality. The JJC Climate Action Plan sets goals for future action and develops a timeline for goal achievement. In order to determine the current level of impact, an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) was conducted for fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Through this, strategies were developed to address the most significant sources of GHG emissions. Incorporated with these strategies are educational efforts intended to promote awareness throughout the College. These strategies will be open to constant updates and revisions, as GHG research and sustainable technology further develop. Joliet Junior College’s Climate Action Plan was adopted on January 31, 2012. Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Joliet Junior College has chosen year 2041 as the target date to achieve carbon neutrality across all campuses. The timeline started in 2011 with the creation of JJC’s Climate Action Plan, followed by the 30-year period for implementation of proposed mitigation strategies. The proposed strategies are reviewed relative to their scope, cost and anticipated time required for implementation. The strategies are further grouped and identified based on their anticipated implementation timelines: Short Term, Mid Term, and Long Term each have a set of goals and action items associated with them. Strategies for the Short Term (2011-2016) are ones that are cost-neutral or have short payback cycles. Strategies for the Mid Term (2016-2026) and Long Term (2026-2041) involve greater financial investment (refer to tables on pages 27 and 28). This 30-year plan allows for the implementation of various strategies to achieve the overall goal of climate neutrality. The first step towards this goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% below the 2011 emissions level. However, achieving goals also depends on the amount of funding and support. Currently 15% of all electrical purchasing is through renewable energy credits. Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Pat Van Duyne, Director of Facility Services Sustainability Initiatives Committee

2014 Master Plan Update: • City Center o The design includes many sustainable technologies and is also targeting LEED Silver certification though the United States Green Building Council. Source: http://www.jjc.edu/master-plan/Pages/citycentercampus.aspx • Multipurpose Center • Romeoville Expansion Source: LEED Score Card http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%20LEED%20Projects%20Scorecard%2020120424.pdf The Master Plan 2008-2013 included many sustainable elements and green initiatives that came from recommendations made by the steering committee, natural areas committee, and other members of the college community. Some of the completed projects include: • Health Professions Center Sustainable Features o Planned to be 30% more efficient than the latest energy standards (ASHRAE 90.1). o Heat recovery and radiant heating systems conserve energy and distribute heat efficiently. o Chilled air beam system reduces recirculated air, maximizes fresh air, and cools rooms efficiently. o Ground-based geothermal system further reduces heating/cooling load • Main Campus Center Sustainable Features o Solar panels. o Ground-source geothermal heat pump system. o Green roofs. o Accessible natural areas. • Green House Sustainable Features o Rainwater harvesting system. o Hydroponics (growing without soil). o Pulse watering for hanging plants. o On-site sanitary treatment system. o Passive ventilation system. o Reflective roof surface. o Horizontal air flow fans. o Thermal and blackout curtains. o High intensity discharge lights. JJC also updated the following buildings to include sustainable features: Natural Sciences Addition, Facility Services, and the Automotive Building. Source: Laura Mejia, Sr. Administrative Assistant, Administrative Services

• Encourage staff members to turn off lights when they leave their offices. (in practice) • Increase task lighting on desks to eliminate over-usage of overhead fluorescent lighting. (in practice with new furniture purchasing) • Installed low-flow aerators in sinks to decrease water usage. (complete and in practice) • Food Services and Facility Services are composting (vegetable/fruit). (in practice) • Facility Services meet and exceeds 40% DCEO diversion rates through robust recycling program. (complete and in progress) • Bookstore and Food Services are selling reusable mugs and sport bottles. (in progress) • Green Purchasing – All paper mailings will go away for bids, quotes and proposals. All notification will be electronic. (complete and in progress) Source: JJC Website http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Pages/green-news.aspx

Pat Van Duyne, Director of Facility Services

The 2011 Climate Action Plan states JJC will: • Establish recycling goals for all campus operation and purchasing • Establish sustainable purchasing policies • Promote sustainable, local food consumption • Establish composting programs • Implement construction waste reduction Source: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf Accomplishments: • Food Services and Facility Services are recycling food (vegetable/fruit) compost. JJC is in its 6th year of composting food waste. At Main Campus we are composting 25 gallons of waste /day. Limited manpower prevents us from composting more and expanding the program to other campuses. • Food Services and the Bookstore sell reusable mugs and sport bottles. • Food Services is charging 5 cents for Styrofoam cups for water to discourage "one-time" use of cups and encourage the purchase of reusable cups. • JJC purchases biodegradable serving ware for use in its Food Services facilities. • As a recipient of a USDA grant, JJC hosted two sustainable farmers markets. The 2015 market with be self-run with no grant funding. • The Greenhouse grows off-season produce with hydroponic technology. • JJC donates leftover food to local missions. • Source: Janice Reedus, Director, Business & Auxiliary Services

All purchases from our current food vendor (Gordon Food Services) are designated as local and community-based. The vendor tracks all of our "local" purchases on an annual basis thru their "Near Buy" program. We will meet with the vendor on a semi-annual basis to review the data and determine where improvements can be made. Annual food and beverage expenditures that are local and community-based and/or third party verified equals $110,000 out of $700,000. Our goal will be to increase this ratio (based on total expenditures) by 5% per year. If JJC enters into a new contract with a different vendor, we will require at least 15% of the expenditures are sourced from local and community-based suppliers. Source: Janice Reedus, Director, Business & Auxiliary Services

Food Services Manager, Director of Business & Auxiliary Services Janice Reedus, Director, Business & Auxiliary Services

• Improve Building Energy Efficiency and Conservation • Increase Use of Clean/Renewable Energy • Improve Transportation Options • Improve Campus Operations and Maintenance • Improve Recycling and Reduced Waste Streams Programs Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Strategy 01: Improve Building Energy Efficiency and Conservation • Building retrofits • Building monitoring and maintenance • Energy performance • Water conservation • Establish Green Building Standards for all new construction and major renovation projects, and for all existing buildings • Create Roofing Standard for all future roofing installation and retrofits • Energy conservation Strategy 02: Increase Use of Clean/ Renewable Energy • Geothermal • Wind • Solar Strategy 03: Improve Transportation Options • Provide incentives for JJC faculty, staff, and students • Improve accessibility for safe pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation • Implement programs to assist and incentivize carpooling and car sharing • Promote purchasing of fuel-efficient vehicles • Create and enforce anti-Idling guidelines • Measure emissions that result from business-related travel by College employees • Increase awareness and education of alternative transportation • Conduct a study on the effectiveness of electric vehicles used on campus Strategy 04: Improve Campus Operations and Maintenance • Capture storm water onsite • Reduce (eliminate) irrigation • Promote water conservation • Use native drought-resistant (water-efficient) plant species • Have an environmentally sensitive management plan in place for all campus grounds’ natural components Strategy 05: Improve Recycling and Reduced Waste Streams Programs • Establish recycling goals for all campus operation and purchasing • Establish sustainable purchasing policies • Promote sustainable, local food consumption • Establish composting programs • Implement construction waste reduction Source: 2011 Climate Action Plan http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Administrative Services, Sustainability Initiatives Committee

GHG MITIGATION STRATEGY 04 Improve Campus Grounds Operations and Maintenance Climate Action Plan http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf All landscaping is native drought resistant landscaping limiting irrigation to only the athletic fields. Develop a storm water management plan and certify with the state of Illinois EPA

Measurable objectives for the college’s Strategic, Master and Climate Action Plans include: -Preserving environmentally valuable spaces within our natural areas, such as wetlands, mature trees and groves, groundwater infiltration areas, and drainage-ways -Preventing environmental degradation through land use and land development decisions and processes -Completed a storm water management plan, implementing storm water retention and detention. Installation of vortex separators to remove sediment before going into waterways. -Planted drought resistant landscaping around all campuses

Facility Services

JJC aims to increase its quantity of environmentally-responsible purchases. The college will advance sustainable purchasing by working with campus partners to make purchases that lead to climate neutrality on our campus. Source: http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

• For the RFP and bid templates add “commitment to sustainable practices” as an evaluation criterion. This practice has begun and will be ongoing. A demonstration of their commitment will be factored into the evaluation process. • Develop a sustainable procurement policy and sustainable procurement guidelines by June 2016. • Include explicit green purchasing guidelines in all RFPs by August 2016. • Working in conjunction with Facilities Services, incorporate life-cycle accounting into purchasing decisions by January 2017.

Purchasing Manager ,Director of Business & Auxiliary Services Director of Facilities Services

Joliet Junior College seeks to encourage sustainable transportation by encouraging employees and students to become more responsible to our environment by traveling in a manner that conserves resources, reduces pollution, and preserves natural resources.

Measurable outcomes from JJC’s Climate Action Plan: Strategy 03 (Improve Transportation Options) include: -Providing incentives for JJC faculty, staff and students to use public transportation and/or alternative modes of transport when traveling to and from campuses -Improving accessibility and safety for pedestrian traffic, bicycle routes, and public transportation options through enhancement of on-campus facilities and collaboration with community transportation and municipal entities -Purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles for campus fleet (flex fuel, hybrid and diesel vehicles) -Measuring emissions that result from business-related travel by college employees -Increasing awareness and education of alternative transportation options to all faculty, staff, and students -Conducting a study on the effectiveness of electric vehicle use on campus, and install electric vehicle charging stations for facilities vehicles, staff, students, and visitors JJC hopes to implement all aforementioned improvements by 2030.

Facility Services

Joliet Junior College aims to control, minimize or eliminate solid waste materials (plastic, glass, cardboard, etc.) in order to help mitigate and reduce GHG emissions resulting from everyday operations on campus.

Measurable outcomes from JJC’s Climate Action Plan: Strategy 5.0 (Recycling and Reduced Waste Streams) include: -Exceed DCEO diversion rates of 40% diversion (complete and in practice) -Composting (in practice) -Sustainable food purchases and use of biodegradable packaging (in practice) -Collecting and converting vegetable oil (in practice) -Construction debris (in practice)

Facility Services

Climate Action Plan includes several strategies directed at reducing water use. http://www.jjc.edu/about/committees/sustainable-campus/Documents/JJC%202011%20Climate%20Action%20Plan.pdf

-Reducing (or eliminating) irrigation (for example, by using on-site rainwater storage and/or gray water). Currently only the athletic fields are irrigated. -Promoting water conservation (for example, by promoting “culture change” aimed at reducing water use within the facilities. -Using native drought-resistant (water-efficient) plant species (completed and in practice)

Facility Services

The 2012-2015 Strategic Plan addresses diversity and affordability in its fourth goal to “address the needs of the growing minority, underrepresented and underprepared student populations.” Joliet Junior College has made considerable strides toward building a truly diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution and in establishing an infrastructure to facilitate effective diversity planning, implementation, and reporting processes. Fostering diversity must be recognized as being at the heart of our institutional viability and vitality, a core value of the academic mission, and a priority of the institution.

-Develop college-wide performance indicators by which JJC can measure its progress toward sustaining a diverse institution with affordable services for district residents -Recruit, support, retain, and graduate a diverse student population -Monitor diversity in student success by measuring average time-to-degree/certificate for students by demographic groups -Maintain and enhance diversity in employment of staff, faculty, and administrators -Adopt a tuition policy that supports a quality education while delivering best-in-class return on investment for students -Establish partnerships and more financial aid and scholarships that provide affordable ways for students to complete an education

The College's Human Resources Office is a focal point for initiating and overseeing Diversity and Affordability plans working in concert with, for example, Student Development and Senior Leadership Council. At the granular level, each functional department undergoes training coordinated through HR and is accountable for compliance.

The College's HR Office successfully implemented an Employee Wellness Program that includes, but is not limited to, physical fitness and health screening components.

-Provide incentives to encourage employees to take the annual health screening provided on campus, as well as participate in other healthy initiatives, to improve JJC’s health numbers -Access to healthy, local, organic and fair trade food with vegan and vegetarian options are widely available throughout campus -Promote success of disabled students by converting entrances to faculty departments -Establish a university-wide center for the advancement of well-being - Build curricular and co-curricular programs that help students achieve well-being outcomes - Provide our communities and alumni with access to well-being assessment and practices Efforts to implement measurable objectives will occur the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan period.

Human Resources Department Facility Services

A sustainable approach to investments can be seen, for example, in how the College Foundation invests its financial resources benefitting students. Moreover, formation of the College's annual budget reflects a great degree of sustainability.

Sustainable investment plans, if developed, will be implemented during the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan period. -Develop and employ sustainability guidelines and procedures in key financial and administrative services operations -Investigate the requirements and process to become a signatory to the UN Principles on Responsible Investment as a means to incorporate sustainability into decisions regarding investments -Invest in green tech, conservation, renewable power, energy optimization, energy efficiency, alternative and renewable energy companies as well as sustainable forestry -Refrain from investing in companies that have investments directly or indirectly associated with human rights violations and/or environmentally irresponsible practices

Office of the Vice President of Administrative Services

N/A

N/A

N/A

Joliet Junior College defines sustainability as being more responsible to our environment by living and educating in a manner that conserves resources so that vital resources necessary for life are available for generations to come; reducing pollution and preserve natural resources; being a leader in sustainability in our community by promoting awareness and education; and initiating and monitoring standards of sustainability at JJC.

The current 2012-2015 Strategic Plan identifies the need to “expand the use of technology and sustainable methods” are one of its five goals. Objectives developed to implement the sustainability component of this goal include: -Applying sustainable practices throughout college operations -Enhancing technology-based access to administrative process and information (reducing necessity for paper and additional resources for printing) -Updating the existing technology infrastructure, computer systems and applications (eliminating antiquated equipment that consume more energy than newer, more efficient equipment)

This credit was completed collaboratively by Kelly Larson, Grant Writer, and Sarena Schott, Director of Developmental Education.