Pittsburg State University
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

Goal 6: Institutionalize environmental sustainability into all university activities including operations, teaching, learning, discovery and engagement.

a. Create a sustainability governance structure and integrate into the planning model.

b. Become a more climate neutral campus through energy efficiency, conservation, on-site generation and strategic procurement of clean and renewable energy.

c. Reduce dependence on fossil fuels, other extracted minerals and chemical fertilizers.

d. Reduce potable water use while protecting and conserving all water resources within the campus watershed.

e. Implement transportation strategies that reduce fuel use, air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

f. Encourage a local and organic closed-loop food system by observing sustainability criteria for all food purchasing, preparation and service, cleaning, waste disposal, and purchase of equipment and supplies.

g. Reduce and ultimately eliminate waste streams on campus through conservation, recycling, and implementing sustainability-focused purchasing policies.

h. Engage internal and external constituents through education and involvement to promote environmental sustainability in all settings.

i. Provide leadership in community sustainability efforts throughout the region.

j. Integrate education and research on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of sustainability as a major component of the university curriculum.

k. Develop and maintain research and scholarship that supports and advances sustainability.

l. Incorporate LEED design standards on all new construction and renovation projects.

m. Increase the biodiversity and usable green space of the campus.

n. Protect and maintain the natural campus environment through restoration, preservation, and education while enhancing the campus as a classroom.

University Mission

Pittsburg State University, a comprehensive regional university, provides undergraduate and graduate programs and services to the people of Southeast Kansas, but also to others who seek the benefits offered. This is accomplished by the unique combination of academic programs in the four colleges of the University: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Technology. The University is equally committed to fulfilling its statewide mission in technology and economic development by facilitating partnerships with secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, businesses and industries.

The University supports an organizational and interpersonal structure that actively encourages individuals to achieve their potential. The University provides programs and services that create opportunities for students and other individuals to develop intellectually, ethically, aesthetically, emotionally, socially and physically. The University provides intellectual leadership and multicultural experiences that contribute to the preservation of the heritage of the region and the enhancement of its inhabitants. Finally, the University recognizes the world as interdependent and, thus, seeks to promote a broad and interactive international perspective.

The University fulfills the traditional academic missions of teaching, scholarship and service. Excellence in teaching is the primary focus of the University. The University recognizes that active scholarship and creativity add vitality to teaching, expand and refine the knowledge base and are instrumental to the professional development of the faculty and staff. Programs of professional and community service promote and strengthen University endeavors. Pittsburg State University fosters a campus culture of assessment and accountability that supports strategic planning and the continuous improvement of its academic programs and administrative processes.

Values

• The dignity and worth of all people
• A student centered philosophy
• The richness created by exposure to diverse
people,cultures and thought
• Freedom of expression and inquiry
• Innovation through strategic planning, assessment
and accountability
• Fair policies and procedures, shared governance and
collegiality
• Respect, justice, honesty, integrity and civility
in the university community
• Excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and engagement
• The dignity and worth of work
• A well-maintained, attractive, safe and modern campus environment
• Leadership in the state, nation and world to improve the quality of life for all
• Mutually beneficial relationships with alumni and friends
• The highest quality in all that we do
• Managed enrollment growth
• Partnerships with the region and the people of Kansas