Rio Salado College
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

Goal 2 of Rio Salado’s strategic plan is Sustainability. Rio Salado integrates environmental, economic, and social sustainability practices.

Rio is a Charter Member of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Annual carbon audits, planning, and reporting are required by the ACUPCC.

Goal 2 of the strategic plan is Sustainability. Rio Salado integrates environmental, economic, and social sustainability practices.

Rio involves internal and external community members in projects/opportunities/initiatives that contribute to the advancement of sustainability. Below is a sampling of some current projects Rio is working on that contribute to social sustainability:

•Community Development – Rio Salado’s sustainability efforts are enhanced by the community development model of establishing college locations and educational partnerships in communities throughout the Valley where potentially underserved populations reside, thereby creating Educational Empowerment Zones. Such communities may include those of low-to-moderate income, families with first-generation college students, areas with high drop-out rates, and concentrations of second-language learners unfamiliar with navigating the educational system. This model of providing programs and services within local neighborhoods reinforces the MCCD Chancellor’s goals of extending education to those who most need it and creating a culture of inclusiveness to assist diverse residents in pursuing their educational goals. Such locations provide many of the same programs and services (ABE, Testing, Computer labs, Advising, etc.) as Rio Tempe, but in a nearby location. These sites provide opportunities for lifelong learning, workforce development, and postsecondary programs for a broad spectrum of the community; they also meet the “triple bottom line” goals of sustainability.

•Green Learning Campus - Rio Salado College, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, the nonprofit organization Brighten a Life, and Cause and Effect Evolutions, is building a “Green Learning Campus” that will bring the first green charter high school to downtown Phoenix. Students at the campus will have the option of receiving high school and college credit simultaneously through dual enrollment, giving them a very affordable head start on a bachelor’s degree. Free Adult Basic Education programming, including basic skills, GED preparation, and English language acquisition, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Education, will also be offered.

•Project Green – The City of Phoenix in partnership with Wells Fargo, Arizona Public Service, and Rio Salado College is launching a demonstration project in the Sunnyslope neighborhood of Phoenix. This pilot project provides neighborhood residents with an opportunity to learn innovative green construction technology by building a compressed earth residential home. The project also provides additional training to the community on how to implement simple energy conservation actions and offers a multitude of civic engagement activities to involve the community in sustainability.

•Pay 30 Forward – Rio launched Pay 30 Forward in 2008 in honor of its thirtieth anniversary. Pay 30 Forward focuses on social sustainability by promoting 30-, 60-, and 90-hour levels of public volunteer service for administration, faculty, and staff. The college also promotes college-wide campaigns that support the local community during the fall and spring semesters.

•Garden @ Rio - In 2009, Rio Salado College was named America’s Greenest Campus for achieving the highest average carbon reduction per person. The contest, sponsored by Climate Culture, was the first nationwide challenge among colleges to reduce the carbon footprints of their students, faculty, alumni, and staff. Rio used the $5,000 prize money to develop a community garden. The garden @ Rio is part of the Sustainable Foods Program, and produce grown in the garden is used in the Café @ Rio. Rio also serves as a drop-off location for Love Grows Farms’ Community Sponsored Agriculture program. Students, faculty, staff, and community members sign up for the program through Love Grows Farms, and weekly shares are delivered to the Café @ Rio.

A brief description of how the strategic plan or amendment addresses the economic dimensions of sustainability:

Goal 2 of the strategic plan is Sustainability. Rio Salado integrates environmental, economic, and social sustainability practices.

Rio ensures college resources are expended efficiently and effectively to achieve the college mission and strategic goals.