| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.64 |
| Liaison | Casey Meehan |
| Submission Date | Dec. 22, 2020 |
Western Technical College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Casey
Meehan Director of Sustainability and Resilience Sustainability |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
FROM WESTERN'S SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (FY2018-FY2021):
-Increase from 2.2% to 20% the number of documented sustainability-focused or sustainability-related courses Western offers by the end of FY2021.
-Establish one additional sustainability certificate and/or other credential that increase students’ opportunities to participate in the green-collar economy by FY2021.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
FROM WESTERN'S SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (FY2018-FY2021):
-Increase the number of opportunities for students and employees to explore and engage in sustainability and resilience in their professional and personal lives.
-Raise the visibility of Western’s sustainability commitment and actions internally, locally, and nationally.
-Western will serve as a catalyst for local action in resilience and sustainability education as demonstrated by earning a minimum of 80% of available STARS points in public engagement.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
FROM WESTERN'S SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (FY2018-FY2021):
-Reduce by 35% the total Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions relative to FY2010 levels by the end of FY2021.
-Increase opportunities for students and employees to commute to and around Western in ways that reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions.
-Create, advocate, and support institutional policies, programs, and efforts that foster landscapes that regenerate biodiversity.
-Reduce the total gallons of water used on Western’s La Crosse campus by 15% as compared to FY2017 by the end of FY2021.
-At La Crosse campus, reduce the annual amount of waste sent to the landfill by 10% (22.8 tons) and the total amount of waste generated by 10% (34.5 tons) compared to 2017 measurements by June 30, 2021.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
FROM WESTERN'S SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (FY2018-FY2021):
-By 2021, Western will establish and manage a permanent, revolving “green” fund in order to spur innovative, cost-effective employee and student sustainability projects that help Western advance its sustainability goals.
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Our Mission:
Western Technical College provides relevant, high quality education, in a collaborative and sustainable environment that changes the lives of students and grows our communities.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
In 2016, a sustainability committee adopted the following definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is the act of building — through our daily practices and educational programming — a thriving, resilient, and just community now and in the future.
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
In 2007, Western signed the American College and University President's Climate Commitment to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate all of the college's global warming emissions. This act set into motion a district-wide effort to become a leader in reversing global warming.
Since that time, Western has implemented energy-saving initiatives that have not only helped the environment, but have saved the college $1 million and counting! Western has received local, state, and national recognition, and has become a resource for organizations that are looking to make sustainable choices as well.
In January 2016, Western renewed the original Climate Commitment and expanded it to include efforts on environmental resiliency.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.