2021-2023 Sustainability Plan

PLAN PARAMETERS

  • WWCC’s sustainability goals and strategies shall comply with statewide sustainability initiatives
  • The sustainability goals and strategies shall be in alignment with the WWCC vision and mission statements, institutional values, and the institutional strategic plan
  • The sustainability strategies shall include and be evaluated against measurable outcomes and timeframes

STATEWIDE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

WWCC shall adhere to Washington State Executive Orders 02-03 (Establishing Sustainability) and 05-01 (Efficiency Goals for State Operations).

Establish sustainability objectives and prepare a biennial Sustainability Plan to modify practices regarding:

  • Resource consumption
  • Vehicle use
  • Purchase of goods and services
  • Facility construction, operation and maintenance

Plans will be guided by the following long-term goals:

  • Raise employee and student awareness of sustainable practices in the workplace
  • Minimize energy and water use
  • Shift to clean energy for facilities and vehicles
  • Shift to non-toxic, recycled and remanufactured materials in purchasing and construction
  • Expand markets for environmentally preferable products and services
  • Reduce waste as an inefficient or improper use of resources

WWCC VISION STATEMENT

WWCC will be the catalyst that transforms our students’ lives and the communities we serve.

WWCC MISSION STATEMENT

Walla Walla Community College inspires all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services.

WWCC INSTITUTIONAL VALUES

Learning Opportunities:  We value learning and encourage students to acquire a rich and wide body of knowledge as well as a love of their chosen discipline. We provide an environment that fosters active learning and the support services necessary to help all students achieve their potential. Everything we do is focused on expanding student access, retention, and completion.

Integrity:  Integrity is an essential component of the common bond within Walla Walla Community College. Efficient accomplishment of institutional goals is based on trust and mutual respect. We value honesty, fairness, and ethical behavior.

Sense of Community:  We strive to build community. We value a climate where all individuals feel accepted and meaningfully involved in a common cause. We recognize we are interdependent and demonstrate respect for one another.

Teamwork:  We value partnerships within the College and with members of the communities we serve. We practice collaboration in plans, actions, and shared results.

Diversity:  We oppose all barriers that separate people from opportunities; barriers of socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and inexperience with the educational system.

Innovation:  Walla Walla Community College values, respects, and rewards the enthusiastic pursuit of new ideas, creative risk- taking, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Encouraging the pursuit of excellence and innovation will help the College prepare students and staff to shape the future. Creativity is one of our most important resources in the 21st Century.

Health and Humor:  We value a healthy environment that encourages humor, creativity, and enjoyment of work. We promote health, wellness, and safety within the College and the communities we serve.

Personal and Professional Growth:  We value the growth of both our students and staff. We believe that our own engagement in the learning process enhances our ability to enrich our personal lives, careers, and work in the global community.

Excellence:  We value superior quality and are dedicated to continued improvement in all college programs and services. We practice an ongoing systematic planning and evaluation process to ensure that our programs and services are distinctive, relevant, responsive, and of the highest quality.

Sustainability:  Walla Walla Community College values the well-being of its communities and is dedicated to protecting and restoring our resources. We advocate for and demonstrate practices that promote economic and environmental sustainability.

WWCC CORE THEMES & OBJECTIVES

Walla Walla Community College has identified three core themes that manifest essential elements of its mission: Student Success, Strengthen Communities, and Resource Stewardship. Core themes describe the fundamental aspects of the College’s mission by translating it into practice.

Student Success

  • Access & Enrollment
  • Retention
  • Completion
  • Transfer to Baccalaureate institutions
  • Employment & Earnings

Strengthen Communities

  • Strengthen Internal community
  • Strengthen External community

Resource Stewardship

  • Financial Adequacy
  • Financial Management
  • Natural Resource Stewardship

SUSTAINABILITY PRIORITIES

The following priorities, in compliance with statewide sustainability initiatives and in alignment with WWCC objectives, were used to guide the development of goals and strategies for the 2018-2021 Sustainability Plan.

2021-2023 Priorities

  • Energy and water efficiency
  • Waste management
  • Healthy built and landscaped environments
  • Student, campus and community engagement in adopting best practices

SUSTAINABILITY COMPLIANCE ACTIONS REQUIRED

LEED Building Cost & Performance Data for WEC – Required by the State Department of Enterprise Services annually 

Sustainability report – Reporting required annually as participants in the Smart Business Partners Program

WWCC SUSTAINABILITY GOALS, STRATEGIES & OUTCOMES

Reduce energy use

Strategy 1:  Upgrade campus lighting delivery systems 

Outcomes:  Continue upgrades to LED lighting as funding becomes available; priority buildings and areas include: Dome, WEC, parking lots, building exteriors, building zones where appropriate

Estimated costs & labor:  Estimated around $500,000 (funds available); some work performed by staff and some contracted out

 

Strategy 2:  Upgrade HVAC systems

Outcomes:  Continue upgrades to HVAC systems as funding becomes available; priority buildings include: D Building, buildings where need arises

Estimated costs & labor:  Estimated around $500,000 (funds available); some work performed by staff and some contracted out

 

Strategy 3:  New construction exceeding 5,000 ft2 meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards or better; all renovations and new building construction under 5,000 ft2 incorporate environmental and energy best practices where economically feasible

Outcomes:  New construction exceeding 5,000 ft2 meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver standards or better; best practices are assessed for renovations and new construction under 5,000 ft2 and implemented when economically feasible

Estimated costs & labor:  Unknown (included in approved contracts)

Reduce solid waste

Strategy 1:  Maintain a campus program to collect and transport recyclable materials to receiving centers

Outcomes:  Recyclable materials are collected & picked up or transported to receiving centers on a regular basis

Estimated costs & labor:  Part of regular ongoing staff duties; student club volunteer labor (varies by quarter)

 

Strategy 2:  Maintain a comprehensive electronic waste recycling and/or reuse program

Outcomes:  Electronic waste recycling and/or reuse program is maintained

Estimated costs & labor:  Unknown (minimal); part of regular ongoing staff duties

 

Strategy 3:  Maintain a vehicle and equipment recycling program

Outcomes:  Appropriate equipment/vehicles are recycled annually through the proper program

Estimated costs & labor:  Unknown (minimal); part of regular ongoing staff duties

Decrease water use and storm water runoff

Strategy 1:  Detect and repair water leaks

Outcomes:  Detect and repair water leaks as funding allows

Estimated costs & labor:  Limited funding available; some work by staff and some contracted out

 

Strategy 2: Sustain a low water use demonstration garden around the exterior of the Water & Environmental Center

Outcomes:  Demonstration garden established; plantings and signage updated as needed

Estimated costs & labor:  WEC-funded Washington Conservation Corps and student/staff labor

 

Strategy 3:  Prioritize installation of water conservation devices such as dual flush toilets, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators, and water dispensing drinking fountains

Outcomes:  All new construction and all replacement urinals, toilets, shower heads and faucets incorporate water conservation devices

Estimated costs & labor:  Unknown; part of regular ongoing staff duties

 

Strategy 4:  Irrigate campus grounds with 100% non-potable water

Outcomes:  Campus grounds are irrigated primarily with non-potable water

Estimated costs & labor:  Use of recycled cooling systems water; part of regular ongoing staff duties

 

Strategy 5:  Follow Department of Ecology guidelines for storm water runoff management

Outcomes:  Infiltration techniques, erosion control systems, silt fences, and other strategies implemented per DOE guidelines when recommended

Estimated costs & labor:  Infrastructure in place, maintenance part of regular ongoing staff duties

Increase student, campus and community awareness of sustainability best practices

Strategy 1:  Include an overview of sustainability concepts in any student orientation materials and new employee orientation programs

Outcomes:  Sustainability Committee provides an overview of sustainability concepts and campus policies at every new staff orientation program and in student orientation materials

Estimated costs & labor:  Materials ready to distribute or present; minimal staff time to present info

 

Strategy 2:  Operate a recognition program to acknowledge faculty/staff/student efforts to implement sustainability best practices within academic programs or campus management and operations

Outcomes:  A Susty Award is presented annually or as appropriate

Estimated costs & labor:  Minimal cost of framed certificate (WEC grant funds); minimal staff time to manage nominations and award program

 

Strategy 3:  Promote, reinforce, and publicize sustainability efforts via signage, emails, and other media

Outcomes:  Signage is installed highlighting on campus sustainability best practices; WWCC staff (including the PIO) communicate efforts and successes externally as appropriate

Estimated costs & labor:  Minimal staff time and costs of additional signage (WEC staff and funds)

 

Strategy 4:  Serve as a nexus for organizations, programs & events promoting & modeling sustainability best practices

Outcomes:  The Water & Environmental Center convenes at least one public event highlighting sustainability concepts annually & continues to provide office space for co-located sustainability focused partners & meeting space for partner organizations pursuing environmental best practices

Estimated costs & labor:  Ongoing effort of WEC and/or WEC Co-Locator staff

 

Strategy 5:  Explore approaches for incorporating sustainability education into degree programs

Outcomes: Strategy and timeline developed for incorporating a learning outcome on sustainability concepts or practices within degree programs

Estimated costs & labor:  Faculty, staff time

Utilize responsible procurement strategies and support regional economic development efforts

Strategy 1:  Maintain efforts to source campus materials, supplies, and equipment resources from organizations committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability

Outcomes:  Purchasing decisions consider environmentally sound and socially responsible options

Estimated costs & labor:  Ongoing effort of staff

 

Strategy 2:  Lead or support regional sustainable economic development efforts

Outcomes:  WWCC incubates or supports efforts to develop sustainable businesses regionally; employees and students participate in and/or support community activities and businesses

Estimated costs & labor:  Ongoing effort of staff