The students and employees of Century College are working hard to lessen their impact on the environment and become more sustainable, both in regard to curriculum and programs and in how the institution functions and maintains itself.  Here you will find more information about efforts to lessen our environmental impact. 

Century College made a commitment to become climate neutral in October, 2007, when Dr. Larry Litecky, Century College President, became a signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

Acting President John O’Brien formed a Campus Climate Committee in September, 2008, made up of administrators, faculty, students, and staff.

In January, 2009, the Committee completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for fiscal years 2006–2008.  A yearly inventory will be done.

In April, 2009, a list of accomplishments and recommendations were submitted to the College President.

Implementation

The Implementation Profile and reports are publicly accessible at http://presidentsclimatecommitment.org/reports

Tangible actions, chosen by the President's Climate Committee from the ACUPCC Implementation Guide, include:
1.  Purchasing or using at least 15% of energy needs from renewable sources or renewable energy credits

2.  Green Building Policy

3.  Energy Star Procurement Policy

4.  Waste Minimization

Components of Climate Commitment goals have been incorporated into the College Action Plan, and several “green projects” as well as the publication of a long-term climate action plan (CAP) for reaching climate neutrality are goals for the 2009-2010 school year.

While addressing issues such as energy conservation, we will also be pursuing grant(s) to install solar PV, solar thermal, and/or geothermal renewable energy source(s).  GHG inventories will be done annually.

Century College is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), one of the organizations sponsoring the ACUPCC.

Contact
For  more information,contact pamela.thinesen@century.edu, Biology Faculty, Sustainability Coordinator, Climate Committee Co-Chair, Phone 651-779-3476