Introduction
Background The Environmental Program, offering a four-track Environmental Studies major was instituted in 1997-98. A student group, the Environmental Coalition was created in the mid-1990s. They are very active both in campus stewardship and environmental politics. Another key element in the early 1990s was the convening of the Environmental Issues Committee, a group of interested faculty, staff and students. This group drafted the campus environmental policy statement, implemented pilot recycling programs and ensured that new residence halls demonstrated energy efficiency. The Environmental Issues Committee laid the foundation of what was to become the officially sanctioned Environmental Confederation. The inception of the Confederation coincided with the hiring, in 1997, of a part- time environmental coordinator. Working with a variety of established campus groups, the Coordinator and Environmental Confederation shape, guide and implement campus stewardship initiatives. The establishment of the Environmental Confederation solidified Bates' firm commitment to transfer its intellectual understanding of environmental issues to practical action in its daily operations. During the academic year 1997-98, the Environmental Confederation developed an initial action guide to lead toward a more environmentally sustainable campus. The goal for the first year was to begin this report, focusing on four aspects of the campus environment: energy, solid waste, hazardous waste and procurement. In subsequent years, the group will continue to focus on topics to which the College has given priority.
Purpose The directive for the Green Action Plan is consistent with the priorities of the College, as indicated in the Goals 2005 report. In the recent Goals 2005 report, Priority No. 4 is to: "Enhance the transformative character of learning and teaching by extending the traditional classroom. Because students learn in multiple ways and in multiple venues, we will consider our classroom to be located both on- and off- campus, even viewing the campus itself as a classroom. We will support these extensions...by such means as:" One of the means to accomplish this is listed as: "Developing an integrated set of action steps to meet the College’s commitment to environmental principles, using the campus as a classroom. By 2005, we will have fulfilled the objectives recommended by the Environmental Confederation Group." In order to achieve our goals, the entire community, at all levels, will need to demonstrate a willingness to adopt and begin to implement the recommendations in this plan. This will mark a turning point for the College, from an inspired collection of individuals acting on behalf of the environment to a thoughtful coordination of a community demonstrating this commitment.
Method In the fall of 1997, the 15 members of the Environmental Confederation divided into four subcommittees, reflecting the initial areas of concern. Each subcommittee focused on one issue: energy, solid waste, hazardous waste or procurement. Following the same procedures and outline, each subcommittee performed the research necessary to address the current status of each issue at Bates. Additionally, the subcommittees made recommendations based on their observation and research. This report rests significantly on the work of these subcommittees.
Principles
Bates College will strive to:
In our student and employee relations, Bates College will strive to:
Bates will consider full compliance with the law to be the minimally acceptable standard and will exercise whatever control is reasonable and necessary to avoid harm to the public health and environment, whether or not such control is required by regulations. Bates will initiate, promote, and conduct programs that fully implement this policy throughout the College. It is with the magnifying glass of these standards that the subcommittees viewed each arena and formulated recommendations.
Structure of Report
|
||
| ||
| © 1999 Bates College. All Rights Reserved. Last Modified 6/10/1999 by tan |