MCC Goes Green:Being "Green"

Smart

Fred HillsJoy EvansBill Matta

Professional Development Day

The Issue…• Sustainability a hot topic across Higher Education• However, curriculum the area least addressed to

date in comprehensive sustainability initiatives across college campuses

• Various individuals addressing issue but not consistent across campus

• Session seeks to share what is being done and develop ideas on how to expand curriculum to address sustainability issues

Background

• In June 2007, Dr. Michaelis signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.– Pledge for MCC to become climate neutral

• Sustainability Committee created in January 2008– promote sustainability practices across campus and

the community• MCC Committed to moving the campus towards

becoming more eco friendly and “climate neutral”

Sustainability Initiatives on MCC

• LEEDs project design in new buildings• Recycling initiative• Use of alternative energy to provide MCC a

percent of power requirements• Move to Green Energy sources• Reduce unnecessary waste and travel– Bicycles for students and staff/faculty– Adding hybrid vehicles to MCC vehicle pool– Move to recycled paper for printing

What about the Curriculum?

Teaching and promoting sustainability principles and practices across the

campus and the community

Big Questions for Educators

• Why be “Green”?– Global Warming– Economically Makes Sense– Global Dynamics– Stewardship

• What objectives/behavior do we seek to achieve?

• How to make it real to students, faculty, staff, administrators and the community?

Integrating “Green” into the Curriculum

• Purpose: teach and encourage students, faculty, staff, administrators and community to be aware of the issues and be more eco friendly

• Curriculum includes in class and extracurricular activities

Ongoing Initiatives:In Class

• Environmental Science Class Initiatives• Economics of “Green” by Business• Recycling initiatives for IT equipment in CIS• Others??

Ongoing Initiatives: Better Stewardship in the Classroom• Limit copying and encourage digital formats• Double sided printing• Incorporate sustainability concerns in

textbook selection• Increased use of Blackboard and the Internet

in supplementing class materials• Others???

Ongoing Initiatives:Extracurricular:

• PTK service theme – “Keep America Beautiful”• Tartan’s commitment to cleaning College

Drive• Campus’ continuing participation in “Keep

Waco Beautiful”• Others?

Why be “Green”?Global Warming

Issues:• Scientific concerns• Social concerns• Ethical concernsCurricular interests:• Scientific pros and cons in the debate• Historical background to the issues• Political implications of Global Warming

debate

Why be “Green”?Economics

Issues:• Limited resources• Better utilization of our resources• Goodwill benefitsCurricular opportunities:• Economics of “Green”• Cost/benefit analysis of recycling over new• The “Green” Economy• Calculating costs and process flows• “Green” Accounting

Why be “Green”?Stewardship

Issues:• Just makes sense• Better utilization of what we have• Moving from consuming to sharing with others

Curricular Opportunities:• Social/Psychological impact of eco-stewardship• Ethical dimension of Stewardship• Political dimensions of Stewardship• Theological dimensions of Stewardship

Ideas for “Green” Assignments

• Eco projects• Research paper on “Green” topic– History of recycling– “Is Global Warming a Concern?”

• Case Studies– Develop a cost/benefit analysis in using recycled

goods over new resources

Ideas for “Green” Assignments

• Presentations• Debate on the Pros and Cons of going “Green”– Is Global Warming an issue?– Does recycling help?

• Ideas Generation

Community Activities

• Service Learning Projects• Learning Communities• Integrating Distance Learning Community• Community Outreach

“Green” Resources for Teaching

Websites:• MCC’s Sustainability Web Site• Association for the Advancement of

Sustainability in HE - http://www.aashe.org/• Blogs• Wiki• Library • Others?

MCC’s Sustainability Committee:

• Sid Ross• Theresa Sparks• Elaine Alexander• Kristy Cook

• Fred Hills• Bill Matta• Joy Evans• Paul Hoffman