2022-23 Unit Plan
Sustainability Steering Committee

Mission Statement

The college continues its legacy of leadership in sustainability by modeling sustainability in its instructional program, curriculum, student and civic engagement activities, facilities and operations, land use planning and other practices.

Program Description

The Sustainability Committee provides oversight for the college's sustainability initiative.  This group consists of representatives from faculty, administrators, management, student services, public relations and marketing, information technology, and students.  
 
"Modeling Sustainability" has been a District strategic initiative for 10 years and will continue to be a focus for the college for the next 5 years as well (entering our 3rd planning cycle).

The steering committee has updated the "Modeling Sustainability" for 2018-2023 to include 3 areas of focus (pending Ed Master Plan committee approval):

Butte College embraces sustainability by engaging students, faculty, staff, and the community in dialogue and fostering sustainable practices and operations.� 

The college will develop and implement a Sustainability Plan to include the following strategies:

A.������ Providing educational opportunities in the area of sustainability by:� 

1) Developing sustainability-focused courses, certificates and degrees in transfer and career-oriented education outcomes.
	�	Expand Sustainability Studies Certificate (18+)
	�	Create AS/AS Sustainability Studies (focused on transfer)
	�	Integrate sustainability certs/degrees into guided pathways
	�	Align Butte curriculum with CSU GE sustainability pathway and CSU sustainability minor 
	�	Outreach to regional high schools about educational opportunities
	�	Increase opportunities for campus internships that promote green practices.
	�	Support, along with local and regional partners, opportunities for student and faculty applied research, development and implementation of innovative practices outside of the classroom.  

2)����Providing Professional Development for faculty and staff in the area of sustainability. 
	�	Offer Bi-annual faculty education trainings related to curriculum development
	�	Offer Bi-annual workshops aimed at all employees (i.e. FLEX)
	�	Support conference attendance
	�	Support campus events and advocacy 

3)��� Participating in local, regional and statewide planning and initiatives (i.e. City of Chico Sustainability Taskforce, Butte County, Advance Northstate)

B.������ Reducing the college�s carbon footprint by:� 
1)����Focusing on reducing single passenger commuting practices including collaboration with external agencies to provide public transportation.

2)�����Considering alternative energy production in new construction including storage.

3)  Continuing to increase EV charging capacity on campus.  

C.������ Demonstrating environmental stewardship through water conservation by:
1)����� Xeriscaping to enhance the beauty of the campus through native plants and eco-grasses.

2)����� Focusing on campus water conservation and the elimination of water waste.

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (Instruction Departments)

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

Strategic Direction

Program Review

The Sustainability Committee conducts an annual Administrative Program Review with its unit plan.

Department Goals

Future Development Strategies

Strategy 1 - Develop educational opportunities in the area of sustainability

Expand Sustainability Studies Certificate (expand it to be 18+ units)
Create AS/AS Sustainability Studies degree (focused on transfer)
Integrate sustainability certs/degrees into guided pathways
Align Butte's curriculum with CSU GE sustainability pathway and CSU sustainability minor
Outreach to regional high schools about educational opportunities
Increase opportunities for campus internships that promote green practices.
Support, along with local and regional partners, opportunities for student and faculty applied research, development and implementation of innovative practices outside of the classroom.

Initiatives

Modeling Sustainability
Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: No

Strategy 2 - Continue Efforts to reduce the College's Carbon Footprint

Continue to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) effects during new construction.
Continue to develop and implement energy conservation and alternative energy production, including storage.
Continue to increase EV charging capacity on campus.
Continue to research best practices at other colleges, including but not limited to energy conservation, waste reduction and divestment campaigns
Continue to reduce single passenger commuting practices including collaboration with external agencies to align public transportation efforts.
Continue effective practices to reduce paper usage by implementing Image Now, emphasizing the use of MyBC and creating electronic forms for routine processes.

Initiatives

Modeling Sustainability
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning

Supporting Rationale

According to the last greehouse gas inventory of the college, 67% of our carbon emmissions come from cars & buses go to and from the college in addition to our on-campus fleet. Focusing on transportation to reduce our carbon footprint should be a focus for the college if we want to reduce our impact to the environment.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: No

Strategy 3 - Continue to demonstrate environmental stewardship through water conservation

Continue Xeriscaping to enhance the beauty of the campus through native plants and eco- grasses.

Continue to implement the plan to transition existing landscape and turf to low/no irrigation landscape.
Continue to implement state standards for irrigation (SB1881).
Incorporate into new building standards use of native plants and/or drought tolerant landscaping.

Focus on campus water conservation and the elimination of water waste.

Select plants that have low water requirements
Closely manage the irrigation system and make adjustments as needed to make it as efficient as possible
Repair leaks

Initiatives

Modeling Sustainability
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning

Supporting Rationale

Water conservation is a critical issue, particularly in light of the ongoing drought in California. Butte College provides leadership on this critical issue and models appropriate and responsible water management to students and the community.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: No
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: No
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: No
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: No

Strategy 4 - Provide Professional Development for faculty and staff in the area of sustainability

Offer Bi-annual faculty education trainings related to curriculum development
Offer Bi-annual workshops aimed at all employees (i.e. FLEX)
Support conference attendance
Support campus events and advocacy

Initiatives

Modeling Sustainability
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

Sustainability is part of the mission statement, one of the college's values and a strategic initiative. Infusing sustainability into the curriculum and the institutional dialogue is critical to making the mission, value, and initiative a reality. In order to do so, faculty must be educated and prepared to update their curriculum with current data and best practices related to global sustainability efforts.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: No
Supports Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: Yes
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: Yes
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: Yes
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: No
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: No

Requested Non-Financial Resources

none.

Current Financial Resources

none.

Augmentation Requests

Original Priority	Program, Unit, Area	Resource Type	Account Number	Object Code	One Time Augment	Ongoing Augment
Description	Supporting Rationale		Potential Alternative Funding Sources		Prioritization Criteria
1	Sustainability Steering Committee	Operating Expenses	11.099.110.1.66013	55890	$7,500.00	$0.00
Professional Development	These funds will go to towards travel & conference expenses for faculty and staff to stay current on the latest research and trends as well as fund a curriculum development series for faculty.				Strengthening Professional Development
2	Sustainability Steering Committee	Operating Expenses			$5,000.00	$0.00
Operating expenses - events, projects and awards	Our operating expenses include membership fees, workshop presenters, educational events (i.e. Campus Sustainability Day & Earth Day), and the strategic initiative award for sustainability. These items help the campus stay informed and engaged in the topic of sustainability.				Strengthening Professional Development