Sustainability. annual report. Prepared by Allessandra A. Cairo, Sustainability Coordinator

Sustainability annual report Prepared by Allessandra A. Cairo, Sustainability Coordinator

Sustainability Center Annual Update This booklet outlines the larger sustainability initiatives and events that occurred in fiscal year 2014. It is not all inclusive and does not include all details. For more information, please contact Allessandra Cairo at (708) 709-3764 or acairo@prairiestate.edu.

Local, State and National Initiatives Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact Prairie State College (PSC) was recognized by Governor Pat Quinn and the Green Governments Coordinating Council as a Silver Level Compact School. To achieve this recognition, PSC, through the Sustainability Center: Adopted a written statement acknowledging support for sustainability Created a focal point to lead sustainability work across the campus Created a web site that raises awareness and generates interest about the institution s sustainability efforts Created opportunities for students and faculty to provide suggestions for advancing sustainability on campus Fosters student involvement on several committees to guide administration on issues of sustainability Set measurable sustainability objectives though a sustainability plan Purchases green cleaning products; adopted policies to address new building through the sustainability plan; hosts campus wide events to encourage students to adopt sustainable practices; and partners with local entities to promote sustainability at the community level PSC will continue to work toward achieving Gold Level recognition. Illinois Green Economy Network s Network Affiliate Program Ms. Cairo was selected to represent an initial cohort of Network Affiliates to launch the program for the state-wide sustainability network, the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). This is an exciting opportunity to promote PSC s sustainability initiatives on a state-wide level. As part of this program, Ms. Cairo was featured as the Illinois Green Economy Network s February Network Affiliate of the month. A full interview was conducted and is available at www.igencc.org. The National Council for Science and the Environment s Community College Affiliate Program Ms. Cairo was elected co-chair of the Community College Affiliate Program, a national organization working to advance interdisciplinary environmental and sustainability education. The organization will build upon its ongoing and extensive programs, connecting community colleges with four-year institutions, federal agencies, and other stakeholders in the environmental arena. PSC is a founding member of the Community College Affiliate Program. PSC was recognized by Governor Pat Quinn and the Green Governments Coordinating Council as a Silver Level Compact School. sustainability@psc Page 3

Local, State and National Initiatives Department of Energy Workplace Charging Challenge Pledge In June, Dr. Terri Winfree signed the Department of Energy Workplace Charging Challenge Pledge signaling a commitment to provide plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging access for employees. In the Department of Energy s (DOE) EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, stakeholders across the nation are working together to enable the U.S. to produce PEVs that are as affordable and convenient as gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022. As part of EV Everywhere, the Workplace Charging Challenge aims to achieve a tenfold increase in the number of U.S. employers offering workplace charging by 2018. Local Committees Ms. Cairo represents PSC by actively serving on the following: PSC SUSTAINABILITY METER South Metro Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC) Sustainability Task Force SMHEC Annual Sustainability Conference Planning Committee SMHEC Annual Student Sustainability Summit Planning Committee Chicago Heights Active Transportation Team Homewood-Flossmoor Intergovernmental Green Team Page 4 sustainability@psc

Facilities and Operations Sustainability Revenue In fiscal year 2014, sustainability brought in $19,250.71 in sponsorships, grants, and rebates, $798.92 in the sale of recycled goods, and an additional $2,275.00 in value for goods and services received, for a grand total of $22,324.63. These totals do not include energy savings from system upgrades. In fiscal year 2013, the College received several large grants for energy efficiency programs through the state that were no longer available in fiscal year 2014. Thus, the total in grants is down from last fiscal year. Water Bottle Filling Stations Since the first bottle filling station installation in January 2012, the PSC community has eliminated 77,803 plastic bottles from the waste stream. Six of the seven water stations on campus include an eco-counter which tracks the number of twelveounce bottles refilled. $19,251 in sponsorships, grants and rebates brought in by sustainability in fiscal year 2014. To educate consumers about the stations, eco-friendly bamboo plaques above each station display the following message. This bottle filling station is helping PSC reduce our environmental impact by reducing the number of plastic bottles entering into the waste stream. Enjoy this complimentary filtered water, while reducing your carbon footprint and holding on to your hard-earned dollars. There are seven bottle filling stations on campus sponsored by the Student Government Association, Sustainability Center, facilities and operation department, and the office of business services and controller. Impact: Eliminated 77,803 water bottles from entering the waste stream. Green Parking PSC has dedicated eight spots at the front entrance for green parking. To date, 13 permits have been issued. To receive a green parking permit, faculty, staff, and students are required to bring a valid vehicle registration to campus police indicating they have a vehicle that receives 35 or more miles per gallon of gasoline (combined city and highway). In addition to these eight spaces, PSC also has four dedicated spaces in B lot for electric vehicle charging. sustainability@psc Page 5

Student Engagement The Path to Sustainable Change and Leadership Training The Sustainability Center, in partnership with student life and the PSC Foundation, offered a student leadership training in October for PSC students. The day started off with a welcome from Dr. Terri Winfree and her truly inspiring leadership message and was followed by a flurry of activities, discussions, and breakout sessions stimulating conversation and addressing key leadership skills for PSC students. The purpose of this training was to provide students an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become a leader at PSC and beyond. The entire training wove sustainability throughout from the chosen decorations, plates, and utensils to the catering and messages in each segment. Impact: More than 50 students attended the training with key administrators and staff stopping in and out throughout the day. Homewood-Flossmoor E-waste Recycling Drive Students from the PSC Sustainability Club and All Latin Alliance (ALA) volunteered at an E-recycling Drive sponsored by the Villages of Homewood and Flossmoor. Students assisted public works, the Homewood-Flossmoor intergovernmental green team and other volunteers, unload vehicles to properly dispose of unwanted electronics. Impact: A group of six students went out into the community and represented PSC well. Page 6 sustainability@psc

Student Engagement Campus Sustainability Day On October 23, PSC celebrated, for the second time, Campus Sustainability Day. Faculty, staff, and students were invited to meet and greet the sustainability club, learn about climate change, and attend a special presentation on the effects and solutions to climate change. Activities took place throughout the day, both inside and out. Students from Professor Christa Adam s biology class came out to enjoy a walk by the nature preserve, while students from Professor Ed Schwarz s communications class discussed PSCs recycling initiatives and interviewed several faculty, staff, and students for a class project. The sustainability club held their first fundraiser of the season and other E-board members of the club participated in a Climate Change Discussion Panel with students from Bloom High School. Several posters were submitted in a Climate Change Poster Competition with The Student Review taking first place. It was an extremely difficult decision, but their poster encompassed all four elements of the judging criteria - message, creativity, recycled/reused materials, and educational impact. Impact: More than 60 students learned about climate change and the sustainability initiatives taking place on campus. Green Jobs for Green Graduates The Sustainability Center launched a green speaker series. The intent of this continuing series is to provide students the basic knowledge necessary to begin thinking about high demand jobs in the green economy, including the skills needed and career pathways that exist. This year s presentations included: Green Jobs for Green Graduates, presented by Ed Choklek, Senior Associate at FGM Architects and Vice Chair of the USGBC Illinois Chapter Higher Education Committee Renewable Energy Strategies for Building Infrastructure Improvements, presented by Michele James, from CTS Group Industry Greening the Jobs are Here, presented by Bryant Williams, from Cook County Department of Environmental Control 60 students learned about climate change Sustainability @ PSC 2014 Green Speaker Series Don t wait until after graduation to start thinking about your next job. Join us for a special presentation to learn how a career in energy efficiency might be right for you. Energy Efficiency A career for anyone. Presented by David Mueller Ensol Monday, February 17, 2014 2-3 p.m. Conference Center You ve seen Prairie State College s energy efficiency initiatives, but did you know there might be a career in it for you? The field of energy efficiency includes a range of careers from IT and marketing to energy auditors and facilities managers. Learn how and why these careers are important to the industry and what you need to become an energy professional. Sponsored by the Sustainability Center and Veterans Center For more information, contact Allessandra Cairo at 708-709-3764 or email acairo@prairiestate.edu. Impact: Fifteen students learned about opportunities in the green economy. sustainability@psc Page 7

Campus Outdoor Map 1 2 3 4 6 5 Outdoor Map 1. Nature Preserve 2. Bicycle Parking 3. Six Water Filling Stations 4. Electric Vehicle Charging 5. Green Parking 6. Water Filling Station 7. Energy Dashboard 8. Community Garden T102 T101 T100 T123 T122 T121 T111 Main Floor Tech Wing Water Filling Station Location T103 T105 T104 Page 8 sustainability@psc

Main Floor Tech Wing Map 7 8 T165 T124 T120 T130 T165 T175 T195 T131 T138 T112 T113 T137 T145 T192 T147 T155 T181 T186 T110 T136 T146 T182 T191 T156 T158 T157 T159 T184 T180 T190 107 108 109 110 111 101 100 sustainability@psc Page 9

Campus Floors 1, 2, 3, 4 First Floor Water Filling Stations 107 108 109 110 111 101 100 103 104 1140A 1140B 1140C 106 105 1140 1140E 1140G 1140F 1152 1155 1151 1150 1154 1150C 1153 1150A 1161 1150B 1162 1153 1163 1160 Enrollment Svcs. 1167 1168 1169 2665 2664 1216 1217 1220 1215A 1215B 1215C 1214A 1214B 1122 1121 1184 1212 1218 1130 1181 1183 1180 1182 1211 1120 1136 1213 1134 1190 1204 1203 1202 1201 1205 1135 1131 1137 1192 1193 1194 1195 1196 1197 1198 1199 1200 1206 1207 1244 1111 1110 1115 1230 1241 1260 1261 1100 1101 1102 1112 1113 1114 1231 1242 1240 1262 1300 1305 1310 First Floor - Main Area Second Floor Water Filling Station 2265 2266 2241 2239 2237 2235 2233 2231 2229 2227 2225 2223 2221 2213 2212 2194 2188 2193 2665 2666 2190 2600 2600 2664 2663 2616 2266 2262 2261 2252 2251 2232 2230 2228 2226 2224 2222 2211 2210 2203 2202 2180 2667 2271 2272 2268 2267 2270 2281 2280 2282 2283 2286 2409 2505 COMPASS Testing 2508 2506 2181 2182 2183 2191 2645 2608 2612 2662 2620 2621 2622 2273 2287 2408 2503 2504 2184 2185 2643 2642 2642A 2641 2636 2635 2634 2633 2632 2661 2623 2624 2274 2291 2288 2406 2292 2401 2404 2403 2405 2402 2108 2501 2502 2186 2187 2188 2660 2639 2637 2631 2630 2629 2625 2305 2306 2105 2106 2107 2113 2115 2117 2119 2121 2123 2141 2143 2151 2153 2161 2163 2165 2304 2166 2303 2302 2301 2297 2296 2295 2111 2112 2114 2116 2118 2120 2122 2126 2128 2172 2171 2170 2169 2168 2167 2150 Second Floor Page 10 sustainability@psc

Campus Floors 1, 2, 3, 4 Third Floor Water Filling Station 3246 3166 3250 3245 3212 3210 3205 3200 3195 3186 3165 3160 3211 3260 3240 3235 3230 3185 3180 3170 3155 3265 3216 3152 3261 3272 3271 3266 3214 3215 3190 3151 3146 3156 3267 3150 3270 3285 3290 3295 3135 3136 3138 3145 3276 3275 3280 3110 3112 3120 3137 3140 3279 3111 3139 Third Floor Fourth Floor Water Filling Station 4246 4247 4245 4244 4220 4210 4205 4200 4190 4167 4165 4166 4250 4164 4255 4240 4225/4230 4185 4180 4170 4160 4259 4261 4157 4258 4257 4256 4262 4215 4218 4217 4195 4156 4151 4161 4263 4155 4265 4275 4285 4290 4125 4130 4140 4150 4112 4111 4118 4270 4280 4105 4120 4145 4110 4121 4147 Fourth Floor sustainability@psc Page 11

Student Engagement South Metro Higher Education Consortium s Student Sustainability Summit and Bard Center for Environmental Policy s C2C Fellows Program Ms. Cairo served on the planning committee for the third annual South Metro Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC) Student Sustainability Summit which was held at Moraine Valley Community College in April. Six students from the student Sustainability Club attended the summit. Attendees learned about sustainability from a panel of professionals currently addressing the social, economic and environmental issues that affect our modern day food system. A series of breakout sessions occurred after the panel presentation, where students actually attended lunch late just to hear more from each speaker! Following the summit, several of these students participated in the Bard Center for Environmental Policy s C2C Fellows Program, which is a national leadership seminar for undergraduates aspiring to leadership positions in sustainable politics and business. Being a part of the PSC Sustainability Club has enabled me to share ideas of becoming more sustainable with my community of peers. As an active member of the club, I was also provided the opportunity to attend conferences, such as the SMHEC Student Sustainability Summit and the C2C Fellows Program, which helped develop my leadership skills. Impact: Six students received leadership training and became part of a national fellows program. Campus Conservation Nationals PSC participated in Campus Conservation Nationals, a national energy challenge in which we were charged with reducing our electric usage in the Health Tech Center over the course of a three-week period. As part of the competition, PSC competed directly against the following Illinois Community Colleges: Heartland Community College, John A. Logan College, Lewis and Clark Community College, Southwestern Illinois College, Moraine Valley Community College, Rock Valley College, Harper College, Joliet Junior College, McHenry County College, and Parkland College. As part of the program, the college received funds to purchase and install weather strips to all outside doors of the Health Tech Center and to purchase power strips to automatically shut-down computers after 11 hours. Impact: National recognition for participating in the competition. Emmanuel Lopez, (Past-president, Sustainability Club) Page 12 sustainability@psc

Student Engagement Earth Week 2014 This year s Earth Week celebration took place on campus the week of April 21-26. Two large-scale events were planned, with several smaller, educational events taking place each day. Several sponsors were secured, including The Sustainable Business Center and UPS at the Emerald level ($500+), USAgain at the Jungle level ($250-500), and SouthSTAR Services, Magic Pure, Barnes & Noble College (PSC Bookstore), and ChiroOne at the Forest level ($100-250). Large scale events included: 1. A green vendor fair which took place on April 23 in the Atrium. Twenty-six vendors and organizations participated this year, highlighting their green products and services, as well as career, internship, and volunteer opportunities. 2. A community wide recycling drive where PSC partnered with several organizations, including SouthSTAR Services Ecosafe Processors, USAgain, and Savers to collect electronics, small appliances, household items and textiles. Additional events included an interactive animal demonstration where 80 students from the Jones Center and several classes from the Children s Learning Center attended, a nature preserve clean up, and a green speaker series. Earth Week 2014 was a great success with excellent feedback received from all participants, including students, faculty, and staff, as well as external vendors. Impact: Faculty, staff, students, and external community members participated in and learned about sustainability at PSC through this year s Earth Week activities. Earth Week 2014 Sponsors sustainability@psc Page 13

C ommunity Engagement 45 BAGS of clothing, towels, bedding and shoes were collected and shipped to the Philippines. Philippines Clothing Collection Drive The Sustainability Center, in coordination with the Sustainability Club, ran a collection drive for the victims of the typhoon that struck the Philippines. This was a great opportunity to help those in need while educating the college about the devastating effects of climate change. Impact: Forty-five bags of summer clothing, towels, bedding and shoes were collected and shipped to the Philippines. Energy Demand Reduction Trainings Under the Illinois Green Economy Network s (IGEN) Illinois Community College Targeted Energy Management Training (ICCTEMT) program, PSC was selected for a second year in a row to host a series of energy demand reduction trainings. These trainings were offered to PSC employees, students and business members of the local communities free of charge. PSC offered the following three trainings in the spring semester: Preventive and Predictive Maintenance Equipment Best Practices, offered by Met Demand (March and May) The Path to Sustainable Change, offered by sr4 Partners (April) Facilitating Employee Engagement in Sustainability Initiatives, offered by sr4 Partners (April). Impact: Thirty-two participants attended the series. Electric Vehicle Road Trip On June 25, the Illinois Green Economy Network electric vehicle (EV) road trip stopped at PSC. The EV road trip was part of a statewide effort to create a network of electric vehicle charging stations providing the infrastructure necessary to travel across the state without range anxiety (i.e. the fear of running out of electricity with no way of charging up). IGEN, with the support of Governor Pat Quinn s office and the Illinois Office of Tourism, partnered with 11 community colleges from southern Illinois to northern Illinois in an EV Road Trip. On June 23, the first college team started at John A. Logan College (JALC) (Carterville, IL) where Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon kicked off the road trip. The vehicle left JALC and headed north to the College of Lake County (Grayslake, IL) stopping along the way to plug in and charge up at several community colleges, including PSC. Page 14 sustainability@psc

C ommunity Engagement Reggie Greenwood, Deputy Director of Economic Development, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association; Jim Garrett, President & CEO, Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau; and David Hinderliter, President & CEO, Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce were on campus for the special event, each taking several moments to make remarks on PSC s sustainability efforts, particularly in regards to our electric vehicle charging stations and what that means for the regional economy. The event was very successful and received quite a bit of media coverage. Impact: State-wide, 38 electric vehicles were used and approximately 500 people at 11 Illinois community colleges and the Executive Mansion in Springfield were involved. At PSC, more than 50 were present. Community Garden The community garden officially opened for its third season on May 22. Our 2014 gardeners were extremely diverse and included students and faculty from the Children s Learning Center, PSC students, faculty, and staff, as well as multiple members of our local community. A student worker has been managing the garden, providing helpful information to gardeners, ensuring water is available and assisting gardeners with their plots as needed. With a third successful season and plans for expansion, the garden will open again in 2015. Impact: Twenty-six garden plots sold and participants of all ages are learning about gardening. Richton Park Building Safety Day In June, PSC s sustainability department participated in Richton Park s Building Safety Day. Building safety day was open to Richton Park residents. We presented the sustainability initiatives taking place at PSC as well as answered general questions related to sustainability. This is the second year in a row the Sustainability Center has been asked to be present at this event. sustainability@psc Page 15

Waste Diversion Electronics Recycling PSC s electronics recycling partnership continues with SouthSTAR Services EcoSAFE Processors. Through the bitter cold, snow, and college closings in January, PSC, with the assistance of the ITR department, was able to recycle two skids of e-waste from our Industrial Electricity and Computer Electronics Technology classroom labs, more than 300 obsolete desk phones, and a large UPS (the battery backup for the old phone system) to EcoSAFE Processors, an organization that transforms old electronics into new opportunities for people with disabilities. Impact: Two skids of e-waste, a UPS and more than 300 obsolete phones were properly disposed of while supporting a local, not for profit organization. Recycling at PSC Brian Wright, sustainability intern, repainted all of PSC s repurposed recycling bins and added informational signs to each one. Additional bins were added throughout campus, including outdoors at high traffic entrances/exits. PSC maintains its relationship with Republic Services, who provides the college with weights of each recycling load picked up. From July 2013 to June 2014, PSC recycled a total of 19.83 tons of materials. Impact: Recycled 80.6 tons of materials since 2011. 86 TONS of materials recycled since 2011. Page 16 sustainability@psc

Publications and Presentations Effective and Innovative Practices for the Strategic Facilities Manager Ms. Cairo had a chapter published in a new book, Effective and Innovative Practices for the Strategic Facilities Manager. In her chapter, Case Study: The Power to Save Energy is in Our Hands, Allessandra discusses PSC s energy dashboard and behavior change campaign that took place last year in the Health Tech Center. In the chapter, Allessandra outlined how to identify and engage stakeholders on campus to implement a successful behavior change campaign for energy efficiency. Illinois Association of Community College Biologist Conference Ms. Cairo presented at the annual Illinois Association of Community College Biologists (IACCB) Conference in Springfield, IL on the evening of Oct. 11. The presentation focused on the sustainability efforts taking place at PSC and encouraged community colleges across the state to engage their own faculty, staff, and students in implementing similar initiatives as part of the new Illinois Green Project. 4th Annual South Metro Higher Education Consortium (SMEHC) Sustainability Conference In October, Allessandra Cairo, sustainability coordinator, gave a presentation about the Illinois Green Economy Network s energy efficiency grant PSC received in 2012. The presentation was an overview of the grant as well as the steps PSC took to reduce our electric and gas usage through the installation of an energy dashboard system and implementation of a behavior change campaign. Chicago Heights Rotary Club In March, Allessandra Cairo, sustainability coordinator, had the opportunity to present the college s sustainability initiatives to the Chicago Heights Rotary Club. sustainability@psc Page 17

Prairie State College Board of Trustees Jacqueline J. Agee, Chair Marc Wiley, Vice Chair Cynthia Somer, Secretary Margaret (Peg) Donohue Dr. Kathleen M. Doyle Brunetta Hill-Corley Wendell D. Mosby DaRon Johnson, Student Trustee Page 18 sustainability@psc

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