Green College Spotlight: California State University at Chico
September 29, 2008 · Print This Article
California State University at Chico has spent the last decade putting forth a huge effort toward sustainability, reflecting a deep desire to preserve the natural beauty of the city of Chico, which is renowned for its many beautiful parks, greenways and tracts of undeveloped land. As such, they’re working hard to be good stewards of the land, teaching students to be ‘environmentally literate citizens’.
Chico State’s Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development, Scott G. McNall, explains the university’s commitment to sustainability:
We intend to make CSU, Chico the distinctive “green” campus in California and become a national leader in environmental education, science, and policy analysis; the building of environmentally friendly facilities, and practicing and modeling for others sustainable practices. We see civic engagement and sustainability powerfully linked as a way to help students understand that democracy must be actively created and nurtured and as a way to work with others to build and live in the community.
Students, faculty and staff at Chico State have thrown themselves headlong into sustainable initiatives, as evidenced by the long list of sustainability practices currently in place at the school. They’re actively working to reduce CO2, construct sustainable buildings, implement energy conservation practices, purchase and invest in environmentally and socially responsible products, conducting environmental audits and minimizing the use of hazardous chemicals.
CSU was among the first schools in the nation to sign a long-range commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). On campus, they’ve installed a thermal energy storage system and have committed to incorporate LEED-sponsored sustainability practices into all future buildings. Solar panels on the roofs of Yolo Hall and Acker Gym supply power to the university, reducing carbon emissions equivalent to that produced by 430 commuter vehicles.
Transportation on campus includes bicycles and free bus transit, and the Facilities Management Services has a fleet of 43 electric vehicles. Chico State has had recycling and composting in place since 1996, and so far they’ve saved 632 tons of recyclable and compostable waste from ending up in the landfill. Students enthusiastically take part in a variety of eco activities, from growing organic veggies at the university farm to going on ‘adventure outings’ that increase appreciation for the natural world. They even help local elementary school students understand the value of the environment through hands-on activities at the Butte Creek Ecological Preserve.
All that Chico State is doing towards a greener future is a great example of how green colleges are bridging the divide between environmentalists and ordinary citizens. Hopefully, in the years to come, these kinds of sustainability initiatives will be ordinary and commonplace – a part of daily life. Eco-conscious colleges and universities are helping to instill environmental responsibility into the very people who will lead the charge toward a greener future – the youth. Great work, Chico State!
Link [California State University at Chico]
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Hey its my alma mater. Makes me feel all squishy inside knowing that I graduated from a green university. But I have to point out one little piece of mis information. Transportation on campus does not include bicycles, in the “core” of campus riding bicycles is prohibited. It always bugged be since there are full street width walkways which would provide plenty of room for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Nonetheless many students bike to school anyway. In-fact during the first week of school and finals week of each semester, so many students bike to class that there aren’t enough spots in the bike racks.
Go team! Radfahrer, myself, and the other Allyourgreen.com guy are all alumni.
But yeah, all is well if you can park your bike. At least they’re not expanding parking lots. They’ve also been big into green building practices, with their latest (is it open yet?) student services building being entirely certified. They have an entire Ecology and Environmental Studies program, too.
And Scott McNall was my boss when I worked there as a student. Good times. I love Chico.
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