Sustainability Action Plan 2022

Outreach Programs and Projects

4.12 Campus and Community Outreach and Awareness

The sustainability of a college campus is highly dependent on individual members of the student body, faculty and staff. While having energy-efficient equipment, installing low-flow water devices, and providing separate bins for source separation of waste can make a district more sustainable, behavioral changes can significantly impact the effectiveness of these activities.

Additionally, it is essential to maintain transparency and keep the campus and local community informed of the district’s progress with sustainability planning and actions. One of the priorities for the implementation of this plan will be to effectively communicate the goals and programs to the campus communities and to engage them in the process.

This will involve strategies, such as those described below, and will be a focus of ESAC as the Sustainability Action Plan is rolled out.

4.12.1 Enhance ESAC Website — Priority

ESAC has established a website to communicate energy and sustainability planning and activities to students, faculty, staff, and the larger community. While the existing webpage fulfills the primary goals of communicating sustainability activities, ESAC should improve and enhance the site to provide a more detailed, comprehensive, and up-to-date picture of energy and sustainability programs and projects for all campus stakeholders. The website can serve as a publicity tool for sustainability events and student groups and as a coordination tool for conveying information to the local community. The website should be managed by the Energy and Sustainability Manager or a designated member of ESAC.

It should be updated with the latest district and campus developments and provide links to any public reports about sustainability efforts described in Section 5 of the Sustainability Action Plan. The existing website can be found here.

ESAC should encourage the campuses to develop web sites that help students better access public transportation and other low carbon ways to get to campus; direct students to classes and careers in the emerging green economy, and help them understand what they can do to contribute to campus sustainability efforts.

4.12.2 Hold Workshops, Presentations, and Sustainability Events

ESAC should develop and conduct open workshops or presentations to allow campus and community members to stay informed about sustainability activities, ask questions, and participate in decisions.

Workshops and presentations should be well-publicized and open to all.
They should be led by individuals who can knowledgeably field questions from the audience and effectively facilitate the workshop process.
Events could include new student orientation on district sustainability programs, raising awareness and education on recycling practices, Earth Day workshops and presentations, and e-waste collection at events.
Bulletin boards throughout the campuses could be used to advertise events and activities.

4.12.3 Campus Specific Outreach and Awareness

In addition to sustainability events, the district should implement other campus-focused outreach strategies designed to inform, engage and encourage participation in sustainability activities from the campus community.

These could include:

Post behavioral reminders to conserve energy and water, reduce and sort waste properly, turn off automobile engines to prevent idling, and encourage other sustainable habits.
Develop new student orientation to introduce students to the district’s sustainability plans, goals, and commitments. Encourage students to become active members of the college and community during their time as a student and beyond. A similar program should be developed for new employees so they can be educated in the district's sustainability culture.
Establish a campus newspaper or newsletter to include articles about local and campus sustainability events and efforts. The Energy and Sustainability Manager or a member of ESAC should coordinate with the campus newspaper or newsletter to submit regular editorials or articles to keep the campus informed about ongoing efforts.

4.12.4 Community Outreach and Partnerships

As the BOG Framework recommends, the district should explore community partnerships to support and promote sustainability activities and programs, including partnerships with local municipalities, non-profits, and private philanthropic organizations. Other forms of community collaboration could include working with K-12 schools, community volunteers and service organizations. Community outreach should be an essential element of the Sustainability Action Plan.

4.12.5 Inter-Campus Collaboration — Priority

It is vitally important that both Foothill and De Anza cooperate and collaborate on energy and sustainability programs and activities to ensure the best possible chance that common district goals are achieved.

Unfortunately, many multi-college districts operate in silos where each campus works independently on energy and sustainability, resulting in duplication of efforts, inefficient resource utilization, and little sharing of lessons learned and best practices.

As a districtwide committee, ESAC should provide the opportunity for collaboration and allow a consistent approach for both campuses to meet their operational needs.

The new Energy and Sustainability Manager will be a district position and can provide this coordination as well.

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