 "Photo: AASHE")
Houghton College recently joined the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), an organization of colleges and universities that support each other and share ideas as they work toward campus sustainability.
According to their website, AASHE believes sustainability is holistic, "encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations." This inclusive view of sustainability corresponds with Houghton's initiative toward organizational sustainability on all institutional levels.
The membership fee came out of the small budget allocated last year to the new Office of Sustainability and sustainability coordinator Ginny Routhe. As a member, Houghton now has access to many resources that will help the college assess its progress toward holistic environmental care and develop plans and policies.
One of AASHE's main programs is the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS. This roadmap covers all aspects of campus, from operations to classroom learning, and also helps institutions develop goals specific to their needs and strengths.AASHE is one of two supporting organizations for the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), which President Mullen signed in 2008.
Signatories to the document agree to 1) complete an emissions inventory; 2) within two years, set a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral; 3) take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions; 4) integrate sustainability into the curriculum and make it part of the education experience; and 5) make the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available. AASHE provides forums for colleges to share their ideas for fulfilling the commitment as well as frameworks for developing action steps.
"It's definitely worth it," said Routhe. Houghton's report on greenhouse gas emissions is due to the ACUPCC in May, and AASHE will cut days off of the work of consolidating that data.
Professor Paul Young, who chaired the Creation Care Task Force last year, looks forward to what membership in the AASHE will bring.
"We dismissed some things last year because of cost, short-term thinking, or lack of enthusiasm, and it will be good to see what other schools are doing…to see what energy and the future can look like," he said.
According to Young, Houghton's commitments toward the ACUPCC to be fulfilled within two years included green appliance purchasing and LEED standard for new buildings, such as the Paine Center addition. What is more challenging, Young said, is setting a goal for the actual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Routhe has been chairing the newly-established Creation Care Committee (CCC), which has been developing some tangible sustainability plans for the next few semesters. By the end of this semester, the college will be working with Pioneer to compost food from the kitchens; as Sodexo moves in for next year, composting will also be available on the "eating side" of the cafeteria. The CCC also has the unique opportunity to recommend local food vendors for Sodexo.
Clothes dryers are some of the largest energy consumers on campus; the CCC is working to develop a drying rack loan program for the Flats and Townhouses. Houghton is also in the early stages of exploring a feasibility study for wind turbines on campus property.
AASHE information from other schools gives Houghton information on the integration of themes of sustainability into the curriculum, possibly even leading to a new minor or major.
The Earth Week chapel speaker for this year is a religion professor from Hope College who specializes in issues of faith and earth care.
Routhe hopes that incorporating AASHE's concept of inclusive sustainability can make the idea of sustainability a trend or simply environmentalism.
"This is a bit beyond just stewardship of resources," said Routhe. "It's about understanding the order of things and humans as caretakers of creation. Houghton hopes to prepare students for global Christian service, and sustainability is definitely a part of Christian service."
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