| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.06 |
| Liaison | Casey Meehan |
| Submission Date | June 15, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Western Technical College
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.25 / 2.00 |
Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
| Yes or No | |
| Active student groups focused on sustainability | Yes |
| Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems | Yes |
| Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes | No |
| Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills | No |
| Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | Yes |
| Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | No |
| Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles | No |
| Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences | No |
| Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills | Yes |
| Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution | Yes |
| Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions | No |
| Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives | --- |
The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:
Green Energy Efficiency Club (G.E.E.C.)-The purpose of Green Energy Efficiency Club is to:
1. Assist and promote sustainable building practices, energy efficiency upgrades, and building science principles
2. Advocate for environmental sustainability
3. Create opportunities for Club members to participate in Club activities and additional learning experiences
4. Connect Club participants with local and surrounding communities to enhance Club and personal development
Landscape Horticulture-The Landscape Horticulture Club aims to further the education of the students involved with a variety of horticulture related activities. The club tours regional arboretums and landscapes to stimulate appreciation for the horticulture field. Funds for these trips are raised by growing and marketing plants at our spring plant sale, as well as additional fund raising events. In addition to planting trees around campus, the club grows plants for local community gardens, and helps maintain the landscape at the Historic Hixon House, and supports other non-profit properties. The Landscape Horticulture Club is proud to contribute to the beauty of the Western Technical Campus by adding to the palette of trees, shrubs and flowers. The Landscape Horticulture Club also contributes to the community through their involvement in landscape design, and some installations and maintenance for charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Hillview Life Center, City of La Crosse Parks, and other agencies. The club awards a minimum of two scholarships each year to members who have demonstrated commitment to the club and the profession.
The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:
Western Technical College possess a green house where students learn techniques for growing different plants. Students grow the plants which are showcased in Western’s green wall as well as the green roof on top of the Integrated Technologies building.
The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
Sustainability Summit – The purpose of this event was To focus attention on the opportunities in renewable energy, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) has initiated an array of renewable energy activities, including renewable energy demonstration sites, offering workshops and training seminars to expand public awareness, encouraging the development and sharing of curriculum materials, and delivering specialized renewable energy training to meet the needs of Wisconsin’s citizens, the skilled trades, and manufacturers. (Milwaukee, WI).
Community Resiliency Symposium- Hosted by Western Technical College this symposium discussed questions such as: Are we ill prepared or do we have effective plans in place for the most likely factor that can change the way we live, work and function as a community? What are the most pressing & emerging issues in agriculture, emergency response, housing, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and YOUR profession? How can your organization join the effort to get ahead of the devastating impacts of items that can limit our ability to grow and prosper? The symposium was hosted in hopes to raise awareness in the community and the surrounding areas about sustainability
The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Campus Climate Nationals-Energy checks are taken in the Fall and Spring semesters and compared in the Residence Halls. Through tracking their usage students learn to make changes in their daily lives that will reduce the amount of energy they consume.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
Two work study positions are offered within the sustainability department. These positions work on many different projects and events that the department is currently working. Students receive first hand work experience dealing sustainability initiatives in an organization.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.