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College to begin green practices in Fergus Falls
Published Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MSCTC) has joined a nation-wide effort to reduce its carbon footprint.
When MSCTC President Dr. Ann Valentine recently signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), she says she was acting on behalf of concerned staff and students.
Valentine said the students were the first to express their desires to implement sustainable practices on campus.
Student group Phi Theta Kappa first approached faculty requesting that additional recycling receptacles be available on campus. Once the students’ positions were heard by campus leaders, they began to discuss additional environmental commitments the campus could take part in.
The climate committment seemed an appropriate step to take, Valentine said.
The document calls on the 500 colleges and universities party to the commitment to develop a system unique to each campus that would fulfill certain environmental criteria to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
On top of that, each campus must complete an emissions inventory every year and set a target date by which the campus will have met its emission reduction goals.
Abiding by the commitment, MSCTC will integrate sustainability issues into its core curriculum.
“It will be infused in everything we do,” Valentine said.
For example, in a composition class, a student may be required to address environmental topics.
The college is in the planning process of adding a wind turbine at a location on the Fergus Falls campus grounds.
The Wadena campus is installing green houses, and the Moorhead building expansion project will abide by certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
Valentine is hoping that as students become more aware of individual environmental impact, the new practices will become ingrained in everyday life.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Timray18 (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome to the new religion....Global Warming!
Posted by awelgraven (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh good.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so where do all those pollutants go? into imagination land?
if it's leftist to be concerned about sustainable resources, what is rightist?
to be completely unconcerned about resources?
hey maybe you rightists can turn our country into another 18th century London?, or we could have smog reports like in LA, and maybe even a little more acid rain?
why would you complain about college students being responsible and exploring tangible options for the future?
I thought you "Rightists" wanted to reduce our dependence on foreign oil?
Jamie Cooper
Posted by Absurdis (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reduce your"carbon footprint."Integrate sustainability issues? It does not sound like independent thinking is in fashion at MSCTC. Looks like you jumped on the donkey wagon with the rest of the leftist crowd.
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not "leftist" to care about reducing our carbon footprint. Regardless of political affiliation, it is important to reduce our reliance on foreign oil, and one way to do that is to stop using as much energy... it sure seems a little paranoid to think that reducing one's carbon footprint is a bad idea.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How to be green.
Don't mow the lawn, don't plow the snow, turn off the lights, don't take class trips to Disney world or New York, don't play any games at towns over 50 miles away, walk to everything, etc, etc, etc.
Posted by NightOwls (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would probably bet that not even a small fraction of the folks in this region could make an intelligent guess as to what LEED would bring to the table in this scenario. Well here's a clue... from $2.50 ft/2 to less than $.60 ft/2 of total operating expense. Do the math... Left or Right, the days of running everything 100% wide open 24/7 365 are long gone. With more forward thinking people there maybe something left for our grandkids. Hmmm... there's a thought.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
there are push mowers, shovels, fluorescent bulbs, bicycles, ect... unfortunately I can't think of any decent solutions for the trips just yet.
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