Sustainability Plan: Executive Summary
Seminole State College of Florida recognizes the wisdom of forethought, the value of multigenerational planning, and the virtue of resilience. The College also acknowledges that to prepare its students and community to face the social, economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century and beyond, the institution must adopt a long-term perspective, encourage holistic problem-solving and promote personal responsibility in both the local and global contexts.
Because education is about growing and adapting, it is especially incumbent on academic institutions to embrace and to model sustainability, and in particular, to educate students in the present so that they may become effective leaders for the future.
Thus, to honor the College’s core mission of enhancing the educational, economic and cultural vitality of its region, Seminole State College of Florida has adopted a mission and vision for sustainability at the institution and drafted a Sustainability Plan to pursue these ideals.
About the Sustainability Plan
To accomplish its Mission and realize its Vision for a sustainable future, Seminole State College of Florida has created this Sustainability Plan, which identifies both short- and long-term goals for the College to improve the efficiency of its facilities and operations and to educate its students and community on the core goals of sustainable development.
The Sustainability Plan identifies strategies that the College plans to undertake to achieve its broader sustainability goals. The strategies are organized according to four pillars:
- Project Planning
- Facilities & Operations
- Academics
- Community Engagement
Facilities & Operations strategies include recommendations for new or streamlined business practices, procurement guidelines or investments in campus infrastructure to help improve operational efficiency. Strategies for Academics support student learning outcomes, training programs, and co-curricular engagement in topics related to sustainability, resilience and environmental sustainability. Community Engagement strategies aim to strengthen Seminole State’s present and future relationships with community partners in support of regional sustainability.
Seminole State College of Florida is dedicated to the values of lifelong learning and self-improvement. In accordance, this Sustainability Plan has been envisioned as a perpetual work in progress, a guiding document and an aspirational instrument. With each iteration of the plan, the College will revisit its goals and report on the progress attained thus far.
Seminole State College of Florida is dedicated to the values of lifelong learning and self-improvement. In accordance, this Sustainability Plan has been envisioned as a perpetual work in progress, a guiding document and an aspirational instrument. With each iteration of the plan, the College will revisit its goals and report on the progress attained thus far.
Pillars & Strategies
Project Planning
- Data, Reporting & Benchmarking
- Evaluating Projects & Initiatives
Facilities & Operations
- Sustainable Design for Construction & Renovation
- Routine Assessment of Building Envelopes & Weatherization
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- Campus Lighting
- Space Utilization & Optimization
- Energy Efficient Appliances & Office Equipment
- Renewable Energy Generation
- Water Efficient Faucets & Fixtures
- Material Waste Streams & Recycling
- Education Program for Recycling Right
Academics
- Sustainability Mapped to Curriculum
- Campus as a Learning Laboratory for Sustainability
- Interactive Displays & Educational Signage
- Student Engagement in Campus Sustainability
Community Engagement
- Marketing, Outreach & Public Awareness
- Sustainability in the Strategic Plan
- Educational Partnerships with Local Industry, Government & Nonprofits
- Collaborations Across Higher Education & PreK-12 Outreach