Contents:
I. Why Sewanee Needs An Environmental Policy p. 2
II. Proposed Environmental Mission Statement for Sewanee p. 4
III. Proposed Environmental Policy for Sewanee p. 4
IV. Related Environmental Recommendations p. 5
V. Campus Environmental Coordinator Job Description p. 8
VI. Appendix A: Historical Progression of SewaneeÕs Environmental Culture p. 9
VII. Appendix B: The Talloires Declaration p. 13
VIII. Appendix C: Environmental Resolutions of Southern Episcopal Dioceses p. 14
IX. Appendix D: Recommended Reading p. 17
X. Closing Thought p. 18
Lane P. Shackleton
is a senior from Atlanta, Ga., majoring in Environmental Studies: Natural
Resources and minoring in Anthropology.
During
his junior year at Sewanee, Lane studied abroad in Australia. He is a member of the Order of the
Gownsmen, serves as student Climbing
Director for the Sewanee Outing
Program, and is an All Conference baseball
player.
Katharine K. Wilkinson is a senior from Atlanta, Ga., majoring in Religion and minoring in Environmental Studies and Political Science. She is a Benedict Scholar, Captain of the Sewanee Equestrian Team, and Co-Chair of the Environmental Residents Program. During her time at Sewanee, Katharine has studied abroad in Costa Rica and Geneva, Switzerland. She is a member of the Order of Gownsmen, Student Assembly, Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa.
All
institutions of higher learning have major impacts on their local, regional,
and global environments. Julian Keniry argues in Ecodemia these colleges
and universities, Òwhere visionary thinking often rubs against the daily
demands of institutional life, are [also] uniquely positioned to help invent
the greener communities needed for the next century.Ó[1] In other words, these schools are
perfectly situated to take the lead in solving the worldÕs current
environmental problems. By working
to reduce the impacts that result from their activities, these institutions can
educate through demonstration of environmental sustainability. As Sarah
Hammond Creighton says in Greening the Ivory Tower:
It is the very nature of universities – as institutions that educate students for the future – that should motivate them to implement a vision of minimal impact on the natural world. . . . By greening their own campuses, universities and colleges can teach and demonstrate the principles of awareness and stewardship of the natural world, while increasing their chances of clean and pleasant local and global environments for the future.[2]
In a world in
which environmental concerns permeate virtually every realm, institutions of
higher education must not only take the lead in discussing these problems but
must also serve as an example of acting to solve them.
After all, if the communities populated by bright-minded citizens cannot
achieve environmental sustainability, how will any?
SewaneeÕs
unique heritage and location place it in an ideal position, among institutions
of higher learning, to be an exemplar of campus sustainability. That is to say, we, as a community,
could choose to live with such profound environmental care and concern that our
actions would draw people to Sewanee, provide an example for others to follow,
engage students in an experiential education to carry away with them, and
enrich our communal sense of moral responsibility. Sewanee does
not have to follow the path that other sustainable institutions have laid out,
nor should it. Certainly, the
University can be educated by those choices, but SewaneeÕs environmental ethic
could grow out of and be informed by its unique location and heritage. Our environmental model could express
the essence of Sewanee itself. We
have three singular gifts: the 10,000 acre Domain, a community dedicated to
this place, and a connection to the Christian (and specifically Episcopalian)
tradition. This triple inheritance
of people, place, and heritage may engender a particular culture of
sustainability here, centering upon a community consciously enlarged to
encompass both the natural and the divine, as indeed, both encompass
humanity. Developing this kind of
intentional, resolved community, however, demands a commitment. Sewanee needs a formalized policy
statement to guide its unique development towards environmental excellence.
In
a passage familiar to lovers of this place, Gardner Tucker has written that
Sewanee is:
A towered city, set within a wood,
far from the world, upon a mountain crest.
There storms of life burst not, nor cares
intrude.
There learning dwells and Peace is WisdomÕs
guest.
TuckerÕs
assessment of the gift of this place could not be more accurate. Sewanee is a treasure in which we are
blessed to share. But though this
mountain may lead us into peace and wisdom, we must not allow it to lull us
into neglect. Surrounded by a
stunning 10,000 acres – including the many scenic bluffs, cascading
waterfalls, intricate cave systems, diverse vegetation, and abundant wildlife
– we may easily lapse into a sense of being environmentally angelic. We must not, however, allow our sense
of inhabiting Arcadia to generate a false sense of being ecologically
infallible here or of being removed from that which exists outside the gates. We have an impact on the world beyond,
just as it has an impact on Sewanee.
Further,
in Lanterns on the Levee William Alexander Percy says Sewanee is:
a long way from
Chattanooga, in the middle of woods, on top of a bastion of mountains
crenellated with blue coves. It is
so beautiful that people who have once been there always, one way or another,
come back. For such as can detect
apple green in an evening sky, it is Arcadia – not the one that never
used to be, but the one that many people always live in; only this one can be
shared.
Idyllic, Percy
says, yes, but this Arcadia of Sewanee is also real, living, unfolding –
which means that this place is fragile, requiring our commitment to its care
and preservation. As an Arcadia in
which people live, on which people depend, and with which people interact, she
has risked her own pastoral perfection; Sewanee has generously shared itself
with us, but in doing so has also opened itself up to the possibility of
ruin. Out of respect for the
generous and fragile gift that we have been given, we must honor our
responsibility to revere and protect it.
We must be stewards of this idyllic place.
On
May 7, 1993, the University Board of Trustees adopted the following mission
statement, which may guide and inform this imperative of sustainability:
The University of the
South, an institution of the Episcopal Church, exists for education in such
disciplines as will increase knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, pursued in
close community and in full freedom of inquiry, and enlightened by Christian
faith, to the end that students may be prepared to search for truth, to seek
justice for all, to preserve liberty under law, and to love and serve God and
humanity.
Though not explicitly mentioned here, the call to environmental stewardship permeates this mission statement, particularly in the final passage, which expresses the call Òto love and serve God and humanity.Ó In our current world, under our current conditions, one cannot hear this call without noting the echo of environmental responsibility. Episcopalian institutions throughout the country are also hearing and responding to this call as specific to their religious mission (see section IV). Out of respect and love for both Creator and creation, they are taking the lead in environmental stewardship, blazing new paths towards ecological sustainability. Let us join them in these efforts.
In keeping with our heritage and mission, the University will strive for an enlightened and compassionate stewardship of the natural resources and environment of the Domain. We shall exercise this stewardship by reducing waste and eliminating pollution, by restoring damaged or abused areas, by identifying and protecting critical species and habitats, by promoting the economic justice that is the root of all good environmental protection, and by seeking to make the Domain an environmental model to our neighbors and to those who are touched by our influence. We shall do this by precept in our policies and in our classes and by practice as we manage the Domain. To the end that we shall say of the Domain entrusted to us as we say of our common life: ecce quam bonum. Behold How Good.
The
University of the South hereby affirms its awareness of the interdependence of
human and ecological systems, its concern for global environmental health, and
its commitment to be a leader in sustainability.
The
University will strive to:
v Serve as a model of
environmental sustainability
v Act as an environmental leader
in higher education
v Promote a culture of
sustainability on campus
v Foster environmental
education in and out of the classroom
v Engender environmental
awareness and responsibility throughout the University community
v Support students, faculty,
and staff as they explore new ways to be responsible citizens
v Collaborate with other
organizations locally, nationally, and internationally to promote
sustainability
The
University will act to achieve these goals by striving to:
v Work to fulfill the 10 Point
Action Plan of the Talloires Declaration
v Encourage consideration of
environmental impacts in all decision-making
v Ensure full compliance with
all applicable environmental laws and regulations
v Implement sustained
institutional environmental leadership
v Conserve natural resources
v Safeguard environmental
health and safety
v Conduct regular environmental
audits
v Market SewaneeÕs ÒgreenÓ
achievements
v Aim to purchase products that
are environmentally safe and sustainable
v Increase the purchase and use
of clean, renewable energy
v Reduce solid-waste generation
and emphasize re-use when possible
v Promote recycling and other
alternatives to conventional waste disposal
v Minimize the use of toxic
substances and promote proper disposal of those necessary
v Increase energy efficiency in
campus buildings and transportation
v Take into consideration
long-term economic benefits and concerns during campus planning
v Incorporate sustainable
technology into campus building and renovation
v Employ principles of
sustainable design
v Respect existing natural spaces during University growth and aim to protect them whenever possible
v Building
As in the past and present,
in the future, the University will undergo renovations and construction of new
buildings. Currently the
University is not obtaining LEED certification but is, at best, utilizing the
standards as guidelines for building.
We recommend that the University achieve LEED standards on all future
building projects, making sure to evaluate the money saving prospects in the
long term as well as the short term when assessing their application. In addition, it would be valuable to
formalize a system in which students and concerned faculty could conduct
Environmental Impact Statements on building construction and renovation. This process is currently being
employed informally, but we recommend that it become a standard aspect of
environmental responsibility in all future projects. Moreover, the EIS process would provide an excellent
educational opportunity and give students important practical experience for
future endeavors.
The University currently lacks an individual to synthesize, coordinate, and encourage environmental initiatives on campus. Thus, we recommend creating a position for a Campus Environmental Coordinator who would have the responsibility of researching, developing, and influencing sustainable action on campus. He or she would be dedicated to addressing unregulated environmental impacts, serve as a resource, and provide a link between the academic and operational parts of Sewanee. (Please see full job description in section V. for further recommendations.)
The UniversityÕs energy supply currently comes from the Tennessee Valley Authority, and is thus primarily coal-derived power. Because of the associated environmental impacts of fossil fuel energy, Sewanee has made a commitment to purchasing a percentage of its use through TVAÕs Green Power Switch program (5% in 2005, 10% in 2006, and 15% in 2007). GSP generates clean, renewable energy through solar, wind, and methane production. We recommend that the University now consider the installation of solar panels or a wind turbine here on campus to make our commitment both more visible and more educational.
To date, the UniversityÕs energy efficiency measures have not been particularly comprehensive. We recommend that an all-inclusive energy conservation initiative be undertaken which would focus on five major sectors: 1) insulation, 2) ventilation, 3) lighting, 4) office equipment, and 5) heating and cooling.
v Environmental Loan Fund / Environmental Residents Program
A positive way to promote environmental stewardship would be to institute dorm- and building-based conservation efforts. This type of initiative would include the development of a revolving environmental loan fund that would help students and faculty pay for and carry out environmentally friendly/money saving projects. Examples might include repairing small water leaks that waste water and money or employing environmentally friendly lighting solutions in older buildings.
v Environmental Orientation
In order to introduce new students to environmental life at Sewanee, we recommend that during orientation new students are given a short and simple introduction to environmental stewardship and related opportunities at Sewanee. This program would be most effectively carried out by the directors of the Environmental Residents Program, the Eco-House, and WasteNot, as well as the Campus Environmental Coordinator, should such a position be created. It could include a short presentation on sustainable living for incoming students, as well as providing them with a student environmental handbook.
v McClurg
In order to foster community growth and promote environmentally friendly eating habits on campus, we recommend that McClurg/Aramark purchase organic foods from local farmers (an initiative the Aramark staff has already begun to research). In this spirit, it would also be valuable to donate excess food to local shelters and needy organizations. (The experiences of other institutions suggest that ÒGood Samaritan LawsÓ should protect McClurg/Aramark from liability.) In addition, we recommend that McClurg consider utilizing a composting system that would reduce the overall waste output and provide free natural fertilizers. It is also important that McClurg publicizes and continues to improve vegan and vegetarian dining options.
v Paper
Currently
the University is doing well using a high level of recycled paper; it is our
recommendation that it take the next step and commit to using 100% recycled
paper. In response to an ever
growing paper consumption rate, we recommend that the University require or
standardize the practice of double-sided printing/copying in order to reduce
the overall paper input/output. We
also recommend that the University consider instituting a Òpaper limit,Ó beyond
which students must pay by the page to print. Such a system would encourage greater care and awareness
about printing choices.
The University
currently purchases some ÒgreenÓ products. Because institutions of higher learning have the potential
to shift markets in favor of environmentally friendly goods and services,
however, we recommend that a more comprehensive and formalized commitment to
sustainable purchasing be made.
This would require buying products that are the most environmentally
sound and purchasing from environmentally responsible and/or local companies
whenever possible.
v Sewanee Environmental Alumni Council
The University
currently has numerous alumni working in environmental fields, including
planning, policy, consulting, and more.
We recommend that the University establish an environmental trust that
engages these graduates and employs their expertise in environmental planning
and decision making at Sewanee. We
recommend that an environmental conference be held in the near future, to bring
these valuable human resources to campus for round-table discussion about
possibilities for future sustainability at the University, and to demonstrate
our commitment to Sewanee alums and the general public.
The University currently employs traditional landfill disposal of solid wastes generated on campus. Due to the many environmental problems associated with landfills, we recommend that Sewanee consider using a local company called WastAway instead. WastAway (of the Bouldin Corporation) recycles household garbage into safe, usable materials. Employing the same pick-up system, our waste could be transported to a near-by WastAway facility (actually closer than our current landfill), where it would be converted into a stable substance called fluff that can be used as an effective growing medium or extruded to make products such as park benches, parking curbs, landscaping timbers, and fences. This switch would protect our local environment as well as benefiting local economies. The WastAway system was developed in near-by McMinville, TN and produces many jobs for communities currently suffering from relocation of manufacturing plants overseas. Further, Sewanee could display this environmentally sustainable choice through developing a demonstration garden that utilizes fluff for growing plants and the attractive recycled benches and fences for its necessary structures.
v Transportation
Currently the University and Physical Plant Services are moving toward the use of non-street vehicles. In the interest of reducing fossil fuels and maximizing energy use, we recommend that the University continue this shift toward utilizing golf carts and ÒGaitorsÓ to stress fuel efficiency and phase out large inefficient trucks. In addition, it is important that the University continually reevaluate the possibility of using bio-fuels and other new high efficiency technologies, such as hybrid vehicles, for transportation needs. Also at present, Sewanee has successfully moved towards the pedestrianization of campus, recommended by the Master Plan. All students now walk to class. We recommend that the University provide incentives for faculty and staff to drive less as well, and to encourage students to choose alternative forms of transportation for other occasions.
v Water
Currently the University is locked into a contract that does not purchase front-loading washing machines. We recommend that the University press this contract in order to ensure utilization of front-loading washers, which use about half as much water as the current top-loading washers do. In addition, we recommend that the University continue its efforts to retrofit shower-heads, toilets, and faucets to low-flow devices. It is also important that the University makes fixing water leaks and other water wastes a priority in order to save money and water.
V. Campus Environmental Coordinator Job description
v Objective:
v Roles
and Responsibilities:
v Qualifications:
Sewanee sits on 10,00 acres of upland forest, atop the
Cumberland Plateau and continues to be rather undeveloped since the
University's founding in 1857. The
domain has a variety of natural resources including coal, timber, stone and
spring water. During the 1950's
lakes were dammed in order to provide drinking water. In the 1960's the focus on the domain shifted from using to
natural resources to protecting areas for aesthetics, research, and
recreational use.
v The Old Farm
At one time Sewanee produced
almost all of its own food at the University Farm (located just past the
present baseball field). The old
farm was cleared around 1900 and was utilized for almost fifty years. Corn and potatoes were the main
products, while dairy cows were also used to obtain milk.
v Office of Domain Management
Gifford Pinchot, then head of the Division of Forestry, was
contacted in 1897 after a need for management of SewaneeÕs forests was
recognized. The following year
Pinchot visited the University, after which he contacted German forester Carl
Schenck, founder of the Biltmore Forestry School. In 1899 Schenck presented a report that included six
recommendations from replanting to hiring a permanent University Forester. John Foley completed the first formal
Management Plan around 1903. Later,
in the 1920Õs and 30Õs, fires burned much of SewaneeÕs forests. The forested areas of the University of
the South are currently managed to support the mission of the University. Specifically, these areas are managed
to provide the following: educational and research opportunities, recreational
opportunities, a supply of clean water, preservation of biological and cultural
resources, and revenue from carefully conducted resource extraction. The
Natural Resources Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the University
Administration and the Trustees about how best to maintain these values. The Office of Domain Management
(located in Snowden Hall) administers these activities.
v Forestry and Geology Department
Offering majors in Forestry, Geology, and Natural Resources,
the Forestry and Geology Department is dedicated to providing integrated
coursework and independent research in forested ecosystems, geology and other
related disciplines. It emphasizes
an interdisciplinary approach because of the significant degree to which forest
ecosystems and geological environments affect one another. To accomplish its goals, the Department
stresses work both within and outside the classroom, and trains students to
integrate their field observations with theoretical concepts and analytical
data.
v
Earth Day
The first Earth Day at Sewanee was held on April 22, 1970
and consisted of an all day Teach-In, during which normal activities –
including classes – were set aside.
Instead, that time was used for students, faculty, and other community
members to gather and discuss and engage in environmental issues.
v
Sewanee
Utility District
In the late 1980's, with help from federal and state
funding, Sewanee began utilizing a unique system for wastewater treatment. The Sewanee Utility District is
comprised of a series of three lagoons, which use natural processes to break
down and treat effluent. After
passing through the lagoons, the water is chlorinated and sprayed onto an
adjacent forest, increasing tree growth and completing the process.
This five-week Sewanee summer program is offered through the
departments of Biology, Psychology, Forestry and Geology. The undeveloped ecological site of St.
CatherineÕs Island, GA provides ample study opportunities in disciplines such
as geology, wildlife ecology, botany, and oceanography. Students engage in fieldwork and
discern the impact of humans on the environment.
v Landscape Analysis Lab
The Landscape Analysis Laboratory at Sewanee serves as a
focal point for an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff and students
engaged in the study of land-use in the southeast and its ecological and
socio-economic implications. The
LAL uses GIS technology to promote twin goals of environmental education and
conservation science, while monitoring the pulse of the Cumberland
Plateau. From 2000 to 2002, the
LAL conducted research through a grant from the U.S. EPA and US Fish and
Wildlife Service, examining the ecological consequences of native hardwood
conversion to pine plantations on the Cumberland Plateau, and developing
cost-effective, technologically accessible tools for monitoring forest change
at a scale appropriate for local land-use decision-making.
v WasteNot
WasteNot is the student group that helped bring recycling to
Sewanee. It is dedicated to
finding effective and efficient ways to recycle materials, to educating
students about the ways and bene-fits of recycling, as well as to creating
on-campus programs in which students can participate.
v Environmental
Studies Majors
The Environmental Studies Program brings together students,
faculty, and staff from twelve academic departments to study, discuss, and
research environmental issues at local, national, and international
scales. The goal is to expose
students to a variety of viewpoints concerning environmental issues, and to
give them the interdisciplinary tools they need to become environmental problem
solvers before they graduate from Sewanee. Established in 2003, the program now offers four majors and
a minor in the Environmental Studies at Sewanee. The four majors include Environmental Policy, Ecology &
Biodiversity, Natural Resources & the Environment, and Environmental
Chemistry.
v Eco-Domain