SPC Establishes Office Of Sustainability

St. Petersburg College got a bit greener recently, vowing to cultivate plans and programs to minimize global warming and provide graduates with the knowledge they need to achieve a more sustainable future.

According to SPC, the college's new Office for Sustainability will provide assistance and direction as SPC implements environmental education programs, student activities and corporate training. The office will focus on energy and natural resource conservation, green buildings, carbon emissions and recycling.

SPC is introducing courses and degree programs to train professionals in sustainability, which is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The college outlined a number of initiatives, including:

• A "Sustainable Systems Design and Development" course
• Green lodging instruction in the Hospitality A.S. degree
• An emphasis on sustainability in the Parks and Leisure Services program
• Incorporation of water conservation into the Management Technology A.S. degree - students certified in water treatment may move into the Industrial Management Technology A.A.S. degree
• Incorporation of sustainable construction practices and awareness into the Architectural Design and Construction Technology Associates A.S. degree and Building Construction Technology certificate
• Ongoing development of an Environmental Science Technology A.S. degree with tracks in water, energy and sustainability.

A Sustainability and Green Management track is offered by the College of Technology and Management as part of the B.A.S. in Management and Organizational Leadership, encompassing Sustainable Enterprise Planning, Energy and Environmental Techniques and Sustainability and Environmental Issues.

Proving that it plans to practice what it preaches, the college announced plans to build two LEED certified buildings, including Student Services at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus and Natural Science and Math at the Clearwater Campus. All new construction will be certified as required by the 2008 Florida Energy Bill.

Jason Green, in a press release from SPC, said that the college intends to become a leader of the sustainability movement inside the classroom, throughout the college and within the community. Green has been selected as the college's new Sustainability Coordinator.