Download WKU`s profile from list of 2015 U.S. Department of

Here is WKU’s profile from the list of 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green
Ribbon Schools honorees:
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
Passion and vision inspire a climate-ready campus
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a comprehensive, four-year university
with the vision of being a leading American university with international reach. As part
of its mission, WKU strives to create an atmosphere that supports engagement and
creativity, and encourages faculty, staff, and students to be effective stewards of local and
global environmental resources. At WKU, being green is about developing the passion
and vision of its campus community, and striving to be innovative and outcome-driven.
WKU strives to reduce environmental impact, improve campus wellness, and
provide first-rate environmental and sustainability education for Kentuckians, as well as
for international and distance-learning students. These goals go hand-in-hand with
reducing college costs, increasing completion rates, and ensuring that graduates find
degree-related employment.
The entire campus – including university operations and services – intentionally
supports strong environmental practices. For instance, in 2008, the school created an
Office of Sustainability and hired a sustainability coordinator. The office itself, housed
in a 1930s residence, doubles as a sustainable demonstration home, offering the
community well-researched, practical solutions to improve the performance of the
average household. In 2014, a photovoltaic array was installed to make the house the
first net-zero electricity office on campus. WKU also has created a Green Fund, a
dedicated fundraising channel for major sustainability initiatives that aim to reduce
college costs, increase student retention and employability after graduation, and foster
civic and community skills.
Since 2009, with the adoption of a comprehensive and aggressive University
Energy Policy, WKU has reduced energy use by 25 percent through conservation and
efficiency projects. These operational efforts, combined with a successful energy savings
performance contract in partnership with Johnson Controls, Inc., include $9,700,000 in
energy-reducing and facility improvements. Thirty-eight existing buildings have
undergone water and lighting improvements, encompassing 3.5 million square feet.
Savings from these improvements have eliminated utility budget increases for seven
consecutive years, and are reinvested in new energy-efficient and conservation efforts.
In 2014, 15 tons of food waste were composted from the dining halls. WKU has
been an Arbor Foundation Tree Campus USA since 2010, and in 2014 the main campus
became a certified arboretum. Six years ago, the university committed to build to LEED
standards, and now has three Silver LEED-certified buildings, two more buildings
pending certification, and no fewer than seven LEED professionals on staff. WKU also
has been included in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges every year since
2009, and in 2014 earned AASHE’s Silver STARS ranking. The campus has been named
a Bicycle Friendly University by the American League of Bicyclists.
Similarly, the school’s wellness program has evolved into a highly-visible,
proactive model, encompassing healthy practices with regard to food choices, mental
health, exercise, and preventive care – all promoting a more active, aware, and motivated
community that is dedicated to sustainable living. In 2013, WKU launched a
comprehensive wellness program for all benefits-eligible faculty and staff. In July 2014,
the National Safety Council accredited WKU as a Safe Community – the nation’s fourth
university, and 25th community, to receive this accreditation. Because health and
wellness issues are among the most common barriers to student success, WKU Health
Services provides comprehensive health education and promotional programing,
engaging students with participation incentives through the WKU WellU program.
Thanks to efforts by students and faculty, WKU has been designated as a National
Weather Service/NOAA Certified Storm Ready Campus, prepared to protect the
community in the event of severe storm threats. The university also aims to become a
Climate Ready Campus, with the resilience to withstand climate change and implement
adaptation strategies in a sustainable way. This new initiative is a cooperative effort
between multiple departments on campus, external partners, and the community.
WKU is a leader in STEM education. It is home to Newsweek’s top-ranking high
school in America, the Gatton Academy of Science and Mathematics. Gatton students
live and learn in a college setting while earning their high school diploma, and focusing
on research and engagement in STEM disciplines. Site-based STEM initiatives feature
the campus as a living laboratory, and a wide range of certificate, undergraduate, and
graduate degree programs address the scientific, social, economic, personal, and political
aspects of environmental change and sustainability. This approach offers the disciplinary
depth and the interdisciplinary perspectives that enable students to pursue meaningful
careers and accelerate positive change in their communities. WKU offers over a dozen
degrees focused on the environment or sustainability, from bachelor of science degrees in
geography and environmental studies, to the nation’s only master’s degree that integrates
social justice, community studies, and environmental sustainability.
WKU also strives to pioneer environmental initiatives that have local, state,
national, and international reach. For example, WKU’s energy policy has been adapted
and adopted by the City of Bowling Green, Ky. The WKU Conservation Vacation, an
initiative introduced in 2009 to save energy over the winter break, has resulted in overall
savings of more than 3,000,000 kW/h of energy, which equates to cost savings of
approximately $264,000 and mitigation of 2,191 metric tons of GHG emissions. The
university’s international programs, like the Semester at Sea and Climate Change
Challenge study abroad trips, integrate sustainable service learning and interdisciplinary
environmental research experiences for students.
As an institution, WKU aims to be an exemplary environmental practitioner,
educator, and leader. As a campus community, WKU’s faculty, staff and students are
united in their efforts to increase strong environmental stewardship, advocacy, and
engagement.