‘Green’ Gains Ground Committee Furthers Tech’s Commitment to Sustainability As environmental and energy-related issues gain prominence throughout Indiana Tech, members of administration, faculty and staff as well as students have gathered to form a Sustainability Committee. The committee’s mission is to promote awareness of current activities and practices for sustainability at the university. The committee is also working to research, develop, recommend and assist in the execution of future projects. “I believe a sustainability committee is important for all college campuses,” said Angela Schuricht, assistant professor of English. Schuricht and others voiced a personal interest in sustainability and environmental issues as their reason to serve. “Indiana Tech has become a leader in sustainable energy practices, and our committee’s mission is to expand green initiatives across campus with opportunities for students, employees, and the Fort Wayne community to work in balance with our environment,” she said. “I would like to see Indiana Tech continue to pursue responsible ways to enjoy and conserve natural resources,” said Dr. Steve Dusseau, professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering. Doris Foss, administrative assistant in academics, is also passionate about making a difference.
■■ offering a Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering. ■■ receiving LEED® Gold certification for the renovation of the Wilfred Uytengsu, Sr. Center. ■■ promoting a rigorous, campus-wide recycling program, with receptacles in every building for paper and cardboard, plastic, and aluminum cans as well as accepting a long list of household items and materials. ■■ contracting with MJV Group, the first greencertified building services company in Indiana, for office cleaning. ■■ being a founding member of the Northeast Indiana Sustainable Business Council (NISBC), whose mission “is to advance sustainability practices by the business sector through education and certification in collaboration with nonprofit, business, government and education organizations.” ■■ being co-permittee holder with the city of Fort Wayne through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The City of Fort Wayne and other cities in Allen County have formed the Allen County Partnership for Water Quality (ACPWQ) to provide education, information, and outreach concerning issues impacting and impacted by storm water.
“Serving on the Sustainability Committee means I ■■ taking part in an Independent Colleges of Indiana can take part in something that brings awareness to (ICI) peer audit program, which takes a proactive our university and the community we live in,” Foss approach for universities to meet requirements set said. “I really enjoy working with our students to by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). help them understand what it means to be a part of something that can change the world little by little.” ■■ receiving a $46,884 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to install new Other committee members include Judy Roy, vice lighting in the Schaefer Center in the main gym president of finance and administration; Justin and indoor track, funded through the U.S. DepartElder, buildings & grounds; Jeffrey Melton, creative ment of Energy and administered in Indiana by the services; and student Kevon Warren, a senior energy Indiana Office of Energy Development. engineering major. The committee plans to present tips on easy, everyday The committee is putting together a section on practices for everyone in sustainability as well as prothe university’s web site, www.IndianaTech.edu, to mote ways for people to get involved through special promote activities and partnerships the university is events and volunteer opportunities on campus and in already engaged in, including: the community.
Volume 7, Issue 2
Spring 2011
19