Sustainability in Academics

Delta College is committed to preparing our graduates to make a difference in the way we live and work while being mindful of the interconnectedness of people, profit, and the planet. Promoting learning, actions and practices that incorporate social, environmental, and economic sustainability in our communities is a Guiding Principle at Delta. We recognize the most significant impact toward the evolution of sustainable communities is to ensure our graduates are equipped to find 21st century solutions. They need the knowledge, skills, and resources to address complex regional, national, and global issues.  

Sustainability Task Force

The Sustainability Task Force, established by President Dr. Jean Goodnow in 2007, presented many recommendations to move the sustainability process forward.  The following recommendations had significant impact on the academic unit:

• The establishment of a Sustainability Office
• The establishment of a budget for the Sustainability Office
• The creation of an Academic Sustainability Officer position
• The Academic Sustainability Officer was charged with the integration of sustainability into the academic structure

 Academic Sustainability Team (AST)

The academic sustainability officer saw the need to bring a large group of concerned faculty together to begin the work of sustainability integration.  This group has members from the different divisions around the college and is led by the academic sustainability officer.  The AST is hard at work developing an overall plan for sustainability at Delta College.  The current members of the AST are:

    Mike Finelli - Current Academic Sustainability Officer
    Stephanie Baiyasi                David Baker                Jeff Dykhuizen                Matt Eyre
    Donna Guiliani                    Tari Hackborn              Bernadette Harkness       Renee Hoope
    Jason Lijewski                     Carla Murphy               Natascha Rivett              Crystal Starkey
    Jay Vanhouten                   Connie Watson           Ryan Wilson  

Our faculty are charged with developing curricula that brings sustainability to the forefront of our programs, activities, and courses.  Our academic programs reflect the importance of the principles of sustainability to our students and our community. We engage our students as active participants in the solution of climate change. We seek to deliver sustainable skill sets to ensure our students succeed in their professional and private lives.

• Over 20 departments and 60 courses offering sustainability-related or focus courses
• State-wide recognition for the Science Division small scale chemistry program
• Environmental art featured in community and campus events
• Science that introduces eco-tourism, national park projects, and pollution prevention
• Service Learning courses partnering students with social and environmental businesses
• Learning community courses connecting disciplines for collaborative sustainable study
• Sustainable concepts in alternative energy, green building, and heating & cooling