Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)

Curriculum

• Tri-C established the Green Academy and Center for Sustainability (GACS) in early 2008. Now at Corporate College, the Green Academy offers training and business services in four core areas: 1) Green Building and Community (the Built Environment), 2) The Advanced Energy Economy, 3) Sustainable Healthcare, and 4) The Green Business Innovation Center.
• GACS will launch “Pathways out of Poverty through Green Collar Jobs,” a workforce development effort with that provides the growing green business community with a skilled workforce and promotes green entrepreneurial spirit.
• Associate of Applied Science Degree and Post Degree Certificate in Environmental Health and Safety Technology (prepares students for performing air monitoring, ground water and soil sampling, chemical emergency response actions and evaluating and cleaning up environmental contamination.)

Administrative Committees

• Sustainability Steering Committee- created a Sustainability Policy adopted by the Board of Trustees. The committee has also created a Sustainability Procedure for implementing the policy.
• College-wide Sustainability Advisory Committee will be chartered to formulate ideas and recommend new directions to the Sustainability Steering Committee.

Green Building

• Tri-C’s Capital and Construction Department is working for LEED Certification for the Center for Creative Arts and other major projects.
• Green building standards are being developed for all future projects

Purchasing

Tri-C’s Procurement Department is working on several green initiatives, including:

• Researching suppliers that provide recycled copy/printer paper
• Offering recycled products through contract with Corporate Express
• Planning for future equipment purchases to be Energy Star certified
• Recycling paper through shredding program
• Contracting with Green vendors
• Investigating the purchase of hybrid SUVs for Public Safety

Energy

Tri-C has several energy cost reduction projects in place and is estimating a 21% total savings for the College when all are complete. Projects include:

• Energy efficient lighting and lighting controls
• New Boiler controls and economizers
• Water saving measures
• Building controls upgrades
• Chiller load management
• Demand Ventilation
• Kitchen and Lab hood controls
• Installation of pool covers

Tri-C is also working to comply with HB-251 requirements to have 20% energy savings by 2014

Food

• Recycling cooking oil, with future plans for it to be used as an alternative fuel source for service vehicles used by the recycler/fryer oil service company
• Purchasing products locally when possible

Grounds

• All three campuses have inventory of all trees growing on campus, their condition, and recommendations for maintenance

Recycling

• In Fall of 2008, Tri-C will be expanding its recycling program to include paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic
• Recycling tires, oil, and batteries
• Recycling old light bulbs, fluorescent lighting and ballasts
• Repair or recycle furniture whenever possible
• Recycling computers and other electronics

Contact

• Brenda Pongracz, Finance and Business Services, 216-987-4761, brenda.pongracz@tri-c.edu
• Leo Russo, Green Academy, 216-987-3039, leo.russo@tri-c.edu