Green Campus Whitman Campaigns 2007-2009:

Northwest SEED Green Campus began working with students at Whitman in 2007 assisting a student to organize an on campus committee to more formally plan for Whitman's clean energy future.  In 2008-2009 we are working with a student who is organizing her peers and community members to participate in a CFL exchange in a low-income Walla Walla community and engage younger students in learning about climate change and the importance of clean energy as part of an after school program. 

In addition along with other Whitman students the Green Campus intern is organizing a community Earth Day for students, families and other Walla Walla residents.  Proposed activities include scavenger hunts, cooking s'mores using solar energy and educational panels on climate change and community action.  Students at Whitman are also involved with fund raising activities for a 23kw solar system.

Check out Lisa's interview with AASHE

More about Whitman and sustainability...

Whitman College has a strong commitment to environmental and sustainability at all levels and works to abide by its environmental principles in everything it does.  There are many student groups on campus who actively work to reduce Whitman's environmental impact and work with the local community in Walla Walla on sustainability and environmental issues.  The student government, the Associated Students of Whitman College, have generally been supportive of such actions exemplified by passing multiple resolutions calling upon the college to address climate change. 

Student groups working on green energy and sustainability include: Campus Greens, Campus Climate Challenge, Critical Mass, the Organic Garden, the Cascade Climate Network, Composting and Environmental House.

The administration has become increasingly open to working with students to pursue sustainability at Whitman.  Recently, students worked with the President and Board of Trustees to establish a part-time sustainability coordinator position starting in fall 2008 to create a $100,000 Green Loan fund that will be lent out to students, faculty and staff for sustainability initiatives.  The Conservation and Recycling Committee has also been a key player in sustainability activities at Whitman.  Additionally, the Environmental Studies department works closely with students to encourage (and often fund) sustainability efforts. 

One of Whitman's main focuses for sustainability has been renewable energy.  A few years ago, students voted to raise student fees to purchase renewable energy from the Blue Skies program of Pacific Power.  In the 2006-2007 academic year, students raised $15,000 through an alternative gift fund to contribute to this effort and raised the renewable energy on campus to 34%.  Most recently, the college has considered putting nearly 25kw of solar panels on the roofs of several buildings on campus.  This project will hopefully be funded by a grant through Pacific Power, the new Green Loan fund and the nearly $13,000 raised by students in 2007-2008.  This project will have two significant aspects: a demonstrative part and a part primarily for power generation.  The demonstration area will have tours, which will help educate the Whitman and Walla Walla communities about this feasible method of renewable energy generation.  Additionally, students and faculty have been researching the possibility of generating our own power through purchasing or constructing wind turbines off-site.  This research is still in its initial phases and will be completed in the next year or so. 

Student interns recently completed a preliminary Green House Gas inventory for the college.  It is our hope that this information will be used in the future to increase efficiency and conservation at all levels.  This is also a first step toward collaboration between students and the administration to create a plan for carbon neutrality at Whitman and becoming a signatory of the Association of College and University President’s Climate Commitment.