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Sustainability logoCFCC Century Center

 

 

 

 

 


History

Throughout its history, CFCC has served as a leader in encouraging civic responsibility, and in the last few decades that responsibility has focused on sustainability. As public awareness of environmental issues has grown, the college has stepped up its efforts.

The United Nations declared a Decade of Education for Sustainable Development from 2005-2015. The American Association of Community Colleges’ Board of Directors passed a resolution supporting the UN declaration and encouraged member institutions to engage in the topic. In 2005, Dr. Charles Dassance, president of CFCC, established a task force of faculty, students, staff and administrators to explore ways of reducing CFCC’s environmental footprint. The group was assigned the task of researching organizational best practices on sustainability and proposing specific initiatives to initiate an ongoing, collegewide program to implement the college vision on sustainability. CFCC has identified sustainability as one of the “strategic emphasis” areas.

The concept of sustainable development is simple; you cannot spend more environment capital than is available.

CFCC has taken several steps toward sustainability:

  • Developed a Sustainability Vision Statement: Central Florida Community College is dedicated to preserving the natural environment and conserving our resources for future generations. Through leading by example, we encourage participation of all members of our community to put sustainability into practice.
  • Tree PlantingImplemented the TECO/BGA energy performance contract. This project provided enhanced and more efficient HVAC and lighting systems as well as improved air quality in buildings 4, 7, 8, and 9.  (2003-2004).
  • Added more than 1,000 trees to campuses and centers since 2000.
  • Joined the EPA’s Green Light Project in the early 1990s.  This was a long-term commitment between the college and the EPA Energy Star Building Program.  The college’s commitment to the Green Light Program was to become more energy efficient by the implementation of a collegewide lighting project.  These projects required lighting level surveys, fixture upgrades and lighting control changes college wide.  All these projects are an effort to lower CFCC electrical demand and long-term pollution impact by the reduction of CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions. 
  • Improved irrigation / conversion of old water systems.
  • Installed more efficient chillers and cooling towers.
  • Implemented a four-day work week during the summer months to reduce energy use.
  • Working in the GardenIn 2006, a wildflower garden was constructed adjacent to Bryant Union as an experiment in alternative landscaping.
  • Installed motion and timer sensors and improved (on/off) lighting controls in many classrooms.
  • Strategically placed shade trees near buildings.
  • Installed new glass in new and renovated buildings to incorporate more natural light to buildings while inhibiting heat.
  • Implemented new integrated copier system that is more efficient and reduces printer use and cartridge use.
  • Automated many forms / processes to decrease use of paper and established targets for reduction in paper usage: 3 percent in three years, 10 percent in five years, and 15 percent in ten years.
  • One-sided copies are made into note pads, two-sided copies are shredded for use at animal shelters.
  • Recycling CenterCommunity recycling center on Ocala Campus.
  • Installed compactor on Ocala Campus to eliminate multiple waste containers.
  • Installed waterless urinals in some renovated restrooms.  (Bryant Union, Fine Arts Auditorium)
  • Offered the course “Living and the Environment” for many years – to enhance student awareness of environmental issues.
  • Arranged for computers in computer labs to be systematically turned off at 10 PM daily.
  • Purchased only electric golf carts; no gas emitting units.
  • Implemented a collegewide recycling program for plastic and aluminum containers.
  • Helped reduce paper use by implementing college standard of 10 point font, utilizing electronic text as much as possible, sending materials to Staff Services electronically, duplexing material whenever possible.
  • Sustainability PosterProduced a poster symbolizing sustainability:  “Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility.”
  • Hosted an assessment workshop by Ocala Electric looking at resource usage on the Ocala Campus in the areas of electricity, paper and solid waste.
  • Developed a collegewide Sustainability Task Force contact list.
  • Explored “Integrity: Sustainability – A value for life” as the college’s 2006-2007 learning theme.
  • Hosted several speakers in 2006-2007 that supported the learning theme: Affluenza, The All Consuming Epidemic author John DeGraff; Bill Bellville, author of Losing it all to Sprawl, How Progress Ate my Cracker Landscape; Dr. Ron Cooper, CFCC associate professor, speaking as a Florida Humanities Council “Roads Scholar,” promoting discussion on Our Place in Nature; John Moran, photographer and author of Journal of Light: The Visual Diary of a Florida Nature Photographer; Michael Grunwald, Washington Post reporter and author of The Swamp: the Everglades, Florida and the Politics of Paradise.
  • Added a fifth guiding principle to the college’s Mission (Vision) Statement in 2007: “We will promote the concept of sustainability by preserving the natural environment and conserving our resources for future generations.”
  • Installed instant hot water heaters replacing standing hot water systems in all renovated buildings.
  • 2007-2008 Learning Theme – “Service: Time for Change.”  The focus of this year’s learning theme is on how we use resources to enhance our lives and our communities.
  • Renovation of Founders Hall will meet LEEDs criteria for energy efficiency. 
  • Sustainability One, by Verne AyersCollege organizations routinely host workshops by Florida Yards & Neighborhoods to encourage the use of Florida friendly plants.
  • Participated in Earth Day activities.
  • Produced a Promise of Sustainability to be used to promote greater individual involvement.
  • In 2007 Assistant Professor Verne Ayers created “Sustainability One,” a sculpture of an American Indian, from a discarded piano and additional recycled material. The project was displayed during the 2008 Visual Arts Faculty Exhibit and will remain on campus.