ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for Holyoke Community College

Submitted on November 15, 2007; last updated on July 13, 2009

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification Assoc/Pub-S-SC: Associate's Public Suburban-serving Single Campus
Control Public
Location Holyoke, MA
Community Setting Mid-size city
USDOE Climate Zone Not applicable
Current President or Chancellor's Name William Messner
Current President or Chancellor's Title President
Main Web Site http://www.hcc.edu
Sustainability Web Site No information provided

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Michael Cichonski
Implementation Liaison's Title Director of Engineering Services
Implementation Liaison's Department No information provided
Format of Structure Committee
Number of Individuals in Structure 11
Stakeholder Groups Represented Faculty, Students, Staff
Description In July 2002, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established the state sustainability program under Executive Order No. 438. As part of this order, the state sustainability program prepared a planning and implementation guide for state agencies. Holyoke Community College followed these guidelines and formed a sustainability team that included employees that were most familiar with the operations of the college and students that had an interest in improving the environment.

Tangible Actions

1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent.

Yes: Effective September 1, 2006, under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Order No. 484 Leading by Example - Clean Energy and Efficient Buildings, all new construction and major renovations must meet the Massachusetts LEED Plus green building standards established by the Commonwealth's sustainable design roundtable. Massachusetts LEED Plus requires obtaining the basic U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification and attainment of specific LEED credits that are referenced in LEED-NC Version 2.2. The college will continue to abide by this order and will implement the LEED silver standard or equivalent.

2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.

Yes: The colleges' committee will institute a purchasing policy that will include energy-efficient products that are Energy Star certified. In addition, the committee will look into purchasing products and equipment that have a minimal effect on the environment and ones that may be recyclable, thereby reducing the waste stream.

3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.

No: No information provided.

4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution.

Yes: The college must comply with the State of Massachusetts Rideshare Regulation administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP). As part of this regulation, the college encourages commuting alternatives such as car pooling, van pooling and/or public transportation. The reduction of vehicles on the roadways helps to reduce automobile emissions which are responsible for half of the air pollution in Massachusetts. As a commuter college, we will continue our efforts to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads by offering incentives for commuting alternatives.

5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources.

No: No information provided.

6. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested.

No: No information provided.

7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.

No: No information provided.