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: A Sustainable Facilities addition to the Facility Development Policy was adopted in March of 2009. This includes all new construction and renovations to be LEED Silver Certified or higher. The Lunda Center, a business and community training and conference center, will receive LEED Silver status in the fall of 2009.

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 college is currently reviewing and updating its purchasing policies and procedures. Most new purchases are ENERGY STAR certified if applicable.

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

Yes: We are currently investigating our offset options, developing a policy and planning for offsetting expenditures in the 2008-2009 school year budget (July 1, 2008).

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

Yes: We currently offer free transit passes for all staff and students. Our La Crosse campus is ideally located for transit use with a bus stop located in the middle of our pedestrian mall.

We charge faculty, staff and students for parking in our parking lots.

We encourage biking and walking to campus.

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

Yes: Initially we will rely on purchasing renewable electricity, while we investigate other renewable energy options. The college is currently looking into agreements and partnerships for wind and hyrdoelectricity generation and use. Western began purchasing renewable energy through Xcel Energy's Windsource Program in August of 2009. The amount of kWhs purchased will allow two buildings and three of the regional learning centers to be powered entirely by renewable energy. This purchase brings Western's renewable energy mix to roughly 30% of total consumption.

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

Yes: We will be reviewing our vendor selection criteria when we update our purchasing policies and procedures.

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

Yes: RecycleMania participation is under planning for 2010. Proper waste measurement needs were not in place to participate in 2009, but the college will work on this for 2010. We currently have the following waste reduction efforts in place:
1. All of our trash is sent to a waste-to-energy plant owned by Xcel Energy in French Island (La Crosse, WI)
2. All old furniture and computers are sold or donated to charities
3. Construction debris is being sorted and recycled (example: old concrete floors will be used by the City of La Crosse to stabilize the banks of the Mississippi)
4. Confidential documents are shredded and recycled
5. The college is working to upgrade the recycling program, making it better known and utilized across campus