The Factors I would use to determine
how Green our school campus fall into 3 categories,
regulations/enforcements, physical systems, and incentives; all 3 of
which would relate to the Environment. For example, in regards to
regulations, the presence or absence of signs that say please recycle
your trash, or please don't litter, please don't destroy the trees;
regulations such as these and the methods used to enforce those rules
would be of interest. Whereas Physical systems would include the
presence or absence of Solar Panel systems to use completely green
energy as opposed to coal-mine electricity. I would go to the
computer Lab and look for signs that say, “Limit computer use to
School Work ONLY!” Absence of signs such as these, would indicate
that the school itself is not focusing on suggesting students to
REDUCE their ecological footprint. The amount of college textbooks
from the library that are available online out of all the textbooks
that are available. A high number would indicate the college's
success in directing towards a more paperless atmosphere. On top of
that, I would expect incentives for people that ride their bicycle,
walk, or use public transportation, such as increasing the price of
the parking permits (statistically, this should yield less parking
permits purchased, therefore less people parking on campus, which
could potentially yield less miles driven), and using that money to
reduce prices across campus, such as textbooks or tuition fees.
Absence or Presence of Incentives that promote a more environmentally
friendly college would be used to determine how green our college is.
Other colleges have focused on the
waste. One method to determine paper waste; was the amount of paper
purchased and utilized by the college. Marlboro college went onto
including the amount of paper that was recycled. A large amount of
paper recycled would be good in terms of reusing paper.
When calculating for transportation
emissions in relation to their Ecological Footprint, the Students of
Carleton College calculated the amount of public mass transportation
miles that students were driven in relation to the amount of miles of
car-driving students. In this case, a relatively high number of
public mass transportation miles would suggest a more energy
efficient lifestyle amongst students.
The Factor I would use to determine how
green our campus is – would be to determine the incentives of
people that use mass transportation, walk, or ride their bike.
- I would interview common bike riders asking them:
- Do you feel there are enough areas to park your bicycle?
- Do you feel that your bicycle is relatively safe on campus?
- Do you feel that any aspect of the RCC atmosphere discourages you from riding your bike to class?
- Are there any practical incentives offered to you by RCC for riding your bike?
- I would interview people that ride the RTA:
- Do you feel safe Riding the RTA?
- Do you feel that this is an efficient means of transportation with respect to time?
- Is there anything that the RTA is lacking that the RCC administration could potentially help with?
- People that Walk:
- Do you feel that Walking to RCC is relatively safe.
**To all 3 types of people I Would ask,
“Wouldn't it be convenient if there would Spacious Lockers
available for students that walk, ride bike, or take the Bus?”
[Given that other students have their cars to use as “lockers”]
I would go on to ask the Dean of
Instruction,
|
|
 Ms. Virginia McKee- Leone |
And ask her if there are any practical
incentives for people that find other means of getting to class other
than driving themselves.
Ask her; “Are there any reasonably
spacious and reasonably useful lockers available for these students
as well?”
An answer of “NO” would indicate a
not-so-green school.
I'd simply be measuring the amount of
incentives that are geared to individuals who carry a mindset of
being more environmentally sustainable. I would measure it by simple
answers of yes or no. Measuring this would require very little labor.
However, if it comes down to it, I would provide the labor myself, if
friends or on-campus Green enthusiasts are unwilling to provide their
services. I don't think I would require much permission to ask
student on campus their thoughts. I would like to get cooperation by
the sustainability club; to encourage them to join my cause, I'd
probably have to start by joining their club.
