Environmental Responsibility Guiding Principles and Values
Guiding Principle: To maintain the campus effectively while also working to preserve the rights of future generations, the University affirms its commitment to environmental excellence and actively promotes the public's right to a healthy, quality environment. Stetson University will continue the pursuit of balancing fiscal and environmental responsibility in decision-making and in general University practices. Through enacting and implementation the Guiding Environmental Principle and Values, the University will play a role in the advancement of environmental stewardship by serving as a positive example in the Stetson community and beyond.
Values:
I. Commitment to environmental education
The University recognizes the importance of on-going environmental education for all members of the University community.
Strategies:
- To assure that the University community is aware of the Guiding Environmental Principle and Values and understands its role in implementation.
- To foster momentum for improvement by educating the University community about environmental responsibility and continuing to support environmental education in the curriculum.
II. Environmentally responsible purchasing
The University recognizes that one of the primary methods of exercising its commitment to environmental responsibility is through its purchasing practices. The University will strive to obtain maximum value for its expenditures and will work towards obtaining the "best value" by balancing short and long-term costs, maintenance, life cycle and environmental costs in purchasing goods and services.
Strategies:
- Acknowledge that environmentally responsible purchasing practices will help create and sustain markets for environmentally sensible products.
- Commit to the goal of making environmentally and fiscally responsible purchasing choices that consider life cycle costs, long-term implications and relative environmental harm of products.
- Support policies that encourage the purchase of products that minimize waste; that possess recycled content; that use environmentally friendly production methods; and that demonstrate durability or biodegradability, energy-efficiency, low-toxicity and the ability to be recycled.
III. Efficient use and conservation of energy, water and other resources
The University recognizes the importance of conservation efforts and efficient use of resources as the primary method to be used to reduce resource consumption.
Strategies:
- Minimize the consumption of energy, water and other resources by eliminating wasteful practices and promoting efficient use.
- Maximize energy efficiency in existing buildings, renovations and new construction.
- Explore and implement well-considered and feasible conservation measures in existing buildings, renovations and new construction.
- Explore the application of emerging technologies.
IV. Minimize solid waste production
The University recognizes the importance of solid waste minimization.
Strategies:
- Commit to waste source reduction, especially at the point of purchase.
- Support the reuse and recycling of materials.
- Investigate the development of food and other waste composting.
V. Minimize hazardous materials on campus
The University acknowledges the importance of safely managing hazardous materials on campus.
Strategies:
- Keep the presence of hazardous materials on campus and the generation of hazardous materials within the university community at reasonable levels for work, teaching and research on campus.
- Support environmentally responsible storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Keep the presence of radioactive materials used on campus at reasonable levels as needed for teaching and research and support environmentally responsible disposal of radioactive waste.
VI. Environmentally responsible campus design and planning principles
The University recognizes the importance of environmentally responsible practices in developing the physical characteristics of its community, The University will consider environmental implications in the development, construction and operation of campus infrastructure, grounds and buildings.
Strategies:
- Strive to balance sound fiscal practices and environmental responsibility in the maintenance and development of the planning and construction of campus facilities.
- Provide environmentally responsible landscaping and grounds maintenance practices.
- Commit to facilitate pedestrian travel and other alternative modes of transportation that minimize environmental impact.