Foothill College’s primary mission is to educate students. To enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities, Foothill College will strive to model exemplary sustainable practices that will become a part of our students’ everyday lives as they progress through the educational system and begin their careers. The sustainability efforts are committed to minimizing the College’s impact on the physical environment, to be accountable for our actions and provide guidance for our future endeavors.

The College President shall appoint a Sustainability Committee composed of representatives of stakeholder groups from the College community. To achieve Foothill’s goals, the Sustainability Committee will develop priorities and implement decisions regarding sustainability practices.

Sustainability Committee Structure

The Sustainability Committee’s primary responsibility is to develop a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) which will outline goals, implement programs, monitor and evaluate results, and provide an annual report to the President. The SMP will be an integral part of the Foothill Educational Master Plan. As part of the reporting process, the committee will examine past practices and revise and redefine parameters as necessary to produce meaningful data.

Implementation of action plans will focus on the following six areas:

• Green Building - Incorporate the principles of green building into new capital projects and renovation projects
• Community & Civic Engagement - Promote awareness and education
• Reduction of Hazardous & Solid Waste – Decrease volume of waste generated and minimize the amount of hazardous and solid waste sent to landfills
• Transportation, Energy Conservation & CO2 Reduction – Research alternate energy sources, track, report and minimize greenhouse gas emissions and energy use
• Water Use - Minimize resource use through ecologically responsible landscape
• Procurement – Modify College’s purchasing processes and procedures to meet sustainability objectives.

The Committee and sub-committees may appoint additional members. The Committee shall meet as a whole at approximately once per month. All terms are two years, with the exception of the student member(s), whose term shall be one year; there are no term limits. Sub-committees shall be appointed, and meet, as necessary.

The President shall review the scope and structure of the Sustainability Committee every 3 years.

With this commitment, a viable “road map” and annual reporting to the President, Foothill College is in position to move sustainably through the 21st century.