Without the support of staff and students, it would be an
impossible task to work towards a sustainable college. Therefore it
is important to find ways to engage people with the practicalities
of sustainability, such as recycling, but also to get them
interested in policies and Education for Sustainable
Development.
Some colleges have successfully used ‘sustainability
champion’ schemes to harness staff enthusiasm and to provide
targeted training and support. Consultation processes such as
World Café and
Co-operative
Inquiry have also proven to be successful.
Other important factors are:
- Providing permission for ‘sustainable’ behaviour
through visible triggers such as well organised recycling systems,
posters and themed intranet.
- Positive feedback loops on good behaviour, celebrating
success.
- Stimulation of discussions between staff
- Stimulation of discussions in the classroom
- Staff training and updating
- Supportive management
- Embedding sustainability into the curriculum where
possible
Help and advice
Student Force is a
national charity that focuses on young people working and learning
to boost their employability, as well as the sustainability of
communities and employers. They run the Sustainable College Project
(SCA), funded by the LSC, a pilot project to review and promote
education for sustainable development activity in the 28 regional
further education colleges of the East Midlands. It will also
explore ways of developing and supporting college staff in relation
to the LSC policy on sustainable development.
People & Planet is
the largest, student network in Britain campaigning to end world
poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment. It has
groups at Universities, Colleges and Schools. Every year they run
the Go Green campaign to get institutions to take climate change
seriously and systematically improve their environmental
performance.
NUS Scotland - is a federation of local student organisations
in Scotland, comprising over 60 local campus organisations
affiliated to NUS UK. NUS
Scotland is currently running a project called
Student Footprints, funded by the Scottish Funding Council,
that works with student volunteers from colleges across Scotland.
The volunteers receive a day of training in carbon auditing and put
their skills into practice in local community organisations as well
within their own college buildings, playing a proactive role in
achieving carbon emission reductions in their communities.
Case studies
Sustainability
Suits Southwark College
An example of a college integrating sustainability into the
curriculum and engaging its students to make them more
environmentally aware.
Community-Campus
– Learner Involvement at Wiltshire College
Wiltshire College’s ‘Community-Campus’ provides a
clear and effective way to ensure student engagement in
sustainability, whilst ensuring compliance with Government
initiatives.
Continue the journey
More information and case studies about engagement can be found
in the Leadership and
Management section.