Strategic Imperative III: Connecting Sustainability, Stewardship, and Global Citizenship

Since its founding in 1861, Luther has remained true to its roots while preparing graduates to respond to a changing world.  As we look ahead to the next century and beyond, global environmental problems, resource scarcity, and climate change will threaten the health of the planet. They will also present economic and operational challenges for Luther. Our commitment to relevant and transformative experiences for students pushes us to seek sustainability through greater efficiencies and new policies in operations while preparing graduates with the skills, knowledge, and experience to lead society in a more sustainable direction. 

As a college of the church, striving for sustainability is anchored in our call to be good stewards of God’s creation and responsible citizens in the global community. As a strategic imperative, sustainability pushes us to reduce energy usage and consumption patterns and to explore renewable energy production strategies. By building upon Luther’s decision to be a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and the significant progress that has already been made, we must be bold in our efforts and become a leader within the educational community.

To do this, sustainability must weave itself into all areas of college life, including the curriculum and outreach programs that create awareness on campus and in the region. It must also guide decision-making in operations through the adoption of sustainable practices and the continued care for this special place—the land and physical plant that have been cherished by generations of Luther students, faculty, and staff for nearly 150 years.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Creating Awareness

18.  Create a Center for Sustainable Communities to be a catalyst for change locally and regionally.

 Strategies:

• Develop a sustainable food systems program and play a leadership role in the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness initiative.
• Work with community partners to launch a community energy initiative focusing on conservation and renewable energy.
• Create programs that foster sustainable business practices and entrepreneurship.
• Enhance environmental education outreach efforts and work with community partners to create a place for environmental programs along the Upper Iowa River.
• Strengthen partnerships with congregations and faith communities in sustainability education and draw upon the resources of diverse faith traditions regarding the stewardship of creation.

19.  Make sustainability a part of every student’s learning experience.

  Strategies:

• Invite Luther faculty and staff to integrate attention to place and to sustainable community into our curriculum, the residential experience of our students, work-study, and campus operations. Sponsor workshops to help achieve this goal.
• Enhance the Environmental Studies program by endowing a chair for Environmental Studies as part of the Center for Sustainable Communities.

20.  Nurture connection to place in all stakeholders.

   Strategies:

• Develop an outdoor recreation program that provides immersion experiences to incoming students and offers year-round programming to connect the campus with Luther’s natural environment and to wellness initiatives that are already well established.
• Tell our story about our unique location and campus sustainability efforts prominently on the Luther website and in other communications pieces.
• Fund a scholarship program to attract and retain high school students with an interest in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Adopting Sustainable Practices

21.  Model stewardship and sustainability in all college operations to reduce Luther’s environmental impact and mitigate operational costs.

 Strategies:

• Hire a sustainability coordinator to oversee and coordinate college sustainability initiatives.
• Create a permanent campus sustainability council with broad campus representation.
• Significantly reduce material flows and associated energy by reducing consumption, switching to more sustainable alternatives and increasing recycling.
  • Increase purchase of local food in Dining Services to 35 percent of total food purchases.
  • Decrease solid waste by 25 percent.
  • Decrease water consumption by 15 percent.
  • Decrease paper consumption by 25 percent and shift to at least 50 percent post-consumer content.
• Develop a college purchasing policy that has a focus on sustainable alternatives.
• Adopt a college policy that all building projects incorporate LEED certification strategies.
• Monitor college use of toxic chemicals in all areas of campus with the goal of utilizing sustainable alternatives.

22.  Reduce Luther’s carbon footprint by 50 percent and develop a plan to achieve carbon neutrality. 

 Strategies:

• Audit campus operations and implement energy efficiency upgrades in the physical plant.
• Monitor all greenhouse gas emissions related to Luther operations.
• Implement a comprehensive and creative program of energy education to shift behavior of students, faculty and staff as a way to reduce energy demand and shift the campus culture toward sustainability.
• Invest in renewable energy strategies that provide cost savings and reduce Luther’s carbon footprint.
• Develop a strategy for the use of carbon offsets including offsetting all college air travel with legitimate offsets.
• Monitor and reduce emissions from student, faculty, and staff travel, including reducing emissions from fleet vehicles by 35%, utilizing alternatives (hybrids, electric, biodiesel, compressed natural gas), and changing behavior.

Caring for Place

23.  Design and implement a campus land-use plan that affirms land stewardship, sustainability, and landscape designer Jens Jensen’s original vision for the Luther campus in 1911.

  Strategies:

• Improve campus signage and wayfinding with directional signs and directories.
• Create a central campus “clearing,” improve circulation with a two-way loop road around campus perimeter, and increase handicap and visitor parking in the campus core.
• Add council rings and other outdoor gathering places, an enhanced trail system, and a river landing to promote outdoor learning and connection with the environment.
• Update management plans for campus natural areas and prioritize ecological restoration projects.

24.  Continue sustainable and strategic enhancements of the plant and facilities with a focus on student learning, energy payback, campus needs, and economic return.

  Strategies:

• Budget annually for deferred maintenance.
• Secure sufficient debt financing to support the completion of Valders Hall of Science and Miller-Dieseth residence hall renovations following sustainable building standards.
• Complete the Baker Village complex by adding 100 beds and incorporating environmentally responsible features.
• Pursue a joint venture plan with the City of Decorah and the local school district to create an indoor aquatic center on Luther College property that will serve the needs of all collaborating parties and follow sustainable building standards.
• Develop a plan and timeline for resurfacing the outdoor track, Regents Center surface, and the field house floor.