Johnson County Community College
IN-40: Sustainability Projects Fund

In 2009, an Honors Forum class at Johnson County Community College tackled one problem: sustainability. The recently-developed Center for Sustainability, an administrative body started the same year with federal funding and support from then-Senator Sam Brownback, had already secured administrative support for the ACUPCC and advised events and projects related to our campus’ culinary program. Honors students, though, sought a more structured and durable way to advance sustainable practices on campus. After completion of their coursework, which required a campus improvement proposal, students worked with administration to distribute a campus-wide petition in support of a dollar-per-credit-hour fee, which was presented to the Board of Trustees with support from nearly 2,000 students.

The Student Sustainability Committee allocates the Sustainability Initiatives Fund. The SSC considers and votes on funding for proposals of new sustainability projects and initiatives on JCCC’s campus; proposes new sustainability projects and initiatives in its own right; and advocates in favor of sustainability topics on campus.

As a group, the SSC is made up of 12 students appointed from five bodies (Honors, Student Environmental Alliance, Student Senate, Sustainable Agriculture, and Interior Design) and six at-large members. In addition to hearing proposals from other students, the Committee has had the opportunity to work with campus administration, faculty, staff, and members of the community to advance sustainability-related projects and conversations on campus. The Student Sustainability Committee solicits submissions from throughout the campus community. Proposals are evaluated and in some cases adjusted prior to review by the full committee; the SSC officers work closely with the Center for Sustainability to ensure that proposals meet their standards. Requestors then present formally to the Committee and take part in a question and answer period. Students do not vote immediately on the funding request, but are encouraged to reflect on and consider the presentation before voting at the next meeting, two weeks later. Faculty and staff from across the college participate in an advisory role.