FHSU University Relations
Beginning this fall, campus and online students at Fort Hays State University can receive a certificate in sustainability after meeting the 12-credit-hour requirement.
Sustainability is a growing trend, and the Kansas Board of Regents has created a policy to report annually on state universities’ sustainability efforts. One principle enunciated by the regents is to get universities to incorporate sustainability issues into the “learning experiences of students throughout their academic experiences.”
The certificate provides students with a foundation of knowledge in implementing social efforts towards preserving planet resources.
“Sustainability affects all living systems and so is applicable to all of life, including humankind,” said Andrée Brisson, FHSU sustainability coordinator and adjunct professor with the Department of Biological Sciences.
The requirements are: Elements of Physical Geography 101 or Physical Science102; Technology in Society 390 or Economic Ideas and Current Issues 300; Global Challenges 407; and Global Environment Issues 499 or Humans and the Environment 200.
Brisson said that some upperclassmen may have completed these courses and are already eligible for the certificate. Brisson worked this past spring with the Sustainability Committee to get the certificate approved. She also worked with Dan Shea, academic affairs marketing specialist, to launch the sustainability website and create a bookmark with certificate information.
FHSU is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and has eight campus organizations that relate to sustainability, environmental and social awareness. The organizations have brought sustainability speakers to campus and participate year-round in sustainability efforts, especially with events on Earth Day.
The Department of Health and Human Performance and FHSU intramurals maintain bicycles for “Take a Bike/Leave a Bike” on campus to help eliminate traffic. Also, students in the Department of Agriculture build barrels to collect rainwater that preserve water for landscape purposes.
In 2005, FHSU started using peak-shaving generators to reduce energy use, which saves an estimated $250,000 a year. Most recently, the campus started producing electricity from two 2-megawatt wind turbines that save the university an estimated $600,000 to $1 million a year.
“Sustainability is applicable to all disciplines and strengthens a degree in biology, political science, economics and cultural studies,” said Brisson. “It is quite relevant when studying agriculture, geosciences and technology studies, as methods in these areas may not be currently sustainable and new paths of innovation and research may open. Leadership, communication and English, too, can help to promote change as graduate students move to promote sustainable societal modification. Sustainability elegantly provides a new perspective within all disciplines.”
