1) How has Whitman's construction and/or renovation projects included green building features?

Whitman's policy is that all new construction is designed to meet LEED standards which includes the Reid Campus Center, the Science Building Addition, the Baker Ferguson Fitness Center, the Fouts Center for Visual Arts, and Sherwood Athletic Center (currently undergoing extensive renovations).

2) In what ways does Whitman encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation?

Whitman is a bike and pedestrian friendly campus.  With over 750 designated spaces for bike parking on campus we have a bike parking space to car parking lot space ratio of 1.5 to 1.  The Outdoor program operates the campus bike shop where a bike technician is available to assist with bike maintainance and repair. Whitman students, staff and faculty also all have access to the Walla Walla Valley Transit bus system which offers a flag-stop route along Isaacs Ave running the length of campus and the fare is only 75 cents per trip.

3) How has Whitman taken steps to improve energy efficiency and/or obtain energy from renewable sources?

• Whitman has 37 wind turbines on college-owned property that generate electricity for the grid equivalent of twice the amount of energy that Whitman consumes in a typical year.
• Currently, through student fundraising efforts, the college purchases over 20% of electricity from the Pacific Power Blue Sky program, which supports sustainable energy sources.   
• We have demonstration solar panels for power and hot water on the top of our Environmental Studies Interest House. 
• We are also in the process of phasing in high water/energy efficient front-loading washing machines as the older top loaders need to be replaced.  Currently over 50% of residence halls have front loading washing machines. 
• Whitman is also a party to the Western Climate Initiative, which sets regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

4) Does Whitman employ a sustainability staff?

Whitman employs the following 4 part time positions:  1) Recycling Coordinator and 2) assistant 3) Campus Sustainability Coordinator Student Intern 4) Environmental Studies Internship Coordinator.  In addition, the Associate to the President chairs the Conservation & Recycling Committee and many students, staff and faculty volunteer on various sustainability committees and projects.

5) Please describe Whitman's recycling and composting programs.

Whitman recycles paper, cardboard, aluminum, steel, tin, plastics, and used computers and electronics.  Students run and operate the residence life recycling program and college staff operate recycling for all academic and administrative buildings.  The Environmental House and Organic Gardens maintain composting programs.

6) Has Whitman created sustainability initiatives in administration or policy development that are not mentioned above?

• Whitman College has adopted a set of Environmental Principles encouraging recycling, eco-friendly purchasing and energy efficiency.
• The Whitman Conservation Committee of faculty, staff and students addresses a broad array of sustainability issues.
• The college purchases 100 percent post-consumer recycled napkins and office paper. 
• Whitman has a $25k revolving loan fund for sustainability projects
• We have implemented a policy of purchasing all energy star rated appliances when they are available
• Whitman is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

7) In what ways is Whitman encouraging student involvement in campus sustainability efforts?

The College, through the Conservation Committee has hired a Campus Sustainability Coordinator Student Intern.  The intern will serve as a liaison and resource all sustainability groups including the Campus Greens, a student umbrella group that created the Campus Climate Challenge, the Paper Campaign, Sustainability Fundraising and an Alternative Energy group.  The College also has a student-run Organic Garden with paid student interns and faculty/staff advisors.  The Environmental Studies Major requires students to complete an environmental internship.

8) Other activities:

• Environmental student organization: YES - several
• Green dorm or house: YES
• Outing club: YES
• Sustainability student jobs and/or eco-reps: YES
• Revolving loan fund for sustainability projects: YES
• Environmental science/studies major: YES
• Environmental/ science/studies minor or concentration:  YES
• Green Pledge: YES
• Merit and/or need-based environmental/sustainability scholarships: YES (in addition to a scholarship for Environmental Studies Majors, we have endowments that support the Environmental Studies program in numerous ways).