WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., June 16, 2017 — Asking the question: How can we build a culture of sustainability here at West Liberty University, the WLU Sustainability Committee met in Boyle Conference Center for a summer retreat.
“We want to involve everyone and continue our focus on sustainability as we move our campus forward on sustainability issues,” said Keith Kaczor, chairman of the committee and WLU trades specialist lead (HVAC).
President Stephen Greiner greeted guests and shared his thoughts as the meeting began.
“Change takes time but this sustainability effort represents the future for West Liberty University,” he began. He went on to explain that soon the university will begin a deferred maintenance project that will involve an internal review of energy usage and result in a yearlong study with an outside company that will assist the university in realizing significant savings, at no cost.
Other speakers at the workshop and their topics include:
- Recycling- Aron Massey, assistant professor of Geography
- Environmental Education, Dr. Vishaka Maskey, associate professor of Management and Economics
- Using Data and Energy Efficiency, Keith Kaczor,
- HEPC’S Vision and purpose for West Virginia Universities, James R. King director Facilities and Sustainability for West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
- Creating a Culture of Sustainability, Keith Kaczor and Mark Swiger, sustainability consultant with ReGen Creative Strategies.
The speakers shared their knowledge and success stories. Questions and answers followed. Finally, the group agreed on a Sustainability Plan for 2017 – 2018, which will be shared with campus.
The current Sustainability Committee was previously called the President’s Council on Sustainability and was directed by the Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC). Since its beginnings in 2008, it has evolved and also includes the Green Initiative that was once part of WLU’s Faculty Senate.