The application process for next year’s Campus Sustainability Coordinator position is currently underway. The position, a long-time goal of the Conservation and Recycling Committee, is designed to coordinate sustainability efforts across campus and to develop, implement and maintain a long-term campus sustainability plan.
“The primary goal of the Coordinator is to serve as a liaison between college administration and existing campus groups and clubs working on sustainability efforts,” said Jed Schwendiman, associate to the president and chair of the Conservation and Recycling Committee.
The position was first proposed to the Budget Advisory Committee in the fall of 2006 by Whitman alumna Savannah Ferguson, ’06. Although the Committee noted the importance of such a position, funding for it was unavailable.
In the fall of 2007, the Conservation and Recycling Committee, with the support of student environmental and conservation groups, resubmitted a version of Ferguson’s proposal.
“We had hoped to receive enough funding for a full-time position but that wasn’t possible for this year. We received enough funding for a part-time student intern, and we think that’s a great way to start,” said Schwendiman.
“[Campus Climate Challenge views] this position as an important step towards progress on environmental projects at Whitman. With this position, Whitman will be able to move forward on green projects: from solar panels to compost initiatives: because this person will be in charge of coordinating people and resources which have been largely disorganized in the past,” said Climate Campus Challenge co-Coordinator senior Katie King.
Sophomore Steve Shoemaker, the Resident Assistant of the Environmental Interest House, echoed King’s sentiments.
“My perspective is from the recycling end of things, because the Out House organizes the on-campus recycling program. I think it could be run a lot more efficiently, and it’s really great to have a position that will have some oversight over the recycling program and that will assess the current situation and determine what the best action is to take from here,” said Shoemaker.
“On another level, I think this position serves a symbolic role that Whitman is taking green action more seriously. This intern will work directly under the administration and alongside faculty and student leaders on environmental initiatives; by incorporating this student position into key institutional processes, Whitman is moving further towards its goals as an environmental leader,” said King.
