California is home to 112 public community colleges—many of which are looking to develop plans for a more sustainable future. For Allan Hancock College, HMC provided guidance and facilitated the process of drafting a comprehensive Energy and Sustainability Plan to lead the College’s operational and educational mission. On September 28, HMC’s Sheryl Sterry, along with Kathy Buckey and Margaret Lau from Allan Hancock College, presented “Mobilizing a Sustainability Task Force into Action (on a Shoestring Budget)” at the Green California Community College Summit.
Graphic recording from Allan Hancock College sustainability workshop facilitated by HMC Architects
The College’s 2009-2013 Strategic Plan identified the core strategic objective to “define and clarify the College’s commitment to developing an environmentally conscious physical environment,” and in response the College’s Facilities Council established a Sustainability Task Force. HMC facilitated a series of sustainability workshops to establish an institutional vision for sustainability, provide the Task Force with an overview of sustainable master planning, and guide the setting of goals and objectives that became the basis of the Energy and Sustainability Plan. The workshops included a broad range of sustainable topics such as: sustainability visioning, environmental analysis, and energy use projections and cost savings that were researched and presented by HMC, guest panelists, and the task force members themselves. The Sustainability Task Force presented its draft Recommended District Energy and Sustainability Plan to the Facilities Council, which outlines a clear action plan and vision for a sustainable future.
Sustainability workshop in action
At the Green California conference, the session explored best practices learned from Allan Hancock College’s planning efforts and discussed practical, affordable, and engaging methods for establishing an institutional vision for the development of a district-wide, comprehensive Energy and Sustainability Plan. The speakers helped attendees gain a better understanding of how an inclusive and comprehensive plan can be facilitated, even amidst lean and fragile budgetary circumstances. The speakers presented on lessons learned about generating enthusiasm and momentum through a focused and participatory process and the effective use of communication tools, such as graphic recordings of discussions.
Graphic recordings
