Sustainability at GCC

Greenfield Community College

At GCC sustainability has many definitions, but underlying each is the desire to achieve and maintain the environmental, economic and social well being of our world, both today and for future generations. Sustainability influences the way our courses are taught, the way our buildings and landscapes grow and change, and the way we live and work in them.

Students and community members at GCC can explore a diversity of approaches to sustainability. These include: applying knowledge to improve energy efficiency and to develop new technologies (renewable energy); understanding how to constructively resolve conflicts over differences and scarce resources (mediation, conflict resolution and civic engagement); learning how we can conserve natural resources by adjusting both individual lifestyles and community strategies; exploring economic sectors that will affect our resilience as the world warms (permaculture, green building, sustainable agriculture); examining the way we live and envisioning new models, while upholding human rights and addressing social inequality (ecovillages, eco-municipalities and new systems of social and economic justice); creating new and beautiful spaces (sustainable architecture and landscape design).

As you explore these pages, think about who you are. Perhaps you know clearly what you want to pursue or perhaps you want to investigate new interests. In each of the departments listed here, there is a person who will answer any questions you may have about their program and how it can enhance your career and personal goals.


Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency


Visit the RE/EE website

The RE/EE program offers students an opportunity to learn the scientific concepts, technical aspects and current technologies in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Students pursue interests in solar installation, green building and landscape design, energy retrofits, engineering, education, policy, and non-profit work. More than 20 courses are available, ranging from one- to four-credits. Instructors are active practitioners who bring up to date skills and knowledge to the classroom, lab and field experiences. Our 28-credit RE/EE certificate was co-created with local industry partners and can be earned while attending GCC either part- or full-time. Students may also earn the Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts with RE/EE Option which will transfer to a four-year college or university. Many graduates find work in the local RE/EE industry, while some start or expand small businesses of their own. There is an emerging network of program alumni to help grow these opportunities.


Peace, Justice and Environmental Studies


Visit the PJEwebsite

Peace, Justice and Environmental Studies is an option, begun in the Fall of 2010, that allows students to explore the interconnectedness between environmental issues, social justice and the need to create safety, security and sustainability for all life. It focuses on how can we foster a culture of peace rather than a culture of violence and promotes the ideals contained in the Earth Charter. It brings together values and learned practices that will create positive social change through nonviolent means, as defined in the theories of active nonviolence. This option offers students a way to understand the social and cultural forces that work in conjunction with science and technology to create an integrated and holistic way to manifest a better world.

In 2000, The Earth Charter Commission released a document called the Earth Charter. Initially a mission of the United Nations, it was completed by a cross cultural and diverse group of people. Its principles are to promote respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, social and economic justice and democracy, nonviolence and peace and it now holds the same status as the Declaration of Human Rights. The LPE option at GCC becomes a way to manifest those values and principles.

Students with such a focus can pursue careers in the fields of education, social work, law, political science and public policy, environment, renewable energy, urban planning, labor studies and others. Transfer options at the University of Massachusetts, Westfield State College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Elms College, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College and others exist for students who earn a liberal arts degree with this option.


Environmental Science/Natural Resources

GCC offers a liberal arts Associate Degree option in Environmental Science/Natural Resources (ES/NR) as well as an ES/NR certificate.  The program prepares students to continue their studies towards a bachelor degree in such fields as wildlife and fisheries conservation, forestry, plant and soil sciences, environmental biology, environmental health and environmental policy.  In the two year associates degree program students fulfill their general elective requirements as well as taking courses in environmental science, natural history, ecology, general biology, freshwater ecology, environmental economics, chemistry, environmental studies and other sciences.  The Environmental Science/Natural Resources studies strive to promote an understanding of environmental issues and solutions and inspire students to choose to continue their education and embark upon a career that will truly make the world a better place.

Learn more


Farm and Food Systems


Visit the Farm & Food Systems website

The Farm and Food Systems initiative at Greenfield Community College provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the ecological, economic, political, and social systems as they relate to food and farming. Additionally, students learn hands-on skills through internships and applied courses such as:

  • SCI137: Permaculture Design-Spring 2012
  • AGR110: Beekeeping-Spring 2012
  • AGR111: Four Season Farming-Spring 2012
  • EVS152: Organic Gardening-Spring 2012
  • AGR112: Food Preservation-Summer 2012
  • EVS118: Introduction to Food Systems-Fall 2012

Students can expect to participate in community efforts to support regional food security, local economies, and planning for resiliency. For more information, visit our website or contact Abrah Dresdale, dresdalea@gcc.mass.edu.

Community Education and Workforce Development’s role in sustainability

View current classes

The Office of Community Education and Workforce Development at GCC offers more than 100 credit-free classes and workshops each semester in topics that range from pure personal enrichment to in-depth workforce training and education. The office has been involved in sustainability efforts at GCC for the better part of the last decade, offering  several classes and workshops in topics like Permaculture and Sustainable Landscape Design as regular features of the College’s credit-free programming. In many cases we pilot workshops before they are developed as credit-bearing classes, and we frequently partner with academic departments at GCC, combining for-credit  and credit-free students in the same Blended Learning environment. We help train the workforce in new and emerging technologies and offer brief introductions to renewable energy  and sustainable practices for area homeowners and small business owners. Finally, based as we are at the GCC Downtown Center, we  work in the heart of the downtown, helping to maintain the College’s place in the sustainable life of a vibrant, working downtown.

Photovoltaic panels

GCC has two sets of solar panels that make up an array on the lawn of the East building. These panel provide energy to the college and, just as importantly, provide teaching opportunities for a number of instructors in the college. Panel 1 is fixed. Panel 2 is a tracking panel that rotates to follow the movement of the sun from east to west. In the graphs below, the blue line represents the total energy output (in Kilowatt-hours) of the two sets of panels combined.

View solar panel data

Facilities

GCC has a commitment to sustainability in many ways, including how our buildings perform. In September of 2008, the College installed a new high efficiency HVAC system at its Downtown Center location, resulting in an approximate 41% reduction in heating and cooling costs. Our new core is designed for daylighting, infusing light and warmth into a space that will be a community hub for the college. A geothermal cooling system will greatly reduce our summer cooling load. The new building automation systems will allow us to schedule and manage the buildings energy systems in a more energy efficient way. We are particularly excited about a photovoltaic electrical system that will be installed on our East Building roof. The 78KW system will produce electricity equivalent to the use of 15-20 average homes. A zero-net-energy greenhouse is being added to the south side of the main building, alongside a botanical-geologic garden. These integrated spaces will enhance learning opportunities in plant and environmental science, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and will inform the landscape and entrance to the south end of the building. Learn more about the photovoltaic panels that help our students monitor solar energy supplied by the sun »

Green Campus Committee

Visit the Green Campus Committee website

The Green Campus Committee was established in 2004 and is made up of faculty, staff, and students who care deeply about GCC and its role in the natural environment and the community.

Our mission is to advocate for policies and practices that create a greener campus, from GCC’s physical plant to its educational programs.  We want to make GCC a community leader in environmental sustainability. Toward this end, we promote the following:

  • environmental awareness and education through staff development, advocating green curricula and program development, supporting natural sciences and social sciences consistent with our vision, and facilitating interdisciplinary learning related to the environment
  • the use of sustainable energy and energy efficiency measures at all levels in order to reduce the college’s carbon footprint
  • comprehensive recycling and composting
  • local and environmentally preferable purchasing, including farm-to-school
  • the creation of a deserved green image for GCC in the community
  • collaborative work with the physical plant and the integration of green practices into the institution as a whole