During the Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) Board of Directors meeting held February 16, the board heard a report from Benjamin Nusz, instructor for the Renewable Thermal Energy Technician program. During the fall semester, Nusz’s students developed proposals regarding sustainability efforts for the college. The six student proposals addressed Waste Stream Reduction Strategies, Green Purchasing, Green Roofs, Carbon Footprint Calculations, Hybrid Vehicle Technologies and a Renewable Energy Society.

Nusz said the students worked in teams with five to six members. The team that addressed Waste Stream Reduction Strategies conducted recycling survey at the college’s Wisconsin Rapids campus which resulted in 337 responses. “Two predominant responses unfolded. These included suggestions for more recycling containers with better labeling and to increase awareness, education and outreach activities.”

A second team pursued the creation of a Mid-State Renewable Energy Society (MSRES) to educate students and the general public on the wide spectrum of options available to address energy needs and to work towards a more intelligent and responsible use of energy. Nusz said a third team investigated green purchasing on campus. “Examples include compostable tableware, higher post-consumer recycled content paper, alternative paper bleaching methods, sustainable forestry practices, double sided printing, reductions in amount and type of printed material and green cleaning products and practices,” said Nusz. A fourth team investigated carbon emissions calculations for the Wisconsin Rapids campus and a fifth team explored a proposal for green roof installation. Nusz said the sixth team developed a proposal to create a new Automotive Technician certificate with an emphasis on hybrid vehicle technology.

According to Nusz, tangible actions resulting from the six team projects include interdisciplinary measures within several MSTC programs, classroom and coursework integration, student-driven implementation and making sustainability changes at all of the college’s campuses. “The next steps include moving forward with the MSRES and creating a Sustainability Taskforce with student, faculty, staff and community membership,” said Nusz.

In other news, the board heard a report from Connie Willfahrt, Vice President of Student Affairs & Information Technology, regarding enrollment from high school graduates into MSTC. According to Willfahrt, for the past seven years, MSTC has exceeded the Wisconsin Technical College System average of high school graduates enrolling directly into a technical college. She said, for example, that during fiscal year 2006, 21.5 percent of area high school students enrolled into MSTC versus a statewide average of 19.9 percent.