About Sustain Champlain

SAP CoverSustain Champlain is a campus-wide initiative that strives to infuse sustainability concepts and practices across Champlain College by coordinating and promoting best practices within four areas: our institution, academics, operations and culture.

Defining Sustainability at Champlain College

Champlain views sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations, as defined by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). At Champlain College, sustainability is embedded in one of the College's value of Interconnectedness: We connect with people and places, from the local to the global.

United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations presented a series of goals that focus on: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. Widely used across the globe, these goals are in wider use across the US. This is another framework that we use at Champlain when we think about "What is sustainability?"

Sustainability Value Statement

Champlain College will be a sustainable institution, in our operational practices, our campus culture, our curriculum and in our relationships with our greater community. It is our belief that as we support students to be 21st century global citizens, they need to be well informed about sustainability concepts and practices as it relates to their field and profession. Further, we must create a campus where fully engaging in these concepts and practices is a part of life for our whole community. Additionally, we will be a model for other institutions and communities as we create an example of positive impact on the planet and its inhabitants. Because sustainability is a holistic and interdependent concept, our application of sustainability on campus and within our institution will demonstrate this and be INFUSED into all that we do.

Through various educational mediums, we spread sustainability awareness through the campus. Everyone has a role to play as we work together to create a sustainable institution and campus. Our Sustainability Action Plan, adopted in 2013, is our roadmap of actions for the coming years.

Sustain Champlain Committees

These committees are primarily charged with implementing the Champlain College Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). Committee members will reach out to collaborating departments when needed. Key Staff/College Personnel will be asked to participate with a committee that requires their expertise on an as-needed basis. Membership and meetings are open to the Champlain community. If you are interested in joining, please email us. Committees meet several times over the semester and are supported by the Sustainability Coordinator.

All committees are charged with exploring how to better incorporate aspects of diversity and inclusion into their committee's content area. For example, the following questions might be asked: Who does this work effect/impact? Is any particular group of people impacted more or less? How can we better diversify the stakeholders involved? Are all members of the Champlain community included and do they feel comfortable with this work?

Transportation
Charge: To implement the 2013 Transportation Plan and to continue finding ways of reducing single-occupancy vehicle travel to/from campus. To work with our transportation partner, CATMA, on these goals. If you have any transportation questions or ideas, please email them along.

Green Revolving Fund
Charge: to advise and manage the College's Green Revolving Fund, an investment fund that finances energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability projects on campus.

Campus Sustainability Operations Team
Charge: to bring operational staff together to discuss campus sustainability efforts; collaborate and connect to demonstrate an integrated approach to campus sustainability.


Local & Regional Partnerships

We partner with a number of community organizations to further enhance the culture of sustainability.

Greater Burlington Campus Sustainability Collaborative

An informal network of campus sustainability professionals who gather on a quarterly basis to share ideas and collaborate on projects.

Greater Burlington Sustainability Education Network

GBSEN, in the state of Vermont, USA, is a Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development, recognized by the United Nations University. A member of a global network with over 168 RCEs from around the world, GBSEN promotes education, training, and public awareness to create a sustainable future for the greater Burlington region through the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Chittenden Area Transportation Demand Management Association

CATMA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), membership based, transportation management association serving Chittenden County. They administer and manage customized, turn-key transportation demand management (TDM) programs that offer a better way to get to work, save money, reduce parking challenges and congestion, and cut carbon emissions. Champlain College is a founding member. 

Burlington Walk/Bike Council

The Sustainable Transportation Director collaborates with the BWBC, which works on improving the infrastructure and culture of bicycles and pedestrians in Burlington and on campus.

Community Coalition

We collaborate with the Community Coalition on some projects, especially the annual Spring Move Out Project.

Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium

We regularly attend NECSC annual gatherings.

Northeast Climate Change Education Collaborative

We joined this network in 2022 and participate in gatherings.