Attending the symposium were representatives from Houghton College (2 plus 1 affiliated with Houghton College and Blessed Earth), George Fox University (1), Seattle Pacific University (1), The King’s University College (2), Messiah College (1), Creation Care Study Program (1), Taylor University (1) Mustard Seed Associates (2), and Renewal (1) for a total of 13 attendees. Billed as a working event, the symposium exceeded its own high expectations. The following is a summary of the outcomes produced at what was a pleasantly collegial, yet purpose driven leadership symposium.
1. Formation of the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders.
Sustainability in higher education is a new profession, and the leaders in attendance at the symposium unanimously agreed that forming an association focused on the concerns and needs of their particular community would make a positive contribution to the development of the profession on Christian college campuses.
As a representative body, the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will provide the following benefits:
• A voice and organizing structure to advance matters concerning the profession.
• A community capable of providing support and encouragement for individuals working in the field.
• A venue for professional networking.
• An organization capable of creating professional standards, policies, and qualifications.
• A training provider for members, or those wanting to move into the profession.
The Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders is a service provided by the Center for Environmental Leadership (CEL).
CEL and the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will seek to collaborate with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and other likeminded Christian institutions and consortiums of higher learning on sustainability matters.
2. Formation of a new "pracademic" journal focused on sustainability from a Christian perspective published by the Center for Environmental Leadership (CEL). Dr. Michael P. Ferber (The King’s University College, Alberta, CA) is the editor, and Bethany Walrad (Seattle Pacific University, WA) is the managing editor.
3. CEL and the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will seek funding for:
• A sustainability investment fund. This fund is intended to provide capital investment for sound projects that members’ institutions would otherwise find difficultly financing.
• A targeted research agenda on sustainability
• Other projects that will advance sustainability on Christian colleges and universities.
4. CEL and the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will produce a listserve, blog/online magazine, and other online networking services to help support the Christian sustainability community.
5. Due to the success of this year’s symposium CEL will hold another symposium in 2012 in conjunction with AASHE’s annual conference. Thus, CEL’s 2012 symposium for the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will be held in Los Angeles Friday, Oct. 12 – Saturday Oct. 13. AASHE’s conference (also in Los Angeles) is immediately following on Sunday, Oct. 14-17.
6. CEL and the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will produce a video highlighting sustainability projects at Christian colleges and universities.
7. CEL and the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will develop an inter-CCCU sustainability consultation service as our gift-of-service to the wider CCCU community.
8. CEL and the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will produce an aggregate CCCU sustainability dashboard. That is, a dashboard that measures sustainability indices for an aggregate of CCCU institutions who want to participate in such a project.
9. CEL and the Association of Christian Sustainability Professionals & Leaders will produce a start-up kit of materials for institutions wanting to implement a sustainability coordinator position. This project includes collating, assessing, and disseminating current job descriptions for sustainability coordinators at CCCU institutions. Brian Webb (Houghton College, NY and Blessed Earth) is heading the job description project.
Raising the Next Generation of Christian Environmental Leaders:
