Our Progress

Reports and Data

STARS Comparative Report Summer 2020

Timeline

February 2020: The LED lighting retrofit of Penrose Library is expected to reduce the building’s lighting system energy consumption by 50%, saving over 500,000 kWh of electricity annually.
September 2017: Whitman College included in Princeton Reviews Guide to 375 Green Schools
September 2017: Whitman College received the Smart Business Partner Award from the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce for Sustainability Efforts.
September 2017: Completion of Campus Wind Turbine Display
August 2017: Institution ranked 200 out of 227 institutions by Sierra Club Cool Schools
August 2017: New Campus Waste standard adopted with role out of Zero Waste Stations in Olin.
August 2017: Recycling waste containers were placed in all classrooms in Maxey and Olin Halls.
July 2017: Whitman College continued its dedication to carbon neutrality by purchasing 17,400 mWh of Green-E Certified American Wind Energy RECs. This offset 100% of all campus electricity use. The college also purchased 1,251 mtCO2e in verified emissions reductions.
June 2017: Construction began on the new dining hall and residence hall, they are the first buildings on campus specifically built to meet LEED building standards. They will also include 116kw of solar panels, the first constructed on campus since 2009.
June 2017: LED Lighting Retrofit of Baker Faculty Center conducted by Office of Sustainability
May 2017: In 2017 the ASWC Student Senate and President's Sustainability Advisory Board endorsed SRS17.2 and the adoption of the ASWC Zero Waste Plan.
May 2017: PSAC endorsed the adoption of a Campus Idling Policy
April 2017: Whitman College was admitted to the EPA Green Power Partnership for 2017. The college was also designated as a member of the Green Power Leadership Club in addition to utilizing the most green power in the Northwest Conference. In 2017, Whitman college generated 26,547 kWh of onsite solar power. The college also offset 100% of its electricity use with the purchase of 17,073 mWh of Green-E Certified American Wind Energy RECs.
March 2017: Campus hosted first Mt. Trashmore waste diversion event.
February 2017: Whitman College receives a Silver rating from the Sustainable Tracking and Rating System by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
July 2016: Installation of building Sub Metering in Jewett Hall and Olin Hall
May 2016- December 2017: The Climate Action Task force endorsed the creation of a campus Set Point Policy. The Set Point policy was implemented in December of 2016.
May 2016: Society of Physics students began conversion of a 1986 Chevy S10 into an electric truck for the Zero Waste Program.