Sustainability at PSC
Overview
The students, faculty, staff and administration of Prairie State College are committed to improving and protecting the environment while promoting fiscal and social responsibility. We seek to educate students to understand the pressures facing the local and global environment and to increase their awareness of the importance of the “green economy.” We will also provide the skills and knowledge they will need to address the social and environmental issues that are important to our community and to support public policies that will contribute to an excellent quality of life both now and in the future.
Sustainability Strategy
The sustainability efforts of PSC are guided by its Sustainability Strategy which is outlined by the Priority Areas below.
Priority Areas
Education
The aim of this priority area is to integrate content from all of the other priority areas into classrooms and other college programs for students, staff, faculty and the greater community.
Energy
Energy refers to the use of energy in all of its forms by and for the college and its community.
Social Responsibility
This area encompasses the social footprint of the college (including topics of food security, personal well-being, representation in governance, social equality, etc.).
Material Flows
Material flows refer to the paths that different materials (paper, food, water, products, etc.) take in their interaction with campus operations, including where they come from and what happens to them after they leave the college.
Emissions & Effluents
This priority area addresses the non-solid waste products (including greenhouse gas emissions) of the college or those produced on the college’s behalf.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity - or the variety and abundance of life in a given area - is a priority of the college to allow PSC’s campus to operate as a habitat for living organisms.
Recognition and Membership
PSC is an active Lead Member of the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), and a member of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED) Center, and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
In addition to these state and national organizations, PSC also has regular representation on the Sustainability Committee of the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC), the Prairie State Regional Sustainability Network (PSRSN), and the Chicago Southland Green Committee.
Construction of Nature Preserve Trail Under Way
July 28, 2021
Construction of an ADA-accessible path through the Prairie State College Nature Preserve has started with the installation of a bridge across Thorn Creek. This half-mile loop will allow all-season access to the campus’ primary ecological asset, making it easier for the PSC community to enjoy, appreciate, and learn from nature.
Sustainability Graduation Cord and Course Designation
July 1, 2021
Education is the first Priority Area in PSC’s Sustainability Strategy. During Earth Month, the Sustainability Committee began a new effort to increase and coordinate sustainability-related content in existing courses, by holding workshops to help faculty make connections between their disciplines and sustainability topics. Courses that teach about related topics can be designated as “sustainability courses” and will allow students to pursue the new Sustainability Graduation Cord.
The first offering of these designated courses will be in the fall semester of 2021. A total of 31 courses in 9 disciplines will be available for credit towards this cord. To learn more about this initiative, the courses available, and how they connect to sustainability, follow this link and click on “Sustainability Courses” at the top of the page.
Prairie Planting
May 17, 2021
In the next step for the Grass-to-Prairie Project, the Sustainability Committee planted seedlings “plugs” in one of the plots. The other two will be seeded directly in the fall. Check out this video introducing the plots to the campus community!
A New Beehive
May 16, 2021
The Sustainability Club purchased and installed its own beehive, adding to PSC’s apiary. This hive will be managed primarily by the club’s members and be used to raise funds for the club’s activities. Watch the bees being introduced to their new home in the video below!
Trash Bash
April 30, 2021
Instead of just cleaning the litter around campus, this year the Student Sustainability Club used the Litterati app to help document what type of trash they found to support efforts to eliminate litter at the source. The app was also used in a competition between several institutions within the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium in a “Trash Bash.”
Residential Solar Webinar
April 23, 2021
As part of PSC’s Earth Month programming, the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium and PSC hosted speakers from Will County and Citizens Utility Board to speak about “going solar” in two different ways: residential rooftops solar, and community solar projects. The webinar was recorded and is available here for anyone interested in exploring either of these options.
Sustainability Film Series - Reinventing Power
April 1, 2021
The Student Sustainability Club moderated this Earth Month edition of the Sustainability Film Series. This month’s topic was renewable energy and centered around the Sierra Club’s film “Reinventing Power.”
Earth Month 2021
April 2021
This month, PSC celebrated Earth Day all month long with a series of events, projects, initiatives, etc. including a litter pickup competition, a live-streamed beehive tour, an introduction to “citizen science,” workshops on integrating sustainability into curriculum, and a webinar about residential solar.
PSC Begins Process of Converting a Portion of Lawn into Native Prairie
March 8, 2021
The Sustainability Committee started the process of converting a 2,400 square-foot section of lawn on the South side of parking lot A into native prairie. The first step in this years-long process is smothering the turf grass before any planting can occur this spring. This will kill existing grass and weeds to make way for the native species. Half of the plot has been covered with cardboard and mulch and the other half was covered by large tarps.
The mulch was sourced as a waste product of annual tree-trimming by a local municipality, while the cardboard would have otherwise ended up in a landfill or been shipped away for recycling. No new tarps were used either. For this, the committee is giving old highway billboards a second life smothering the other half of the plot.
Compared to turf grass, native prairies are better habitats, pull more carbon out of the atmosphere, allow more groundwater infiltration, and are more colorful (among other benefits)!
Keep an eye on this area in the coming months and years to see the transformation in action!
Sustainability Film Series - Greening the Ghetto
March 4, 2021
Sociology Prof. Lalinda De La Fuente moderated this month’s Sustainability Film Series discussion about Majora Carter’s TED Talk called “Greening the Ghetto.” This video and discussion addressed the importance of confronting a legacy of environmental discrimination, and adopting a “triple bottom line” that considers the needs of people and the planet, rather than just profits.
The PSC Beehive Survived the Winter!
March 3, 2021
After last year’s heartbreak, the Sustainability Club was pleasantly surprised when the first beehive inspection of the new year revealed a thriving colony that had survived a harsh winter. Check out a video of the inspection here!
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Instructional Equipment Approved
February 23, 2021
At its February 2021 meeting, PSC’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the grant-funded purchase of key instructional equipment that will enable the Automotive Program to offer a new course and certificate in electric and hybrid vehicles. This includes the purchase of a used electric vehicle and a hybrid trainer for instruction.
This is just one of the academic areas where sustainability is being integrated throughout PSC’s curriculum.
Sustainability Film Series - Do The Math
February 4, 2021
This month’s Sustainability Film Series discussion revolved around climate change and a film called Do The Math. This event had good turnout with about 20 participants joining to discuss the film and solutions to one of our biggest sustainability challenges.
Sustainability Film Series - Guerilla Gardener
December 3, 2020
This month Sustainability Film Series participants watched and discussed a TED Talk about a “guerilla gardener” in South Los Angeles. Social justice, health and nutrition, and sustainable agriculture were just a few of the many themes covered in this video and our group’s discussion.
Sustainability Film Series - The Pollinators
November 5, 2020
PSC’s Student Sustainability Club hosted this month’s Sustainability Film Series event which centered on the film The Pollinators. They guided an engaging conversation about the importance of pollinators in our environment and economy, and some of the threats they currently face.
Campus Cleanup
October 22, 2020
The Student Sustainability Club cleared 50 pounds of trash out of the campus Nature Preserve and encouraged others to participate in their neighborhoods. With much of the brush starting to die down, it is much easier to collect hard-to-reach litter in the fall than in the summer.
First Alternative Energy Course Offering
October 2020
In fall 2020, PSC offered its first section of a new Alternative Energy course - the first in a series of courses that now allow students to pursue certificates in wind and solar, or an Industrial Electrician A.A.S. with a focus on wind or solar. The renewable energy industry is seeing immense growth as the world aims to meet its energy demand while curbing carbon emissions. To learn more about this program, contact Georgia Karras at gkarras@prairiestate.edu or Denny Bracket at dbrackett@prairiestate.edu.
Solar Project Construction Begins
October 12, 2020
Installation of a 550 kilowatt rooftop solar array on campus buildings began in mid-October. This project will cover the roofs of the Main Building, Library, Tech Wing, and Adult Training and Outreach Center (ATOC) with about 1,500 solar panels. Once complete, this array will also serve as a living teaching tool for students in PSC’s new renewable energy courses.
The video below shows a time-lapse of the racking and panel system going in on ATOC.
https://youtu.be/e3CyUb-fIas
Sustainability Film Series Goes Virtual
October 1, 2020
The first Sustainability Film Series event of the fall 2020 semester was shifted to a virtual format due to the ongoing pandemic. In this month’s virtual event, the group discussed the film The End Of Meat, which explores the environmental and social issues with reliance on animal products.
First Honey Harvest
September 10, 2020
In September, PSC’s Student Sustainability Club helped to extract the first harvest of honey from the beehive. The yield in this first year of operation was modest, but this was an exciting milestone in the life of the hive!
Preserve Trail Project Approved
August 25, 2020
The Board of Trustees approved a project to build an ADA-compliant walking trail through the PSC Nature Preserve. This includes rest points along the trail and a footbridge across Thorn Creek to allow easier access from the main campus. This project will be funded in large part by a grant secured from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
LED Conversions
July 30, 2020
With many rooms unoccupied on campus due to the pandemic, the Sustainability and Facilities departments teamed up to replace nearly 1,200 fluorescent lamps in the Main building and Tech wing with free LEDs through a ComEd incentive program. This will save an estimated 62,000 kilowatt-hours, 3,970 kg of CO2 emissions, and $4k per year!
Sustainability Update: Summer 2020
July 20, 2020
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
Virtual Earth Week
April 24, 2020
The pandemic forced the Sustainability Committee to offer Earth Week activities online this year. Recorded presentations, sustainability-related resources, and other programming was delivered in daily emails to the campus community, with each day’s programs revolving around one of the six Priority Areas of PSC’s Sustainability Strategy
Sustainability Update: Spring 2020
April 6, 2020
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
Virtual Sustainability Film Screening
April 3, 2020
Adapting to the constraints of the pandemic, the Sustainability Club shifted their film screening of Minimalism to an online watch party and discussion. Minimalism highlights a lifestyle of “enough” while following two self-described minimalists in their journey to provide others with this alternative to constant thoughtless consumerism.
Second RSF Project Approved
March 3, 2020
The second round of applications for the Revolving Sustainability Fund (RSF) closed at the end of February, and in March, the Sustainability Committee approved one new RSF project. This project will purchase new reusable tablecloths for Student Affairs to eliminate their need for single-use plastic tablecloths for student events. This is projected to save about 140 tablecloths and $250 from going to waste each year. The RSF will fund this purchase upfront and will be paid back over time by these savings enabling other projects in the future.
Sustainability Film Series
February 19, 2020
The Sustainability Film Series kicked off on February 19 with the “Frozen Worlds” episode of the Our Planet series, followed by a discussion about climate change. About 40 students attended and contributed to a lively discussion about human impacts on the climate and the natural world led by several members of PSC’s Sustainability Committee. The next film in the Sustainability Film Series was going to be, RiverBlue, which highlights environmental and social issues in the fashion/textile industry, however, due to COVID-19 campus closures, other options are being considered.
Sustainability Club Valentine’s Day Fundraiser
February, 13, 2020
The Student Sustainability Club held its first fundraiser of 2020, selling a more sustainable version of the popular Valentine’s Day gift: roses. They created origami flowers out of would-be waste paper and included a packet of prairie rose seeds. When planted, these will yield flowers for years instead of wilting after a few days like a bouquet of cut roses.
Sustainability Update: Winter 2019-2020
February 6, 2020
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
PSC Upcycle Competition
November 13, 2019
PSC’s first-ever Upcycle-palooza’s main event was the student Upcycle Competition. Student groups and individuals were invited to submit creations made from would-be waste materials. Seven very impressive creations were entered into the competition, including a working wind turbine, a vinyl-record coffee table, and an artistic meditation device. However, the winner was a backgammon board made from old electronic components submitted by Jahlel, an Industrial Electrician student. Congratulations to Jahlel and all of the students who participated in the competition!
Reusable Whiteboard Markers Pilot
November 12, 2019
The Revolving Sustainability Fund (RSF) funded its first project this fall semester. This project, submitted by the biology department, retired their single-use whiteboard markers (that go to the landfill after about a week of use) in favor of refillable markers that can be used for years and are fully recyclable at the end of their lives. Along with reducing the waste our classes produce, this will save the biology department about $145 each year, paying back the full project cost in less than three years.
Sustainability Update: Fall 2019
October 10, 2019
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
Meatless Event
October 9, 2019
The Student Sustainability Club held a meatless tasting event in the atrium. The students allowed people to try Impossible Whoppers from Burger King as well as chips made from cricket powder. These foods highlight how companies are working to bring more sustainable proteins to consumers who understand the negative environmental impacts of the meat industry.
Electric Vehicles at Touch-a -Truck
September 21, 2019
For the first time since the event began, electric vehicles (EVs) were represented at the Touch-a-Truck event at PSC’s Transportation, Warehousing, and Logistics building. With increasing use of electrified vehicles in company fleets and among everyday consumers, their presence at these events is becoming more important. PSC’s Sustainability Coordinator and Photographer shared their plug-in hybrid cars with event attendees and answered questions about EVs.
Homewood Disposal Tour
September 19, 2019
The Student Sustainability Club took a tour of Homewood Disposal’s transfer facility to learn more about how recycled products are processed for use in new products. Watch the video here.
Watch The Homewood Recycling Plant Tour
Commuter Survey of PSC Community
August 5, 2019
A survey of the PSC community was conducted in spring 2019 to help the college quantify its indirect carbon footprint, and understand what the college could do to enable people to engage in more sustainable and healthier modes of transportation.
A Bench Made of Bottle Caps
July 13, 2019
In July, a project which started in spring 2018 culminated in the installation of a new bench at PSC's Matteson Area Center (MAC). But this bench was different from others in that it was created from 250 pounds of bottle caps and lids that had been collected by the PSC community over the past year.
These caps had served their purpose in the bottles and yogurt containers for which they were originally created. But the value of the materials in them will continue to be utilized in the form of this "new" bench.
PSC Seeds a Revolving Sustainability Fund
July 10, 2019
Seed funding of $10,000 was approved to finance internal projects that meet two key criteria:
- have a positive return on investment
- make a positive sustainability impact (save energy, water, waste, material, etc.)
Approved projects will be paid for upfront by this fund. Future savings will then be used to replenish the fund and enable other projects. Details on the application process will be made clear in the coming months.
To learn more about what are generically called "Green Revolving Funds," check out the Billion Dollar Green Challenge here.
Sustainability Update: Summer 2019
June 4, 2019
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
PSC’s New Beehive
May 30, 2019
Prairie State College recently adopted a colony of honey bees, which will provide pollinating services to our campus Nature Preserve and the surrounding area. Bees play a critical role in the reproductive lives of flowering plants, including many staple crops.
Resident Beekeeper and PSC Economics Professor Michael Massengill will work with students to conduct weekly hive inspections and harvest honey when the time is right. The bees will also serve as a hands-on teaching tool for biology students learning about pollination.
Earth Week 2019
May 5, 2019
Between April 22 and 27, Prairie State College held eight sustainability-related events as an extended Earth Day celebration. These events covered many topics, including climate change, pollinators, native species, electric vehicles, sustainability in Native American culture, and geologic resources.
Attendees also helped catalog PSC's Nature Preserve during the annual BioBlitz and enjoyed hands-on learning activities at the annual Kids@College Go Green event.
Student Sustainability Summit
April 12, 2019
Several PSC students and faculty attended this year’s Student Sustainability Summit at Governors State University. Presenters at the summit addressed the group on topics from renewable energy to invasive species removal and prevention.
The students networked with like-minded students at other colleges and met with representatives from various organizations in the area with sustainability-related missions, employment and volunteering opportunities
PSC Nature Preserve Cleanup
April 6, 2019
A team of students and faculty members volunteered their Saturday mornings to help clean up our campus Nature Preserve just in time for spring. The group filled about 20 garbage bags with trash, including lots of plastic bags, bottles, fast food packaging, wrappers, and even a pager!
Thanks to all who came out!
Don't contribute to the problem: use durable, reusable goods whenever possible, and don't litter
Sustainability Update: Spring 2019
March 27, 2019
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
Conscious Consumerism
February 25, 2020
As part of the "Learning at Lunch" series hosted by PSC's HR department, Sustainability Coordinator, Joel Nightingale gave a presentation to various staff and faculty members about being a "conscious consumer." The presentation included using tools from the Global Footprint Network and Good Guide to understand how our personal habits impact the environment and what we can do to improve.
Sustainability Update: Winter 2018-2019
February 4, 2019
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
Meatless Tasting Event
January 23, 2019
The PSC Student Sustainability Club introduced many on campus to plant-based meat alternatives, including Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. Attendees tasted a meatless chicken alternative and two different types of plant-based hamburger.
Animal-based meat products are very resource intensive, which means shifting to a more plant-based diet can significantly reduce one's environmental footprint. While a quarter-pound burger may only cost the consumer a few dollars, the production of that beef costs the environment dozens (if not hundreds) of gallons of water, about 13 pounds of feed, 65 square feet of land, and about 4 pounds of atmospheric carbon.
Sustainability Update: Fall 2018
October 18, 2018
The Sustainability Update is a quarterly newsletter produced by the office of Sustainability at Prairie State College. It strives to connect the PSC community with sustainability-related resources and events and improve overall sustainability literacy on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I recycle on campus?
Paper must be clean and dry to be recyclable (no soiled pizza boxes, for example)
- everyday printer paper
- newspapers
- brochures
- magazine
- cardboard boxes
- milk cartons
- poster board
Plastic must be free of any food residue to be acceptable in our recycling
- water/soda bottles
- take-out containers (free of food and debris)
- yogurt containers
Metals are some of the easiest to recycle but should also be rinsed out before disposing
- aluminum cans
- food cans
What's the best way for me to get involved in sustainability on campus?
If you're a student, join the Student Sustainability Club!
If you're a staff or faculty member, the best way to get involved may be to get in touch with the Sustainability Committe (members listed below)
- Andy Schott (interim committee chair), aschott@prairiestate.edu
- Christa Adam
- Jan Bonavia
- Lalinda De La Fuente
- Angela Hung
- Georgia Karras
- Tim Kosiek
- Erica Lannan
- Michael Massengill
- Johnson Thomas
- Jennifer Tirado
Where can I recycle/dispose of electronics, expired medicine, paints, etc.?
This helpful guide can help you find nearby recycling/disposal options for many odd waste streams. Also, look out for collection events that are often sent out in the Sustainability Update newsletter.
Are there resources available for efficiency projects at PSC?
Yes! Prairie State College has a Revolving Sustainability Fund (also known as a Green Revolving Fund) which can internally finance projects with both (1) positive financial returns on investment and (2) other (non-monetary) resource savings. For more information check out the RSF here.
I have an idea for a sustainability-related campus project. What should I do?
You can get in touch with PSC’s Sustainability Committee! (See committee members above)
Can I charge my electric vehicle (EV) on campus? If so, how?
Yes! The college offers free EV charging to the PSC community via three level-2 charge ports on the west side of the Tech wing of the Main Building. Each of these ports can add up to 25 miles of range to an EV per hour of charging. To start a charging session, you’ll need to set up a free account with ChargePoint. Then you can use your smartphone or ChargePoint card to start a session.
Revolving Sustainability Fund
Fundamental to sustainability are long-term thinking and planning for the future. But in a world where putting out daily fires can be an all-consuming distraction, more immediate needs often take precedence over progress towards a sustainable future.
Green Revolving Funds are one way that some institutions encourage long-term thinking and continuous improvement. PSC’s Revolving Sustainability Fund was seeded in 2019 with $10,000 to help source and enable sustainability-related project ideas from the on-campus community. Anyone on campus (including students, faculty, and staff) are encouraged to submit project ideas!
How it works:
Project Eligibility:
Projects must meet two key criteria:
- A positive financial return on investment (i.e. the project will pay for itself over time)
- A positive sustainability impact (reduced waste, water use, energy use, emissions, etc.)
Example:
PSC’s Biology Department noticed that the typical single-use whiteboard markers used in class ran out of ink quickly and weren’t recyclable or reusable. They proposed an RSF project to purchase reusable/refillable whiteboard markers for the department.The Sustainability Committee approved the project, and the markers and refill ink were purchased. The new markers are fully recyclable, and they can be refilled with ink and reused for many years. This project eliminates the waste of hundreds of markers used by the department each year and also reduces marker costs since it is cheaper to purchase ink than a whole new marker.
How to apply:
If you have an idea for a potential RSF project, get in touch with PSC’s Sustainability Coordinator
If your project is already well-developed, you can fill out this form to formally apply for RSF funding. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but are reviewed and approved in two batches each year. The deadline for the fall batch is September 30. The deadline for the spring batch is February 28 (or 29).
Sustainability Courses
Note: Sustainability courses at PSC are designated “sustainability-focused” or “sustainability-inclusive” based on how central topics of sustainability are to their curriculum. Both types of courses count equally to the credit requirements of the Sustainability Cord.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: BIOL 100-02, BIOL 200-H1, BIOL 100-MP
Credits: 4
Course Description: This one-semester introductory course for non-science majors is designed to fulfill the general education requirement for life science with a laboratory. The course covers cell biology, genetics, evolution and diversity, plant and animal structure and functions, animal behavior, and ecology.
What’s the connection to sustainability? Included in this course are discussions on acidification of oceans, acid rain, carbon footprint, endangered species, butterfly garden creation, native plants, ecosystem biodiversity, pollution biomagnification, excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and other sustainability-related topics.
Sustainability-focused
FA 2021 Sections: BIOL-105-LS
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course introduces biological concepts such as ecology, biodiversity, evolution and nutrient cycling. Building on this foundation, students investigate the impacts of human actions on the environment, including the natural ecosystems and human societies that reside within. The course covers urgent environmental issues including climate change, energy sources, human population growth, pollution, agriculture and other related topics. Information literacy and personal action are integrated throughout the semester to encourage informed decision making and sustainable practices.
What’s the connection to sustainability? This course grounds students, as the human species, in our position as participants of both natural and man-made systems. Every aspect of our every day lives have both local and global impacts. The aim of this course is to reveal the interconnectedness between humans and all life on Earth, and how to make positive impacts that can indefinitely sustain a high quality of life for all organisms in this world.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections:
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course focuses on microorganisms and introduces students to scientific inquiry by examining such biological concepts as organization, heredity, evolution, and ecology. It emphasizes the role of microorganisms on health and disease and their relevance to biotechnology and industry. The course also addresses the social and economic impact of microorganisms and their effects on health, sanitation, and agriculture.
What’s the connection to sustainability? In this course, we discuss the role of microbes in the environment as well as in maintaining biodiversity in the soils for the agricultural sector. We also discuss how to use cloning to help solve man-made problems in a sustainable way (things like engineering bacteria to clean up oil spills, or using algae to make biofuels). Finally, we discuss the expected increased incidence of transmissible diseases due to climate change and changing weather patterns. For example, the increased ranges of insect-borne diseases like malaria or lyme disease, or the contamination of water sources after major flooding events.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: BIOL 111-01, BIOL 111-02, BIOL 111-IN01
Credits: 4
Course Description: This is a course designed for science and health majors. It provides an introduction to biochemistry, molecular genetics, cell structure, cell function, cellular process, and cell division. This course also includes an introduction to Mendelian inheritance and gene activity.
What’s the connection to sustainability? In this course, we discuss climate change and actionable items students can do to help. We also discuss how to use cloning to help solve man-made problems in a sustainable way (things like engineering bacteria to clean up oil spills, or using algae to make biofuels).
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits: 5
Course Description: This course provides a detailed study of nomenclature, morphologic characteristics, and physiologic relationships of human primary and permanent teeth. The study of the anatomical structure of the head and neck region of the human body will serve as a foundation of anatomical knowledge that is essential for patient care, understanding function, oral pathology, local pain, and the administration of anesthesia.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The Course emphasizes the promotion of good health and well-being through education.
The course educates dental hygiene students on the effects of dental decay in children,
the classification of disease, the prevention and importance of providing patient
education and access to care to decrease the preventable disease of childhood caries.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-being
Goal #10 Reduced Inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits: 4
Course Description: This in-depth introduction to dental radiography concentrates on the history and characteristics of radiation in dentistry, technical aspects of radiation production, computerized digital radiography, and the components and functions of the dental X-ray machine. Hazards, safety precautions, and infection control are covered. Intraoral techniques, landmarks, processing of radiographs, and the mounting and viewing of films are emphasized. Regulations and management of clients with special needs are covered. Students assess clients, complete treatment plans, and perform a required number of examinations and radiographic surveys on mannequins and selected clients in a laboratory setting. Students are responsible for client recruitment.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the importance of good health and well-being and discusses
the impacts dental radiology has on the patient. The course discusses the patient’s
access to their dental records. The course also discusses the benefit of using digital
radiology vs film with regard to a reduction in hazardous chemicals.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being
Goal #13 Climate Action
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits:2
Course Description: This seminar provides a comprehensive review of the role of nutrients in the biological development of health and disease. Attention is given to the process of assimilating nutritional information and making it applicable to the clinical setting. Special emphasis will be placed on methods of controlling dental disease.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course discusses the promotion of good health and well-being and discusses the
implications of poor nutrition on achieving good health and well-being for all. The
course discusses the crucial role of clean water and the impacts of socio economics
on access to clean water and adequate nutrition. The health effects of hunger and
poor nutrition due to various factors are discussed.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being
Goal #6 Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal #2 Zero Hunger
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:2
Course Description: This course serves as an introduction to general pathology as it relates to oral pathological conditions. It discusses the pathogenesis, clinical appearance, and treatment of the more commonly seen conditions, as well as the sequence of events necessary for differential diagnosis. It discusses the role of the dental hygienist as part of the health care team in identifying, treating, and preventing oral diseases, as well as systemic diseases with oral complications.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes oral health education and disease prevention in all populations.
The course discusses the need for oral health education in communities/countries with
poor access to oral health education. The course will discuss the link to Betel nut
quid and the incidence of oral cancer. Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:2
Course Description: This is the first in a series of five clinical dental hygiene courses. The fundamentals course is designed for entry-level, first year dental hygiene students. The role and function of the dental hygienist in preventative dentistry is included. The foundation of knowledge in the practice of dental hygiene, the Prairie State College Dental Hygiene conceptual framework and program competencies are introduced. This knowledge provides an introduction to the theory associated with clinical procedures and patient care. Students are introduced to the operation of the dental equipment, infection control, and basic instrumentation.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the responsible consumption of disposable resources. The course
discusses the impact of waste of dental products and the impact on the office, the
community and its global impact. The course will discuss minimizing disposable use,
saving water, reducing hazardous materials, and the benefits of using reusable products
when possible, such as reusable sterilization bags, autoclavable air-water syringes,
autoclavable high-speed suctions and other economic and green products. The course
also discusses prevention of disease, oral health promotion and access to care for
all populations.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits:4
Course Description: This course offers an opportunity to develop competency in fundamental clinical skills in preparation for client treatment. The introduction of basic instrumentation principles and skills essential to assessment, planning, treatment, and evaluation of client care are emphasized. Focus on clinical procedures for patient assessment will include infection control, health history, extra and intraoral examination, gingival evaluation, and periodontal assessment. Students will practice on mannequins and partners in order to develop their skills.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the responsible consumption of disposable resources. The course
discusses the impact of waste of dental products and the impact on the office, the
community and its global impact. The course will discuss minimizing disposable use,
saving water, reducing hazardous materials, and the benefits of using reusable products
when possible, such as reusable sterilization bags, autoclavable air-water syringes,
autoclavable high-speed suctions and other economic and green products. The course
also discusses prevention of disease, oral health promotion and access to care for
all populations.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal # Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:4
Course Description: This course is a continuation of the emphasis of the role of the dental hygienist as a preventative oral health care provider. Lecture and clinical experience is devoted to analyzing assessment and the decision process in the implementation of the process of care. Students will begin utilizing their clinical skills in providing comprehensive care to clients in an ethical manner. Topics will include non-surgical periodontal supportive procedures such as documentation, calculus, instrumentation, and extrinsic stain removal and caries management.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the responsible consumption of disposable resources. The course
discusses the impact of waste of dental products and the impact on the office, the
community and its global impact. The course will discuss minimizing disposable use,
saving water, reducing hazardous materials, and the benefits of using reusable products
when possible, such as reusable sterilization bags, autoclavable air-water syringes,
autoclavable high-speed suctions and other economic and green products. The course
also discusses prevention of disease, oral health promotion and access to care for
all populations.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits:2
Course Description: This course emphasizes, but is not limited to, the study of periodontal tissues in relation to etiology, pathogenesis, disease classification, critical analysis of patient assessment and rationale for therapy, using current theories of treatment and prognosis possibilities in the content of clinical practice.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the promotion of good health and well-being for all populations
by providing evidence-based dentistry. The course also discusses oral health education
to promote patients who can make informed decisions regarding their oral health.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:2
Course Description: This course emphasizes care of clients with special oral and general systemic conditions. Included are people with physical, mental, social/emotional, and selected medical conditions, as well as the elderly and medically compromised. An interdisciplinary, problem-solving teaching strategy provides a comprehensive, coordinated approach to dental care for individuals with special needs.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the promotion of good health and well-being for all populations
by treatment planning based on evidence-based dentistry. The course also discusses
oral health education to promote patients who can make informed decisions regarding
their oral health. The course also discusses access to care for all patients regardless
of their mental, physical, or emotional ability and stresses the importance of equal
treatment of all patients.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #10 Reduced Inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:3
Course Description: Lecture and clinical experience focus on the implementation of the process of care on clinical clients in the dental hygiene clinic. Students are introduced to additional non-surgical periodontal procedures in order to provide comprehensive client centered care. These include ultrasonics, pain control and introduction to tobacco cessation. Portfolio development is introduced to document the achievement of the dental hygiene program competencies.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the responsible consumption of disposable resources. The course
discusses the impact of waste of dental products and the impact on the office, the
community and its global impact. The course will discuss minimizing disposable use,
saving water, reducing hazardous materials, and the benefits of using reusable products
when possible, such as reusable sterilization bags, autoclavable air-water syringes,
autoclavable high-speed suctions and other economic and green products. The course
also discusses prevention of disease, oral health promotion and access to care for
all populations.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced Inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits:5
Course Description:This course continues to build students' knowledge and competence in providing the process of care to clients in the dental hygiene clinic. Students will utilize didactic and previous clinical experience in order to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care to clients with simple to complex needs. Emphasis on the development of critical thinking skills will be encouraged in order to provide efficient and effective patient centered care. Additional non-surgical periodontal therapies will be introduced.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the responsible consumption of disposable resources. The course
discusses the impact of waste of dental products and the impact on the office, the
community and its global impact. The course will discuss minimizing disposable use,
saving water, reducing hazardous materials, and the benefits of using reusable products
when possible, such as reusable sterilization bags, autoclavable air-water syringes,
autoclavable high-speed suctions and other economic and green products. The course
also discusses prevention of disease, oral health promotion and access to care for
all populations.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced Inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:5
Course Description:This is a continuation of advanced didactic and clinical application of the process of care on clients in the dental hygiene clinic. Students will continue to refine their clinical skills to gain competency as they make the transition into the practice of dental hygiene. Advanced theory introduced will enable the student to expand dental hygiene care.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the responsible consumption of disposable resources. The course
discusses the impact of waste of dental products and the impact on the office, the
community and its global impact. The course will discuss minimizing disposable use,
saving water, reducing hazardous materials, and the benefits of using reusable products
when possible, such as reusable sterilization bags, autoclavable air-water syringes,
autoclavable high-speed suctions and other economic and green products. The course
also discusses prevention of disease, oral health promotion and access to care for
all populations.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced Inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:2
Course Description:This course, in addition to the areas of ethics and jurisprudence, examines the economics of dentistry, dental office management, employment considerations, resume preparation, and job interviewing. Emphasis is placed on the laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, moral standards, and the ethical standards established by the dental hygiene profession. Practice settings for the dental hygienist, office operations, and preparation for employment are included.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the responsible consumption of disposable resources. The course
discusses the impact of waste of dental products and the impact on the office, the
community and its global impact. The course will discuss minimizing disposable use,
saving water, reducing hazardous materials, and the benefits of using reusable products
when possible, such as reusable sterilization bags, autoclavable air-water syringes,
autoclavable high-speed suctions and other economic and green products. The course
also discusses prevention of disease, oral health promotion and access to care for
all populations.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduced Inequalities
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits:2
Course Description:This course presents a study of drugs by groups, with special consideration of those used in dentistry, including their physical and chemical properties, dosage, and therapeutic effects.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course emphasizes the concepts of sustainability through the promotion of good
health and well-being for all. The course will discuss the implications of healthcare
as a universal right, physical well-being, psychological well-being. The course will
also discuss the healthcare providers responsibility to prescribe pharmacological
agents responsible and the impacts of pharmacology on the health and well-being of
the clients they serve, as well as the economic impacts of pharmacology at the patient
level, nationally and globally level.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits:4
Course Description:This course covers the basic science, clinical indications, manipulative variables and procedures, physical and mechanical characteristics and clinical performance of materials used in dentistry. Lecture and laboratory emphasizes an understanding of the science of dental materials, which is essential to assess patient needs, to plan for and treat those needs, and to evaluate treatment outcomes.
What’s the connection to sustainability?The course emphasizes the importance of responsible use of dental materials and the
need for disposing of hazardous material safely to reduce the impact on climate change.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #13 Climate Action
Goal #12 Responsible Consumption & Production
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits:3
Course Description:Students learn the history and influence of public health concepts and practices on the dental hygiene profession. The theory, functions, services, and administration of public health organizations are summarized. Students use research tools and statistical analysis to review and interpret dental scientific literature. Field experience is emphasized in the form of dental health presentations that are developed by students and shared in diverse communities
What’s the connection to sustainability?The course emphasizes the need for equal access to oral health education and treatment
for all populations. The course discusses the concepts of public health education,
development and implementation of public oral health education to meet the needs of
the community to promote good health and well-being.
Relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal #3 Good Health and Well-Being Promotion
Goal #4 Quality Education
Goal #10 Reduce Inequity within and among countries
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course provides an understanding of the structure, institutions, and general economic principles governing the operation of the American economy. Included are a study of the basic economic concepts and theories, and the forces which determine the level of production and employment in the economy. The basic principles of money and banking, economic growth and development and the world economy, and a study of the role that monetary and fiscal policy play in the determination of the economy’s level of production, employment and income are presented.
What’s the connection to sustainability? This course discusses the shortcomings of GDP and the exclusion of qualitative spending in the calculation. It highlights why we must look at more than GDP with an introduction to alternative measurements. Spending for the sake of spending could contribute to lots of pollution and depletion of resources.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course examines factors that determine the structure of resource and product markets, consumer choice, the sources that determine the level of production and employment in individual industries, and the factors which govern the level of price and output at which individual firms choose to operate. Attention is given to a study of international economics and certain contemporary economic problems.
What’s the connection to sustainability? This course discusses the shortcomings of GDP and the exclusion of qualitative spending in the calculation. It highlights why we must look at more than GDP with an introduction to alternative measurements. Spending for the sake of spending could contribute to lots of pollution and depletion of resources.
Sustainability-focused
FA 2021 Sections:
Credits: 2
Course Description: This course introduces non-traditional small electrical energy systems and develops an understanding of various alternative energy generation methods, principles and role of the technician.
What’s the connection to sustainability?
Sustainability-focused
FA 2021 Sections:
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course introduces wind energy and wind turbines concepts and relevant electrical and mechanical systems. This course assumes no prior knowledge of wind systems and will focus on residential and commercial applications. Students will have theory and hands-on lab experience.
What’s the connection to sustainability?
Sustainability-focused
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course explores installation of residential and commercial photovoltaic systems. It will discuss stand-alone and utility-connected solar collection systems. This course will have theory and lab experience in design considerations, system configuration, codes and regulations, and maintenance. Economic analysis will also be discussed.
What’s the connection to sustainability?
Sustainability-focused
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits: 4
Course Description: This course continues to explore wind systems using the utility-scale, wind turbine nacelle system. This course will service, operate and troubleshoot and adjust components related to the utility-scale wind generation systems.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: PHILO 202-MP
Credits: 3
Course Description: In this course students examine the role of reason in ethical decision-making. Traditional types of ethical reasoning are studied, compared, and applied to topics of current concern.
What’s the connection to sustainability?
Ethics raises questions about how to live well and how best to organize society in
ways that promote our wellbeing and preserve our basic values. These questions lend
themselves naturally to concerns about the sustainability of our social practices
and institutions over time. How we live now impacts the choices that people can make
in the future. So this course will explore the intersection between the social, economic,
and environmental challenges that we face in trying to fulfill our responsibilities
to future generations. Problems to be discussed include approaches to global poverty
and famine, refugees and the right to immigrate and control immigration, the legacy
of racism and the future of racial integration, the moral standing of animals, the
preservation of the natural environment, and the public and private morality of climate
change.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: PHYSC-112-IN
Credits: 4
Course Description: Earth Science is a general education course which surveys topics in geology, meteorology and environmental science. The geology portion includes rocks, streams, glaciers, earthquakes, plate tectonics, volcanism, and mountain building. The meteorology portion focuses on the atmosphere, weather and climate. Man's influence on our environment is emphasized.
What’s the connection to sustainability?
The study of Earth Science can foster sustainable societies by increasing awareness
of environmental issues and ecouraging research into sustainable practices. These
issues include human demands on the Earth for natural resource use and urbanization.
To be "geoscience literate" is to increase the potential, for example, for developing
solutions to an ever-increasing carbon footprint for individuals and countries, alike.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: All
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course introduces students to the core concepts in political science that allow for a better understanding of the principles and organization of government and politics in the United States at the national, state and local levels.
What’s the connection to sustainability? Sustainability topics, including environmental justice, will be explored through reading and writing assignments.
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits: 3
Course Description: This course introduces students to the core concepts and major issues shaping international relations and world politics. Topics to be explored may include: globalization, international organizations, human rights, environmental problems, development, terrorism, war, and peace.
What’s the connection to sustainability?
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: (none in Fall 2021)
Credits: 3
Course Description: A systematic introduction to theory and research on the ways social factors influence individual and group behavior. Examines attitudes, social perception, the establishment of norms, conformity, leadership, group dynamics and research methods, emphasizing their effects on the individual.
What’s the connection to sustainability?
Sustainability-inclusive
FA 2021 Sections: SOCIO-101-FX2
Credits: 3
Course Description: Introduction to Sociology explores the major concepts, theories, and research methods within the field of sociology. Students examine how their behavior is shaped by the groups they belong to and the society in which they live. Topics for discussion include culture, socialization, social institutions, deviant behaviors, social stratification, and social inequalities, particularly classism, racism, and sexism.
What’s the connection to sustainability? The course will include an exploration of the social aspects of sustainability such as poverty, gender and racial inequalities, urbanization and population, environmental justice, health and well-being, and social institutions.
Do you teach about sustainability in your course? Do you want to, but don’t know where to start? Check out the following resources:
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: These 17 goals are used globally by companies, countries, local governments and non-profit organizations to adjust their practices and policies to be compatible with long-term sustainable development. They’re a great place to start drawing connections between sustainability and your discipline!
- Oxfam’s Donut: Borrowing from the Stockholm Resilience Centre’s Planetary Boundaries and the U.N.’s insights on sustainable development, this framework describes the “social floor” and “environmental ceiling” between which exists “the safe and just space for humanity.
- PSC Sustainability Course Submission Form