Selkirk College Takes Title as Coolest Campus in BC
By Bob Hall
Selkirk College has triumphed over the province’s post-secondary giants to claim bragging rights in the BC Cool Campus Challenge after students and staff pledged to take steps towards climate action.
To demonstrate climate leadership by reducing natural gas use in January and February, Selkirk College joined the University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology in a pact. Students and staff were asked to take a pledge to turn down the heat, layer up and wear a sweater, take shorter showers and wash laundry on cold.
After all the pledges by students and staff were added up, Selkirk College came out on top as the school making the biggest proportional impact in the challenge and has claimed the title of the coolest campus in BC.
“The BC Cool Campus Challenge was an excellent way for post-secondary institutions to work together on energy conservation initiatives,” says Selkirk College Sustainability Coordinator Laura Nessman. “A bit of friendly competition was a helpful motivator for students and staff to participate in this campaign.”
During January and what was a particularly chilly February in the region, students and staff participated in outreach events and hosted Sweater Days that encouraged the Selkirk College community to focus on small but significant steps individuals can take to reduce their energy use. With vital support from Fortis BC, the community responded with enthusiasm.
“Climate action requires a great deal of collaboration between different organizations, sectors, communities and regions,” says Nessman. “This challenge is an example of the effectiveness of collective efforts.”
Other than bragging rights, each participating post-secondary is sending a warm clothing item from their institution and Selkirk College will be donating these items to a local charity.
You can learn more about Selkirk College sustainability initiatives at: selkirk.ca/sustainability.
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