HARRISBURG, Pa. – President John J. “Ski” Sygielski today announced a new phase to the sustainability program at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, as the College hosted environmental cleanup and beautification events across its campuses during ReDISCOVER HACC week.

The “Green and Healthy HACC” initiative will further the College’s commitment to sustainability and promote the health and wellness of students and staff.

“A key objective in HACC’s strategic plan is promoting sustainability across all five campuses, in all aspects of teaching, learning, operations and administration,” said Sygielski. “Today we continue that commitment by announcing new goals for our College, and by offering new opportunities for our students and employees to be a part of this effort. It is our plan to achieve these goals during the upcoming fiscal year, and to build on this work when the next strategic plan is developed.”

HACC’s sustainability commitments include:

• Energy efficiency and financial savings
  • HACC will procure approximately seven million kWh of electricity from renewable resources, such as wind and solar energy, over the next three years.
  • Over the past year, HACC’s Harrisburg Campus earned approximately $40,000 in rebates for participating in a program that reduces energy during times of high stress on the electric grid. HACC will expand the energy curtailment program by evaluating energy load and exploring energy curtailment options at the other HACC campuses.
  • The College will increase fuel efficiency by replacing older vehicles with more fuel-efficient models.
  • HACC will create dedicated parking spots for hybrid or electric vehicles that are in close proximity to buildings to promote the use of such vehicles.
  • Water bottle filling stations will be installed throughout the campuses to reduce the amount of waste from plastic bottles and promote a healthy lifestyle.

• Sustainability lecture series
  • HACC will host two lectures on sustainability, health and wellness topics each academic term. John Boecker, a LEED fellow and architect with 7 group, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm focused on green and regenerative development, will present the first lecture on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. Additional details will be announced.

• Healthy food options for students and employees
  • In partnership with Spiral Path Farms of Loysville, HACC students, staff and faculty can purchase locally grown, organic food with convenient pick-up locations at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus and 40 other locations in Central Pennsylvania.

HACC’s new goals are part of the College’s sustained commitment to environmental causes. In 2009, HACC signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Additionally, HACC maintains memberships with the Pennsylvania Environmental Resources Consortium (PERC) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). As part of the USGBC membership, HACC is a Community Green partner, and will institute a training program for students and employees to take place in fall 2014.

“Today’s announcement continues HACC’s commitment to environmental stewardship, and ensures that all students and employees have an opportunity to be engaged in this important work,” said Sygielski.


About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers more than 150 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to nearly 20,000 students at campuses in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York and through online classes. In addition, HACC serves more than 29,000 students in noncredit workforce development, public safety, adult basic education and continuing education programs offered at all campuses and off-site locations in many communities in Central Pennsylvania. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit www.hacc.edu.