Whole-Systems Approach

As an active and engaged global citizen, you know that our personal choices can have cumulative consequences over large distances and long spans of time. Colby-Sawyer recognizes that a whole-systems view is necessary to adequately address complex challenges, create more resilient communities and provide a healthy and sustainable future for all. In the corporate sector, this approach is referred to as a “triple bottom line,” in which the impacts on people, planet and profit are all given equal consideration on both the balance sheet and in the development of policies and operations. 

At the college, this perspective is maintained through all aspects of the Strategic Plan. The plan includes a foundational commitment to maintain an ecological balance by striving to focus on making campus life enjoyable, resilient and sustainable for students, faculty, staff and visitors. 

Every individual can reduce their environmental impacts daily. The college does its best to reduce its impact as much as possible and provides ways for everyone on campus to be mindful of the environment. Each major, and future profession, has ways to cut back on how they are possibly harming the environment. 

Since everything is interconnected, it is not just the campus and surrounding area that is affected; it is the planet. There are classes, clubs, and events around campus throughout the year that continually raise environmental awareness.