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Wisconsin's Private Colleges Launch Voluntary Environmental Health and Safety Inspections

November 10, 2008

Wisconsin’s private colleges are stepping forward with a green initiative that has won the support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The colleges and universities, including Northland College in Ashland, Wis., will perform voluntary self-audits to assure compliance with major environmental laws.

“These audits are a way for Northland and the other participating institutions to find out where they are being successful and where they might need to improve,” said Rick Waligora, director of facilities maintenance at Northland College. “We are always working to meet and exceed environmental regulations here at the College, but this agreement will help to confirm that we are indeed meeting our goal.”

The pact, initiated by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU), calls for the schools to conduct the audits, which will be done by trained personnel from other colleges following state and federal guidelines. As part of the agreement, the schools have committed to promptly correcting any violations.

“We’re taking this step to show our communities that we are not only dedicated to operating responsibly,” said WAICU president Dr. Rolf Wegenke, “but to let them know we care about the environment and want to be good neighbors.”

Wegenke praised Governor Jim Doyle and the bi-partisan legislative leaders who have maintained Wisconsin’s commitment to environmental issues. “It is Wisconsin’s Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) law that made this system of voluntary inspections possible,” said Dr. Wegenke, “and it gives our colleges the chance to do what is best for Wisconsin.” The bi-partisan EIP law was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Doyle in 2004.

EPA and DNR officials are also praising the WAICU schools for the voluntary inspections. The EPA has encouraged facilities to conduct their own audits, correct problems, and implement continuous improvement programs.

Wisconsin’s DNR inspectors will review the disclosure reports and work with the EPA to confirm compliance with both state and federal environmental laws. DNR Secretary Matt Frank supports the WAICU plan and says it is a “credible way to assure high levels of statewide compliance.”

Both Secretary Frank and EPA officials say the program will have a positive impact on Wisconsin’s environment by eliminating potential problems before they occur. “We welcome this opportunity to work with Wisconsin private colleges on a smart, comprehensive approach to environmental management,” said Tinka Hyde, EPA’s Regional Director, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

The audits began this month and the goal is to inspect four colleges per semester. Auditors will be looking at compliance levels with federal environmental standards including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Community Right-to-Know-Act.

In addition to Northland College, the participating schools in this agreement include Alverno College, Beloit College, Cardinal Stritch University, Carroll University, Carthage College, Concordia University, Edgewood College, Lakeland College, Marian University, Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Mary College, Ripon College, St. Norbert College, and Silver Lake College.

Linda Bochert, attorney at law with the Madison firm of Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP serves as WAICU’s legal counsel for this project. Turning Bird Consulting, Ltd. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and Milwaukee serves as the project consultant.

WAICU was founded in 1961 and is the official organization of Wisconsin’s twenty private colleges and universities and their 58,000 students.