A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Bemidji State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator.

By Erika Bailey-Johnson October 25-28, 2014, AASHE Conference SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR Including Wellness in the Sustainability Model: A 5-year case study

Bemidji, MN Population: 13,431 Area: sq. miles Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College, and Oak Hill Christian College Median income: $36,681 Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement signatory (2007) Bemidji Sustainability Committee (2009) Minnesota GreenStep Cities (2011)

Bemidji State University Member of the Minnesota State College and University System (54 campuses; 430,000 students) Public liberal arts institution o ~5000 students o ~1200 students living on campus Environmental Advisory Committee (1992) Talloires Declaration signatory (2005) ACUPCC signatory (2008, 2050 target date) Green Fee ($5 per semester, started in the Fall of 2008) Sustainability Office (started in the Fall of 2008) Students for the Environment Club

Integrated sustainability model

Nested sustainability model

Why would you bike to work?

Why should we encourage students to get outside?

Sustainability, our definition

The elders say that Gichi Manidoo (the Creator) created the world in a certain order; first, the physical world of sun, moon, earth, and stars; second, the plant-beings, then animal beings (two-legged, four- legged, winged, and swimmers). Last of all, Gichi-Manidoo made human beings. Last in the order of dependence, humans cannot exist without the other three. Ojibwe influence

The pieces Economy: our system of exchanging goods and services Society: humans interacting with each other Wellness: individual mental and physical health

The overlaps Social and economic issues: worker’s rights and other social justice issues Wellness and the economy: affordable health care and active transportation Wellness and society: community education classes, community theatre, and community gardens

The advantages More folks engaged o Art community, health and sports sciences, indigenous culture, everyone! Can more easily justify supporting certain projects o tobacco-free campus policy, suicide prevention activities, concert performances, Ojibwe pipe ceremonies We want to create a campus that encourages healthy eating habits, physical activity, mentally enriching activities, and psychological health.

Recap Ideally, choices an individual makes would be based on the answers to the following questions: o Does this decision impact our use of resources in an unsustainable way or produce waste that the Earth cannot recycle? o Will other people be negatively impacted by this decision? o How will this decision financially impact me and society? o How does this decision impact my physical and mental wellbeing?

Pretty model

I’d love your feedback!

Thank you! Miigwech! Erika Bailey-Johnson, Sustainability Director o o I realized that if I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes. -Charles Lindbergh