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ICI EPA Peer Audit Initiative
In the fall of 2007, the ICI Board received a report about coming EPA audits
of independent colleges in Indiana. The Board authorized the formation
of a task force of member campus representatives to consider options for the
member campuses. A task force met in December and made several
recommendations for a proactive, collaborative response. In January
2008, the Executive Committee of the Board approved those recommendations.
A formative piece of the ICI collaborative initiative is creating a formal
relationship with EPA Region 5 to participate in a "College and University
Compliance Incentive Initiative". An innovative agreement is being
considered to include peer-enhanced self-audits as an approach to
environmental education and sustainability. This program brings
excellent training to campus faculty and staff, enhancing the quality of
self-audits while reducing audit costs.
The peer-enhanced self-audit allows participating colleges and universities
to collaborate and help one another in assessing each campus environment,
identifying ways to further improve. The peer-enhanced self-audit
program is modeled after one set up by the Association of Independent
Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania (AICUP) and has now been
replicated and honed by other consortia of independent colleges in New
Jersey, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.
Much of the background material on this website has been gathered and shared
by our colleagues of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and University
Association (TICUA). All of these consortia are working together to
promote environmental education and sustainability for independent colleges
and universities.
We are just starting this significant initiative. This website will be
the central point of news and resources for the consortium.
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