Michigan State U Uses Hybrid Technology for Construction
Michigan State University has started using hybrid technology at a construction site on campus. The university’s contractor opted for a green alternative and invested in a hybrid excavator. The machine can cost up to 20 percent more than a regular machine, but with the amount of reduction in fuel consumption, the excavator can pay for itself in three to five years.
Owens CC to Offer Urban Agriculture and Sustainability Program
Owens Community College (OH) has announced that it will offer a new urban agriculture and sustainability certificate program. The program will require 26 credit hours of coursework including plant science, soil science, greenhouse management, urban livestock and animal husbandry, organic gardening and food systems management, harvest and post-harvest technology, and urban horticulture and sustainability. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in various experiential learning laboratory projects at Toledo GROW’s Oneida Greenhouse.
Palm Beach Atlantic U Receives Water Monitoring System
An underground soil moisture monitoring system has been donated to Palm Beach Atlantic University (FL). The university will use the system to measure and help reduce its water usage for irrigation purposes on campus. The system measures soil moisture at the root level and transmits data wirelessly to a base station that works with the existing irrigation clock to prevent over-watering. The moisture sensors and base units are expected to save as many as 2.5 million gallons of water a year.
Pennsylvania State U Directs Northeast Food Insecurity Study
Faculty in Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences will direct a new $5 million project to study whether greater reliance on regionally produced foods could improve food access and affordability for disadvantaged communities. Part of a national initiative to reduce food insecurity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded project, "Enhancing Food Security in the Northeast with Regional Food Systems," brings together researchers, educators, entrepreneurs and community leaders from a 12-state region to shed light on how the food system can better serve disadvantaged communities, farmers and others in the food supply chain across the nation. Other participating institutions include Columbia University (NY), Cornell University (NY), Delaware State University, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (MD), Tufts University (MA), University of Vermont and West Virginia State University.
Pomona College Offers Sustainable Kits for Check Out
Pomona College (CA) has launched a new program that allows the campus community to check out sustainable kits for free. Campus event kits are available that include reusable dining ware, compost materials, event signage and more. Also available for loan are laundry racks and compost buckets.
Santa Clara U Creates Department of Environmental Studies
Santa Clara University (CA) has approved the creation of the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences. As a part of creating the new department, the university will also transform the environmental studies companion major into a stand-alone major with coursework that focuses on societal responses to environmental problems. The curriculum includes environmental law, policy, economics and sustainable development.
Santa Clara U Receives $1.3 Mil for Green Energy Scholars Program
Santa Clara University’s (CA) School of Engineering has received a donation of $1.3 million to help create a green energy scholars program. The donation will help the university launch the Latimer Engineering Scholars Program in the 2011-2012 academic year to support teaching and research in sustainable energy. Five students will be selected to receive education on renewable energy, focusing initially on photovoltaic technology and then expanding to other areas as the program grows.
Santa Clara U Students Create Carbon Calculator
Inviting their peers to consider the connections between their actions and carbon emissions, Environmental Ethics Fellows at Santa Clara University (CA) have created a Carbon Footprint Calculator for students to measure their impact on the environment. The students developed the calculator with open-source programming to allow other universities to adopt the same model.
Shoreline CC Students Perform Energy Audit
Shoreline Community College (WA) students performed an energy audit for the Parent Child Center building on campus. The students presented their findings and made recommendations that would reduce the amount of energy loss and save energy costs. Recommendations included a new heat ventilation air conditioning system, Energy Star Rated appliances, low-flow plumbing and a rooftop garden to reduce the heat gain in the summer.
U California Berkeley Earns Sustainable Seafood Certification
The University of California, Berkeley's Cal Dining has become the first public university in the nation to be awarded a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for its commitment to seafood sustainability. The MSC ecolabel designates seafood that can be traced through every step of the supply chain to show it has not contributed to the environmental problem of overfishing. To be certified by the MSC, a dining program must be able to prove that the seafood comes from an MSC-certified supplier.
U California Riverside Students to Develop Solar Clothes Dryer
A team of students from the Bourns College of Engineering at the University of California, Riverside have been selected for a $15,000 grant from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency to develop a system that will use heat from the sun to operate a clothes dryer. The system will harness solar thermal heat from a rooftop solar heat collector and heated air from the attic. The students are working to implement the concept at a 30-home zero net energy, urban agriculture-focused community planned for 10 acres. The heated air can also be directed through air ducts for space heating applications in the house as needed to reduce the electric and natural gas heating costs. The students estimate that using the system will save nearly $6,500 in a 20-year period. In April 2012, the students will travel to Washington, D.C. to find out if they won the $90,000 phase two grant that would provide funding to commercialize the idea.
U Connecticut Unveils Campus-Wide Retro-Commissioning Project
The University of Connecticut has begun implementing recommended energy conservation measures at a dozen campus buildings as part of phase one of its campus-wide retro-commissioning project. The university's Smart Building Smart Grid Workgroup, driven by eight School of Engineering faculty members, will use one of the retro-commissioned buildings as a test bed for research that will also raise campus awareness about enhanced sensors, controls and fault detection for building systems. The retro-commissioning project is expected to improve the energy efficiency of 34 campus buildings, saving $500,000 in energy costs and cutting 3,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
U Louisville Expands Organic Garden
The University of Louisville (KY) has announced that its Garden Commons, a 6,000-square-foot organic garden on campus, will undergo a major expansion. Plans include erecting a greenhouse, planting garden beds and setting up compost bins and rain barrels. Volunteers will also stain benches, spread mulch and lay paving stones that allow water to drain through to the soil to form the foundation of a new outdoor classroom. Approximately $26,000 in private money is funding the expansion.
U Massachusetts Amherst Debuts Green Building Guidelines
The University of Massachusetts Amherst's Green Building Committee has published Green Building Guidelines that outline and prioritize the strategies for sustainability that are most important to the campus. Design teams for all new campus buildings will use these guidelines, which use the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system as a framework to address sustainable site development, water efficiency, materials and resource use, indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
U Mass Medical School Installs Gray Water Pipeline
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has announced the installation of a gray water pipeline to reduce the amount of fresh water the campus power plant uses while generating steam, electricity and chilled water. The 12-inch pipeline will connect the power plant to a drainage system within the university's planned Albert Sherman Center that will capture rainwater from the building's roof and water that condenses around the building's air conditioning systems.
U Mass Medical School Streamlines Rechargeable Battery Recycling
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has partnered with the nonprofit organization Call2Recycle in an effort to streamline the recycling of rechargeable batteries and provide a useful second life for them. Pre-labeled boxes will allow departments to collect and mail old rechargeable batteries for recycling at no cost. The collected batteries are then recycled into new batteries and other stainless steel products. Hazardous materials that can be reused, such as gold and silver, are reclaimed while any remaining hazardous materials are treated properly for disposal.
University Leaders Meet to Discuss Access, Equity
Strategies for increasing enrollments of students of low socioeconomic status were discussed at the recent International Association of University Presidents conference. University leaders from approximately 80 countries gathered to discuss access, trends in learning technology, quality and quality assurance, and the role of higher education in conflict resolution. Leaders also discussed the importance of working toward equity in their own ranks. A panel looked at the continuing gender imbalances in university leadership, stressing that the underrepresentation of women is not just a "women's issue" but a problem that should concern everyone involved in higher education.
U Victoria Recognizes Campus Sustainability Champions
The University of Victoria (BC) awarded its first Sustainability Champion Award during its recent 2011 Sustainability Awards, a peer-nominated recognition that highlights staff initiatives in greening their workplace and contributing to the university's sustainability goals. The manager of food production and purchasing for University Food Services received the award for her work toward sustainable food purchasing and supporting local farmers, bakeries and other food suppliers. Two Sustainability Action Teams were also honored for their achievements over a three-month period to conserve energy, reduce waste and promote sustainable transportation choices in their buildings.
Virginia Tech Students Win EcoCAR Challenge
A team of 30 mechanical engineering students from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University have won first place in the three-year “EcoCAR Challenge,” co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors. An engine from a 2009 Chevy HHR was donated by General Motors to the participating schools. The Virginia Tech students added a battery, an electric motor and eliminated engine idle with stop/start. The end result is a car that can travel 50 miles on its battery, another 155 on gasoline and gets 82 miles per gallon. The redesigned car boosted the fuel achievement of the stock engine by 70 percent. The team consisted of 30 mechanical engineering students.
Wake Technical CC Students Install Solar Hot Water System
Students in Wake Technical Community College’s (NC) solar thermal training class have installed a solar hot water system in a specially outfitted trailer on campus. The project is part of the Green Building Training Program, designed to ready technicians and small business owners with the knowledge and skills to market themselves in the growing green economy. Solar thermal is one of four short-term “green” training classes being offered through a partnership with the City of Raleigh’s Office of Sustainability.
41 Campuses Complete Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Forty-one signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on April 4, 2011. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, new inventories were submitted by Alfred State College SUNY College of Technology; American University (DC); Aquinas College (MI); Bucknell University (PA); Catawba College (NC); Colby-Sawyer College (NH); College of Saint Mary (NE); Colorado Mountain College; Columbia Gorge Community College (OR); Dakota County Technical College (MN); Des Moines Area Community College (IA); Eastern Iowa Community College District; Fayetteville State University (NC); Finger Lakes Community College (NY); Glendale Community College (AZ); Heartland Community College (IL); Ithaca College (NY); Keene State College (NH); New Mexico State University at Alamogordo; New College of Florida; Ohio University; Olympic College (WA); Oregon Institute of Technology; Paul Smith's College of Arts and Sciences (NY); Queens University of Charlotte (NC); Roxbury Community College (MA); Saint Peter's College (NJ); Sweet Briar College (VA); Temple University (PA); The Ohio State University; University of Florida; University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; University of Miami (FL); University of Missouri; University of New Mexico-Los Alamos; University of New Mexico-Taos; University of Vermont; Utah State University; Virginia Wesleyan College; Wesleyan College (GA); and William Rainey Harper College (IL).
Bishop's U Announces Geothermal Heating Project
Bishop's University (QC) has announced plans for an $8 million campus energy efficiency project that will include a new geothermal heating system. Starting this month, the university will drill 60 wells under the campus soccer field. The university is also upgrading campus lighting with energy-efficient fixtures and optimizing campus building automated controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning to fit the needs of each individual building and room. The project is expected to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 percent, natural gas usage by 64 percent and will eliminate the use of oil to heat.
Colorado State U, East China Normal U Partner for Energy Research
Colorado State University and East China Normal University have partnered on a new Joint Research Institute for New Energy and the Environment. The institutions will work together to develop new energy solutions to help deal with the impact of energy on climate, air quality, land use and water resources. Colorado State University is also pursuing student exchange programs and research initiatives with other Chinese universities.
DePauw U Receives $15K for Eco Rep Outreach Program
DePauw University (IN) has been awarded a $15,000 grant to initiate a program that will place two student Eco Reps in each first-year residence hall. The aim is to connect individual behaviors to environmental stewardship, promote environmentally sound living and have the reps act as liaisons to the greater community. The university was one of five Indiana independent colleges selected as recipients of the 2011 Ball Brothers Foundation Venture Fund.
Dept. of Energy Awards Energy-Efficient Lighting Research Grants
Arizona State University and the University of Rochester (NY) have received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a research initiative to develop new energy-efficient lighting products and expand domestic manufacturing capacity. The universities will focus on filling technology gaps in LED and organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) development, improving scientific knowledge and providing performance data for these technologies.
Maryville U Creates New Center for Sustainability; Hires Director
Maryville University (MO) has announced the creation of a new Center for Sustainability and has named Sustainability Advisory Council co-chair Peggy Lauer as the director. Programs initiated through the center will help advance sustainability on campus and throughout the greater St. Louis region. Lauer, who is the serials and monographs coordinator at the University Library, was awarded a staff sabbatical in 2009 to explore various sustainability programs in the St. Louis area and ways that the university can partner with other organizations and institutions in the community to promote such efforts.
Mohave Community College Receives $150K Solar Energy Grant
Mohave Community College (AZ) has been awarded a $150,000 grant to build a solar energy system. The grant, awarded by Mohave Electric Cooperative, consists of $50,000 provided by the cooperative’s Renewable Energy Program and $75,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. If the project is approved by the college’s governing board, construction of the solar array is slated for a September completion. The system is expected to provide 5 percent of the campus’ electric power.
Montana State U Billings Installs Wind Turbine as Teaching Tool
Montana State University Billings' College of Technology has installed a new 10-kilowatt wind turbine. Students participating in the sustainable energy technology program will be monitoring and collecting data from the $80,000 turbine. The turbine will also generate electricity for part of the university’s campus.
New York U Climate Action Plan Wins EPA Award
New York University's Climate Action Plan was recently honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the 11th annual Clean Air Excellence Awards. The awards recognized 12 programs across the U.S. for innovative efforts in achieving cleaner air and education efforts that help citizens make better informed environmental decisions. The university was recognized in the Community Action category for directly reducing pollutant emissions, demonstrating innovation, offering sustainable outcomes and providing a model for others to follow.
Seattle U Offsets 100% of Natural Gas with Waste-to-Power Project
Through Puget Sound Energy's new Carbon Balance Program, Seattle University (WA) has offset 100 percent of the natural gas used to heat campus buildings and reduced net greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings by 96 percent. The university purchased carbon offsets from a Washington dairy farm that captures methane gas released by manure and burns it in an on-site generator to produce electricity. Puget Sound Energy's recently launched program aims to help natural gas customers reduce their carbon footprint.
Syracuse U Students Help Local Businesses Become Green-Certified
Students in the Syracuse University (NY) chapter of Students in Free Enterprise recently paired with local business as consultants for the Green Core Company program. Launched in 2010 with a group of pilot businesses through the university's Campus-Community Entrepreneurship Initiative, the program is a certification blueprint for businesses working to achieve green operations through reduced environmental impacts. The student's on-site work, sometimes done on a weekly basis, addressed areas such as waste/recycling, energy use and green cleaning. As a result, eight businesses graduated from the green certification program.
The New School Debuts Enviro Policy & Sustainable Mgmt Program
The New School's (NY) Milano Management and Urban Policy school will offer a new Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management graduate program starting in fall 2011. Offered on a part-time or full-time basis, the program is designed to prepare graduates for roles as planners, managers, policy analysts and consultants in defining environmental policy and giving support to institutions that seek to enhance their sustainability performance.
U British Columbia Announces New Energy System
The University of British Columbia’s Board of Governors has approved a new $85 million district energy system that is expected to reduce campus greenhouse emissions by 22 percent and campus energy consumption by 24 percent. The five-year project will replace the university’s steam heating system with a natural gas-powered hot water plant. The university expects to save $4 million in operation and energy costs annually.
U California Berkeley Plans Campus LED Retrofit
The University of California, Berkeley has received 1,000 LED retrofit kits from Sentry Electric. The lights will be installed in decorative post-top luminaries on the campus. The LEDs are projected to deliver 81 percent in energy savings and the university hopes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 568 metric tons. The installation is a result of the California Public Utilities Commission’s approval of a proposal allowing the installation of LED lighting to customers that contract with the utility for street and highway lighting.
U Chicago E-Waste Event Diverts 43,000 Pounds from Landfill
The University of Chicago's (IL) recent e-waste collection event netted more than 43,000 pounds of electronic and scientific equipment for recycling. The university's second e-waste event drew hundreds of community members and university staff, faculty and students who brought items ranging from laptops and computer monitors to batteries and shredders. Of the total, 6,500 pounds of computer equipment will refurbished and distributed to area schools by Computers for Schools.
U Chicago Launches Bike Commuter Benefit Pilot Program
The University of Chicago (IL) has launched a Bike Commuter Benefit pilot program. The program will offer a half-priced three-month gym membership to faculty, staff and other academic personnel who bike to work. The program is the first in a series of steps the university is taking towards becoming a more bicycle friendly campus.
U Notre Dame Debuts First Wind Turbine
The University of Notre Dame (IN) has installed its first wind turbine on campus. The turbine was mounted on the roof of the university’s power plant and has the ability to generate up to four kilowatts of power. The turbine’s purpose is largely educational but will also feed power directly into the campus electrical grid. The turbine is small enough for residential use and the data collected may help community members decide whether wind is a viable option. The installation was made possible by institutional funding from the Northern Indiana Public Service Company.
U Vermont Announces Clean Energy Fund Projects
The University of Vermont's Office of Sustainability has announced new campus clean energy projects selected for funding in the 2010-2011 funding cycle. Composed of undergraduate and graduate students, staff and faculty, the Clean Energy Fund committee allocated up to $234,050 to seven projects chosen from 68 entries. These projects include a campus-wide renewable energy feasibility study and strategic plan; a clean energy internship program; funding for a series of public lectures and events; a Green Labs energy conservation program; and two preliminary studies to support the installation of energy-saving revolving doors on campus and additional rooftop solar photovoltaic panels.
U Wisconsin Madison Celebrates Bike to Work Week
The University of Wisconsin-Madison recently partnered with the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin to promote various Bike to Work Week events throughout the community. University departments participated in the Get Up and Ride Wisconsin Bike Challenge, which made available real-time reports with miles biked, trips taken, calories burned and gas dollars saved for each department. Prizes will be awarded to participants.
Virginia Tech to Hold 'Lights Out!/Power Down!' Event
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Office of Energy and Sustainability has announced plans to hold a “Lights Out!/Power Down!” event this month. The university is encouraging all students, faculty and staff to turn off and unplug all lighting and electrical loads during the one-hour event to kick-off the university’s summer electrical demand management program. Facilities Services employees will canvass buildings to encourage and assist building occupants to turn off and power down. The university has also enrolled in “Interruptible Load Reliability,” a demand response program that pays customers in exchange for a commitment to reduce electrical load in the event of an electrical grid emergency condition. Program participants must successfully demonstrate for one hour their ability to meet their load reduction commitment.
Wellesley College Alumnae Hall Renovation Earns LEED Gold
The renovation and restoration of Wellesley College’s (MA) Alumnae Hall has earned the first LEED Gold certification for the campus. A carefully designed glass system was installed to maximize transparency and light transmission. The building, designed in 1922, is the final initiative in an extensive land reclamation and environmental mitigation project and also features a green roof to help retain heat in the winter.
York U Reduces Campus Waste by 23% with ZeroWaste Program
York University (ON) recently announced a 23 percent reduction in campus waste as a result of its ZeroWaste Program. The campus community decreased the amount of paper waste by 46 percent and the program has expanded recently to include the recycling of batteries, small electronics, appliances, ink cartridges and more. Paper towel dispensers are also gradually being replaced with hand dryers in restrooms in high use areas. Launched in June 2010, the university's goal is to divert 65 percent of total campus waste by 2013.
5 Institutions Lauded for Affordability, Access
Five institutions were recently recognized as the most affordable and accessible institutions with high graduation rates. A report by the Education Trust, "Priced Out: How the Wrong Financial Aid Policies Hurt Low-Income Students," examined nearly 1,200 four-year colleges and universities nationwide with comparable data on what low-income students pay for college. Of these, the University of North Carolina Greensboro, California State University campuses Fullerton and Long Beach, and City University of New York campuses Bernard M. Baruch and Queens demonstrate success. Success was measured in three areas including asking students to pay a portion of the family income no greater than what the average middle-income student pays for a bachelor's degree; offering students at least a 50 percent chance at graduation; and enrolling a proportion of low-income students at least as high as the national average. The report urges federal, state and institutional leaders to rethink policies that widen the opportunity gap in America's colleges and universities.
American U Installs Energy Dashboard
American University (DC) has unveiled an energy dashboard with real-time energy consumption data for its 12 residence halls and 19 academic buildings. Energy usage can be viewed over the course of hours, days, weeks or months. The meters that provide the Lucid Design Group dashboard's information were installed in buildings last fall in anticipation of the university's participation in Campus Conservation Nationals. With the aid of the meters and the energy-saving efforts of faculty, staff and students, the university reduced its overall energy consumption by 8 percent during the competition period. Plans are also underway to link the university's new solar electricity projects to the dashboard to allow comparisons between solar electricity production and overall building consumption.
Arizona State U Rolls Out Green Office Certification Program
Arizona State University recently awarded eight offices with level-one certifications as part of its new Green Office program. With self-guided and facilitated approaches available, the certifications act as a roadmap with 10 sustainability focus areas that contain between one and five items for colleagues to implement into their workspaces. Following each of the three program levels, all participating staff sign a completed checklist.
Boise State U Sustainability Club Creates a Community Garden
Boise State University’s (ID) Sustainability Club has created a new community garden and sustainable space as an educational outreach tool and venue for community networking and engagement on sustainability. The space will emphasize integration of people as part of the environment and demonstrate the relationship between our behavior and natural systems. It will include a garden, compost area and water management system. Community members can participate in the garden by becoming shareholders at the beginning of the year or by volunteering labor to the maintenance of the garden. Shareholders will receive a portion of the garden’s produce. The garden was funded through a Fulbright Canada Eco-Leadership Grant.
Chatham U Installs Solar Array Atop Residence Hall
Chatham University (PA) recently installed the first of two solar arrays atop one of its residence halls to provide students with solar heated water. The initiative was funded in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority.
CNBC Highlights Green Job Training at Community Colleges
More than $500 million of stimulus money for education is targeted for green job training, says recent CNBC article “Hype Aside, ‘Green Jobs’ Are For Real.” The article highlights the growing "green" industry and the efforts of higher education institutions to meet the challenge of training students for “green-collar” jobs. Programs at Columbia Gorge Community College (OR), St. Phillip’s Community College (TX) and Lane Community College (OR) are featured for their alignment with the Sustainable Education and Economic Development Center, which helps community colleges develop green job training programs.
College of the Atlantic Student Turns Food Waste into Energy
A College of the Atlantic (ME) student has created a start-up business that turns food waste into an alcohol-based, butanol fuel at the college’s Sustainable Enterprise Hatchery. A half-gallon of fuel can be produced within a week. As part of the college’s new sustainable venture incubator, the student and partners hope to receive additional grants in the fall to help purchase larger equipment to increase fuel production. The goal is to use food waste from the college cafeteria and surrounding businesses to produce enough butanol to replace gas and heating oil on campus.
College of William & Mary Announces Green Fee Awards
The College of William & Mary’s (VA) Committee on Sustainability has announced its spring 2011Green Fee Project Awards. The 10 projects selected for funding include bike commuting outreach, reusable bags for incoming students, floating treatment wetlands, plastic bag recycling bins and water bottle refill stations. The projects were funded by the student green fee, a $15 per semester fee totaling about $210,000 annually.
