Ohio U Beyond Coal Members Protest Use of Coal on Campus
Representatives from Ohio University Beyond Coal gathered recently to protest the university's use of coal energy. The gathering was held in anticipation of a meeting between university officials and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Sierra Club this month, during which the fate of the university's coal heating plant will be discussed. Proposed alternatives include natural gas and geothermal power.
Oregon State U Energy Center Earns LEED Platinum
Oregon State University's Energy Center has received Platinum LEED certification. Environmentally friendly features include natural interior lighting, water-efficient landscaping, the use of recycled building materials and a rainwater harvest system. Campus engineers expect the Energy Center to produce half of the university's annual electricity usage, saving $650,000 a year. Compared to the previous power facility, it is poised to reduce CO2 emissions by 38 percent. The center will also serve as a sustainable energy laboratory where students can track the building's performance.
Rutgers U Students Complete Renewable Energy Analysis for Milford
Students in Rutgers University's (NJ) Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy recently completed a report analyzing the potential for renewable energy in Milford, N.J. The city is in the process of creating a master plan provision to be more active in biomass, wind and solar. The students found that solar was more feasible than biomass or wind and has recommended to the city that it concentrate on solar power and install a photovoltaic solar array. The city has identified an 80-acre property for the project that could sustain enough energy to feed the entire municipality's electric needs.
Sacred Heart U Announces Enviro Systems Analysis Grad Program
Sacred Heart University (CT) has announced a new Master of Science in Environmental Systems Analysis and Management to begin in fall 2011. Affiliated with the Professional Science Master's Initiative, the program is designed to equip students for careers as managers, analysts, consultants and scientists in areas including field work and research, as well as work in environmental organizations, conservation groups and government agencies. Courses will include specialized training in hydrology, field methods, environmental sampling, analysis and problem solving. Students will also have the opportunity to choose electives in a variety of subjects including ecosystem ecology, hazardous waste management and environmental policy.
Second Nature to Provide Sustainability Planning Aid to Campuses
Second Nature has received a $554,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation to develop a program that will help financially strained and minority-serving institutions build capacity toward climate action and sustainability planning. The program will provide fellowships for sustainability champions on campuses, establish sustainability-focused career mentors and offer workshops, learning institutes and skills trainings. It will also help prepare under-resourced institutions for topics like climate disruption impacts, campus green revolving loan funds and evaluating carbon risk in the institution's supply chain.
Students Model 'Eco Look' in NY Times Trendspotting Feature
Members of Students for Sustainable Stanford model repurposed and vintage clothing in a recent New York Times design feature that looks at the trend of sustainable fashion on college campuses. Also featured in the slideshow are students from the University of Portland (OR), Cornell University (NY) and Sarah Lawrence College (NY), where a student designed a winter coat designed to be planted in the spring. Produced for a biomimicry project in an environmental studies class, seeds inlaid in the coat can be fertilized by the wool.
U California Davis Students Open Food Bank for Students in Need
University of California, Davis students in financial need will now be able to grab a free can of soup, a box of cereal, or other staple foods with the opening of its new food pantry. After a recent survey of the university's undergraduates found that 25 percent skipped meals "somewhat to often" to save money, student government leaders contacted campus organizations and local businesses to donate food for a campus food bank. The pantry has received enough donations to last about 10 weeks and hopes to receive enough contributions to stay open until the end of the school year.
U Chicago Debuts Upgraded Residential Recycling Program
Students living in the House System at the University of Chicago (IL) returned from winter break to a simplified recycling system that allows all recyclable items to be deposited in any recycling container in the dorms. The House System now joins the rest of the campus, which had already converted to this single-stream recycling program. The university currently recycles about 40 percent of its waste stream.
U Colorado Boulder Sees 20% Drop in Freshman Parking Permits
The University of Colorado at Boulder has seen a 20 percent drop in the amount of freshman buying parking permits since the last school year. Of the 5,215 in this year's freshman class, 852 purchased parking permits. In 2005, the number was more than 1,400. To help meet its goal of reducing petroleum use on campus by 25 percent by 2012, the university encourages students who tour the campus to not bring cars their freshman year. University recruiters instead educate prospective students about the alternative options to driving to campus. Currently, student fees pay for bus passes, mobile mechanics will help service students' bikes, and the university provides free bike rentals and a Zimride carpool matching service.
U Illinois Chicago Debuts Sustainability Scholars Awards
The University of Illinois at Chicago's Office of Sustainability has awarded its first Caterpillar Sustainability Scholars awards. Four undergraduate students have received $1,000 tuition scholarships in recognition of their demonstrated involvement in sustainability issues, financial need and status as underrepresented in their respective fields of study.
U New Brunswick Students Discover Lead, Iron in Campus Tap Water
The Chronicle of Higher Education recently reported that while students at the University of New Brunswick were trying to prove that tap water was just as safe as bottled water, they found lead and iron levels over the acceptable health limits in water from drinking fountains in two of the older buildings on campus. After letting the water run for two minutes and then five minutes, however, the water levels tested fine. The university is now working with provincial and municipal authorities to resolve the issue. The students, who now recommend letting the fountain water run for at least two minutes, are asking that the university replace the fountains with hydration stations for filling reusable water bottles. The stations are similar to $6,000 models that the university has placed on other parts of campus and is monitoring for usage.
Unity College Receives Grant to Support Local Food Production
Unity College (ME) has been awarded a $75,000 grant from Jane's Trust to help build, grow and strengthen existing community-based food production and distribution networks. The funding will allow the college to enhance infrastructure on campus that will support Veggies for All, a community agricultural project dedicated to alleviating rural hunger in the region. The college hopes to improve facilities for vegetable processing and storage to allow for more campus-grown food to be integrated into the dining hall, as well as increase capacity for Veggies for All. An action plan is being developed to ensure that the grant will have a sustainable impact.
U Pennsylvania Seeks LEED Gold with New Green Cafe
Replacing a smaller cafe that closed in 2009, the University of Pennsylvania has opened Joe's Cafe, a new eatery designed to meet LEED Gold certification. The cafe will recycle or compost 50 percent of its waste by volume including food scraps, utensils, takeout containers and fryer oil. This amount is twice the current total campus baseline of 24 percent. The cafe will purchase food and drink that is seasonal and produced within 150 miles of its site, as well as hormone- and antibiotic-free meat and dairy, Certified Humane eggs, fish sourced from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines, dolphin-safe tuna and certified fair trade and organic coffee. A planned educational program will enlist students and staff to engage and teach cafe visitors about sustainable food.
U South Florida to Build Solar Power Plant
Funded by a grant from the state of Florida through the Florida Energy Systems Consortium, a team at the University of South Florida's College of Engineering has announced plans to build a solar power plant on campus. Also in development is a thermal storage system with a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The team will concentrate on making solar energy available around the clock at affordable prices.
Climate Corps Fellows Improve Fortune 1000 Energy Efficiencies
As part of the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps fellowship program, 51 MBA students identified ways to save $350 million and 400,000 metric tons of pollution combined. The students spent the 2010 summer working for Fortune 1000 companies like Dow Jones, Xerox and Pepsi to help improve energy efficiency in operations. Individual achievements of the fellows include a thermal ice storage system installation recommendation that would save Verizon $9.16 million over the project lifetimes and avoid more than 8,700 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually; and the identification of energy rebates that would save Sunrise Preschools, Inc. $1.14 million. Because resources and time are often barriers to energy efficiency improvements for companies, Climate Corps fellows are trained with a specific focus on energy efficiency, allowing them to make a compelling business case and overcome organizational barriers.
Colorado State U Plans New Energy Policy Center
Colorado State University has announced plans to unveil the Center for the New Energy Economy and Senior Scholar as part of its School of Global Environmental Sustainability. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter will head the center, working closely with the university's rural economic development activities to advance statewide economic initiatives related to clean and renewable energy. The center will be completely funded by private support, initially by the California-based Energy Foundation and the Colorado-based Bohemian Foundation. The university is in talks with other organizations interested in funding the center for the long term, which will focus on facilitating science-based policy, research and education to support the growth of the new energy economy statewide, nationally and globally.
Delta College Purchases Wind Turbine Teaching Model
Delta College (MI) has purchased a 300-kilowatt model wind turbine to teach the disassembly, repair and reassembly of the equipment as part of a lab experience for students. "Having this unit at ground level offers students the opportunity to receive hands-on training in a safe environment, learn the basic diagnostic and repair techniques, and learn more about the vast size and scope of this new industry’s equipment," Delta College's Sustainability and Risk Management Coordinator Linda Petee tells AASHE Bulletin.
Food Empowerment Org Launches Student Activist Training Program
The Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive (CoFed) has launched a national training program for students to create ethically-sourced, student-run local storefronts on college campuses. The organization aims to facilitate regional student networks to maximize its collective impact and empower a student-led food movement across the nation. The Berkeley Student Food Collective was the original catalyst for CoFed, which now encompasses six leadership teams starting student-run cafes on West Coast college campuses.
Green Mtn College Students Build House from Reclaimed Materials
As part of a semester-long project in the REED (Renewable Energy and EcoDesign) certificate program, students at Green Mountain College (VT) recently unveiled a "tiny house" of their own design. Based on interviews with mock clients, the class collaborated on the 8- by 12-foot design, built almost entirely from reclaimed materials. During the $1,927 design and construction process, students adhered to sustainable building practices whenever possible. Students helped pay for the project with a $100 per student course fee and expect to recoup their investment by selling the house in the spring, when the moveable structure will be equipped with a solar-powered electrical system.
Rochester Inst. Students Participate in Civic Engagement Program
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) students will have the opportunity to turn classroom lessons into hands-on experience through AmeriCorps’ Students in Service pilot program. Twenty-five students will work in the community on development initiatives including public education, environmental stewardship and strengthening neighborhoods. The program is designed to challenge students to develop civic skills and increase connections between colleges and universities and the local community. The pilot is being coordinated through the New York Campus Compact.
U Chicago Approves Sustainable Building Policy
The University of Chicago (IL) has implemented a Sustainable Building Policy that will require all new campus buildings over $5 million to be LEED certified. In development over the last year and a half, the policy is the result of a collaboration between students, faculty and staff. Students led efforts to conduct a peer review of green building policies and helped draft the university's new policy.
U Chicago Expands Online Outreach for Bike Share Program
In celebration of the first anniversary of its Bike Share program, recycles, the University of Chicago is expanding the program's online outreach. The free program offers one-day bike rentals to the campus community with nearly 1,000 registered users and about 100 rentals per week. In response to feedback from users, a bicycle mechanic was recently hired to maintain the bikes and a new website launched where users can register and view available bikes online. The program's refurbished bicycles are purchased from a local nonprofit organization, Blackstone Bicycle Works, which also sponsors local youth programs.
U Massachusetts Medical School Adds More Carpool Parking Spots
Due to the growing popularity of its carpool program, the University of Massachusetts Medical School will add 20 more parking spaces for the exclusive use of carpoolers. With nearly 400 carpoolers and growing, the university now has a waiting list for its carpool tags.
U Massachusetts Medical School Recycling Rates Rise
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has announced a rise in campus recycling rates of 30 percent. Since its last fiscal year that ended June 2010, which posted an annual recycling rate of 23 percent, the university has contracted a new vendor, Northeast Material Handling, to take care of large recycling items like furniture, refrigerators and fixtures. The university plans to reach a 50 percent recycling rate with additional bins and signage across campus.
U Missouri-Kansas City Purchases All-Electric Truck
The University of Missouri-Kansas City has unveiled its first all-electric cargo truck. The new addition to its transportation fleet will be used primarily to service the university's recycling programs. The truck was purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Initiative.
U Oregon to Promote Year-Round Biking with Globe Bicycles Grant
The University of Oregon's Bike Program has been awarded a grant from Globe Bicycles to help promote year-round bicycle commuting among its campus community. The university has received 14 new weather-friendly cargo bikes equipped with fenders, built-in lights and cargo racks capable of holding up to 90 pounds. The university plans to kick off its short-term bicycle loan program on January 12 with a "Ride in the Rain, A Celebration of Wet Weather Bike Transportation" campus event featuring free bike repair and a rain gear fashion show. For $10 a day, short-term loan bikes are designed to be immediately available to the campus community for short-term needs. This is in contrast to its existing long-term bicycle loan program, the university's Bike Program Coordinator Ted Sweeney tells AASHE Bulletin, which charges $12 per term with a $65 deposit and a waiting list checkout process to reserve them.
U Oregon Wins 'Energy Civil War' Against Oregon State U
Students, staff and faculty helped the University of Oregon win the "Energy Civil War" competition with Oregon State University by converting the most calories to kilowatts. Combined, the two universities generated 75 percent more energy using ReRev elliptical machines in their respective recreation centers than they did during a similar event last year. The competition ran from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, 2010.
U Wisconsin Oshkosh Implements 100% Recycled Paper Policy
The University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh has announced its switch from 30 percent post-consumer recycled bond to 100 percent recycled paper on campus. The first reams have been distributed and are expected to save about 1,100 trees per year. The university's Campus Sustainability Council is working with departments across campus to reduce paper consumption by 5 percent to make the initiative budget neutral and increase paper consumption awareness.
Yale U Launches Sustainability Microloan Fund Program
Yale University (CT) has announced a new Sustainability Microloan Fund, managed by its Office of Sustainability. The fund will encourage university students, staff and faculty to come up with creative ideas to be considered for short-term loans. Microloans, ranging from $500 to $100,000, will fund projects that help save both money and the environment, but might not qualify for regular operating funds. Potential projects will be assessed for financial and environmental benefit, feasibility, innovation and interdisciplinary/interdepartmental cooperation.
6 Harvard U Buildings Awarded LEED Certification
Six Harvard University (MA) buildings have recently achieved LEED certification. The Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Biophysics Laboratory and East Wing Offices, Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Larsen Hall Upper Floor Classroom, and Harvard Medical School’s renovation of 641-643 Huntington Avenue have each received LEED Gold certification. The university earned LEED Silver certification for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences' teaching labs and the renovation of the Graduate School of Education's Longfellow Basement. Common sustainable features include water-efficient fixtures, a reduction of overall energy consumption, passive solar design and the diversion of construction waste from landfills.
Bakersfield College Unveils 1.1 MW Solar Energy System
Bakersfield College (CA) has revealed a new 1.1-megawatt solar energy system. The system features a 3.1-acre parking lot canopy structure with nearly 3,700 SunPower solar panels that track the sun throughout the day, providing shade in the lot and solar electrical power for campus. The solar array is expected to supply approximately one-third of the college’s electricity demand.
Calhoun CC Receives $3.4 Mil Grant for Clean Energy Program
Calhoun Community College (AL) has received a $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to launch a clean energy program. The Alabama Center for Excellence in Clean Energy Technology will train students for green technology jobs including photovoltaic systems, renewable energies, heating and air conditioning systems and electricity. The program will offer an associate degree and two short-term certificates.
College of the Holy Cross Science Complex Earns LEED Gold
College of the Holy Cross’ (MA) new Integrated Science Complex has earned LEED Gold certification. Energy-efficient elements of the $64 million complex include an energy recovery wheel that captures and reuses heat and humidity from air, a high performance lighting system, a low-flow fume hood system and an active energy consumption display monitor.
EPA Reveals Game Day Challenge Results
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the winners of its Game Day Challenge. More than 75 schools participated in the October competition, targeting more than 2.8 million fans and diverting more than 500,000 pounds of waste. Ithaca College (NY) and the University of Tennessee at Martin tied for Waste Minimization Champion; University of California, Davis was named the Diversion Rate Champion; University of Central Oklahoma earned both the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Champion and Recycling Champion titles; and Marist College (NY) was named the Organics Reduction Champion.
George Washington U Residence Hall Receives LEED Gold
George Washington University's (DC) newest residence hall has earned LEED Gold certification. Housing 288 students, the design of West Hall incorporated sustainable features including low-flow plumbing fixtures, native and adaptive plants to eliminate the need for a permanent irrigation system, solar light tubes and energy-efficient appliances. The residence hall also provides covered bike storage for 15 percent of its residents.
George Washington U to Offer Sustainable Urban Planning Program
George Washington University (DC) has announced plans to offer a Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Urban Planning in fall 2011. The program will also offer stand-alone graduate certificates in climate change sustainable management and policy, urban sustainability and sustainable landscapes. The curriculum is designed to develop career urban planners skilled in sustainable urban planning and policy, and knowledgeable about green technologies.
Harvard U Installs Solar Thermal and Steam Heat System
Harvard University (MA) has installed 3,200-square-feet of solar panels atop three buildings. The panels are part of a solar thermal and steam tunnel heat-recovery project that is expected to supply at least 60 percent of domestic hot water for the buildings. A network of glycol-filled pipes connects the rooftop solar panels to the hybrid heating system. The 1,000-gallon buffer tank, which replaces the need for gas-fired boilers, pre-heats City of Cambridge water to 130 degrees before it is pumped to the buildings. A monitoring system has also been installed to allow residents to assess the system’s productivity.
Indiana U Bloomington Students Create Sustainability Council
Indiana University Bloomington student groups have come together to enhance sustainability efforts on campus. Fourteen student organizations have formed the Student Sustainability Council to promote communication and collaboration among organizations interested in advancing environmentalism on campus. The first collaborative effort of the council is the establishment of a Green Initiative Fund. The group seeks to add a $5 donation option during the university’s online registration each semester to support sustainability initiatives on campus.
Indiana U Office of Sustainability Awards Green Certification
Indiana University’s Office of Sustainability has awarded the first certification of its Green Office Certification program. The Office of Environmental, Health and Safety Management received the first level of certification by fulfilling 17 actions including the establishment of a central location for the collection and re-distribution of surplus office supplies and unplugging electronic appliances when not in use. The Office of Sustainability implemented the certification program in August 2010 to make the task of greening office spaces more tangible and accessible to the campus community.
Kennebec Valley CC Announces Solar Technology Training Program
Kennebec Valley Community College (ME) has announced a new solar technology training program that will begin in February. The program will train instructors from technical colleges and high schools how to install solar heating and cooling systems. The instructors will then incorporate what they learn into their curriculum. The solar heating and cooling training initiative received a $3.3 million federal grant to cover the costs for the next five years.
Laney College Holds Eco-Inspired Art Exhibit
As part of an Eco Art Matters class, Laney College (CA) students recently held an art exhibit titled “Save Our Earth Ship.” The artwork addresses environmental and social justice issues, including a multi-media sculpture comprised primarily of 2,500 cigarette butts collected from campus grounds and a super-sized plastic shopping bag created from 3,000 plastic bags.
Louisiana State U Installs Pollution-Cleaning Pavement
Louisiana State University has installed air-purifying asphalt and concrete photo catalytic pavements on campus. The pavement cover will absorb pollution including nitrogen oxides released by traffic or those already in the air. Prior to the installation, a university professor evaluated the technology in the laboratory through funding from the Louisiana Transportation Research Center and the National Science Foundation. The university will monitor the half mile of pathways to determine the rate of reduction in pollution levels over time. The field study, in partnership with Pureti Inc., is funded through the Gulf Coast Research Center for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency.
Loyola U Chicago Students Work to Make Campus Food Sustainable
Loyola University Chicago’s (IL) Student Food Sustainability Advisory Council has begun working with food services provider Aramark to raise awareness about food systems, shrink the community’s ecological footprint and address the student body’s primary sustainability concerns. The council will gauge on-campus attitudes towards issues including local food, factory farming and balanced diets through surveys, research and education.
Marylhurst U Uses Goats to Control Invasive Species
Initiated by the Marylhurst University (OR) Sustainability Action Committee, the university has started using goats to help control the spread of invasive species on campus. In an effort to get rid of unwanted vegetation without using chemicals, the two goats will graze on 68 acres of land. The university also hopes that the goats' presence will help encourage awareness toward sustainable initiatives.
Northern Arizona U Announces Plans for Green Café
Northern Arizona University has announced plans to open a café focused on community, health, education and sustainability next fall. A group of students, faculty and action research teams in the graduate sustainable communities program have been preparing for the past year to open the café. The café will offer students healthy, environmentally friendly sources of on-campus food and provide a location to spread environmental awareness.
Soka U of America to Seek LEED Certification with New Arts Center
Soka University of America (CA) has completed its new Performing Arts Center and Academic Building, designed to meet LEED Gold standards. Sustainable features of the $73 million project include a green roof, solar panels, displacement ventilation, automatic daylight lighting controls and a bioswale. Building materials were made from recycled and locally extracted, processed and manufactured content.
Students to Install Wind Turbine on Mesabi Range College Campus
Mesabi Range College (MN) has received a wind turbine that students in the wind energy technology program will refurbish and install on campus. The college received a grant from Iron Range Resources to purchase the wind turbine. The college began its wind energy technology degree program in 2009.
Syracuse U Dedicates Green Biomaterials Institute
Syracuse University (NY) has dedicated the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, an interdisciplinary research facility that will focus on research in biomaterials, smart medical devices and biological tissue-engineered constructs. Seventy-five percent of the demolition debris caused during renovations for the institute, which is housed on the third and fourth floors of Browne Hall, was recycled. Environmentally friendly features of the project include recycled scrap iron for steel framing, low-VOC adhesives and paints, passive solar design and light occupancy sensors.
U Arizona Student Projects Promote Campus Sustainability
Students at the University of Arizona recently showcased nearly three dozen project ideas to enhance campus sustainability efforts. Proposed ideas included plans for renovating and retrofitting buildings, installing shower timers, promoting educational smart phone applications and reusable to-go containers.
U California Berkeley Earns LEED Gold for Laboratory Renovations
Renovations to the Morgan Hall Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley have received LEED Gold certification using the LEED Commercial Interiors standard for renovation projects. Former office and storage spaces were updated to create efficient and sustainable laboratories for the Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology. The university used the renovations as an opportunity to involve students from a service learning class to prepare a video to educate the building occupants, campus community and public about the environmental aspects of Morgan Hall.
