AASHE Interview Series: Sustainability Coord for Res Life, U Kentucky
AASHE has posted a new installment of its Interview Series. In the most recent interview, Shane Tedder, the Sustainability Coordinator in the Office of Residence Life at the University of Kentucky, discusses the sustainability initiatives on which he is current working, how he incorporates the social dimensions of sustainability into his work, how UK tracks its progress towards sustainability, how students are involved in sustainability initiatives on campus, and a future initiative that will involve using social network analysis to map and connect the sustainability-focused people and projects at UK.
June Issue of University Business Focuses on Sustainability
The June issue of University Business includes several articles on higher education sustainability initiatives that seek to save money and reduce environmental impacts. Topics include green cleaning at Eastern Kentucky University; composting at Green Mountain College (VT), Ohio University, University of Washington, and University of Minnesota; solar panels at Unity College (ME); indoor air quality initiatives at Central Michigan University and Sewanee: The University of The South (TN); biomass projects at the University of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota, Morris, Virginia Tech, University of Illinois, North Carolina State University, and Texas A&M University; green renovations at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Florida International University; car-sharing at University of California, San Diego, Virginia Tech, Washington University in St. Louis (MO), and Stanford University (CA), electronics recycling at Temple University (PA); and green procurement at Arizona State University and University of California, San Diego.
AASHE Resource on Sustainable Landscaping on Campus
AASHE has posted a new resource on sustainable landscaping on campus. The resource contains links to information about sustainable landscaping practices, policies, and plans, and is available to both AASHE members and non-members.
AASHE Interview Series: Dir of Sustainability, Los Angeles CC District
AASHE has posted a new installment of its interview series in which Bharat Patel, the Director of Sustainability for the Los Angeles Community College District, discusses the projects he is currently working on, offers advice to others getting started as sustainability officers, and talks about how LACCD is working to incorporate sustainability into its curriculum.
New Book on Sustainability at U New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire Press has published The Sustainable Learning Community , a book that describes 10 years of sustainability initiatives at UNH, including using organic farming techniques to train and feed students; constructing a 12.7 mile pipeline to bring landfill gas to a new co-generation plant; and fostering engagement in public policy.
New Publication on Education for Climate Neutrality & Sustainability
The American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment has published, "Education for Climate Neutrality and Sustainability: Academic Guidance for ACUPCC Institutions" to assist ACUPCC signatory institutions in implementing the educational component of the Commitment. The document is designed to clarify the spirit and intent of the Commitment, identify some of the best practices across higher education, and provide resources to assist signatories in creating their own strategies. The intended audience is higher education leaders, including presidents, provosts, deans, faculty, ACUPCC Implementation Liaisons and others that are working on the implementation of the ACUPCC.
ACUPCC Releases Annual Report
The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment has released its 2008 Annual Report. The document describes the impact the Commitment has had and highlights initiatives in the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District (CA), Arizona State University, and Furman University (SC), among others.
Customizable Book on Campus Sustainability
Great Gifts 4U has released a customizable book that contains tips for students on what they can do to make their campus more sustainable. Topics include green purchasing for campus living, how to reduce water and energy use, and sustainable transportation. Institutions can insert their logo and a welcome letter into the publication.
Podcast: U Kentucky Dir of Campus Rec on Green Exercise Machines
AASHE has posted a podcast and written transcript of an interview with Ron Lee, the Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Kentucky. In the interview, Lee discusses the University's 14 elliptical machines that have been retrofitted to generate energy for the Recreation Center.
American U Studies Results of Trayless Dining
An Environmental Science class at American University (DC) has performed a study measuring the amount of waste that is reduced through trayless dining. Between February 24, 2009 and April 7, 2009, the class of 23 students provided or removed trays in a randomly controlled pattern during lunch and dinner. They selected the first 30 diners of each meal, and collected the solid waste left behind on their plates, weighed it, and recorded the results. The class found that during lunch, there was a 14.4 percent reduction in solid waste when they removed trays, and during dinner, they found a 47.1 percent reduction in solid waste. A second part of the study measured the reduction in dishes used, which the class hypothesized could lead to less water waste and energy use during washing cycles. The class found that during lunch, there was a 22.5 percent reduction in dishes used, and at dinner, there was a 30.8 percent reduction when trays were not available to diners.
New AASHE Resource on Biodiesel in Campus Fleets
AASHE has released a new resource that lists campus biodiesel programs. The resource lists programs that produce biodiesel on campus, those that purchase it, and the type of biodiesel that each campus uses if the information is available. This resource is available to AASHE members only.
Virginia Tech Studies the Impacts of Trayless Dining
The Virginia Tech Housing and Dining Services Department and the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise has released "Food and Non-Edible, Compostable Waste in a University Dining Facility," a study of that analyzes the differences in food and compostable waste with and without the use of trays in an all-you-can-eat university dining facility. The results indicated that the use of trays resulted in significantly more waste than no access to trays.
Conf Call Podcast: The Role of the System Office in Sustainability
AASHE has posted the podcast of its first Open Space Conference Call, "The Role of the System Office in Sustainability: An Introduction to the Concept of Sustainability in the System Office." Presenters included Matt St. Clair, Sustainability Manager at the University of California; Bridget Burns, Policy and Research Associate for the Oregon University System; and Corey Hawkey, Sustainability Projects Coordinator for the Ohio Board of Regents. This resource is only available to AASHE members.
Energy Financing Toolkit
The American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative, with the assistance over 35 industry experts, have created a best practices toolkit as a resource for ACUPCC signatories interested in learning about and conducting an Energy Performance Contract (EPC). EPC is a contractual and financing mechanism through which building owners can undertake comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits with minimal financial exposure and maximum energy and financial savings.
AASHE Interview Series: Terry Link, ED of Greater Lansing Food Bank
AASHE has posted a new installment of its sustainability leaders Interview Series. The latest interview is with Terry Link, founder and former Director of Campus Sustainability at Michigan State University and current Executive Director of the Greater Lansing Food Bank. In the interview, Link discusses how he got started working on campus sustainability issues, the areas in which he sees the biggest room for growth in the campus sustainability field, and how he is incorporating the social dimensions of sustainability into his work.
'New Book: Boldly Sustainable'
Peter Bardaglio and Andrea Putman have published, Boldly Sustainable: Hope and Opportunity for Higher Education in the Age of Climate Change . The book examines how colleges and universities can leverage their commitment to sustainability to not only save money and have a positive impact on the environment, but also to carve out a distinctive niche in the marketplace. Citing real world examples of innovative solutions in higher education, Bardaglio and Putman illustrate how building a culture of sustainability through creative leadership, a signature curriculum, connecting the classroom and campus operations, and reaching out to the surrounding community can help institutions to distinguish themselves from the pack, bolster their value proposition, and enhance organizational effectiveness. They explain why sustainability makes sense even in tough economic times. The book is geared to both newcomers and experienced practitioners.
A Beginners Guide to On-Campus Solar Development
AASHE has added a new research paper entitled, "A Beginners Guide to On-Campus Solar Development" to its list of student research papers on campus sustainability. The publication aims to help higher education institutions to "research, analyze, and plan for the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on their campus." The guide discusses the costs of a solar PV system, available funding options, the processing of siting and sizing a system, and the process behind gathering students, faculty, and staff support. The guide was completed by Tom Nagawiecki, a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Idaho Sustainability Center.
New Issue of 'Sustainability: The Journal of Record'
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. has released the April 2009 issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record . This month's issue includes a roundtable discussion on greening existing buildings on campus, a sustainability program profile of the University of Minnesota, Morris, an article on sustainability initiatives at community colleges, and a book review of Sustainability by Design: A Subversive Strategy for Transforming Our Consumer Culture.
Recorded Webcast: Sustainable IT at Stanford
Educause has posted a webcast on its website entitled, "Sustainable IT at Stanford." The one hour webcast discusses Stanford University's (CA) energy- and cost-saving green IT initiatives that address desktop computing, administrative computing, research computing, and telecommuting.
AASHE Launches Campus Climate Action Planning Wiki
AASHE has launched the Campus Climate Action Planning Guide Wiki. The intent of this wiki is to serve as a comprehensive and "how-to" oriented guide to campus climate planning. The initial text was provided by Walter Simpson, CEM, LEED AP, a retired Energy Officer from the University at Buffalo (NY) and the former Director of UB Green. Anyone can contribute to the wiki by creating an account on the AASHE website.
Campus Climate Neutrality: Yes We Can!
Walter Simpson, the former energy officer at the University at Buffalo (NY), has released, "Campus Climate Neutrality: Yes We Can!" in APPA's March/April 2009 issue of Facilities Magazine . The 8 page guide gives an overview of how to create a plan to reach campus climate neutrality.
AASHE Announces Open Space Conference Call Line
AASHE has launched its new Open Space Conference Call Line. The conference call line allows AASHE members to host discussions on topics related to campus sustainability. For example, the conference line could be used to hold a discussion on ways to integrate sustainability into the curriculum or on how to start a campus recycling program. While only AASHE members are permitted to schedule and manage calls, members and non-members alike are allowed to join and participate in calls, unless otherwise requested by the organizer. AASHE will help publicize events scheduled on the open space line by announcing them in the AASHE Bulletin and posting them on the AASHE Calendar and on the Open Space Conference Call Line webpage.
AASHE Interview Series: Student, Whitman College
AASHE has posted an interview with Lisa Curtis, and environmental studies and politics student at Whitman College (WA) as the next installment of its interview series. Curtis is also an intern for Northwest SEED, an organization devoted to establishing a clean, diverse, and affordable Northwest energy system based on the efficient use of renewable resources, and is one of twenty regional representatives working for the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) "Kick the Carbon Habit" Education Campaign. In the interview, Curtis talks about her experience as a Northwest SEED intern, how her campus sustainability efforts involve the local community, and how Whitman's sustainability efforts are funded.
AASHE Resource on Sustainability in Urban & Regional Planning Prgms
AASHE has posted a new resource that lists Urban and Regional Planning programs that focus on sustainability. The resource includes undergraduate programs, minors, certificates, graduate programs, concentrations, and academic centers. This resource is available to both AASHE members and non-members.
AFT Publication Features Sustainability in Higher Education
The March/April 2009 issue of On Campus , the bimonthly publication produced by AFT, the American Federation of Teachers, includes an article entitled, "Greening the Campus: The sustainability movement in higher education looks for critical mass." The article discusses higher education's growing commitment to sustainability in curriculum and operations. The story mentions initiatives at the University of Vermont; Glendale Community College (CA); the Los Angeles Community College District; Shoreline Community College (WA); Washington State University; Los Angeles Trade Technical College (CA); Western Illinois University; the University of Oregon; and the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Guide to Starting a Campus Garden
The Real Food Challenge has released a guide to helps students start a garden on campus. The guide was written by a Harvard University (MA) student.
IARU Shares GHG Reduction Targets, Releases Sustainability Toolkit
The International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) has posted the greenhouse gas reduction targets of each of its 10 member universities, Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley included. In addition, the IARU has released a sustainability toolkit reflecting the universities’ experience that other institutions of higher learning may use as a guide to assist in developing a comprehensive sustainability plan that suits a particular campus. The six-point toolkit includes the strategies to address the following elements: mapping current situation and developing a governance structure; measuring environmental impacts; integrating campus activities; determining goals and a strategy for the process; establishing strategies to create a sustainable campus; and education and awareness. Accompanying the online toolkit are resources, strategies, and case studies on sustainability efforts by IARU members.
Survey Reports Students' Yearning for More Sustainability Curriculum
Net Impact and the Aspen Institute Center for Business Education have completed "New Leaders, New Perspectives: A Survey of MBA Student Opinions on the Relationship Between Business and Social/Environmental Issues." The survey found that nearly 80 percent of MBA students are yearning for more sustainability and corporate responsibility content in their graduate programs. The two organizations surveyed 1,850 business school students as part of the study.
AASHE Interview Series: Sustainability Programs Mgr, Stanford U
AASHE has posted another interview as part of its Interview Series with campus sustainability professionals. This installment features Fahmida Ahmed, the Manager of Stanford University's (CA) Sustainability Programs. Ahmed co-chairs the Sustainability Working Group, connects the Sustainability Working Teams, coordinates implementation of sustainability projects, supports Stanford’s long term climate and infrastructure planning, and manages the office’s communications and community relations programs. In the interview, Ahmed discusses her current sustainability projects, how she incorporates the social dimension of sustainability into her work, how students are involved in sustainability initiatives at Stanford, and the challenges of renewable energy credits and carbon offsets.
AASHE Makes Academic Programs in Sustainability Resource Public
AASHE has made its Academic Programs in Sustainability resource available to the public. The resource lists Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degree programs in Sustainability, minors and certificates in sustainability, and discipline specific sustainability related degrees in areas such as Agriculture, Architecture, and Business.
Book: Campus Design + Planning
The Canada Green Building Council has published a new book entitled, Campus Design + Planning: Culture, Context, and the Pursuit of Sustainability . The book includes best practices at leading post-secondary institutions and illustrates, by example, ways and means to realize better design, better planned, and greener campuses.
Webcast: Placemaking on Campuses
The Society for College and University Planning hosted a webcast entitled, "Placemaking on Campuses: Creating Destinations That Build Community." The webcast, which is now available on CD, discussed the concept of placemaking; making short-term, low cost campus improvements; and improving the town/gown relationship through cooperative planning of outdoor spaces.
AASHE Interview Series: Dir of Env Studies, U Wisconsin Oshkosh
AASHE has posted a new interview as part of its Interview Series with campus sustainability leaders. In this installment, David Barnhill, Director of Environmental Studies and Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, discusses the University sustainability efforts, including its recent designation as the first 'Fair Trade University' in the US and its adoption of an institution-wide sustainability learning outcome.
DePauw U Documentation of ACUPCC Campaign
Students at DePauw University (IN) have documented the process leading up to the signing of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) by their institution. The document includes timelines, memos, articles, agendas, a press release, and lessons learned about effecting institutional change.
Guide to Going Organic on Campus
The Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute has released, "Taste the Change: How to Go Organic on Campus." The guide begins with an introduction to organic, including its definition, history, benefits, standards, and labeling. It then presents an overview of the organizational tools needed for getting started on campus. Tips for working with food service, approaching issues like purchasing policy, working within budgetary constraints, and building relations with organic vendors are covered in detail. The guide also offers tips on how to raise awareness and support for organic on campus, as well as ways to showcase organic through special events and interactions with the media.
New Issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record
Sustainability: The Journal of Record has released its February 2009 issue. Articles include an interview with the Rice University Director of Sustainability, a profile of Stanford's sustainability initiatives, coverage of campus recycling programs, a book review on Van Jones' The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems ," and a roundtable on how to choose among the most sustainable coffees.
AASHE Interview Series: Dir of Sustainability, U Calgary
AASHE has posted a new interview as part of its Interview Series with campus sustainability professionals. In this installment, Joanne Perdue, the Director of Sustainability for the University of Calgary (AB), offers advice to new Sustainability Officers and discusses how U of C is integrating sustainability into the curricula, incorporating the social dimension of sustainability into its procurement plan, and funding sustainability efforts on campus.
Dell Social Innovation Competition
Dell, in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin, invites students from any college or university in the world to enter their ideas to change the world to its Social Innovation Competition. The venture should exist primarily to address a significant social problem, incorporate a quantifiable social return, and be financially viable. The grand prize is $50,000, and all entries addressing environmental sustainability are eligible to win a special $10,000 prize.
World Watch Magazine – Free Online Access for Professors & Students
The World Watch Institute is offering free online access to the World Watch magazine to professors and students so that they can easily integrate the magazine articles into course studies. The magazine covers environmental events and sustainability issues. To obtain access, email Juliane at jdiamond@worldwatch.org.
Podcast: Water Conservation at the University of Georgia
Facilities Net has posted a podcasted interview with Mark Duclos, director of operations and maintenance at the University of Georgia. In the interview, Duclos discusses how UGA has dealt with historic drought conditions, has implemented water-saving programs, and has planned for future droughts. The podcast's transcript is also posted on the site.
Proposal to Create Campus-Based Energy Innovation Institutes
The Brookings Institution has released a "Blueprint for American Prosperity" proposal entitled, "Energy Discovery-Innovation Institutes: A Step Toward America's Energy Sustainability." If the proposal is adopted, more money would become available for sustainability-related research at higher education institutions.
AASHE Interview Series: Green Fees Coord, Southern Energy Network
AASHE has posted a new installment of its sustainability leaders Interview Series. The latest interview is with Zachary Keith, a University of Florida alum who is working with the Southern Energy Network to get a student green fee passed for the University System in Florida. In the interview, Keith discuss the setbacks, challenges, and lessons learned he and other have encountered in the process towards getting a green fee approved.
Chronicle of Higher Ed Posts Blog Series on Campus Sustainability
The Chronicle of Higher Education has posted four guest blogs by Steve Bellona, Hamilton College's (IA) Associate Vice President for Facilities and Planning. Posts include, "How to Help Sustainability Survive the Downturn," "Justifying Energy-Saving Projects as Energy Prices Tumble," "Education and Feedback are Keys to Sustainability," and "Are Sustainability's Costs Prohibitive? No."
EPEAT Electronic Purchasing Policies
AASHE has posted a new resource that highlights higher education institutions that have adopted formal purchasing policies which incorporate the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) into the requirements for new computer purchases. EPEAT, which was developed by the Zero Waste Alliance with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, evaluates computers on criteria related to energy efficiency, the reduction and elimination of environmentally sensitive materials, materials selection, design for end-of-life, product longevity and life cycle extension, end-of-life management, corporate performance, and packaging characteristics.
Webcast: Solutions for the First 100 Days
The National Teach-In has posted "Solutions for the First 100 Days," a 50 minute webcast that focuses on the recommendations from The Presidential Climate Action Project, an initiative based out of the University of Colorado that lays out an agenda for the first 100 days of the new administration to put the U.S. on a path to stabilizing the climate. There are two versions of the webcast: one for campuses and one for faith audiences. The campus version of the production includes a discussion of the National Wildlife Federation's "Chill Out" competition. The National Teach-In has also posted a list of discussion questions to supplement the webcast.
AASHE Interview Series: Co-Director, UT Ctr for Sustainable Dev
AASHE has posted a new interview as part of its interview series with sustainability leaders from campuses, businesses, and non-profit organizations that are taking the lead in advancing sustainability on campus. The latest interview is with Dr. Steven Moore who is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Texas, a Co-Director of the UT Center for Sustainable Development, and the Director of the Graduate Program in Sustainable Design. In the interview, Dr. Moore answers questions related to trends he sees occurring in the field of sustainable design, what students are most interested in, the progress that the Center for Sustainable Development has achieved, and what he's most looking forward to in 2009.
Podcast: How to Start Talking about Green IT
The Chronicle of Higher Education has posted "Episode 40: How to Start Talking About Green IT." In the podcast, Scott Carlson and Warren Arbogast talk about ways that colleges' technologists, campus-facilities staff members, and sustainability advocates can get on the same page to save energy and resources devoted to information technology.
Presentation Materials from AASHE 2008 Conference
AASHE has posted more than 150 slide sets, papers, posters, and other materials from presentations at AASHE 2008 on the conference website. Presentation materials can be located through three different methods: keyword index of presentation materials, concurrent session schedules, and abstracts.
