Louisiana State U Welcome Event Features Composting & Recycling
Louisiana State University has announced that its welcome back celebration, which hosts more than 25,000 students, faculty, and staff, features composting and recycling for the first time this year. The effort, which aims to minimize the amount of waste produced by the event, offered food and drink containers that were either compostable or recyclable.
Memorial U Completes Energy Reduction Project
Memorial University (NL), in partnership with Honeywell, has completed a series of energy upgrades to facilities across campus. Through energy-efficient building improvements and infrastructure upgrades, the program will help the University address deferred maintenance and save approximately $1.5 million in utility costs per year. The project focused on the central heating and cooling plant, and seven buildings on the university's 250-acre campus. Specifically, Honeywell installed new high efficiency controls and burners on three boilers in the central plant, which will allow the facilities staff to respond to load changes caused by weather or equipment malfunctions more efficiently.
Memorial U Signs Sustainability Declaration
Memorial University (NL) has committed the institution to a greener climate on campus. The Sustainability Declaration, an overarching statement intended to define Memorial’s commitment to sustainable principles, was signed by President Dr. Christopher Loomis and other senior officials. The Declaration commits MU to promote a community committed to sustainability within and beyond the University and to develop a comprehensive and collaborative action plan with measurable outcomes. The document was also signed by several students.
Mesa CC Physical Science Building Receives LEED Gold
The Mesa Community College (AZ) Physical Science Building has received LEED-NC v2.2 Gold certification. The 62,000-square-foot science facility includes a 53-seat planetarium that is, in part, powered by rooftop photovoltaic panels donated by a local utility company as well as an interactive graphic display kiosk where students can track the solar energy harvested by the panels and see the inner-workings of a building’s engineering systems to learn about its sustainable features. In addition, over 77 percent of the construction waste was diverted from conventional landfills and 30 percent of materials manufactured utilize recycled content.
Mount Union College Dedicates Green Welcome Center
Mount Union College (OH) has dedicated its Gartner Welcome Center. The 10,190-square-foot structure, which will house Mount Union College’s divisions of enrollment services and student financial services, features a geothermal pump system and is registered for LEED certification.
Nova Scotia CC Receives Grant for Green Building
Nova Scotia Community College has received a $1.4 million grant from the province to include renewable energy technology in its new Centre for the Built Environment. The new building will feature solar panels, a solar hot water system, wind turbines, a geothermal heating and cooling system, a green roof to reduce heating and cooling demands and increase water absorption, and system monitors and controls. The building is set to be open in 2010.
Oregon Campuses Receive Federal Funding for Sustainability Projects
Portland State University and the Oregon Institute of Technology have received funding from Congress's energy and water appropriations bill for green projects. PSU receives $1 million for a green building research laboratory, and OIT received $1 million for a geothermal power generation plant.
SEI Releases College Sustainability Report Card 2010
The Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI) has released its College Sustainability Report Card 2010 on GreenReportCard.org. The annual publication provides school profiles and grades along with insights about sustainability in higher education. For the first time, the Institute is also offering universal access to 1,100 sustainability survey responses about campus, dining, and student initiatives, as well as endowment investment. Grading the schools entailed researching publicly available information, conducting surveys of appropriate school officials, and assessing performance with 120 questions across 48 indicators in the following 9 categories: Administration, Climate Change & Energy, Food & Recycling, Green Building, Transportation, Student Involvement, Endowment Transparency, Shareholder Engagement, and Investment Priorities.
Sodexo Commits to Sustainable Seafood
Sodexo, a major food and facilities services management company that serves several college campuses, has committed to sourcing 100 percent of its contracted wild-caught seafood purchases in North America from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries by 2015. Sodexo says this decision is a result of consumers desire to eat healthy and sustainably.
U Colorado Launches Rideshare Program
The University of Colorado has partnered with Zimride to foster a new rideshare community. The Zimride platform aims to connect CU Boulder community members looking to share their ride through a private network that aims to reduce campus traffic and parking difficulties. Through the program’s web-based interface, faculty, staff, and students will be able to find others with similar daily commuting patterns or one-time rides needs. Zimride’s system integrates with Facebook to help develop trust and feedback among users.
U Connecticut Installs Green Roof
The University of Connecticut has installed a green roof to help reduce water pollution of a nearby stream. The green roof will help to absorb storm water and reduce runoff into Eagleville Brook. The roof is ground level and is available to all faculty, staff, and students for its enjoyment.
U Dayton Aims for 90% Waste Reduction
The University of Dayton (OH) has launched a new program to reduce the amount of waste headed to the landfill. To make sure each type of waste ends up in the proper place, dining services has removed waste and recycling containers from dining rooms and is routing all dishes and disposables to tray conveyors. Staff separates the trash, recycling, compostable material, and china in the kitchen. Cooks also will be trained on how to route meat scraps, produce trimmings, and other food waste to appropriate containers. The University's goal is to compost or recycle up to 90 percent of its dining facility waste this academic year. Throughout the first month of the program, the University has redirected nearly 27 tons of waste away from a landfill.
U Dayton Implements Energy Reduction Initiatives
The University of Dayton (OH) has announced several new initiatives to help reduce campus-wide energy use by its goal of 10 percent before the end of the academic year. UD plans to remove half of the lights in its campus library and upgrade the other half with energy-efficient lighting. The University expects to achieve a 50 percent energy usage reduction in the library with a barely noticeable reduction in light output. In addition, UD estimates it will receive approximately $55,000 in rebates for the library project. Other projects will include the installation of occupancy sensors that control lighting and temperature as well as automation controls for the central boiler plant to ensure optimal performance.
U La Verne Builds New Student Center
The University of La Verne (CA) has finished its new 40,000-square-foot Campus Center. The building has registered for LEED Silver certification and features a rooftop garden, large windows to allow more natural light, and an open-air veranda.
U Louisville Hires Sustainability Officer
The University of Louisville (KY) has hired Justin Mog as its first assistant to the provost for sustainability initiatives. Mog has served with the Peace Corps, worked as an environmental educator at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, conducted research on sustainable agriculture in the Philippines, and interned at the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Natural History.
U Maryland Holds Workshop for Sustainability in the Curriculum
The University of Maryland has launched an initiative to integrate sustainability across the curriculum. The Chesapeake Project, coordinated by the Office of Sustainability, is a learning community of UM faculty who are finding ways of teaching about sustainability in their existing courses. In May 2009, more than 20 faculty members participated in the first annual Chesapeake Project Workshop. The faculty -- who represent diverse disciplines including art, biology, business, dance, engineering, English, and theatre -- engaged in two days of interdisciplinary dialogue about sustainability while learning about critical environmental, social, and economic issues. Each faculty participant will revise at least one course taught this fall or spring to include sustainability. Their revised syllabi and more information about the Chesapeake Project are available on the Chesapeake Project homepage.
U North Carolina Chapel Hill Builds Green Ed Ctr at Botanical Garden
The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has completed its new Education Center for the North Carolina Botanical Garden. The 29,656-square-foot building is built to LEED Platinum standards and features photovoltaic panels, above- and below-ground rainwater cisterns, storm water retention ponds, geothermal heating and air-conditioning, natural day-lighting and low-flow plumbing. Construction materials were obtained from within a 500-mile radius, including lumber milled from the site. There are also many recycled components, such as steel beams made out of scrap metal from automobiles. The building hosts many educational events and promotes native plant species.
U of Iowa Builds Green Boathouse
The University of Iowa has opened its new, LEED-registered boathouse. The 20,000-square-foot Beckwith Boathouse is expected to be the first new green building on Iowa’s campus and features a geothermal heating and cooling system, daylight harvesting, and the use of local and recycled building materials. In addition, the facility's orientation takes advantage of the sun for heating and cooling.
U San Diego Opens Campus Garden
The University of San Diego (CA) has created a student garden on campus. The goal of the 50-by-10-foot plot is to help connect students to nature and promote sustainability. The garden will also have an academic component, with classes and professors taking responsibility for plots in the garden.
Western New England College Opens Green Dormitory
Western New England College (MA) has completed Southwood Hall, a new residence hall that features geothermal heating and cooling, a solar hot water system, and a storm water recovery system to save rainwater for irrigation. The $11.5 million, 148-bed structure also contains Energy Star-rated appliances, low-flow toilets, and bamboo cabinets.
13 Campuses Pilot Food Carbon Calculator
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale has launched a Green Scholarship Program funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Seven $9,000 undergraduate scholarships will be awarded to low income community college transfer students pursuing a major in science and/or engineering related to the environment. The program will target economically disadvantaged students who are finishing up their general studies at community colleges but cannot afford a four-year education. The funding is part of NSF’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education program.
Central Michigan U Students Plant Three Organic Gardens
Central Michigan University’s Campus Grows student organization has planted three organic vegetable gardens on campus. Campus Grows consists of four students that have led the initiative and spent the summer tending to the gardens. The crops are sold at farmers markets and a coffee house. Some of the food is donated to soup kitchens and food banks as well. Extra plots are sold to students interested in having a personal garden and proceeds go to purchase seed, fencing, and other needs.
Emory U Veterinary Medicine Building Receives LEED Gold
The Clinical Veterinary Medicine Administration Research Building (CVMAR) at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center Field Station at Emory University (GA) has received LEED Gold certification. The 18,000-square-foot facility has achieved a 56 percent water use reduction, 23 percent energy cost savings, and 98.6 percent construction waste diversion. In addition, the structure was built with 27.9 percent recycled content and 50 percent regional materials.
Harvard U Installs 2 Wind Turbines
Harvard University (MA) has installed two 10 kW wind turbines on the top deck of a campus parking garage. The Bergey Excel turbines, which are each perched on 40 foot towers, provide a portion of the energy needed to power the parking center.
Luther College Receives $500K for 1.65 MW Wind Turbine
Luther College (IA) has received a $500,000 grant and a $1,302,385 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to install a 1.65 MW wind turbine that is expected to generate approximately one-third of the electrical energy consumed by the College each year. Delivery of the turbine is tentatively scheduled for December 2009 with installation to be completed by June 2010. The REAP funds awarded to the Luther wind turbine project are part of the program’s $62.5 million in loans and grants for 705 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in 45 states and Puerto Rico.
Maharishi U of Management Receives $18K for Prairie Restoration
Maharishi University of Management (IA) has received an $18,000 grant from the Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund to reconstruct native prairie on 14 acres located on the center of campus. The three-year project will create native prairie parkland with a wide diversity of species, mown paths and borders, park benches, educational kiosks, and plant identification signs. Once established, the environmentally friendly landscaping will be maintained by annual controlled burns.
Mississippi State U Launches Game Day Recycling Program
Mississippi State University's Environmental Collaborative Office (ECO) has joined with the athletic department to promote game day recycling. MSU ECO has set up cardboard recycling boxes to collect aluminum, glass, and plastic at all home football games. The group will also provide tailgating bags on removable poles.
NY Times Covers Harvard U's Transition to Organic Fertilizers
The New York Times has published an article on Harvard University's (MA) transition to using organic fertilizers on campus. The institution, which aims to be fully organic on the 80 acres that it maintains within the next two years, has begun using compost to fertilize its grass, landscaping, and orchard in test plots across campus. Harvard found that the test plots are able to absorb and hold water, which has resulted in a 30 percent irrigation reduction. In addition, the campus is able to compost grass clippings, pruned branches, leaves, and other materials that were previously trucked off campus for $35,000 per year. Furthermore, Harvard is saving $10,000 per year by not having to buy fertilizers. The NYT article also gives basic instructions on how to begin using organic fertilizers.
Purdue U Provides Desk-Side Recycling, Eliminates Desk-Side Trash
Purdue University (IN) has announced plans to expand its pilot desk-side recycling program to the entire campus to help boost recycling rates. The program, launched in one office building in July 2009, provides recycling bins at workers' desks, but requires them to walk to a central location to deposit trash. Within four weeks worker participation reached 99.5 percent and recycling volume doubled. The program is being expanded to six more buildings this semester.
San Diego CCD Partners to Install 2.4 MW Solar System
The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) has approved a 20-year agreement with Borrego Solar to construct and maintain a photovoltaic system that will provide about 2.4 megawatts of green energy across the district. The system will be financed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) which will enable the District to access and use solar-generated energy, without the upfront capital costs or operational expenses. Under the agreement, Borrego Solar would build, operate, and maintain the solar system, and sell the generated solar energy back to the District at rates approximately 18 percent below those of San Diego Gas & Electric; a savings of more than $110,000 annually. The solar energy generated by the District system would be enough to meet 26 percent of current peak electrical demand. The photovoltaic program calls for the solar panels to be installed on building rooftops, parking structures, and atop new solar panel shade structures on parking lots throughout the District.
St. Michael's College Institutes Faculty & Staff Recycling Program
St. Michael's College (VT) has begun a new program that aims to encourage faculty and staff to recycle. The night-time custodial crew now audits the contents of staff and faculty trash bins to make sure that they are not throwing away recyclable items. The custodial staff then reports their findings to the Sustainability Coordinator Heather Ellis, who sends the staff or faculty members in question an e-mail to determine the nature of the problem. If employees have repeat offenses, Ellis instructs the custodial staff to stop picking up their trash until they comply with the recycling program.
SUNY Geneseo Launches Car-Share Program
The State University of New York at Geneseo has launched a new car-share program on campus. Students are now able to rent Zipcars for approximately $10 per hour or $70 per day. Gas and insurance are included.
SUNY Geneseo Re-Opens Green Science Hall
The State University of New York at Geneseo has re-opened Greene Hall, a 51,000-square-foot science facility. The renovation includes a new, more efficient air handling system; a constant air volume control that allows the Hall to reduce air qualities significantly when areas are vacant; and an energy measurement system.
Texas State U Begins Composting in Dining Halls
Texas State University has begun the "Bobcat Blend" program, an initiative that offers closed-loop composting in campus cafeterias. Once the waste has decomposed, it is brought back to help fertilize campus flower beds and green space. The program was developed by a graduate horticulture student.
U Albany Announces 2 Transportation Initiatives
University at Albany has announced an initiative to research minimizing harmful automobile emissions and several new alternative transportation options. School of Business Associate Professor Sanjay Goel has been awarded the $25,000 AT&T Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellowship for research into the coordination and optimization of traffic signals as a means to minimize wait-times at intersections, thereby reducing automobile engine idling time and greenhouse gas emissions. The new alternative transportation options include hybrid buses, Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), public bus systems, and bike and ride sharing programs. The new 30-36-seat passenger hybrid buses will be integrated into the University’s mass transit fleet and used for student, faculty, and staff transportation between the University’s various campuses. The University’s GEMs — which now total 13 – are two and four-passenger, low-speed vehicles used for facilities services and repairs, athletics events and services, parking lot management, and transportation of campus mail and small equipment.
U New Hampshire Publishes Book on its Sustainability Program
The University of New Hampshire has published, "The Sustainable Learning Community: One University's Journey to the Future." The new book details how the University of New Hampshire, home to one of the oldest endowed offices of sustainability in the nation, has been integrating sustainability across its curriculum, operations, research, and engagement in the last 10-plus years. The book shares the perspectives of more than 60 authors from UNH and beyond on subjects ranging from curriculum to climate change to compost.
U North Carolina Chapel Hill Launches 'Carolina Green' Campaign
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has launched a new inter-departmental “Carolina Green” campaign to identify and promote university programs that support a healthy and responsible approach to the “green” issues of environmental integrity, economic prosperity, and social equity. Carolina Green offers an online directory of university resources, a range of committees working to improve campus practices, and resources to help individuals and departments have a greener impact on their world.
Utah State U Students Build Three Campus Gardens
Utah State University College of Agriculture and College of Natural Resources students have presented three new campus gardens and companion interpretive panels. The gardens were completely designed and created by USU horticulture students in the Low Water Use Landscaping classes. Students from Natural Resources Interpretation classes teamed up to create interpretive wayside panels for each plot. The panels illustrate three thematic gardens, including the pollinator garden, ideas for gardening with native plants, and historical uses of Utah plants garden.
Virginia Commonwealth U Building Wins Green Award
The Walter L. Rice Education Building at the Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Center has been named the region’s Overall Project of the Year and Green Project of the Year in the Mid-Atlantic Construction magazine’s Best of 2009 awards program. The LEED Platinum certified building was noted for the sustainable aspects of the structure and serves as an education tool for students.
Washington U St. Louis Installs Green Roof
Washington University in St. Louis (MO) has installed a 10,150-square-foot green roof on top of a campus residence hall. The roof contains grass, native plants, and 110,000 pounds of soil. The University expects that 90 percent of rainwater that falls on a green roof will be absorbed by the soil and vegetation, reducing the amount of runoff that flows to sewers and increasing the amount of rainfall naturally recycled through the atmosphere. The green roof also acts as insulation, keeping the building underneath cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which reduces energy usage.
Wayne State U Offers Grad Certificate in Sustainable Engineering
The Wayne State University (MI) College of Engineering has begun offering a graduate certificate program in sustainable engineering. The program is intended for both current graduate students as well as the technical and scientific workforce of the metro Detroit region. The new certificate requires 13 credit hours of sustainable engineering education in chosen courses from all of the engineering departments. Students can choose from such courses as "Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering," "Ethics in Engineering and Construction" and "Alternative Energy Technology System and Design.
Wilfrid Laurier U Introduces Reusable Plastic Food Container
Wilfrid Laurier University's (ON) Food Services has introduced a new, reusable plastic food container to reduce the amount of waste produced from cardboard takeout containers. The reusable “eco-takeout” containers cost $5. Regular, disposable takeout containers will still be available for a cost of 25 ¢, an “eco-tax” that will fully recover the cost of the disposable container. To ensure the reusable containers remain hygienic, students are able to drop off their eco-takeout container at any Food Services outlet on campus to be washed. In exchange they will receive a properly washed eco-takeout container or a card that will allow them to take an eco-takeout container the next time they need one.
ACUPCC Signatories Submit Public Climate Action Plans
Several U.S. campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAP) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. September 15, 2009 was the first deadline for the Commitment's original members. The submitted plans can be viewed through the ACUPCC Reporting System.
Arizona State U Retrofits Lighting
Arizona State University has begun a project to retrofit over 10,000 lighting fixtures in and around 13 buildings. The project, which is schedule for completion in December 2009, is expected to save $100,000 annually on utility bills.
Butte College Builds New Energy Efficient Arts Center
Butte College (CA) has completed its new 77,000-square-foot Arts Center. The facility's energy use is 35 percent above the California Energy Code requirements and its water consumption is 48.5 percent less than traditional buildings of the same type. Green features include low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, a solar array, and an electric vehicle refueling station.
Campuses Add, Expand Car-Share Programs
Carleton College (MN); Winona State University (MN); California State University, Chico; and Vermont Law School have established new car-share programs on their campuses. The institutions implemented the new programs to help reduce parking congestion and to offer alternative transportation to students, faculty, and staff. The University of Florida has expanded its current car-share program to include students and staff and has increased its car-sharing fleet to include 3 new vehicles.
Clemson U, Montana State U Open Farmers' Markets on Campus
Clemson University (SC) and Montana State University have launched fall farmers' markets on campus. At Clemson, students have established a monthly fall market that will offer food from Clemson's organic farm and from local growers. The market, which was pioneered by sophomore Angela Nixon, received a one-time $10,000 grant from the state Agricultural Department. At MSU, students have begun a fall market at which they sell vegetables that were grown on the University’s horticulture farm to faculty, staff, students, and the community.
Colorado State U Professor Receives Village Earth Award
Professor Bryan Wilson of Colorado State University has received the Maurice L. Albertson Medal in Sustainable Development from Village Earth, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable community-based development around the world. Professor Wilson has been a part of CSU’s Engines and Energy Conservation Lab for the past 18 years where he has helped to develop two-stroke engine retrofit technology. This technology is used to retrofit dirty engines mostly located in Asia. In 2006, Wilson co-founded Solix Biofuels to commercialize technology to produce oil from algae and turn it into biodiesel. He is now the director of CSU’s Clean Energy Super Cluster, which works to maximize the impact of energy solutions developed in laboratories across campus.
Concordia U Builds New Green Business Building
Concordia University (QC) has opened a new building that houses its John Molson School of Business. Green features include low-flow plumbing, use of grey water, and a roof top garden. The facility also contains a solar wall that can generate up to 25 kW of electricity and 75 kilowatts of heat. The school is registered for LEED Silver certification.
Elon U Establishes Ride-Share Prgm for Faculty, Staff, & Students
Elon University (NC) has established a new ride-share program to encourage faculty, staff, and students to car-pool. The program allows those interested in car-pooling to register through an online database. The database consists of two sections – one for normal commuting and one for special destinations.
