Bentley U to Purchase 100% Wind Power
The university recently signed a four-year agreement to purchase electricity from a wind farm in Maine. The purchase is anticipated to supply 100 percent of the electricity needs of the university through 2027. The wind site will be incorporated into an intensive field course on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Sonoma State U to Complete Solar Array & Battery Bank
Projected to help the university save $6 million over 30 years, the 4.5-megawatt solar array and 1.5-megawatt battery bank installation is expected to meet one-third of the university’s annual electricity consumption when it becomes active in spring 2025.
Positive Impact Rating Releases 2024 Ranking
Unveiled at the 2024 PRME Global Forum, the 2024 report showcases the social impact levels of 77 business schools from 30 countries. The rating survey asks students 20 questions in seven relevant impact dimensions: governance, culture, programs, learning methods, student support, the institution as a role model, and it's public engagement.
U Virginia Begins Decarbonization Academy
Over the course of the eight-week, immersive learning experience program, students from various disciplines work with faculty and staff to advance the university's 2030 carbon-neutral and 2050 fossil-free goals. Students spend 40 hours per week on projects and receive a $5,000 stipend.
Unity Environmental U Announces Minimum Wage Increase
The recently announced employee compensation increase makes the minimum salary for full-time, benefit eligible Maine employees $50,000 annually, while the Maine-based hourly employees will benefit from a minimum wage increase to $23 per hour. All employees will see an average raise of seven percent.
U Minnesota Twin Cities Releases Climate Resilience Plan
In its newly released addendum to the 2023 Climate Action Plan, the university identified three programmatic areas of work with associated focus areas, objectives and strategies to foster climate resilience amidst climate change. They are the campus community, infrastructure/energy, and environment.
GSA Awards Dave Newport With Environmental Legacy Award
The Green Sports Alliance (GSA) recently recognized Dave Newport, Environmental Center director at the University of Colorado-Boulder and long-time higher education sustainability leader, with its Environmental Legacy Award. This award honors individuals who have, over the course of their career, mentored, guided and directly impacted professionals throughout the sector.
AASHE Releases STARS 3.0
AASHE released the latest version of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), a transparent, self-reporting framework that enables colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS version 3.0 features more robust indicators of racial equity and social justice, streamlined, performance-based credits, and increased global accessibility. Two related webinars are happening in July; see Events section below.
THE Releases 2024 Impact Rankings
Times Higher Education's recently released Impact Rankings aim to recognize Sustainable Development Goal progress within the higher education sector. The 2024 findings include evaluations from 2,152 universities spanning 125 countries/regions.
