Brock U Completes Sustainability Assessment
Brock University (ON) has completed a 25-page Sustainability Audit. The document includes assessments in the areas of water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, land use, governance, health, and ethical purchasing. The University used the Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework, a Canadian-based assessment tool.
Case Western Reserve U Purchases 4 Electric Vehicles
Two departments at Case Western Reserve University (OH) have purchased four new electric vehicles that travel up to a maximum speed of 25 mph. The four new vehicles are replacing four gas-run campus automobiles.
Clark U Announces Dual MBA and Env'l Science & Policy Degree
Beginning in the fall of 2009, Clark University (MA) will offer a dual degree program for a Master of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy and a Master of Business Administration. ES&P students admitted to the dual degree program will be able to integrate the perspectives, knowledge, and skills they gain from the ES&P courses, which focus on policy analysis and the use of scientific and quantitative tools, with perspective, knowledge, and skills from business and management.
Clark U Launches Bike Share Program
Clark University (MA) has launched a new bike share program on campus. The program is organized, maintained, and promoted by Cycles of Change, a new cycling club on campus. Students in the club earned bicycles by volunteering at a local bike shop where they learned how to build bicycles from salvaged parts. The program will start out with six bicycles that Clark students, faculty, and staff may borrow upon leaving a valid Clark ID at the university center's main desk. Helmets and locks will also be available. A bike need only be returned by midnight of the day it is borrowed.
Dickinson College Hires Sustainability Education Coordinator
Dickinson College (PA) has hired Sarah Brylinsky as sustainability education coordinator in its new Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education. Brylinsky’s goal is to incorporate components of sustainability into every discipline at Dickinson College, and she'd like to make sure everyone on campus utilizes the center and its resources. The new coordinator earned a B.A. in communication management and design from Ithaca College (NY), with minors in environmental studies and women's studies. Brylinsky received the 2008 Student Sustainability Leadership Award from AASHE.
Emory U Begins Green Pledge Program
In an effort to encourage faculty, staff, and students to live more sustainably, Emory University (GA) is asking members of the campus community to sign a personal sustainability pledge that commits them to at least three changes in their daily habits or routine. The changes are chosen from a list of suggested options. Participants can then renew their pledge each semester by updating promises as needed.
Mid-South CC Awarded Grant to Enhance Renewable Energy Training
Mid-South Community College (AR) has received $127,500 from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education to enhance its renewable energy program for high school students. The funds will support MSCC’s Technical Center, which provides dual-enrollment opportunities for Crittenden County students to learn high-tech job skills while earning high school and college credit, at no cost. The first goal in the renewable energy program is to develop a program that will prepare bio-refinery technicians to go in the field and work in bio-facilities. MSCC will teach students about botany, the bio-processes of ethanol, pneumatics, hydraulics, programmable logic computers, and basic electricity so graduates will understand what it takes to keep a bio-refinery running.
Northern Kentucky U Releases Master Plan
Northern Kentucky University has released its "Master Plan 2009." One of the goals of the Master Plan is to "create a sustainable campus which reflects the highest standards of excellence." Specific initiatives include protecting sensitive habitat and environmental areas; installing rain gardens and green roofs; and mandating that all future buildings pursue LEED certification. The plan also envisions adding 2.1 million square feet of green space.
NYT Covers Upcoming Env'l Mgmt Prgm at Montclair State U
The New York Times has published an article on a new doctorate degree in Environmental Management at Montclair State University (NJ) that is currently under development. The goal of the program is to help students understand both environmental policy and science. Several courses on the social and political aspects of the environment will be required, and the program is aimed at students with interests in areas such as green technology, alternative sources of energy, climate change, and human health.
Rice U Approves Energy and Water Sustainability Minor
Rice University (TX) has approved a new minor in Energy and Water Sustainability. The minor requires seven courses: three core courses, a design practicum, and three electives focusing on energy, water, or sustainability, no more than two of which can be in the same category. Students will be able to declare the minor starting in the fall of 2009.
Rice U Grad Housing Begins Bike Promotion Program
Rice University's (TX) new graduate student apartment complex has begun an initiative aimed at increasing the use of residents who commute by bike and reducing the number of need parking spaces on the property. The housing complex offered a free bike to students who signed an agreement not to register a motor vehicle with Rice for one year. In addition, students who bring their own bikes to campus or receive them through the program may keep them in a dedicated storage room at the apartment complex.
Six Campuses Receive Recognition for Community Service
Six colleges and universities have received presidential recognition for extraordinary contributions to service in their communities in the 2008 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. California State University, Fresno, Emory University (GA), and Michigan State University received Presidential Awards for General Community Service. Brookhaven College (TX), Duke University (NC), and the University of Missouri-Kansas City were recognized for Service to Youth from Disadvantaged Circumstances, a special focus area of this year's Honor Roll competition. In all, 635 schools were listed on the Honor Roll for their community service activities during the 2007-2008 academic year. Over 80 institutions also received Honor Roll with Distinction.
St. Thomas U to Offer Green Law Degree
St. Thomas University (FL) has announced plans to offer a dual degree program in Environmental Justice and Law. The program allows students to complete a Bachelor's in Environmental Justice and a law degree specializing in Environmental Law in six years rather than the seven years that is usually takes to earn an undergraduate and law degree separately. Through the program, students learn business law and how corporations can be held accountable for the environmental footprints they leave behind. The program offers clinical programs, externships, and internships with such organizations as the United Nations, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy. The program is a competitive honors program.
Temple U Begins Conservation Initiative, Adopts Conservation Policy
Temple University (PA) has begun a new initiatives aimed at helping faculty, staff, and students remember to turn the lights off when they leave a room. As part of the initiative, student and staff volunteers have been going from building to building on campus affixing decals to light switch covers in classrooms and other high-traffic areas. The brightly designed, green stickers cover wall switches and remind occupants to switch off the lights when they are the last to leave a space. The initiative is part of Temple's implementation of a new Energy Conservation Policy. Adopted in December, the policy provides regulations governing the use of a range of university resources, including heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; lighting; computer equipment; and water.
Towson U Announces New Green Transportation Initiatives
Towson University (MD) has announced plans to pilot several initiatives aimed at lowering the demand for parking spaces on campus. Towson will be partnering with a car rental agency to provide students with the opportunity to reserve a car on an hourly or daily basis. Rates will include gas, insurance, and maintenance. The cars will be either hybrid or electric and more will become available if the demand is high. Parking and Transportation Services will also be providing new off-campus shuttles next semester. In addition, the University will begin offering discounted bus passes to faculty and staff, will continue offering four free parking passes to anyone who agrees to use alternative transportation as their primary means of getting to and from campus, and will continue the Guaranteed Ride Home program, which provides a free or discounted ride home to people who do not bring a car to campus.
UC Berkeley Installs Hydration Stations to Reduce Bottle Purchases
The University of California, Berkeley has installed two water-dispensing devices where people can fill up bottles twice as fast as a standard drinking fountain allows. The "hydration stations," which are part of the Recreational Sports Facility's Play Green initiative to diminish its environmental impact, aim to encourage the campus community to switch to reusable water bottles.
U Kansas Purchases Wind to Power Library
A University of Kansas student organization has purchased enough wind power credits to power the campus' library for one year. The Student Environmental Advisory Board chose the library because of its central campus location and its familiarity to the university community. The purchase was funded by a mandatory $1.25 per semester student fee that was approved in 2007.
U Minnesota, City of Minneapolis Announce 2 New Bike Programs
The University of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis have announced the creation of two federally funded bicycle initiatives. A new U of M Bike Center will be constructed on campus, and a bike sharing program will be launched with a total of 1,000 bicycles and will be available to the campus and local communities. Both initiatives will be created with the federally funded Bike Walk Twin Cities initiative that aims to increase biking and walking and reduce driving in Minneapolis and neighboring communities.
U Montana Approves Climate Change Minor
The University of Montana has approved the creation of a minor in climate change studies. The new program will combine training in sciences with course work in ethics and policy to offer students a multidisciplinary understanding of climate change. Students will examine the scientific and social dimensions of global climate change, as well as explore potential solutions. Students pursuing the minor will take an interdisciplinary introductory course and six credits in each of three areas of study: climate change science, climate change and society, and climate change solutions.
U North Carolina to Develop Green Below-Market Housing
The University of North Carolina has announced that they will develop a new neighborhood that will offer university faculty and staff single-family town homes and condominium homes at below-market rates. The home and landscaping of Carolina Commons will also be designed to be as green as possible.
U Winnipeg Bans Sale of Bottled Water on Campus
The University of Winnipeg (MB) has begun to phase in a ban on the sale of bottled water on campus. Students will also be encouraged to refrain from bringing retail, disposable bottles on campus and to switch instead to reusable bottles. To encourage this practice, the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association will partner with Uwinnipeg to provide all first year, incoming students with reusable bottles for free as part of their orientation package.
123 PCC Signatory Institutions, UT Austin Complete Public GHG Report
123 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 . The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In related news, the University of Texas at Austin has also published a greenhouse gas inventory.
2 California Institutions Partner to Establish Model Sustainable Community
The University of California, Santa Cruz, and Foothill-De Anza Community College District (CA) have announced a new partnership with NASA Ames Research Center to establish a sustainable community for education and research at the NASA Research Park at Moffett Field. The goal of the partnership is to create a prototype for an environmentally sustainable community and to contribute to the economic vitality of the region. For students, the collaboration will offer joint academic programs that draw upon the talents and expertise of each partner institution. Carnegie Mellon University (PA), Santa Clara University (CA), and San Jose State University (CA) have also been involved in the planning and may eventually join the partnership. Work on the site could begin as early as 2013, with initial occupancy as early as 2015.
Amherst College Students Donate $70K to Budget Woes
Students at Amherst College (MA) have voted to donate $70,000 to help the college deal with its budget shortfalls. $50,000 will go towards financial aid, and $20,000 will go towards maintaining staff pay for Amherst's lowest-paid employees. The $70,000 gift will come from a reserve fund of unspent money generated by student activity fees from previous years.
Auburn U Competes to Reduce Energy, Waste, & Water Consumption
Auburn University (AL) has completed a one month competition between 22 residence halls to reduce energy, waste, and water consumption by the largest percentage compared to the average utility usage for that same building from 2006-2008. The winners of the Sustain-A-Bowl 2009 competition, Sasnett Hall, reduced their energy use by 20 percent and their water use by 25 percent. The calculated savings for February 2009 for all 22 residence halls was $5506 for electricity and $2785 for water. All residence halls increased their recycling and reduced their waste.
Inside Higher Ed Covers Sustainability in Study Abroad
Inside Higher Ed has published an article on higher education initiatives that aim to make studying abroad more sustainable. The article discusses a report submitted to NAFSA: Association of International Educators by a national task force on environmental sustainability in study abroad, new sustainability standards being proposed as additions to the Forum on Education Abroad's Standards of Good Practice, and the Green Passport Program, a new social networking site that aims to raise student awareness of their ecological and social impacts abroad. Higher education institutions highlighted include Augsburg College (MN); Marlboro College (VT); Warren Wilson College (NC); University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Middlebury College (VT); and Willamette University (OR).
Maharishi U Mgmt Organic Farm Receives $13K Grant
The Maharishi University of Management (IA) Organic Farm has received a $13,750 grant from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture to study growing vegetables in large gutter-connect greenhouses in winter without added heat. The method involves placing an extra layer of plastic directly over the plants to retain more heat. The farm workers will measure growth and yield of four crops, measure soil and air temperatures, and estimate heating cost savings. If this study is successful, Iowa farmers will be able to grow organic vegetables in large greenhouses without spending money on heating fuel.
Marietta College Offers Honors Institute with Green Energy Track
Marietta College (OH) has announced that it will offer a Summer Honors Institute for gifted high school students in which one of the topics of study will be green energy. The energy section of the course will explore the sources of energy, the energy content of food and fuels, a cost and benefit analysis of fuels, and traditional sources of energy. Students will also complete a comparison of the viability of solar energy to chemical energy for automotive use.
Michigan Tech, Michigan State U Receive Biofuels Research Ctr Grant
Michigan Technological University and Michigan State University (MSU) have received more than $1.4 million from the US Department of Energy through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to establish a new forest-based biofuel research center. The center will focus on research to help make cellulosic biofuels a commercial reality. The new Forestry Biofuel Statewide Collaboration Center will be housed at MSU's Upper Peninsula Tree Improvement Center. Research at the new biofuels research center will build on the work of the Center of Energy Excellence, enabling the two universities to expand their scope to include the entire state.
NYU Announces Environmental Track in M.A. Bioethics Program
New York University has announced a new environmental track in its M.A. in Bioethics program. The Bioethics program examines value issues in both health and environment with special attention to their mutual relevance and illumination. The Environment Track emphasizes interdisciplinary study of ethical issues surrounding the environment including climate change ethics, distribution of resources, and environmental policy. The program offers comprehensive training in the foundations of bioethics while giving students and professionals in environment-related fields the flexibility to focus on in-depth study in their area of interest through a wide array of electives with faculty from across the University. Students in the environmental track will explore such questions as 'how are corporate responsibility and environmental injustice related,' 'what are the environmental health consequences of war?' and 'what moral considerations arise with non-human animals?'
Rutgers U to Establish Professorship of Employee Ownership
The Rutgers University (NJ) School of Management and Labor Relations has received $2 million from the Foundation for Enterprise Development to establish the J. Robert Beyster Professorship of Employee Ownership. The professor will be responsible for developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate-level elective courses focused on employee ownership and related issues, and mentoring Beyster fellows at Rutgers and other academic institutions. The process for selecting the first J. Robert Beyster Professor, who will be appointed for a renewable five-year term, will begin in the fall of 2010.
Salem State College Announces Ctr for Economic Dev & Sustainability
Salem State College (MA) has announced the establishment of a Center for Economic Development (CEDS) and Sustainability. The Center seeks to serve as repository for research and project data on the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the north-Boston region. CEDS will be funded through a combination of grants and revenue income from services it provides.
Syracuse U Announces 'Irish Today, Green Forever' Program
Syracuse University's (NY) Office of Residence Life, Residence Hall Association, and Sustainability Division has launched the "Irish Today, Green Forever" program, which is designed to increase the sustainable behavior of the on-campus student population by increasing recycling tonnage in the residence halls and decreasing bottled water consumption on campus. As part of "Irish Today, Green Forever," the recycling/landfill rooms in the SU residence halls will have newly painted green doors and new posters and labels about how and what can be recycled to encourage students to take time to separate trash from recyclables and dispose of everything properly. Over the summer, all residence hall recycling/landfill rooms will receive a fresh coat of green paint and newly printed posters and labels. The program was launched on St. Patrick's Day.
Syracuse U Releases Green Library Guide
Syracuse University (NY) Library's Green Initiative Team has created a Green Library Guide to provide information about green initiatives at the library. In addition to highlighting the library's sustainability efforts, the guide includes links to national and international news about library-related green activities.
U Michigan Student Starts Blog on Personal Carbon Cutting Experiences
A University of Michigan student is attempting to cut his carbon footprint in half and has started a blog on his experiences. "Going Green: Cutting Environmental Impact on Campus" seeks to answer questions such as "what ways can I reduce my carbon footprint that are easy and effective?" and "given the tight budget of the average college student, what are the cheapest ways to do it?" The blog, which is hosted by Fox News, will also feature videos, tips, and how-tos for readers who want to go green.
U Minnesota Morris Receives Biomass Gasification Curriculum Grant
The University of Minnesota, Morris Department of Continuing Education has been awarded a grant of $174,258 by Minnesota's Renewable Energy Marketplace - Alliance for Talent Development initiative. The funding will be used to develop new curriculum in biomass gasification technology which will serve participants during an intensive three-week pilot to be offered in May 2009 on the Morris campus. Participants will include four-year students from Morris, two-year students from Minnesota West Community and Technical College, undergraduate students from other institutions, and working adults who seek training and employment in biomass gasification.
U New Mexico Valencia Starts Several Green Initiatives
The University of New Mexico, Valencia has replaced an old watering system with efficient drip-irrigation. In addition, the campus is switching to green cleaning products and training the cleaning staff to use the new products. A recycling program has also been started on campus. The new system allows for paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans to be recycled. Collection bins are strategically placed in all campus buildings, including in every university office.
U South Florida Selected to Construct Smart Grid
The University of South Florida’s Power Center for Utility Explorations and Progress Energy Florida have been selected by Florida’s Energy and Climate Commission to build a smart grid that will serve at least 5,000 customers in the area. The three-year, $15 million project will incorporate alternative energy sources such as solar power and biodiesel fuel into the electrical power supply for the neighborhoods. Once developed, the smart grid will be the first in Florida that delivers power to homes and businesses. USF’s proposal was chosen from a field of 140 applicants.
U Texas Arlington Begins Office Green Team Initiative
The University of Texas at Arlington has launched the Maverick Office Green Team initiative, a new program that aims to promote environmentally friendly changes among faculty and staff. The program aims to take a coordinated, long-term, and campus-wide approach to help campus members reduce their carbon footprint through energy reduction, waste reduction, recycling, and promotion of other environmental initiatives. Each team is given a list of Green Team Initiatives, and depending on how many initiatives the group can complete, they are placed at either a bronze, silver, or gold level. The initiative will also provide resources, helpful guidelines, and on-going consultation to offices and/or departments as needed.
Vanderbilt U Students Complete Sustainable Living Guide
A group of 16 Vanderbilt University (TN) students have completed "Future Trends: How to Live Sustainably," a 64-page guide that explains what living sustainably means and how to overcome the challenges it presents. After searching for a sustainable living guide without success, Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor John Ayers decided to have his class write the book. The students picked their own topics and wrote 6-8 page papers that served as their first term papers as well as the chapters of the book.
Western Kentucky U Announces Energy Policy
Western Kentucky University's Energy Policy, developed by the WKU Sustainability Committee, has been approved by the University's Administrative Council. The new policy outlines individual and University responsibility for energy management and is intended to guide WKU in responsible use of energy through personal conservation, responsible purchasing, efficiency in building design and management, transportation, and education and awareness.
Western Kentucky U Launches Green Fund
Western Kentucky University has launched its new Green Fund which will support green campus, curriculum redesign, and community engagement, and research initiatives. Contributions to the Green Fund, which was established by the WKU Sustainability Committee, may be made as individual donations or through faculty/staff payroll deduction or on WKU’s Online Giving Form.
Wichita State U Partners to Form Local Recycling Coalition
Wichita State University (KS) has partnered with four Wichita aircraft manufacturers to encourage sustainability in the aviation industry. One of the partnership's first projects will be to attract a recycling company to Wichita will be able to handle the volume of the group's combined recyclables.
Bucknell U Approves Core Curriculum that Includes Sustainability
Bucknell University’s (PA) College of Arts and Sciences has approved a new curriculum that includes sustainability in its Tools for Critical Engagement component. The courses in this component include "Environmental Connections", which will allow students to examine their personal connection to the environment through an analysis of environmental systems, cultural narratives that shape the environmental relationship, or societal mechanisms that collectively interact with the environment; and "Diversity in the United States", which has as its central concern approaches to gender, sexual orientation, class, race, religion or ethnicity in the cultural landscape of the United States. The new core curriculum will be launched in the fall of 2010.
Cabrini College to Implement Social Justice Based Core Curriculum
Cabrini College (PA) has announced plans to implement a new curriculum that focuses on social justice issues. Cabrini's "Justice Matters" core curriculum will include three writing-intensive courses that focus on awareness of a student’s connections to their communities; on participation through service learning with a partnering community organization; and on enacting social change through community-based research projects or legislative and advocacy work. The curriculum will also require a senior capstone experience in the student's major. College officials are currently researching ways to assess the success of the new curriculum.
Christian Science Monitor Covers Increase in Green Campus Initiatives
The Christian Science Monitor has published an article on the increasing number of colleges and universities that are integrating green initiatives into their operations. The article mentions the biomass gasification plant that runs on wood chips at Middlebury College (VT), the wood-pellet boiler at the College of the Atlantic (ME), the biomass gasification facility that will use corn stover at the University of Minnesota, Morris, the methane system at the University of New Hampshire, and the carbon reductions that have resulted from the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
City College of New York Begins Sustainable Food Program
The City College of New York's dining services provider, Metropolitan Food Services Inc. has initiated a sustainable food program on campus. Metropolitan plans to purchase organic food from local farmers in Long Island and New Jersey whenever possible. In addition, the company has installed a purified drinking water filtration system in order to reduce the amount of bottled water purchased on campus. Customers can fill their own beverage travel cups or purchase reusable travel mugs from the cafeteria that can be filled with hot or cold beverages. In December, Metropolitan piloted a Corporate Social Responsibility program by teaming up with an environmental non-profit organization. It also contributes financially to Carbonfund.org; which uses the money to support carbon-reducing projects such as: renewable energy, energy efficiency improvements and reforestation.
College of Marin Starts Organic Farm
The College of Marin (CA) Indian Valley campus has started an organic farm on its land. The 5.8 acre demonstration farm and garden is part of a new program launched in a collaboration involving the college, Marin Conservation Corps and University of California Cooperative Extension-Marin Master Gardeners.
