U Pacific Begins Divestment From Fossil Fuels
The university's board of regents agreed recently to several measures beginning immediately, including removing investments from companies associated with thermal coal and tar sands. The university will also explore options for clean energy investments.
Catawba College Becomes Carbon Neutral
The college recently announced that it has achieved carbon neutrality seven years ahead of its goal of 2030. To meet this goal, a mix of renewable energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy credits and carbon offsets were used.
U Vermont Publishes Sustainability Plan
The university's newly released Comprehensive Sustainability Plan outlines short- and long-term goals organized around four major themes–decarbonization; operations; governance and people; and research and learning. Highlights of the plan include a carbon neutrality goal of 2030, prioritizing renewable energy investments, developing a program focused on sustainability of campus labs, reducing waste per campus user 10 percent by 2035, and creating partnerships to support the development and training of the green workforce in Vermont.
Loyola U Chicago to Purchase 100% Renewable Energy
On Earth Day, the university announced a 12-year agreement in which it will purchase photovoltaic power to meet 100 percent of electricity needs for its Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses.
Michigan State U Appoints Sustainability Director
The university recently selected Chip Amoe as its next director of sustainability. Most recently, Amoe was the director of sustainability at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, where he established the first-ever office of sustainability for the system. In this role, he developed and led a strategic sustainability plan for a six-hospital integrated health system.
U California Berkeley Business School Names Sustainability Director
Danner Doud-Martin, the former assistant director of the International Business Development Program at the university's Haas School of Business, is now the business school's inaugural sustainability director. In her new role, Doud-Martin will focus on quantifying and reducing the school’s environmental impact.
U North Carolina Greensboro Launches Carbon Offset Program
The university's new Spartan DRIVE Fund (Drivers Reducing Individual Vehicle Emissions) invites campus stakeholders to contribute $15 annually to offset their commuter emissions. Ninety percent of the funds raised will be invested in energy efficiency projects on campus. Ten percent of all funds raised will support a local non-profit that provides critical home repairs, including weatherization improvements to those who are at or under 80 percent of the poverty line.
Boston U Initiates Anti-Racism Curricula Fellowship Program
A new collaboration among the Center for Antiracist Research, BU Diversity & Inclusion, and the Center for Teaching & Learning allows fellows to develop or redesign courses within their disciplines to have anti-racist frameworks and/or highlight diverse perspectives.
