Boston College Students Call for Fair Trade
As a result of student petitioning, Boston College's (MA) Dining and Facilities has announced the pilot sale of fair trade bananas in two campus locations. If they sell well, the college plans to make fair trade bananas the standard for all dining halls on campus. Also in this article, the college has announced the pilot of a student-developed Power Dashboard. Operating in select residence halls, the dashboard allows students to constantly monitor their daily energy use. The developers hope that making energy use visible, accessible and real to students will motivate them to decrease their energy consumption through simple lifestyle modifications.
Capilano U Launches Pilot Program to Improve Recycling Habits
Capilano University (BC) has partnered with Encorp Pacific to launch a pilot program aimed at increasing student use of on-site containers for recyclable beverages. New recycling bins with better signage will be placed around campus and the university will involve nearly 100 students in the project as part of their coursework.
Chabot-Las Positas CC District Installs Energy Storage Systems
Chabot-Las Positas Community College District (CA), in partnership with CALMAC Manufacturing Corporation, has installed IceBank thermal energy storage systems to help reduce energy costs. The energy storage system creates ice at night, when energy is less expensive, and uses it the next day for cooling. The storage systems are expected to save the district more than $200,000 a year in energy costs.
Clarkson U Building Receives LEED Gold
Clarkson University's (NY) Technology Advancement Center has achieved LEED Gold certification. Sustainable features include solar panels, three micro-turbine units, a rainwater collection system, passive solar design, motion and daylight sensors to curtail energy use, high-efficiency air filtration systems, and local and recycled construction materials.
Dickinson College Receives $1 Mil Gift for Greenhouse Project
Dickinson College (PA) has received a $1 million gift to fund a new research greenhouse on campus. The 1,400-square-foot facility will include three isolated research zones, a general use greenhouse area, a preparation potting area and climate-controlled laboratories. The greenhouse is expected to have a transformative effect on sustainability education, interdisciplinary learning and the college’s science curriculum.
Eastern Mennonite U Residence Hall Earns LEED Gold
A new residence hall at Eastern Mennonite University (VA) has achieved LEED Gold certification. The Cedarwood dormitory features extensive natural lighting; recycled flooring; a bioretention filtration system to manage rainwater runoff; a bike shed with a green landscaped roof; native landscaping; and low-flow water fixtures.
Kentucky CTCS Earns National Accolades for Diversity Efforts
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) has announced that it will receive the Central Regional Award for Equity from the Association of Community College Trustees. KCTCS has earned the recognition with several new diversity initiatives designed to create an inclusive community of learners and increase the college-going rate of underrepresented populations.
Michigan State U Participates in Clean Commute Challenge
In an effort to raise awareness of alternative transportation options to campus, Michigan State University announced its participation in the 2011 Clean Commute Campus Challenge, coordinated by the Capital Area Transportation Authority. Campuses throughout the state logged their “clean commutes” during the week of September 19-23 for the chance to be named the cleanest commuting college in Michigan.
Northwestern U Dining Hall Employees Campaign for Living Wage
Northwestern University (IL) campus dining hall workers recently voted to pass a new contract with Sodexo that increases wages by 80 cents and lowers the price of health care over the next four years. Thirty-two contract changes were approved including wages no less than $10 per hour plus benefits. The contract allows for free health care and an $85 flat fee for family healthcare, no matter how many family members are covered. Members of the Living Wage Campaign worked with labor union Unite Here and university administrators to negotiate with Sodexo.
NSF Funds Climate Course at 100 Minority-Serving Institutions
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has partnered with Second Nature to implement a climate studies course at 100 minority-serving institutions (MSI) across the country. The National Science Foundation awarded the AMS Education Program $1,028,705 to implement the course over a five-year period. The project will introduce and enhance geoscience coursework at MSIs with a focus on American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) signatories and/or members of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation.
NY Times: Fordham U Administrators Shutter Farm Share
Fordham University's legal counsel ordered the shutdown of the School of Law's farm share program this month, reports the New York Times. Founded by third-year law student Michael Zimmerman, Farm to Fordham allowed students, faculty and staff to buy a share of a harvest from a local farm for $150 per semester. Objections to the project remain “perplexing” to Zimmerman. Law school administrators declined to comment on the university's decision.
San Diego State U Launches Sustainable Surf Tourism Program
San Diego State University (CA) has debuted a new nonprofit Center for Surf Research and sustainable surf tourism curriculum. The center will engage with the surf industry to create a research agenda, disseminate specialist knowledge and shape responsible global citizens.
San Francisco State U Students Put the 'Park' in Parking
Students at San Francisco State University (CA) recently turned local parking spaces into temporary parks using only recycled, borrowed or recyclable materials as part of an annual PARK(ing) Day. The worldwide event is designed to encourage citizens, artists and activists to temporarily transform metered parking spots into spaces for the public to enjoy. This year's student parking spot creations included a labyrinth and a rest stop where passers-by could take a nap.
Students Champion Sustainable Meat Procurement on Campus
A recent Inside Higher Ed article reports a "growing cultural movement" of students trying to get sustainable meat, or less meat, on campuses. The article profiles student group efforts at Wesleyan University (CT), Bowdoin College (ME) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill toward local, pasture-raised meat suppliers and weekly meat-free days. Challenges to the movement, says the article, include pro-meat student protests to meat-free days and safety, equipment and process regulations required by large food providers that aren't feasible for smaller producers who raise their animals humanely.
Temple U Dining Services Launches 'Waste Not' Initiative
Temple University's (PA) Dining Services and Sodexo have launched the Waste Not Project, a week-long effort to raise awareness about the nutritional and environmental implications of portion sizes and food waste. Members of several student groups have volunteered to weigh the food left on each student's tray as it is returned and record how much is being thrown away. After the conclusion of the awareness week, Dining Services will track students' waste reduction progress by posting waste numbers monthly.
U Colorado Boulder Sees 9% Increase in Students of Color
The University of Colorado at Boulder's current student body is the most diverse ever, according to results from a campus census that show the number of students of color increased by 9 percent this fall over last year. The university credits campus recruiting and retention programs for the gain as minorities now make up 17 percent of the school's student body.
U Denver Debuts Car Sharing Program
The University of Denver (CO) has partnered with car sharing program WeCar (a program of Enterprise Rent-a-Car) to offer on-campus access to car rentals for personal use. WeCar rentals are available for anyone over 18 years old with a valid driver’s license on an hourly, overnight and full-day basis with an initial enrollment fee of $35. The university hopes to take cars off the road and increase student mobility.
U Iowa Wins NSF Grant for Sustainability Implementation Study
An associate professor in the University of Iowa's School of Urban and Regional Planning has been awarded a three-year, $389,987 grant from the National Science Foundation to study the hurdles that stand in the way of local sustainability initiatives and how communities can address the snags. Because of New Zealand's success in sustainable local governance, planning and development agencies in randomly selected, mid-sized cities in the country will be compared with similarly selected agencies and cities in the U.S.
U Montana Partners with Socially Responsible Apparel Supplier
The University of Montana has announced that its bookstore will sell a brand of clothing that has committed to higher standards of social responsibility. Knights Apparel, which created the Alta Gracia brand, manufactures collegiate apparel in overseas factories committed to providing all employees with benefits and a living wage sufficient to cover the monthly costs for a family of four. The new partnership is a result of years of campus demonstrations led by members of Students for Economic and Social Justice.
U Nevada Las Vegas Receives $500K for Renewable Energy Programs
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas has received a $500,000 gift from NV Energy to enhance its renewable energy educational programs. The gift will fund four $26,000 graduate-level renewable energy assistantships and support a new graduate certificate program in renewable energy. Funding will also go toward existing renewable energy graduate programs and student outreach activities.
USA Today Highlights Rise of Campus Hydration Stations
USA Today recently covered the rise of hydration station installations on campus as more colleges and universities ban the sale of bottled water. Hydration station manufacturers Elkay and Brita each report that about 150 colleges and universities have installed their refilling stations.
Washington U St. Louis Kicks Off Green Labs Initiative
Washington University in St. Louis (MO) has launched a new green labs Initiative in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The program seeks to educate faculty, staff and students and provide a plan of action to reduce energy consumption in laboratories. A green lab initiative energy representative selected from each lab will audit their lab’s energy consumption, create target energy reduction goals and connect with other lab representatives for campus educational opportunities.
Yale U Receives $25 Mil to Open Energy Sciences Institute
Yale University (CT) has received $25 million from the Farallon Capital Management LLC founder and his wife to help open an Energy Sciences Institute. The university will hire new faculty members to conduct research on renewable fuel sources in 40,000 square feet of laboratory space at its West Campus.
City College Students Construct Solar Roofpod
Students from City College (NY) have designed and built a Solar Roofpod to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. The 750-square-foot pod has a solar trellis that collects energy, computer-controlled heating and ventilation systems, and windows and blinds that are programmed to automatically open and close. Additional features include a built-in alert system to let the occupant know how much water and electricity is being used, and a rainwater harvesting system that supports an incorporated garden.
Colorado State U Introduces Car Sharing on Campus
Colorado State University has announced a new partnership with Zipcar Inc. to offer a car sharing program on campus. Students, employees and local community members will have access to five vehicles to start. The university aims to reduce parking demand and traffic congestion on campus.
Copper Mountain College Installs Wind Turbine
Copper Mountain College (CA) has completed the installation of a wind turbine on campus. While a nearby day care center will receive the energy produced, the small-scale turbine will serve mainly as an education tool. The turbine is one of many recent energy-saving campus initiatives including the installation of solar trash compactors, lighting retrofitting and new air conditioning and heating units regulated by an energy-management system.
Cornell U Physical Sciences Building Earns LEED Gold
Cornell University's (NY) new Physical Sciences Building has earned LEED Gold certification. The building is equipped with sensors that increase or decrease ventilation based on whether the space is occupied. Air from office spaces is also reused in lab spaces, as this air has been preheated or cooled. Other efficiency measures include a white roofing system, light-colored paving to reduce heat gain in the building and a rainwater capture system for irrigation.
Humboldt State U Creates Bias Response Team
Humboldt State University (CA) has announced the formation of a campus-wide Bias Response Team. Headquartered in the university's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the initiative is an institutionalized process designed to address bias and hate incidents in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. The unit will respond to and document incidents, educate the campus community on a systematic basis about hate and bias incidents and offer educational programming and public forums to address specific topics and incidents.
Lafayette U Students Working toward Campus-wide Food Loop
Lafayette University's (PA) Society of Environmental Engineers and Scientists student group is working on the implementation of a campus-wide food loop. The project involves composting food waste from campus dining halls that is then used to fertilize crops grown at the college's organic gardens, which are then used back in the dining halls. The goal is to compost up to 1,000 pounds of the 1,300 pounds of food and yard waste produced by the campus per day.
Lehigh U Implements 'PaperCut' Policy
Lehigh University’s (PA) Library and Technology Services has implemented a PaperCut policy as a print management solution aimed to cut paper waste. To curb the yearly 5.6 million sheets of paper used as a result of unlimited paper use, students will now have a $75 print allowance.
Marylhurst U Debuts New Sustainable Business Programs
Marylhurst University (OR) has launched a new online undergraduate degree in sustainable business and online post-baccalaureate and post-graduate certificates in sustainable business. Students will gain relevant knowledge that is transferable to careers that implement sustainability across all business practices.
NSF Awards $20 Mil to Oregon Green Chemistry Center
The Center for Sustainable Materials, a collaboration between Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, has received a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop greener chemical processes. The grant will be used largely to fund graduate student work through the center and expand the development of water-based processes that are of interest in electronics and renewable energy materials manufacturing. The center joins the National Science Foundation’s Centers of Chemical Innovation program, which aims to support a new, greener chemical industry in the U.S. through university research.
NSF Invests $18.5 toward Urban Water Engineering Research Center
With an investment of $18.5 million over five years, the National Science Foundation has selected a multi-university team from New Mexico State University, Stanford University (CA), Colorado School of Mines and the University of California, Berkeley to implement an Urban Water Engineering Research Center. With the aim of reinventing America's water infrastructure, the center's research will combine fundamental investigations and applied research in engineered systems, natural systems and urban water management.
Obama Proposes $5 Billion for Community College Renovations
Among President Barack Obama's proposals to revive a stalling economy during his speech to a joint session of Congress this month is $5 billion to bolster the infrastructure at community colleges, reports a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article. The money would go toward renovation and upgrades to make use of new technologies and to become more energy-efficient. The president's proposed American Jobs Act would cost more than $400 billion total, to be paid for through spending cuts identified by the bipartisan deficit-reduction committee.
Ohio Wesleyan U Implements Energy Saving Initiative
Ohio Wesleyan University has launched an initiative to reduce energy use on campus. The university will replace inefficient light bulbs and implement a double-sided default printing mode and sleep-mode activation for public computers. The university is also working with staff on a new building temperature setback and energy conservation plan.
Saint Mary's College Creates Center for Environmental Literacy
Saint Mary's College of California has announced the launch of its new Center for Environmental Literacy. The new center will explore and promote educational programming and professional development opportunities for educators to integrate nature and the arts into K-12 academic curricula and collaborate with faculty seeking to merge environmental issues into their research and coursework.
U California Berkeley Restoration Earns LEED Silver
The restoration of Durant Hall at the University of California, Berkeley has earned LEED Silver certification. Eighty-eight percent of waste materials leftover from construction were diverted from landfills and recycled. Twenty-two percent of the materials used came from within 500 miles of campus. Sustainable features also include low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient mechanical and electricity systems.
U Chicago Reduces Waste of Annual Picnic by Composting
The University of Chicago (IL) collected seven bags of compost during the recent Facilities Services Annual Picnic. By introducing composting bins for the first time, the event recycled or composted all waste with the exception of ice cream wrappers and potato chip bags.
U Montana Converts Concrete Space into Organic Garden
The University of Montana's Dining Services has converted a concrete space behind the cafeteria into a low-waste and local organic garden. Heirloom tomatoes and squash, native hazelnuts and serviceberries from the garden are used in the university's dining halls and catering program. Students are also using the garden to learn about sustainable food production.
U New Hampshire Launches Corporate Sustainability Certificate
In partnership with New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility, the University of New Hampshire has launched a professional certificate in corporate sustainability. The program will make its debut in October and is directed toward mid-level and senior professionals seeking to increase knowledge and functional skills in the practices and principles of corporate sustainability.
U Oregon Pledges No Net Gain on Energy Consumption
The University of Oregon has pledged to hold the amount of energy used to power campus buildings and grounds at its current level, even as new buildings are added. Under the plan, called the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development, new buildings will have to be at least 35 percent more energy efficient and will have to pay 10 percent of the cost of offsetting their added energy use into a new Central Energy Fund. The fund will help pay for the retrofits of older buildings. The new policy also has a stormwater and public education component.
U Pennsylvania Unveils New 24-Acre Park
The University of Pennsylvania has opened Penn Park, 24 acres of athletic fields, open recreational space and pedestrian connections. Replacing a surface parking lot previously owned by the U.S. Postal Service, the park has increased the university's green space by 20 percent and created a new pedestrian gateway. Sustainable features of the park include the planting of more than 500 native trees, self-irrigating athletic fields, recycled and repurposed materials, and an energy-efficient lighting system.
U Tennessee Launches E-Bike Sharing System
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has launched a new automated electric bicycle (e-bike) sharing system. The pilot program features two bike sharing stations with 10 bicycles each including seven e-bikes. An electric bicycle is equipped with an attached motor that activates when pedaling gets more difficult for the rider. If successful, the program will be developed into a full-scale system. The program is funded by the Southeastern Transportation Center, Tennessee Department of Transportation and the university’s Student Sustainability Initiative.
U Washington Introduces Green IT Certificate
The University of Washington's Professional & Continuing Education program has launched a new green IT certificate. The first course covers the basics of green computing and overall sustainability, the second focuses on managing the transition to green IT and the final course requires students to develop a compelling green IT roadmap for an enterprise.
Vancouver Island U to Ban Bottled Water
Vancouver Island University's (BC) administration and student union have announced plans for a “Ban the Bottle” campaign in an effort to clear all plastic water bottles from campus by June 2012. The plan began as part of a national initiative in partnership with other student unions associated with the Canadian Federation of Students. The university is currently planning how the phase-out will look including the replacement of vending machines on campus with hydration stations.
Yale U Revitalizes Green Event Certification
Yale University's (CT) Office of Sustainability has developed a new and improved green event certification to encourage, recognize and celebrate the voluntary sustainable efforts of campus event organizers. Participants interested in certifying their event can complete a green event checklist with action items in categories including transportation, stationery and handouts, catering, energy efficiency and offsets, waste, and event communications. A total score is calculated based on applicable action items for a bronze, silver, gold or platinum award.
Algoma U Announces Solar Panel Installation
Algoma University (ON) has announced that a total of 540 solar panels will be installed on its sports facility. The new 135-kilowatt system is part of a joint $1.15 million venture between the university and the public utilities company. The university plans to sell back energy generated from the panel to the provincial grid. Annual revenue under the province’s Feed-in Tariff program is expected to be $127,356, a portion of which will go to the university.
Arizona State U Exceeds 10 MW of Solar Energy
With the installation of its latest 168-kilowatt, ground-mount photovoltaic installation, Arizona State University has exceeded 10 megawatts of solar energy capacity to become the first higher education institution in the U.S. with a solar capacity of this size. The university's solar power represents about 20 percent of its peak load and a carbon footprint reduction of up to 10 percent.
Ball State U Media Building Receives LEED Silver
Ball State University's (IN) David Letterman Communication and Media Building has earned LEED Silver certification. Environmentally friendly features of the building include low-flow bathroom fixtures and waterless urinals, occupancy sensors, individual temperature controls, native landscaping that doesn't require irrigation and bicycle parking.
