U Albany Part of $58 Mil Federal Grant for Solar Energy Research
The University at Albany (NY) is involved in a $58 million investment by the federal government to increase the nation's share of the solar energy research market and help create thousands of jobs with the creation of a national center in solar energy research. Most of the grant will go to a public-private partnership between the SEMATECH company and the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The grant aims to make the Albany, New York area a hub for research and clean energy in the photovoltaic manufacturing market.
U California Berkeley Promotes Travel-Free Meetings
The University of California, Berkeley's Office of Sustainability has launched a small grant program to promote the use of campus videoconferencing and web-based meeting tools as alternatives to in-person meetings that require travel by airplane. The Travel-Free Meeting grant program aims to provide incentives and help remove barriers to using video/web-based services as meeting alternatives. Grants of up to $100 will be given for hosting web meetings and videoconferences, or for purchasing a computer camera for Skype calls or desktop web-conferencing.
U Florida Recognized for Wealth of Online Sustainability Content
With 800 pages pertaining to sustainability, the University of Florida came out on top during an investigation by undergraduate students at Claremont McKenna College's (CA) Roberts Environmental Center as to which institutions devote the most online content to sustainability issues. The university’s diverse coverage of sustainability includes carbon emissions reduction, a focus on locally grown produce and renewable energy outreach and development.
U Nevada Reno to Host Geothermal Academy
The University of Nevada, Reno is scheduled to host the nation’s first National Geothermal Academy at its Redfield campus in June. The eight-week educational program is a consortium of national leaders in the geothermal field from colleges and universities throughout the nation. Professionals from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and other companies will teach the 40 students who have been selected through a competitive application process.
USA Today Features 'Eco Fashion' at Santa Clara U
USA Today recently spotlighted students in Santa Clara University's (CA) Green Club, who produced an Eco Fashion Show on campus. The featured creation was a "wearable dress" with a paper bag bodice and fanned newspaper tutu skirt.
U Utah Opens Bike Repair Stations
The University of Utah has installed two bicycle repair stations on campus to help facilitate bike commuting options. Installed by Commuter Services, each station features a tire pump, tire levers, screwdrivers and allen keys to help students make minor repairs to their bikes.
U Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hosts Dorm Energy Competition
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is challenging students living on campus to look at their energy habits during its "Reduce Your Use!" energy savings competition. From April 17 through April 23, energy use in campus residence halls will be tracked through the university's building energy dashboard website.
U Wisconsin-Whitewater Offers e-Waste Recycling
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus has started a campus-wide initiative to recycle e-waste. As part of the three phases of the TREE (Technology Repurposing and Electronics E-cycling) program, the university will upgrade its surplus computers program, establish ink recycling bins and offer surplus computer equipment for sale.
Wake Forest U Students Teach Sustainability to Bilingual Children
Three students at Wake Forest University (NC) are using a service learning project for their "Entrepreneurship in Latin American and Latin Cultures" course to teach bilingual 4th and 5th graders in the community. Their program, Semillas Sostenibles (Sustainable Seeds), is a four-week course that teaches children about the environment, sustainability and healthy lifestyles. The students created a blog to document their progress.
28 New Campuses Complete Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Twenty-eight 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 on January 31, 2011. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, new inventories were submitted by: Antioch University, Seattle (WA); Bellevue College (WA); Brandeis University (MA); Century College (MN); Community College of Denver (CO); Creighton University (NE); Denison University (OH); Georgian Court University (NJ); Massasoit Community College (MA); Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO); Missouri University of Science & Technology; Oberlin College (OH); Polytechnic University (NY); Salem State College (MA); Shenandoah University (VA); Smith College (MA); State University of New York College at Cortland; State University of New York Empire State College; The University of Montana - Helena College of Technology; The University of Montana – Western; University of Alaska Anchorage; University of Baltimore (MD); University of Massachusetts Boston; University of Richmond (VA); University of South Carolina Lancaster; University of South Carolina Sumter; University of South Carolina Union; and University of South Carolina Upstate. In related news, Bowdoin College (ME) has also completed its greenhouse gas inventory.
American U Building Earns LEED Gold
American University’s (DC) School of International Service has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The building features numerous green components including an LED-lit parking garage, a solar air and water heating system, skylights to provide natural lighting, sunshades to prevent heat loss, and energy-efficient appliances.
Appalachian State U Recognized for Green Energy Advocacy
A new report by the Appalachian Region Commission, which states that the green energy movement has the potential to create more than 70,000 jobs by 2030, applauds Appalachian State University's (NC) efforts toward green energy job growth. The report recognizes the university's community outreach efforts through educational programs and the research conducted at its Energy Center. By 2030, the commission hopes to cut energy use for the entire region by 24 percent, resulting in energy savings of $21 billion for the region.
Appalachian State U Weighs Local Food Buying Initiative
Appalachian State University's (NC) Food Services director recently met with 45 local food producers as part of a planned initiative to purchase food produced within a 250-mile radius for the campus. Some of the challenges to overcome before the plan is implemented, as outlined in a recent Office of Sustainability sustainable food report, include the possible higher cost of local food, the state bidding process that favors the lowest bid, the limited production capability of small farms, and the importance of meeting Food Services' timing specifications.
Campuses Show Support for Earth Hour 2011
University of Houston's Hilton College (TX) is one of the many colleges and universities that participated in Earth Hour this year by switching off its lights for one hour and using LED flashlights instead. Organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a record 134 countries switched off lights to symbolize a more sustainable future for our planet at 8:30 p.m. on March 26. WWF encourages campuses to go beyond the hour with operational practices including turning off lights after hours in offices or installing motion-sensor lighting; installing energy saving light bulbs and devices; turning off printers, computers, monitors, microwaves, coffee machines and other appliances at the end of the day; installing rainwater harvesting tanks for watering gardens and lawns; providing and encouraging staff and students to use recycling facilities; and electing Earth Hour Monitors to ensure lights are out and appliances are off standby at the end of each day.
Central Lakes College to Offer Free Renewable Energy Training
Central Lakes College (MN) is partnering with the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. to offer free renewable energy training that is open to the public. The training is intended for dislocated workers to improve their skill-sets and make them more competitive in the renewable energy sector job market. The training program is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Governor's Workforce Development Council.
College of Saint Benedict Bans Sale of Bottled Water
As part of its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, the College of Saint Benedict (MN) has banned "the sale of plain, plastic bottled water on campus, and the purchase of plain, plastic bottled water with institutional funds," states a recently announced new policy. The policy, which was endorsed by the college's Cabinet, Sustainability Council and the Student Senate, will go into effect in August 2011 at the start of the new academic year.
Cornell U to Compete in Green Grand Prix
Cornell University (NY) will compete in the 7th Annual Green Grand Prix this month, which will take place at Watkins Glen International racing facility in New York. The university has submitted its diesel hybrid dubbed "Redshift." Entries can include diesel and traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid models, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell cars and vehicles running on biodiesel, flex-fuel and pure electric.
Daemen College Debuts New Global and Local Sustainability Degree
Daemen College (NY) will offer a new interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in global and local sustainability starting in fall 2011. Students can choose from areas of concentration including liberal arts, business, health care studies and education. Internship opportunities will help students further their skills in economic and social development and cultural and historical preservation, and prepare for environmental careers in government, nonprofits and private businesses.
Duke U Hires U.S. Energy Official to Lead New Energy Initiative
William Pizer, a U.S. Treasury Department official whose departure from the Obama Administration was recently announced, will join the faculty of Duke University's (NC) Sanford School of Public Policy to help design and lead an initiative in energy and the environment. He will begin teaching in the fall. Pizer, who led a new office responsible for the Treasury Department’s role in the U.S. domestic and international environment and energy agenda, was also appointed a faculty fellow in the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, a nonpartisan institute at Duke that focuses on finding solutions to national environmental challenges.
Harvard U Expands Composting Program
After a recent waste audit that revealed that 25 percent of campus waste at Harvard University (MA) is organic material, the university's Green Team and the Green Living program made compost bins available at every dormitory, academic and administrative building on the Harvard Law School campus. The audit also found up to 40 percent compostable waste being thrown away in dorm garbage cans.
Harvard U Law Building Awarded LEED Gold
Harvard University (MA) has earned its 44th LEED certification with the recent LEED Gold certification through LEED for Commercial Interiors of a Harvard Law School building. Sustainable features include lighting upgrades expected reduce electrical demand by 40 percent, a 95 percent construction waste recycling rate and the salvage of more than 11 tons of furnishings and electronics for future campus projects.
Indiana U Receives NASA Funding to Study Climate Change
Researchers at Indiana University’s Department of Geography are receiving a $637,000 grant from NASA to study climate change. The research will be conducted at a mangrove forest in Bangladesh, the largest mangrove block in the world. The researchers are working in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service to study the forest's capacity to store carbon. NASA’s funding for this project is part of the federal Carbon Cycle Science Program, which aims to determine to what extent human actions affect climate change.
Messiah College Set to Install 112 Solar Panels
Messiah College (PA) has announced the installation of 112 solar panels on the rooftop of residence halls on its Grantham campus. The resulting energy produced by the panels will generate enough solar thermal heat for the hot water systems of all three buildings involved in the project. This system will save the equivalent carbon emissions of removing 130 cars from the road.
New York Times Features Rutgers U Solar Farm Clean Energy Credits
Rutgers University's (NJ) seven-acre solar farm was recently profiled in The New York Times for its use of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates. The article highlights the benefits of the clean energy credit, stating that to date, the university has offset $235,760 from its electrical usage and earned certificates that it can sell for nearly $1.5 million in a market popular with companies that want to avoid pollution penalties. The $10 million, 1.4-megawatt solar installation meets about 11 percent of the campus' electrical demand and reduces its carbon dioxide emissions by 1,300 tons a year.
Syracuse U Students Kick Off Campus Sustainability Campaign
The Students in Free Enterprise group at Syracuse University (NY) launched its DOT ("Do One Thing") for Sustainability campaign with a tabling event to introduce the campaign to the campus community. A DOT is one small commitment to better the world in the area of environmental, economic or social sustainability like shutting off the lights when leaving an empty room. The idea is that connecting a billion DOTs will bring about a movement of change. The group hopes to collect around 20,000 DOTs from the campus community and create a successful model program that can be rolled out at other institutions.
U California San Francisco Unveils 3 Green Laboratories
Featuring the integration of water-efficient devices and energy efficiency strategies, the University of California, San Francisco has recently opened three new green laboratories. The university received its first LEED Gold certification for a lab renovation with its School of Dentistry Mesenchymal and Craniofacial Research Laboratory, which involved renovating an entire floor of an existing high-rise research tower. The university will also seek LEED Gold certification for its Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building and Cardiovascular Research Building. More than 75 percent of the demolition materials were reused and diverted from the landfill in all three projects.
U Maryland Eastern Shore Completes 2.2 MW Solar Farm
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has completed the installation of its 2.2-megawatt solar farm. With more than 7,800 solar panels covering 17 acres, the farm is expected to remove about 121 million pounds of campus carbon dioxide emissions over the next 20 years. The university partnered with solar energy services provider SunEdison, who financed, built and will operate and maintain the system. During the next 20 years, the university will purchase the electricity produced by the farm from SunEdison.
U Minnesota Graduate Researchers Attempt Renewable Petroleum
Graduate students at the University of Minnesota are researching how to make renewable petroleum using only bacteria, sunlight and carbon dioxide. With a $2.2 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, the team is using Synechococcus, a bacterium that fixes carbon dioxide in sunlight and converts CO2 to sugars. Next, the sugar is fed to Shewanella, a bacterium that produces hydrocarbons. This turns CO2 into hydrocarbons. The research is published in the April issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
U Nevada Reno to Receive $500K for Renewable Energy Program
The University of Nevada, Reno's College of Engineering has received a $250,000 donation from NV Energy to help boost its renewable energy program. This gift is the first of a two-part donation that will total $500,000. The department will use part of the donation to create a new faculty position for researching renewable energy.
U New England Installs Solar Panels
The University of New England (ME) has completed its first renewable energy project with the installation of solar panels atop its Campus Center. The energy produced by the panels will be used to heat approximately 50 percent of the center’s hot water. To engage students and staff in the project, the university will also install a real-time digital monitor to track the building's energy production and savings.
U Pennsylvania Music Building Receives LEED Gold
Along with its new green cafe, the University of Pennsylvania has earned LEED Gold for the renovation of its School of Arts and Sciences Music Building. Sustainable features include efficient lighting, controls and mechanical and plumbing systems, passive stormwater management techniques, reduced site water use with selection of drought resistant plant species and "smart" controls that adjust irrigation based on rainfall levels. The project also recycled or salvaged 95 percent of construction waste.
Western Kentucky U Declares A Fair Trade Campus
Western Kentucky University's president announced at the recent United Students for Fair Trade Convergence that the university has declared itself a fair trade university. The declaration, which started in the Student Senate and was later passed by the University Senate, will impact decisions made by dining facilities, catered events, offices and stores, ensuring that products for sale on campus uphold the values of living wages, humane working conditions, no child labor and environmental sustainability.
Yale U Hosts Student Cook-Off to Promote Sustainable Food Sources
Yale University's (CT) dining services department recently partnered with the Yale College Council to organize and host the third annual "Final Cut" student cooking competition. Based on the "Iron Chef" television program, the competition featured wild-caught Alaskan King crab as its sustainable theme ingredient, since U.S. crab fisheries are more rigorously monitored than many other fishing industries. Yale Dining uses the annual event both to communicate about sustainability to the student community, and to get the students actively involved. The winning dish, crab zeppole with spicy lemon whip and pancetta sage crab risotto, will become a regular feature on next year's campus menus.
American U Announces New Sustainability Mgmt Program, Director
American University (DC) has announced that it will enroll the first class of its new sustainability management graduate program in fall 2012. Dan Jacobs, a faculty member in the university's Kogod School of Business, has been appointed to serve as director of the new program. The interdisciplinary business degree will combine coursework from multiple academic units at American University and students may choose to specialize in one of three tracks including business, science and policy.
College of the Desert Training Academy Awarded LEED Silver
The Public Safety Academy at the College of the Desert (CA), which is used to train firefighters and police officers, has earned LEED Silver certification. Sustainable design features include the use of skylights for day lighting, PVC cool roofing to reduce a heat island effect and the use of recycled denim jeans as insulation.
Cornell U Plans $46 Mil Investment in Energy Conservation
Cornell University (NY) has announced the recent approval of a plan to invest up to $46 million in campus energy conservation projects. Most projects involve lighting retrofits and upgrades for controls of heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Funding for the plan includes university funds and short-term debt, $9 million from the State University of New York Construction Fund, and conservation incentives from the New York State Research and Development Authority. By 2015, that investment will save the university about $5 million per year in variable fuel and electricity costs and reduce campus energy use by up to 20 percent. The investment will also be a significant step toward the university's Climate Action Plan commitment to a zero carbon footprint by 2050.
Entrepreneur Magazine Names Best 'Green Business' Schools
Entrepreneur Magazine has recommended 16 graduate business schools as the best institutions for MBA students to get a sustainable business degree. The publication based its rankings on The Princeton Review's survey of administrators at 325 graduate schools of business in 2009-2010 and of students attending the schools. Administrators were surveyed on their school's academics, curricula, campus policies and student services related to sustainability, social responsibility and the environment. Students were polled on how well they felt their MBA programs were educating them for careers in "green business" fields. The institutions, in alphabetical order, are: Babson College (MA), Bentley University (MA), Brandeis University (MA), Claremont Graduate University (CA), Clark University (MA), Columbia University (NY), Duke University (NC), McGill University (QC), New York University, Portland State University (OR), Stanford University (CA), University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame (IN), University of Virginia and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Fort Lewis College Biology Wing Earns LEED Gold
Fort Lewis College (CO) has earned its second LEED Gold certification for the new biology wing of Berndt Hall. Environmentally friendly features of the building, which was designed to maximize open space, include water-efficient landscaping, renewable energy sources and regional and recycled building materials.
Long Beach City College Opens Power-Producing Parking Garage
Long Beach City College (CA) is opening a solar-powered parking garage capable of producing 450,000 watts of electricity per hour of sunlight. The structure will feature 2,100 solar panels, which the college plans to use as training tools for students seeking electrical training certification. The college also plans to display the panels' functionality by wiring the array to a real-time power monitor for students, staff and the public to view.
McGill U Students Win Canadian Campus Sustainability Competition
A student team from McGill University (QC) has received $20,000 by taking first place in TD Friends of the Environment Foundation's Go Green Challenge. Along with the prize money, the winning students will receive a paid internship with the foundation this summer. This year's fourth annual competition focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship on campus. The winning team’s proposal, "Integrated Energy and Food Greenhouse," plans to redirect the waste heat from McGill’s Ferrier powerhouse, which is the greatest greenhouse gas producer on campus, to power a greenhouse that will produce local food and carbon neutral biodiesel. The foundation will also award $100,000 to the university for campus greening efforts.
Montclair State U Wins $2.65 Mil Grant for Solar Farm
Montclair State University’s environmental education and field research campus, the New Jersey School of Conservation, has been awarded a $2.65 million grant from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. This grant will be used to install a 300,000-watt solar farm that will generate enough power for the entire campus and additional electricity that will be available for sale to local utility companies. The half-acre solar field will be fully operational in the later half of 2011.
New U Texas Austin Student Center Seeks LEED Gold
The University of Texas at Austin has unveiled a new student center, designed to meet LEED Gold certification. Student input and design workshops informed the building design, which includes ample daylighting, an accessible rooftop courtyard with an adjacent green roof and a cistern that collects and recycles rainwater for landscape irrigation.
Rice U Expands Campus Bike Initiatives
With funding from the Rice Endowment for Sustainable Energy and Technology, the Office of Sustainability and a student initiative grant program, Rice University (TX) has expanded its campus bicycle program to include bike sharing, bike reps and a repair shop. Students worked with the Rice Police Department to refurbish abandoned bikes for the bike sharing initiative. The new bike reps will function like campus eco-reps with a focus on bikes. Their duties will include identifying and reporting abandoned bikes, sharing information about campus bike rules and policies with the campus community, and providing minor bicycle repairs and maintenance.
Rochester Inst to Develop Natural Gas Engines for Hybrid Vehicles
Faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) have received a $100,000 grant from the California Energy Commission to develop a natural gas-fueled engine for hybrid electric vehicles. The new engine, which is estimated to save five million tons of carbon dioxide from the air per year if 5 percent of California drivers converted to it, can also be used for electric generators and agricultural uses like power for irrigation pumps.
Seattle Pacific U Solar Power Offsets Electric Vehicle Energy Use
The 18 solar panels at Seattle Pacific University (WA) are producing enough energy to power the university’s fleet of electric vehicles. They began producing electricity in the spring quarter of 2010. At their best, with perfect sunshine, they generate four kilowatts per hour. Their daily average energy production is the equivalent to the daily energy consumed by the campus’ electric vehicles.
Seattle U Campus Recycling Rate Jumps 11%
Seattle University (WA) has announced that its overall campus recycling and composting rate is 60 percent, an 11 percent increase in the past year. The university received the Recycler of the Year award last year from Washington State Recycling Association. The university maintains compost collection in residence halls, which is hauled to Cedar Grove, a company that produces natural, local compost for farmers and gardeners across the Northwest.
The Chronicle of Higher Ed: 6 Views on the Future of Pell Grants
"The Pell Grant program recognizes that to remain competitive, America must educate the rapidly growing population of low-income students struggling to ready themselves for the work force," says Jorge Klor de Alva, president of Nexus Research and Policy Center and former president of the University of Phoenix, in a recent commentary piece by The Chronicle of Higher Education that asked figures in higher education and public policy to share their thoughts of what the Pell Grant should look like in the future. "However, the program must become something better than what it is today if it is to meaningfully improve its record of successful support of financially strapped students." Other views include Sandy Baum, an independent higher education policy analyst and professor emerita of economics at Skidmore College and Michelle Asha Cooper, president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy.
U Alaska Fairbanks Hosts Climate Science Center
The Department of the Interior has dedicated a new Alaska Climate Science Center, hosted by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. This is the first of eight regional climate science centers that the department plans to establish throughout the country. The centers will use existing capacities to provide scientific data, tools and techniques to manage the nation's land, water, fish, wildlife and cultural heritage in a changing climate. Each center will be a partnership between federal and state agencies, and an academic institution or consortium of universities.
U Alaska Fairbanks Installs Smart Cold Weather Vehicle Cords
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks is installing 100 new energy-efficient power cords that are used to plug into cars to keep engine fluids from freezing during the winter months. Typical cords draw energy constantly while plugged in, while the new cords draw electricity only when the engine coolant temperature drops near freezing temperatures. The power-saving cords have been installed on 31 campus vehicles and remaining cords are being installed on vehicles owned by students, faculty and staff members who volunteered.
U Alaska Fairbanks Offers New Bicycle Sharing Program
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks’ Office of Sustainability has recently approved a new bicycle rental program on campus. It will be funded by $10,000 from a sustainability fee that students pay each semester. Long-term and short-term rentals will be available beginning in April. They will begin the program with a stable of 20 new Kona bicycles and nearly 100 used and donated bicycles.
