Pacific Lutheran U Earns First STARS Silver Rating
AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) has awarded its first STARS rating. Pacific Lutheran University (WA) is the first institution to submit for a rating, earning STARS Silver. More than 230 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada have registered for STARS, with 229 of those recognized as STARS Charter Participants (institutions that signed on prior to Aug. 20, 2010). Charter Participants, including Pacific Lutheran University, are recognized as pioneers of STARS and leaders in campus sustainability. STARS Charter Participants range from individual campuses to university districts, community colleges to research universities, tribal to parochial, and public to private institutions.
Pennsylvania State U Researchers Converts Canola Seed to Fuel
Pennsylvania State University researchers have begun conducting an experiment to see if pressing canola seed can convert it into cooking oil and biodiesel fuel. The goal of the project is to create and produce a form of canola oil that can be used in on-campus dining hall fryers and in return use for fuel. The project hopes to produce biodiesel through plant oils such as soybean, canola, rapeseed and camelina.
Portland State U Creates Institute for Sustainable Solutions
Portland State University (OR) has created the Institute for Sustainable Solutions, formerly known as the Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices. The name change reflects new leadership and an expanded role since the center was first established. The new institute will serve as a hub and catalyst for education, research, partnerships and community engagement, and will signal a more solutions-oriented focus for sustainability activities.
Portland State U Receives Grant for Sustainability Studies
Portland State University (OR) has received a $3 million grant for sustainability studies. The grant will be used for as many as 30 fellowships over the next five years for doctoral students to research urban studies. Students will work out of the university’s Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices, now known as the Institute for Sustainable Solutions, and examine issues such as the long-term effects of urban growth on the environment, ecosystem management, greenhouse gases, population density and the quality of city life.
Santa Clara U Launches Clean Energy Certificate
Santa Clara University (CA) has launched a new Renewable Energy Certificate. The one-year program will help refresh the skill sets of engineers in the semiconductor field to prepare for the expanding wind, solar and geothermal sectors. The certificate program includes courses in alternative energy, power systems, biofuels engineering and an introduction to smart grids and energy management. The university also plans to debut a sustainable energy master's degree in the 2011-2012 academic year within its School of Engineering.
Temple U Bike Program Offers Safety and Skills Classes
Temple University’s (PA) Bike Temple has partnered with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to offer safety and skills classes on the campus. The 90-minute class covers riding in an urban environment, signaling, anticipating traffic movements, observing traffic rules and bike maintenance. Bike Temple was launched last year to promote a bike culture among students, faculty and staff.
Temple U Bookstore Offers Union Made Clothes
Temple University’s (PA) Barnes and Noble College Bookseller has begun selling university apparel made by labor unions. The clothing is made from Alta Gracia Apparel, a company who implements responsible labor practices. The employees are part of a union and are paid three times the minimum wage. The bookstore refuses to do business that is not a part of the Fair Labor Association and mandates companies to sign a code of conduct to prove they do not support sweatshops.
U Florida Participates in Community Agriculture Program
The University of Florida's Office of Sustainability will provide campus locations this fall for local farms to offer a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to the community. The pilot year of the program will begin in mid-October with four farms delivering member shares to campus. Through the program, local consumers become farm members by paying a set price at the beginning of the season. In return, farmers provide fresh produce and farm products directly to members each week throughout the growing season. In an effort to encourage CSA participation among its staff, faculty and students, the university is providing coordination and communication help, as well as a physical location for the CSA pickup.
U Maryland Building Earns LEED Gold
The University of Maryland has earned LEED Gold certification for its new journalism building. Sustainable features of Knight Hall include a 10,000-gallon rainwater system used to irrigate the surrounding gardens, motion sensors and passive solar design.
U Memphis Exhibits New Water Turbine
The University of Memphis (TN) has announced a new water turbine exhibit. The Greene Turbine features a sealed middle structure and concrete blade that harnesses ocean or deep river currents to turn it. The rush of water continuously spins the turbine inside, generating power that is transferred to a generator. The turbine is name after its creator, Geoff Greene, who was assisted by a university mechanical engineering professor. The exhibit, “Green Power: A New Twist on a Turbine,” runs through Sept. 24, 2010.
U Nebraska Leads Department of Energy Building America Team
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will lead one of 15 teams of researchers charged by the federal government with improving the energy efficiency of millions of American homes. The team will be eligible for as much as $2.5 million a year in Department of Energy research money over the next 4.5 years. Specific studies will explore how to improve a home’s insulation, install renewable energy systems at a lower cost, and improve space heating and cooling efficiency. The Department of Energy’s goal is to retrofit about six million homes each year and achieve energy savings of 20 percent over the next five years.
U North Texas Exercise Facility Produces Clean Energy
The University of North Texas has opened a green exercise facility that captures the kinetic energy from aerobic exercise in order to produce clean, renewable energy. Florida-based company ReRev developed a device that harnesses human energy by channeling heat byproducts into a conversion unit which is then fed into the facility’s electrical system. The electricity generated offsets air conditioning and electricity costs by reducing the center’s use of electricity and the heat generated by the machines. Students and patrons can track how much clean energy they produce.
U Winnipeg Installs Hybrid Heating System
The University of Winnipeg (MB) has begun installing a hybrid heating system that includes two auxiliary electric boilers beside existing natural gas-fired boilers, along with a control system that switches between the natural gas and electricity. Electricity can be used to replace natural gas for heating purposes at strategic times throughout the day. All electricity comes from hydro-electric sources with low greenhouse gas emissions. The university expects to reduce emissions from its core buildings by as much as 35 percent.
Wake Forest U Starts New Composting Pilot Project
Wake Forest University (NC) has partnered with GaiaRecycle to launch a pilot project that will evaluate functionality, performance and operating procedures for processing and diverting on-site food scraps and other organic waste on campus. GaiaRecycle features modular systems and plant-level implementations, ranging from 220 pounds to two tons a day. The accelerated organic decomposition process is based on drying, sterilizing and grinding food scraps and organic waste while reducing waste volume and weight by up to 90 percent during its eight to 11 hour-processing cycle. The system will be used to process the waste stream from the university’s dining facility. Soil amendment and water output products will be analyzed for possible reuse in the campus composting program and for landscaping use.
Washington State U Expands Bike Program
Washington State University’s Green Bike program has expanded its fleet from 40 to 72 bikes, including the addition of 32 BIXI bicycles. BIXI is a bicycle system being used in locations worldwide and is derived from the combination of bicycle and taxi. Students, faculty and staff can check out a BIXI bike by swiping their university ID card. The bikes can be returned any time in the next 24 hours to any station. The check out stands are solar powered and use wireless communication.
Allegheny College to be Completely Powered by Wind Energy
This January, Allegheny College (PA) will switch to 100 percent wind-generated electricity, cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 52 percent. The college has been investing in Renewable Energy Credits for several years; credits that allow institutions in places where there are no renewable energy generators to invest in green electricity. The college now has enough credits to make the complete switch to wind energy.
American U Converts Waste Vegetable Oil with 'Vegawatt'
American University (DC) has implemented a Vegawatt, a machine that converts waste vegetable oil into electricity and hot water. Using 90 gallons of oil from the university's Terrace Dining Room per week, the Vegawatt will produce enough electricity to avoid 270 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent to the amount produced by 33 American homes in one year.
Appalachian State U Orders Hybrid Bus
Appalachian State University (NC) has ordered a hybrid electric/diesel bus to add to its AppalCart transportation fleet. The university is waiting on a federal grant to order a second $575,000 bus and expects both to arrive for use next year. AppalCart hopes to eventually double its 16-bus fleet, which currently includes eight buses that run on biodiesel.
Arbor Day Foundation Names Furman U Tree Campus USA
Furman University (SC) has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its campus forestry management and environmental stewardship practices. The university has received this honor three years in a row, meeting five core standards of tree care and community engagement. Requirements include the establishment of a campus tree advisory committee; evidence of a campus tree care plan and verification of dedicated annual expenditures; campus observance of Arbor Day; and the implementation of a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body.
Carleton U Starts Composting Program
Carleton University (ON) has debuted a new composting program. All kitchens in the University Center will begin collecting organics with compost bins placed for public use around campus. The university hopes to engage students in the composting campaign.
Clark U Receives $1 Mil Stimulus Grant for Green Cooling Tech
Clark University (MA) has received a $1 million stimulus grant toward Machflow Energy, Inc., a small start-up created by a Clark physics professor that is focused on green cooling technology. The company has built prototype models of a device that will provide clean and more effective cooling in a range of commercial uses, such as electric car batteries and computers.
Drury U Loans Bikes to Students
Drury University (KS) is now offering bikes on loan to students. Bicycles are available for check-out during the debut semester free of charge pending the return of the bikes in good condition. The university used money generated from a student green fee to purchase the bikes and create a new bike path. Remaining funds will be spent for a storage structure to protect the bicycles from the elements.
ESPN Launches 'College Game Day' Recycling Initiative
This college football season, ESPN's sustainability team will work to recycle as many bottles and cans as possible from ESPN College GameDay venues. ESPN will work with environmental club volunteers from host institutions to set up recycling bins and spread the word as recycling and environmental practices ambassadors. "ESPN College GameDay Goes Green" kicked off Sept. 11, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Ala and will continue at every ESPN College GameDay site throughout the college football season.
Harvard U Offers Car Sharing Program to Drivers Under 21
Harvard University's (MA) Transportation Services recently announced the expansion of its 10-year partnership with Zipcar, Inc. to include a campus car sharing program for drivers under 21 years old. Zipcar will double its on-campus fleet to up to 20 cars that will be available to area residents and university affiliated members including those under 21. The university has also partnered with Zimride, an online rideshare interface where Harvard students, faculty and staff can find one-time rides or others with similar commuting times.
Kansas State U Receives Wind Turbine
Kansas State University has received a used wind turbine from Westar Energy. The university hopes the donation will aid in the research and exploration of wind energy being performed at the Wind Applications Center, funded by the National Renewable Energy Lab to increase the public's acceptance of wind power. Students and faculty will have the opportunity to perform tests to analyze the efficiency of the turbines and wind energy.
Lehigh U Debuts Car Sharing Program
Lehigh University (PA) has partnered with WeCar, a car sharing program run by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, to offer on-campus access to car rentals for personal use. WeCar rentals are available to students, faculty and staff on an hourly, overnight and full-day basis with an initial enrollment fee of $25. The university hopes to take cars off the road and increase student mobility.
McMaster U Students Launch Campus Farmers Market
Students at McMaster University (ON) have launched a campus farmers market that runs every Thursday, offering fresh, local food to students, faculty and staff. The market has three area growers who supply produce, and the producers are invited to the market to share their food knowledge.
New Mexico State U Football Coaches Building Awarded LEED Silver
New Mexico State University's Football Coaches Office Building has been awarded LEED Silver certification. More than 88 percent of construction materials for the 6,749-square-foot building were diverted from landfills and more than 20 percent of construction materials were made from recycled content. Ninety-five percent of the building's occupied space is lit by natural daylight and the building uses 45 percent less water through water-efficient installations.
New York U Curtailment Initiative Reduces Power Usage
To help avoid the firing up of power plants in New York City during hot summer days, New York University's Curtailment Initiative recently saved enough electricity to power one average New York City home for three years, the equivalent to taking 7,000 homes off the grid. The university participates in the New York Independent System Operator demand response program, cutting its energy use when heat emergencies threaten the grid. As a supplement to the program, campus Sustainability Advocate volunteers are trained to turn off unnecessary lights, turn thermostats to proper set-points and unplug unused appliances.
Oregon State U Cascades Installs Solar Panels
Oregon State University-Cascades is set to install solar arrays on the roof of a residence hall and a parking garage. The new installations will help reduce campus energy demands and educate students in the university’s energy engineering management degree. The solar arrays are expected to produce 45 to 55 kilowatts of power and offset 18 percent of daily energy consumption. An Informative kiosk will display the solar energy generation in real time.
Princeton U Opens Green Chemistry Laboratory
Princeton University (NJ) has opened the doors of its Frick Chemistry Laboratory. The building's four-story atrium features 216 photovoltaic panels on the glass roof that convert solar energy into electricity and offer shade by letting in a controlled amount of light. Integrated mechanical systems enable the transfer of cooled and heated air from offices through the atrium into the laboratories, reducing the amount of outside air that must be conditioned to meet the ventilation demands of the labs. A sustainable monitoring display will show the building's investment in energy and energy savings and 200 high-efficiency fume hoods have been installed at work areas. The 265,000-square-foot building also features a 12,000-gallon rainwater cistern that collects and recycles stormwater for non-potable use.
Rutgers U Camden Professor Looks to E. coli for Biodiesel
An associate professor of computer science at Rutgers University-Camden (NJ) is researching how to engineer the bacteria E. coli to produce biodiesel fuel derived from fatty acids. The professor is after a more sustainable way to create renewable energy by making fuels without the use of food. The project will continue with the assistance of researchers from Harvard University (MA).
Ryerson U Establishes Center for Urban Energy
Ryerson University (ON) has announced the creation of the Center for Urban Energy, a research and technology demonstration center devoted to the discovery and commercialization of urban energy solutions. The center will combine engineering, science, environment, business and infrastructure management to tackle immediate challenges such as the development of clean energy technologies, energy conservation, alternative local energy generation, energy storage and adaptable infrastructure.
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography Earns LEED Gold
With instructional space for marine science students from the University System of Georgia, the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography's Marine and Coastal Science Research and Instructional Center (GA) has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The center's energy-efficient orientation minimizes its east-west exposure, reducing the heat absorbed from the sun. Other sustainable features include a solar hot water heating system, a 1,000-gallon cistern to capture rainwater and 6-inch foam insulation.
Spartanburg CC Installs Rooftop Garden
Horticulture students and professors at Spartanburg Community College (SC) have installed a rooftop garden atop a campus gazebo. The garden features heat resistant plants including sedum, agave and nanaparetta, with future plans for ornamental grasses. The college hopes to use the green roof as an educational tool for the rest of the community.
Suffolk U Expands Recycling Program
In an effort to increase its recycling rate, Suffolk University (MA) has expanded its campus recycling efforts to single-stream recycling. Employees, students and visitors are no longer required to sort recyclables as papers, cardboard, glass, metal and plastic can go in any recycling bin on campus.
Syracuse U Launches Composting Program
Syracuse University (NY) has launched a composting program in an effort to divert several tons of food waste away from Food Services dumpster. All eight of the campus dining locations will sort and collect a variety of food waste. The waste will be delivered to Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency to be turned into compost.
Truman State U Cafeteria Goes Local
Truman State University's (MO) Ryle Hall cafeteria has begun purchasing local produce grown at a nearby orchard. The initiative has kicked off with apples but the university hopes to expand the program to a larger variety of local food. Dining Services is also advocating for students to grow their own food on the campus farm.
U Buffalo, Boise State U Partner with Zipcar Car Sharing Service
In separate deals, the University at Buffalo (NY) and Boise State University (ID) are the latest of more than 200 universities to partner with Zipcar, Inc. to provide faculty, staff and students with a car sharing service. Three vehicles will be made available to the University of Buffalo campus community and four vehicles to the Boise State University community. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will cost members at both universities $35 annually. Goals at both universities include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, ease of traffic congestion and lowered barriers to alternative transportation.
U Central Arkansas Installs Green Roof
The University of Central Arkansas has installed a green roof on Laney Hall, home to the chemistry department. Nearly 2,000-square-feet of drought-resistant sedum was planted to help reduce stormwater runoff and insulate the building. If the green roof proves to be cost-saving, the university will add more green roofs across campus.
U Florida Brings Back One Less Car Challenge
The University of Florida has brought back the One Less Car Challenge this fall for the third year. The campus community is challenged to use alternative transportation on One Less Car Day and throughout the semester. Participants can earn points for each trip traveled by alternative transportation. The Office of Sustainability will provide information about the various transportation options available. The challenge ends November 19.
U Illinois Debuts Sustainable Student-Run Farm
The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign has debuted the new Sustainable Student Farm. The three-acre farm is part of an initiative to have locally grown produce make up 30 percent of all food eaten on campus by the year 2015. All fruits and vegetables harvested will either be sent to the university’s dining services department or sold on Thursdays on campus during lunch hours. Students and volunteers work and manage the farm.
U Maryland Creates Sustainability Fund
The University of Maryland has launched the Campus Green Fund. The $200,000 sustainability grant will be given to students, faculty and university-based organizations that want to take action to reduce the university's carbon footprint while educating the student body about ways to become more sustainable. Students will be charged eight dollars in student fees to fund the grant.
U Minnesota Collects State Fair Food and Farm Waste for Fuel
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have begun collecting samples of food waste and manure from the Minnesota State Fair to learn whether they can be combined with waste from the university’s campus and converted to renewable energy. The university will use an anaerobic digester to break down organic materials to produce methane gas, which can be used to fuel generators that produce electricity and heat. Solids from the process are reused as animal bedding, compost or fertilizer. The State Fair averages 1,200 tons of food waste and 2,000 tons of animal manure each year.
U Northern Iowa Implements In-Room Dorm Recycling
The University of Northern Iowa has placed recycling containers in all individual dorm rooms and the ROTH campus apartments this fall, distributing 2,800 containers throughout campus. A room in each residence hall has been designated as the collection center for sorting recycled plastic, tin, glass, cardboard and mixed paper. A pilot in-room recycling program in the university's Rider Hall was launched in 2009 with weekly measurements taken. The residents averaged less than 40 pounds per week of recycling before given individual recycling bins; after a semester of the pilot program, the average shot up to 121 pounds of recycling per week.
U Northern Iowa Opens Green Transportation Center
The University of Northern Iowa has unveiled a solar-powered transportation center. Solar panels installed on the building's top deck and a geothermal heating system supply almost all electricity for the net-zero center. A collaboration between the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the cities of Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, the university building features 587 parking spaces, an elevator, vending machines, a waiting area and 10 lockers for bicycles. The center is designed to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors easier access to and within the campus and surrounding communities.
U Texas San Antonio Establishes Sustainability Council
The University of Texas at San Antonio has established a Sustainability Council. The council will develop a five-year plan for sustainability-related university programs and collaboration with community organizations. The 20-member council, comprised of students, faculty and staff, is charged with advising campus administrators on strategies for enhancing sustainability, the allocation of resources and the monitoring of sustainability programs.
U Utah Students Install Rain Gardens
Graduate students at the University of Utah have installed multiple rain gardens as a solution for water treatment and conservation. The 1,500-square-foot rain gardens are designed to treat polluted stormwater from nearby roadways and parking lots. The strategy will conserve water and keep many pollutants from entering the storm drainage and a nearby creek. The project uses native plants to filter pollutants and release clean water back into the ground.
U Wisconsin Oshkosh Completes First Wave of Solar Installations
The University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh has installed its first photovoltaic array, the first of many solar installations planned to replace natural gas and coal-based heat on the campus. The 2.9-kilowatt system slowly adjusts its position to track the sun as it moves from east to west and as it rises and falls in the sky. Future projects include the installation of 120 solar panels on the rooftops of four buildings to heat water on campus.
Alfred State College Awarded Renewable Energy Center Grant
Alfred State College, Wellsville (NY) has received $500,000 in federal funding for a renewable energy technical training center. The center will be used to build additional model installations with complete monitoring systems, utilizing geothermal, solar and small wind projects. The center will promote economic development with alternative ways to provide energy for homes, businesses and farms.
