5 Campuses Plant Trees to Celebrate Tree Campus USA Honor
Students and volunteers at Indiana University, American University (DC), the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo have planted several trees on their campuses in celebration of their recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA. In order to become a Tree Campus USA community, schools are required to meet five core standards of tree care and community engagement. Those standards are: have an established campus tree advisory committee; evidence of a campus tree-care plan; verification of dedicated annual expenditures on the campus tree plan; involvement in an Arbor Day observance; and the institution of a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body.
Brigham Young U Hawaii Turns Biofuel Waste Into Soap
Brigham Young University, Hawaii students have begun taking waste from biodiesel fuel production and turning it into hand soap. For years the University has taken used cooking oil from restaurants and turned it into biodiesel. The soap is created from glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production. The University is expected to save $15,000.
British Columbia Inst of Technology Prepares Vancouver for EVs
The British Columbia Institute of Technology has partnered with the city of Vancouver and the Rocky Mountain Institute to launch Project Get Ready Vancouver. The program will help the City of Vancouver prepare for the use of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by providing a long-term sustainable plan for electrical grid infrastructure development and the adoption of electric vehicles in Vancouver.
Campuses Prevent Waste from Going to the Landfill
Campuses in the U.S. and Canada held end-of-the-year move-out collections to prevent items in good condition from going to the landfill. Items were collected and donated to charity, sold at campus yard sales, and saved for sales during move-in this fall.
Delaware State U Dedicates Sustainability Garden
Delaware State University has dedicated a new sustainability garden. The vegetables grown on the plot will be served in the school café and sold at the University’s farmer’s market. The surplus will be donated to low-income families.
Elon U Receives Grant for Solar Thermal Systems
Elon University (NC) has received up to $200,000 in federal grant money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help with the installation of solar thermal systems. The solar thermal systems will heat water each day for a dining hall and a number of residence halls. The dining hall will receive a 30-panel solar thermal system. The campus project is among 18 initiatives funded throughout North Carolina using a total of $2.3 million in grants.
Loyola U Chicago Purchases Retreat Center for Env'l Learning
Loyola University Chicago has purchased a 98-acre retreat center that will be used for a number of purposes. Among other plans for the facility, Loyola plans to use the center to introduce an Outdoor Adventure Program, which aims to provide students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to experience outdoor activities that are designed to promote positive lifetime skills and leadership development; encourage personal and interpersonal development; and increase environmental awareness by providing high-quality leisure education, outdoor, educational, and experiential programs. On the academic side, the University's biology department and Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy will also benefit from the purchase. With 20 acres of natural habitat that includes ponds, streams, woods, and prairie land, the property offers a unique learning opportunity for students and faculty interested in the sciences.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Launches Efficiency Forward
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston-based utility NSTAR have announced a new program, MIT Efficiency Forward, which aims to cut MIT’s electricity use by 15 percent over the next three years. The program is expected to save MIT $50 million in energy costs over the next decade. The energy reduction will result from behavior change programs and changes in lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
McGill U Launches Plan for Car-Free Zone
McGill University (QC) has launched the Greening Lower Campus project, which aims to create a pedestrian-friendly campus space, as free as possible of vehicles. As part of the initiative, parking availability will be substantially reduced, vehicular circulation limited, and deliveries restricted to certain hours. Parking and transportation services for persons with disabilities will continue to be available and accessible. The new project is part of McGill's Master Plan.
Middlebury College Announces Sustainable Investments Initiative
Middlebury College (VT) has partnered with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to announce the creation of the Sustainable Investments Initiative, a co-mingled fiscal vehicle seeking investments that generate long-term, social, environmental, and economic power. The Initiative will seek investments focused specifically on sustainability issues such as clean energy, water, climate science, and green building projects.
New Mexico Highlands U Installs Rainwater Harvesting Cisterns
New Mexico Highlands University has announced plans to install rainwater harvesting cisterns on its campus. The cisterns store rainwater captured from roofs and uses the captured water to irrigate drought-tolerant landscaping for the buildings. The first underground unit will hold 90,000 gallons of water and planned cisterns will add an additional 200,000 gallons of water storage.
Northwestern U Plants Organic Garden
Northwestern University (IL) has planted a garden on campus. Students designed the organic garden last fall and planted it the second week of May. Students hope their gardening efforts will raise awareness about sustainable gardening practices.
Rock Valley College Building Awarded LEED Gold Certification
Rock Valley College's (IL) recently renovated physical education center has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The $13 million project updated the building’s 40-year-old infrastructure. Key features include 1.6 acres of native prairie plants, low flow faucets and toilets, efficient heating and air conditioning systems, and energy efficient lights. 95 percent of the existing shell was reused in the new design and over 75 percent of construction waste was recycled.
Saint Joseph’s College Receives 7,634-Acre Farm Donation
Saint Joseph’s College (IN) has received a gift of 7,634 acres of farm real estate. The deed of transfer prohibits the sale of the farm and requires the establishment of a conservation easement to protect environmentally important areas. 19 windmills are located on the farm and 13 more are planned for construction.
Several Campuses Pilot Green Landscaping Rating System
The American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden have launched a pilot version of their new Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), in which several colleges and universities are participating. SITES, which is intended for use on sites of all types to gauge and certify their sustainability, aims to assess and rate green landscapes and green spaces. Under the SITES system, locations are rated on a 250-point scale for possible certification at four levels. Points are awarded for elements such as site selection, water, soil, vegetation, materials, human health and well-being, construction and maintenance. SITES has a goal of releasing a final version of its rating system and reference guide in 2013.
Southern Illinois U Edwardsville Launches Bike Share Program
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville has launched a bike share program. The project aims to encourage a culture shift in students, faculty, and staff toward increased reliance on non-carbon modes of transportation. All currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff are eligible to check out a bike.
St Ambrose U Powers Equipment With Biodiesel Fuel
St. Ambrose University (IA) has launched a biodiesel initiative. The grounds crew has begun converting 1,600 gallons of used cooking oil into fuel. The homebrewed biodiesel fuel is used to power machinery that mows lawns and removes snow. The use of biodiesel fuel has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from maintenance equipment by 80 percent. In addition, the University will save between $6,000 and $10,000 in annual fuel costs. A new facility that will allow the grounds crew to produce biodiesel more efficiently will be built next year.
SUNY Canton Receives Grant to Store Power
The State University of New York at Canton has received $3 million worth of batteries that will be used to store power generated by a planned wind turbine on campus. The batteries will have the ability to store 2 megawatt hours of power which will allow around-the-clock use of the power generated by the turbine. The University will save money on electric bills even during peak hours.
U California Los Angeles Students Complete Green Projects
Students at the University of California, Los Angeles have completed Action Research Projects to help make the University a more environmentally sustainable campus. Over the course of two quarters, 70 students were divided into 11 groups that each took on a different project. Topics included bicycles and their benefits, drought landscaping, sustainable food systems, water conservation, green student orientation, composting in residence halls, promoting drinking fountains over plastic water bottles, paperless course evaluations, single stream recycling, and green graduate housing.
U Connecticut Unveils Compost Facility
The University of Connecticut has unveiled a new compost facility. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources plans to start composting manure, animal bedding, and leaves. The facility is expected to compost more than 2,500 tons of agricultural waste a year. Composting will have several environmental benefits including reduction of nutrients in storm water and minimization of methane emissions.
U Maine Presque Isle Dedicates Wind Turbine
The University of Maine at Presque Isle has officially dedicated its first windmill on the one-year anniversary of its completion and commissioning. The 600-kilowatt, 90-meter-tall installation was financed by UMPI’s internal savings, together with a $50,000 grant from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
U Mass Medical School Begins Online Supply Swap
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has launched "Surplus With A Purpose" (SWAP), a new internal website that allows departments to post surplus office supplies, furniture, or laboratory equipment so others on campus can put them to good use and keep them out of the landfill. Medical School employees can search for items by category, or add information about surplus materials to the listing.
U Mass Medical School Feeds Food Scraps to Pigs
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has begun a composting program on campus. The institution now feeds 100 gallons of food scraps per week from the kitchens at its University Campus to a local farmer's pigs. The food waste involved is vegetable trimmings from the kitchen, leftovers from the salad bars, and unsold prepared foods, such as half-filled pans of entrees and pre-packaged items that remain unsold past their expiration date. The program does not include food left on people’s trays—that is still considered trash. The arrangement between the farmer and University Campus is strictly cooperative—there are no fees involved for either party.
U North Texas Creates International Sustainable Tourism Degree
The University of North Texas School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management has created a new international sustainable tourism graduate degree. The master's degree will offer students an interdisciplinary perspective on sustainability and tourism with one year of study at the University and one year of study in Costa Rica. Courses will include: environmental impact assessments, environmental ethics, sustainable tourism, natural resource management, and environmental policies. The program will begin in the fall of 2010.
West Chester U to Offer Education for Sustainability Certificates
West Chester University's (PA) Professional and Secondary Education department is now offering undergraduate and graduate level education for sustainability certificate programs. The programs develop knowledge, skills, and perspectives in a way that integrates classroom work with outdoor, experiential, and project-based learning. Teachers, community organization leaders, and those interested in sustainability may register.
Yale U Composts Food Waste
Yale University (CT) dining halls have begun composting. Instead of incinerating its food waste, the University sends 100 percent of all waste from 11 functional residential college dining halls and commons to a composting facility. The facility will use the compost to create nutrient-rich soil. Yale hopes to be able to use the soil additives on its own grounds.
Brandeis U Passes Sustainability Fund
Brandeis University (MA) students have voted in favor of creating the Brandeis Sustainability Fund. Students will pay $15 per year and the Sustainability Fund Administrative Board will decide what proposals to finance based on which projects will best improve campus sustainability.
California State U Northridge Installs Solar Panels
California State University, Northridge has initiated construction on a $1.97 million dual access tracking solar system. The installation allows the panels to rotate and follow the sun throughout the day. Energy collected will be distributed throughout the campus.
California State U Northridge Saves Water
California State University, Northridge has received incentive money for water-saving projects. One incentive of $108,000 was used to replace 265 urinals with waterless versions. An incentive of $347,000 was used to create a computer-based irrigation system. In addition, the University is considering rainwater harvesting and buying grey water.
Drew U Residence Hall Earns LEED Silver
Drew University’s (NJ) newest residence hall has received LEED Silver certification. The residence hall features geothermal heating and cooling systems, insulated windows, water efficient fixtures, and native drought resistant plants. In addition, 10 percent of the building’s materials are recycled.
Eastern U Installs 56 kW Solar System
Eastern University (PA) has installed a 56-kilowatt solar system on top of a campus building. The system is expected to reduce emissions by 839 metric tons of carbon emissions within twenty years. Community Energy, a renewable energy developer that owns and operates the system, will sell Eastern University electricity produced by the solar panels at a locked-in rate for 20 years, protecting the University from rising energy costs.
Frostburg State U Creates Sustainability Studies Minor
Frostburg State University (MD) has created a minor in sustainability studies. The minor is designed to encourage students to explore environmental, economic, and social equity issues relating to sustainability in modern societies. Students will be able to pursue the minor beginning in the fall.
Illinois State U Approves Renewable Energy Degree
Illinois State University has approved a new bachelor’s degree in renewable energy. The degree program is a multi-disciplinary undergraduate major that includes a technical, economics, and public policy sequence. The program will provide an overview of renewable energy industries.
Indiana U Announces Sustainability Grant Recipients
Indiana University has announced four recipients of its Sustainability Research Development Grants. The winning research initiatives cover topics that include agroforestry in southern Mexico, the impact on community sustainability of Home Depot's product donation program, remediation of exotic invasive species in Dunn's Woods, and food waste at Indiana University. Each project will receive $10,000 that can be used for graduate fellowships, faculty research fund awards, or summer faculty fellowships.
John Carroll U Starts Bike Share Program
John Carroll University (OH) has implemented a new bike share program. Students of the Environmental Issues Group have collected 28 bikes donated by the city. Students will be able to check out bikes free of charge. The Environmental Issues Group hopes to use the bikes for other programs including physical education courses.
Michigan State U Starts Sustainability Specialization
Michigan State University has announced plans to begin offering an undergraduate specialization in sustainability. The program, which is set to launch this fall, will require 18 credit hours of study, with a core of three required courses and a number of electives.
New Jersey Inst of Tech to Offer Grad Certif in Sustainability
The New Jersey Institute of Technology has announced plans to launch a new 12-credit graduate certificate in sustainability policy and environmental management. Beginning this fall, students will have the option to customize their study plans from a menu of courses that will include sustainability politics and policy, environmental economics and management, environmental communication, environmental law, industrial ecology, and global environmental problems.
NY State Schools Announce Winners of Green Business Competition
The University at Albany's (NY) College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering and School of Business, Rensselaer Polytechnic Insitute's Lally School of Management and Technology, and the Union Graduate College's School of Management have announced the winners of the Tech Valley Business Plan competition, the area's first business plan competition focusing on renewable energy and sustainable innovations.. Winners of the competition, all located at the three institutions, pitched next generation battery storage technology, recyclable teddy bears, and a year-round organic produce project.
Ohio Northern U Constructs 3 Wind Turbines
Ohio Northern University has constructed three wind turbines. Each turbine is 220 feet tall and generates 400 kilowatts of power. The University will distribute the collective 1.2 megawatts of power generated throughout the campus. The three turbines are expected to meet five to 10 percent of the University’s electricity needs.
Oregon State U Students Build Green Roof
Oregon State University students have begun building a green roof on top of a storage shed as part of a landscape construction course. The green roof will help regulate temperature and minimize storm water runoff. Sensors will allow students to monitor a variety of factors including rainfall patterns.
U Alabama Huntsville Receives Recycling Bin Donation
University of Alabama, Huntsville has been selected by Alcoa as the recipient of 500 recycling containers. The recycling bins will be a vehicle for bringing residence halls into the campus recycling program. The cost of collection containers has previously prevented the University from expanding the recycling program. The donation will fully meet the University’s needs and will allow the program to grow.
U Buffalo Receives Grant for Solar Array
The University at Buffalo (NY) has received a $7.5 million grant to construct a 1.1-megawatt solarenergy array. The solar array, consisting of 5,000 photovoltaic panels, will provide power to 735 student apartments. The solar array will be designed to operate in a cold-weather environment and withstand heavy snowfall, serving as a benchmark for future systems in similar climates. In addition, the facility will start training and certifying personnel in the installation of solar panels.
U Massachusetts Amherst Food Service Increases Local Purchases
University of Massachusetts Amherst Dining Services has increased the amount of local foods offered in campus dining halls. 25 percent of its food items were purchased from local farms in 2009, up from eight percent in 2002. The institution has also begun offering twice as much fruit and has cut meat portions by 3 ounces at lunch and 4 ounces at dinner. In addition, UMass has noticed a 20 percent food waste decrease. The University hopes to increase local food purchases by 27 percent in 2010.
U Nevada Reno Receives Grant for National Geothermal Institute
The University of Nevada, Reno has received a $1.2 million federal grant to develop and operate the National Geothermal Institute. The institute will provide research and augment work at the University’s Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy. The institute will serve as a consortium of geothermal schools, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University (NY), Stanford University (CA), the Oregon Institute of Technology, and the University of Utah. The geothermal program is expected to offer a series of eight one-week courses with additional field trips and a project required. Classes may begin as early as the spring semester of 2011.
U Pennsylvania Selected for Sustainable Landscape Rating Pilot
A University of Pennsylvania project has been selected as a pilot for the nation’s first rating system for green landscape design, construction, and maintenance - the Sustainable Site Initiative. The selected project is designed to turn aging paved tennis courts into an urban park. The project is expected to improve water quality, minimize runoff, restore biomass, increase local biodiversity, and reduce the urban heat island effect. The Sustainable Sites Initiative will pilot more than 150 projects in the U.S., Canada, Iceland, and Spain to evaluate its new rating system for sustainable landscapes.
U Tennessee to Host Farmers' Market
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has announced plans to host a farmers' market once a week. Proceeds from the market will be use to fund the University’s Organic and Sustainable Crop Production Program, a multi-disciplinary internship program for students to foster interest in farming and farmland preservation.
U Washington Establishes Sustainability Fund
The University of Washington's Services and Activities Fee Committee has given $339,805 to establish a Campus Sustainability Fund. The Fund will create guidelines for how to allocate the donation. Current proposals include a large campus farm, renewable-energy installations, covered bike racks, and digital textbooks.
Washington State U Installs Permeable Paving
Washington State University has installed permeable paving at its Research & Extension Center. The concrete is designed so water flows through it and into the ground beneath. The installation is part of a $1 million stormwater research effort to help revolutionize urban development.
