Green Mountain College Launches New Sustainability Website
Green Mountain College (VT) has launched its new sustainability website which describes the College's environmental liberal arts tradition and charts GMC's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2011. Designed by a Green Mountain College alumnus, the site was built on the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), administered by AASHE.
Guilford College Announces Solar Installation
Guilford College (NC) has announced plans to install 188 solar hot water panels on dormitories around campus. The panels will produce 9,000 gallons of hot water a day, which will result in 113 less tons of CO2 a year. The installation will be complete by the beginning of next semester, which will be the start to Guilford's "Year of Sustainability."
Lakeland CC Wins National Award for Sustainability Initiative
Lakeland Community College (OH) has received the Bellwether Award from the Community College Futures Assembly. The annual award is bestowed upon community colleges to recognize “outstanding programs that are at the forefront of innovation throughout the United States and Canada.” Lakeland was honored for its program “Going Green Doesn’t Have to be Sexy,” which began by benchmarking its energy performance against European best practices, developing a master plan, and partnering with Siemens Building Technologies to implement a comprehensive energy and resource efficiency plan. The project installed heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system upgrades; lighting retrofits; and other building improvements. Lakeland’s program resulted in the College achieving natural gas, electricity, and water volume reductions of 46 percent, 36 percent, and 18 percent, respectively, and a 40 percent reduction in direct and indirect creation of greenhouse gases.
Lanier Technical College Students Install Solar Panels
Students from Lanier Technical College's (GA) Entry Level Solar Photovoltaic Installer Program have installed solar panels on a simulated roof located at the institution's new Solar Photovoltaic Installation Training Lab. The lab was made possible by donations from corporate partners.
Miami U Building Earns LEED Silver Certification
Miami University's (OH) new Farmer School of Business building has earned LEED Silver certification. The University was able to preserve mature trees and green space around the construction site and integrate the use of energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, and low-emission materials in construction and furnishing of the building. The $65 million project is the first LEED certified building on campus.
Portland State U Partners to Foster EVs & Sustainability
Portland State University (OR) has partnered with Portland General Electric to help the region accommodate electric cars and renewable energy, design environmentally friendly buildings, and foster regional sustainability. The two organizations will work together to locate a network of charging stations for electric cars as part of a $100 million eTec-Nissan North America partnership that establishes charging stations in five states, including 2,000 in Oregon. The MOU also included a $50,000 commitment over two years to create a PGE Foundation Renewable Energy Research lab.
Southern Illinois U Carbondale Green Fee Funds Campus Projects
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale has approved 17 projects for funding from its Green Fund. Projects that offered educational opportunities, student involvement, improvements to campus life and collaboration between multiple departments were more likely to receive money. The fund, generated by a green fee, gave out $151,174.50 to projects this semester.
Syracuse U Increases Green Transportation Use on Campus
Syracuse University (NY) has announced that the number of SU Centro bus passengers has increased 8.4 percent since fiscal year 2008 to more than 2.1 million riders. In addition, SU's addition of three new Zipcars has increased the program's use to an average of 65 percent of the day, including weekends and overnight.
Tufts U Receives Energy Efficiency Award
Tufts University (MA) has received an award from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships. Tufts was recognized as a ‘Commercial/Business Leader for Energy Efficiency’ for its efforts in energy efficiency, which have resulted in a saving of $600,000 annually.
U Florida Completes Water Conservation Competition
The University of Florida residence halls have completed their "Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls" water usage competition. Weaver Hall, the winner of the competition, saved 23.26 gallons of water per resident per day during the month of January, for a grand total of 122,580 gallons of water saved. In all, water savings ranged from 1.52 to 23.26 less gallons of water per resident per day.
UMass Medical School Donates Office Furniture
The University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Office of Community Affairs, has donated surplus office furniture and equipment to five local nonprofit organizations. The school’s warehouse contains work stations, desks, chairs, file cabinets, book cases, and many other office items that are all in reasonably good shape, but no longer used by the department that first bought them. Rather than ship the material to a landfill, the school’s Facilities Department collaborated with Resource Max, a program started last year to work with school departments to optimize operations, to develop a program to make it easier for other UMMS departments to locate and retrieve items in the warehouse that could be of use rather than buying new. If no other department claims an item, it is then made available to community groups.
U Michigan Graduate Students Win $10K in Sustainability Challenge
The winners of the 2010 Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge, both of which were graduate students teams from the University of Michigan, have each received $10,000 for their contest submissions. The Challenge, administered by UM's Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, recognizes and rewards students for their innovation and research of sustainable solutions to the world's most pressing social, economic, and environmental problems. As part of the program, the student winners will attend an annual recognition event to celebrate their energy, commitment, and contribution to sustainable innovation.
U Michigan Offsets Emissions with Purchase of RECs
The University of Michigan has purchased renewable energy credits (RECs) from DTE Energy to help offset its emissions. The renewable energy is produced by two wind turbines, which produce about 2 percent of the UM's energy needs.
U Notre Dame Geddes Hall Receives LEED Gold
The University of Notre Dame’s Geddes Hall has received LEED Gold certification. The 65,500-square-foot home of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns and Institute for Church Life opened in August of 2009 and contains a variety of materials made from both rapidly renewable materials and pre- and post-consumer recycled content. 97 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills, including the waste from the demolition the former home of the Center for Social Concerns, previously located on the same site. The use of low-flow plumbing fixtures reduced water consumption by 45 percent and the landscape design minimizes grassed lawns while employing an irrigation system with new control technology and drip irrigation. In addition, 31 percent of the building materials were manufactured within a 500-mile radius.
U Richmond Starts Student Run Compost Project
At the University of Richmond (VA) students and Backyard Farmer, a local business, recently constructed 10 composting units and one compost ingredient holding unit. The units will be operated by students and assisted by Backyard Farmer during the next year. The goal is to produce rich soil for the on-campus community garden. The initiative, URot, is part of a larger university project, GreenUR. The installation of the composting bins is the culmination of months of collaboration between GreenUR, Backyard Farmer, the Earth Lodge program and University Facilities, which cleared the land needed for the composting units. The composting project is the first student-run composting initiative at the University.
U System of Ohio Releases Sustainability Website
The University System of Ohio has unveiled a new sustainability website, "USO Sustainability." The site is designed to be both a forum and a resource for faculty, prospective students, and anyone interested in sustainability efforts at Ohio's higher education institutions. The site offers a calendar of events, information and links to USO programs, a forum for discussion and input on the direction of the USO and sustainability, individual school sustainability profiles, and resources and links for research.
Utah State U Hires Sustainability Intern
Utah State University and the Utah Conservation Corps have co-sponsored a new, 11-month sustainability internship position to assist USU’s Sustainability Council with leading the University toward climate neutrality. The position has been filled by Jack Greene, who comes to USU with 40 years of experience as a science educator at both the high school and college levels. Greene’s primary responsibilities include serving as a liaison with state and regional campus sustainability programs and assisting the Sustainability Council’s Outreach Committee to increase awareness of the intersection of social justice, economic sustainability, and environmental sustainability efforts on campus. He will also aid the council in finalizing its Climate Action Plan, which outlines steps the University will take to become climate neutral, and he will work to increase USU course offerings dealing with sustainability.
U Toledo Completes 1.2 MW Solar & Wind Installation
The University of Toledo (OH) has completed a 1.2 MW solar and wind power system through an agreement with a Constellation Energy subsidiary. The project utilizes thin-film-on-glass photovoltaic solar technology that was originally developed based on research at the University of Toledo. A 132-foot wind turbine was also installed at the site.
U Toledo Establishes Sustainable Materials Institute
The University of Toledo (OH) has recently established the Institute for Sustainable Engineering Materials. The institute will research ways to make industrial processes and materials more sustainable. They will look into how to increase the amount of waste recycled and to decrease the overall amount of waste used.
U Wisconsin Green Bay Changes Font to Use Less Ink
The University of Wisconsin, Green Bay Department of Computing and Informational Technology has announced plans to use Century Gothic instead of Arial as the default e-mail typeface. The former uses 30 percent less ink when printed to paper. The University expects to conserve ink and save money as a result of the change.
York U Completes First Sustainability Report
York University (ON) has completed its first "President's Sustainability Council Annual Report" for the 2008-2009 school year. The 30-page report lists sustainability achievements and awards, sustainability policy recommendations, recommendations regarding university programs and practices, the Council's planning process and vision, an inventory of internal and external sustainability-related groups at York, an inventory of student sustainability groups, a listing of campus services and business operations sustainability initiatives, and an inventory of community engagement from the Office of University Events and Community Relations.
4 Maine CCs Receive Grant Money for Green Curriculum
The Maine Public Utilities Commission's Efficiency Maine program has awarded four community colleges a total of $1.3 million in grants. Northern Maine Community College, Eastern Maine Community College, Kennebec Valley Community College, and Southern Maine Community College each received funding. The money is being used to expand each College's sustainability curriculum.
5 U Florida Buildings Receive LEED Certification
Five different University of Florida buildings and additions, located both on and off campus, have received LEED certifications. These structures include: the Steinbrenner Band Hall (Gold), the UF Dental Clinic in Naples (Gold), the Graham Center for Public Service at Pugh Hall (Silver), the NIMET Nanoscale Research Facility (Certification), and the IFAS Biological & Agricultural Research Facility in Fort Pierce (Certification). UF adopted the LEED criteria for design and construction in 2001 for all major new construction and renovations projects.
ACUPCC Annual Report Shows Higher Ed Climate Leadership
The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) has released its Annual Report. The Report includes highlights from 2009; a list of innovative ways schools are applying their Climate Action Plans to areas such as curriculum, transportation, renewable energy, and partnerships within and outside the campus gates; a description of the impact the Commitment has had on the reduction of carbon emissions; information on the Climate Action Plans that have been submitted; a list of resources available to signatory institutions; and the ACUPCC budget. The ACUPCC, launched in early 2007, is currently comprised of 677 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia - representing nearly six million students and about one third of the US higher education student population.
Antioch U Los Angeles Offers New Masters of Urban Sustainability
Antioch University, Los Angeles (CA) has created a new Master of Arts in Urban Sustainability. Students in the program will study a range of topics including urban ecosystem science, urban planning and policy, activism and advocacy, urban environmental education, program evaluation, conflict resolution and mediation, sustainable practice, and research methods. The 36 credit graduate program will begin in the Fall of 2010.
Clemson U Baruch Institute Receives LEED Gold Certification
LEED Gold certification has been awarded to the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science at Clemson University (SC). The 12,600-square-foot facility includes room for 14 faculty and staff members and large multipurpose rooms and smart classrooms that connect Clemson students statewide. Green features include censored lights, an air-conditioning system that uses an energy recovery wheel to recycle heat byproduct, natural lighting, local and natural building materials, and a storm water management system. Clemson has committed to achieve at least LEED Silver ratings for all newly constructed buildings and major renovations.
Coastal Carolina U Launches Bike-Share Program
Coastal Carolina University (SC) has launched Coastal Couriers, a new bike-share program. Five bikes have been made available for University members to check-out for a maximum of 30 minutes and then be returned. The University hopes this program will reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
Emory U, Georgia Tech Announce Bike Share Partnership
Emory University (GA), Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Ford Foundation have formed a partnership to develop an automated bike share system for the Emory campus. Over the past year, Bike Emory has been working with Georgia Tech engineering students to develop the automated system. A grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Ford Foundation will support the development and implementation. The first fleet of 11 bicycles will be launched on Emory's campus late this summer.
Loyola U, Tulane U Partner to Offer Car-Sharing on Campuses
Loyola University (LA) and Tulane University (LA) have partnered to bring the car-share program WeCar to their campuses. The universities, which are located next to each other in New Orleans, will offer three new Toyota Priuses to students, faculty, and staff at both institutions. The vehicles will be located in a central location and will help both campuses reduce car congestion and allow student mobility.
Marshall U Offers Sustainable Living Student Hall
Marshall University (WV) has introduced a green living-learning community in its campus residence halls. Students that are interested in living sustainably will be able to participate. The living area will consist of two dormitory floors where students will have access to recycling bins, will take field trips, and will help develop ideas for campus wide projects to promote sustainability.
Middle Tennessee State U Rec Center Buys Green Workout Machines
Middle Tennessee State University has purchased five elliptical workout machines that generate electricity when in use. With regular use, each machine will be able to produce one kilowatt hour of electricity every two days. The workout machines were funded by the University's student Clean Energy fee and the Campus Rec budget.
Oregon State U Offers Campus Car-Share Program
Oregon State University has partnered with WeCar to bring two hybrid vehicles to campus for students, faculty, and staff to use. The vehicles can be rented hourly, overnight or for a full day, and reservations can be made online at any time.
Rochester Inst of Technolgy PhD Student Wins Intl Scholarship
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) first year PhD candidate was awarded the 2010 Jacqueline Shields Scholarship for Waste Management Research. The international scholarship goes to doctoral students conducting original research in pollution prevention, sustainable design, and waste reduction. The student, Errin Ryen, will utilize the scholarship to improve the recyclability and end-of-life management of electronic devices such as computers and cell phones.
U California San Francisco Laboratory Earns LEED Silver
The University of California, San Francisco's Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Hall has been awarded LEED Silver certification for its renovation. The building includes a number of environmentally friendly attributes, including implementing a green cleaning program, expanding the recycling program, and enhancing indoor air quality measures. Water and energy conservation measures are expected to reach $100,000 in savings.
U Kentucky Offers Car Sharing Service
University of Kentucky Parking and Transportation Services has partnered with Connect by Hertz, a car-share company, to offer short-term vehicle rentals to the campus community. Six EPA SmartWays certified vehicles are now available on campus.
UMass Medical School Reduces Bio-Waste
The University of Massachusetts has significantly reduced its bio-waste. Over the past year, the institution has reduced its hazardous bio-waste collection from chemotherapy activities by 59 percent by physically removing non-hazardous items. Given the success of the sorting program for chemotherapy waste, the process has been expanded for 2010 to include all other hazardous pharmaceutical wastes on campus.
Victor Valley College Install Solar Farm
Victor Valley College (CA) has partnered with SolFocus, a local solar energy solutions company, to add a one MW solar farm to its campus. The six-acre installation will provide about 30 percent of the campus' energy needs and will allow for the College to add hands-on learning experiences to its solar technology curriculum. The project will also raise up to $4 million over five years through performance-based incentives from the California Solar Initiative program.
Wesleyan U Building Receives LEED Certification
Wesleyan University's (CT) newly-renovated Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life building has received LEED Gold certification. The building, which was originally constructed in 1904, went through a nine-month renovation. During the process, 84.5 percent of construction material was diverted from landfills, a significant amount of recycled materials were used, and water saving fixtures were installed resulting in a 46.4 percent reduction in water use.
11 Campuses Complete Climate Action Plans
10 new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAP) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on February 15, 2010. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. The new submission are: Bates College (ME); Smith College (MA); Cabrillo College (CA); Plymouth State University (NH); Saint John's University (MN); University of California, San Diego; Florida Gulf Coast University; Berry College (GA); Berea College (KY); and Wilkes University (PA). In related news, Johns Hopkins University (MD) has also announced its Implementation Plan for Advancing Sustainability and Climate Stewardship.
14 Campuses Offset Emissions from Laundry Machines
14 campuses have offset 100 percent of their greenhouse gas emissions derived from laundry equipment through a partnership with Mac-Gray Corporation and Carbonfund.org. Over 21 million pounds of GHG emissions will be offset through a $95,000 investment in Carbonfund.org's third-party verified carbon reduction projects. The participating campuses include: Colorado College, Colorado State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Keene State College (NH), Salisbury University (MD), Stonehill College (MA), University of Montevallo (AL), University of North Carolina-Charlotte, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, University of South Carolina-Aiken, University of South Carolina-Upstate, and Western Carolina University (NC).
Anderson U Students Dig Campus Garden
A group of approximately 30 students at Anderson University (IN) have dug a campus garden. Students plan to donate the food grown in the garden to local food banks and the college's food service.
Auburn U Saves $12K with Resource Competition
Auburn University (AL) has completed its second annual resource competition, Sustain-A-Bowl. During February 2010, almost 4,000 students in 30 residence halls competed to reduce their electricity and water consumption and increase their recycling. The University saved a total of $12,374 in utilities as a result of the competition, increasing the amount saved from the 2009 competition by $4,000.
Bakersfield College to Install Solar Field
Bakersfield College (CA) has announced plans to cover one of its parking lots with solar panels that will track the sun as it moves across the sky. The power generated by the $8.3 million installation is expected to provide about one third of the College's energy needs. The power produced when classes are not in session will be sold back to the power grid. The system, which will provide shade for 756 parking spaces, could go live as early as the fall of 2010.
Berea College Hotel Earns LEED Gold
The Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant at Berea College (KY) has received LEED Gold certification. Boone Tavern, built by Berea College in 1909 as a campus guest house, recently underwent an $11.3-million renovation during 2008-2009 to make significant upgrades to the building’s infrastructure, improve efficiency, lower operating costs, and add modern technologies and other features for improved guest service and comfort. The renovation earned points for sustainable site work, water and energy efficiency, materials and construction methods, indoor environmental quality, use of recycled and regional materials, and innovation in design processes. As a member of the Green Hotel Association, Boone Tavern’s ongoing operating practices also demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Bowdoin College Wins Grant for Solar Hot Water Project
Bowdoin College (ME) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Maine Public Utilities Commission toward the installation of a solar hot water project on the roof of a campus dining hall. The project includes 24 glazed flat plate solar collectors, which will make up a 960-square-foot solar thermal array, and the piping to solar storage tanks. Energy provided by this solar thermal system will offset natural gas currently used to feed the dining hall's existing steam-to-water heat exchanger system.
Canada College Builds House for Bats
Canada College (CA) has constructed a house for bats on a 10-foot pole near the campus' Facilities Maintenance Center. The house will benefit four bat species. The College plans to incorporate the bat house into its curriculum and into other learning opportunities.
Denison U Awards Internal Sustainability Projects Funding
The Denison University (OH) Environmental Sustainability Venture Fund has awarded grants for green campus projects. Students, faculty, and staff were invited to submit proposals for small-scale projects that would enhance environmental sustainability at Denison. The following projects received funding: a campus garden, a bike-share, a laundry exchange, reusable water bottles, shoe recycling, apartment compost, weatherization, and reusable dishware.
Denison U Professor Receives Sustainability Research Grant
Joe Reczek, assistant professor of chemistry at Denison University, has been granted a Cottrell College Science Award from the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement (RCSA). With the $41,000 grant, Reczek and several Denison students will investigate the possibilities of new organic chemistry compounds and their applications for solar cells.
Drew U Completes First Civic Scholars Prgm, Promotes Bike Safety
Drew University (NJ) has partnered with TransOptions, a local nonprofit transportation management association, to complete its first round of the Civic Scholars Program, an initiative the institution created in the fall of 2009 to infuse civic engagement as a value and practice throughout the University. A group of three students in the Program researched and analyzed safety projects that aligned with TransOptions’ mission to improve mobility, the environment, and quality of life. More than 450 freshman applicants applied to become Civic Scholars, which requires a commitment to community service and demonstrated leadership in organizing and implementing community projects.
Gustavus Adolphus College Releases Green Farming Video
Gustavus Adolphus College (MN) Professor of Communication Studies Martin Lang and Sophomore Political Science and English Major Ethan Marxhausen were awarded a Gustavus Presidential Faculty/Student Collaboration Grant, and over the past year they produced an independent film documentary titled Farming Forward . The film focuses on highlighting the possible solutions to sustainable farming. The film discusses how instead of using pesticides and other chemicals, sustainable farming promotes crop rotation, in which farmers change the crop in a specific field each year to literally stay ahead of plant-specific pests that can destroy harvests. Farming Forward is still in the process of being converted to DVD format, but the team hopes to continue showing the documentary and also distributing it to local farmers.
