Boston U Sustainability Website Receives International Award
Boston University's (MA) sustainability@BU website has been selected as a 2010 “Webby Honoree” in the Green category for the 14th Annual Webby Awards. Nearly 10,000 entries were received from all 50 states and over 60 countries. The Official Honoree distinction is awarded to the top 15 percent of all work entered that exhibits remarkable achievement.
Christian Science Monitor Covers Green College Graduation Gowns
Christian Science Monitor has published an article on the growing number of colleges and universities that are switching to green graduation caps and gowns and are implementing green initiatives such as offering diplomas made from recycled paper and taking sustainability pledges as part of the ceremony. Most green gowns are made from recycled plastic bottles. The article mentions California Western School of Law, University of Texas at Austin, Harper College (IL), and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
College Fraternity Partners with Env'l Defense Fund for Diversity
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation's oldest black fraternity, and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are launching a transformational partnership to increase the number of diverse environmental leaders on university and college campuses and in communities of color. The Alpha and EDF partnership will educate the fraternity's student and alumni chapters about climate change, environmental justice, energy efficiency, clean energy, and green jobs. Sustainability projects designed by students and alumni will help African American and other populations become more involved in public health and environmental issues caused by air and water pollution and social inequity. The fraternity has 5,000 student members on more than 350 US campuses and 95,000 alumni members.
College of the Holy Cross Releases Sustainability Video
The College of the Holy Cross (MA) has released "Don't Go Green," a video in which campus leaders urge the community to think seriously about their impact on the environment. The video, sponsored by the Presidential Task Force on the Environment, is designed to help enhance the culture of sustainability on campus.
Columbia U Partners with IBM for Green Jobs
Columbia University's (NY) Department of Engineering and IBM have formed a joint initiative to provide technology resources to prepare students for the emerging green economy. The Smarter Cities Skills Initiative will provide Columbia faculty and students access to IBM software either on premise or in the cloud; technical support for green technology courses that show students how to build energy efficient IT infrastructures for smart buildings, smart grids, and smart water systems; and energy efficiency and open standards software development tools on IBM developerWorks. Additionally, Columbia faculty and students can have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with IBM Research scientists on projects related to the future of smarter cities and sustainability.
Ecotech Institute Announces College Focused on Renewable Energy
The Education Corporation of America, an owner of private higher education institutions in the U.S., has announced the launch of Ecotech Institute, a college focused entirely on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design. Ecotech Institute launched its first campus in Aurora, Colorado, offering seven associate's degrees and a certificate program for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Once its flagship campus is fully established, Ecotech plans to expand across the U.S. to help fuel rapidly-growing industries in the clean energy sector.
Florida International U Garden Named 'People's Garden' By USDA
Florida International University's Organic Garden, located on campus and run by faculty, staff, and students, has been named a "People's Garden" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The special recognition is accorded to community gardens across the United States, an initiative started by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last year to promote sustainable, healthy, and local community food production in the country.
Franklin College Converts Fryer Oil to Biodiesel
A group of Franklin College (IN) students, faculty, and staff have converted a gallon of used fryer oil from the campus cafeteria into biodiesel fuel and successfully powered a college-owned tractor on campus. The idea for the project, sparked by the winter term class "Going Green Matters," came from two freshmen students. Students are now refining the process they implemented, trying to find the most efficient technique possible. Business students are also working on calculating the cost of savings from recycling and converting the college's used cooking oil.
Furman U's Cliff's Cottage Receives LEED Gold
Furman University's (SC) Cliffs Cottage has been awarded LEED Gold certification. Built on the Furman campus in 2008, Cliffs Cottage was Southern Living magazine’s first “green” Showcase Home. From its bamboo flooring and insulated windows to the solar panels in the roof, the 3,400-square-foot cottage has served as a model of how to design and build an energy-saving house using environmentally responsible techniques and materials.
Gateway CC Launches Sustainability Studies Certificate
Gateway Community College (CT) has launched a new certificate in sustainability studies. The new professional development courses may be taken together to earn a certificate, or individually. Available courses include sustainable business and economic development, green technologies for the new economy, understanding green employment and living, and home energy savers career awareness program.
Haverford College Student to Study Sustainable Living Worldwide
Haverford College (PA) student Tim Richards has received one of 41 2010 Watson Fellowships. As part of his project, "Holistic Environmentalism: Community Approaches to Sustainability," Richards will explore sustainable living across five continents. Richards will travel to Argentina, Australia, India, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Scotland, and Thailand, and will live in three types of communities that have emerged as international movements aimed at achieving sustainable lifestyles. They are: permaculture communities, human settlements that mirror the relationships found in natural ecologies; ecovillages, international communities of people who strive to live environmentally low-impact lives; and Transition Towns, pre-existing communities that address environmental issues by reducing their carbon emissions and use of fossil fuel.
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Posted May 3, 2010
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Other News
Humboldt State U to Hold Green Graduation
Humboldt State University (CA) has announced plans to hold a green commencement ceremony. The event has banned disposable plastic water bottles and will instead be offering chilled filtered water in compostable cups. In addition, all 1,400 graduate and undergraduate gowns sold by the HSU Bookstore have been made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. The campus will also print fewer Commencement programs per graduate this year, with an eye toward reducing the amount of paper used.
Michigan State U Unveils Recycling Initiative
Michigan State University has unveiled "Going Green," a campus-wide recycling initiative. As part of the initiative, 210 recycling stations will be placed throughout campus enabling MSU faculty, staff, students, and visitors an opportunity to place unwanted paper, plastic, and aluminum in a recycling bin rather than a trash can.
New Mexico State U Restores Solar-Powered Furnace
A group of New Mexico State University students, faculty, and staff have restored a university solar-powered furnace that was constructed in 1979 and has since fell into disuse and disrepair. Rather than electricity, the furnace produces heat, a type of energy production known as solar thermal energy. Graduate student Kyle Glenn and undergraduate Mike Dehmlow operate the furnace. They conduct demonstrations for visiting students to peak their interest in engineering and help them better understand how renewable energy installations, such as a solar furnace, operate.
Northeastern U Awarded $9.9M for Research on Environmental Health
Northeastern University (MA) has received a $9.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of exposure to environmental contamination on preterm birth rates and to develop sustainable solutions. Led by Akram Alshawabkeh, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern, the team will explore whether exposure to commonly found environmental contaminants and chemicals, such as phthalates and trichloroethylene, contribute to the high incidence of preterm births in Puerto Rico. They will pursue new sustainable technologies to identify and remove harmful chemicals from contaminated groundwater. Researchers from Northeastern’s College of Engineering and the Bouvé College of Health Sciences will collaborate with the University of Puerto Rico and University of Michigan on this interdisciplinary research project.
Northeastern U Unveils Green Dining Facility
Northeastern University (MA) has unveiled International Village, a 20,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified dining facility. The dining hall and retail space are both 3-Star Certified Green Restaurants. The all day breakfast station uses cage-free eggs, milk without artificial growth hormones, and Fair Trade Certified coffee and tea. The dedicated vegetarian and vegan platform uses locally purchased produce, and pork and poultry produced without the use of routine antibiotics is prepared in a variety of dishes. Furthermore, all seafood is purchased in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guidelines for sustainability to protect our oceans and their inhabitants. Integrated green building solutions include high performance, energy-efficient foodservice equipment from HVAC to exhaust hoods, to water consumption and automated lighting controls. Low VOC paints, eco-friendly carpeting, and the integration of recycled content were used throughout the entire facility. In addition, 90 percent of the build-out waste was diverted from landfills and an air quality monitoring system was implemented during construction.
NWF Announces 2010 Chill Out Competition Winners
Five colleges and universities from across the United States have won national recognition in National Wildlife Federation’s annual competition Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming. This award program is a campus competition to promote sustainability and honor U.S. schools that are advancing creative approaches to reducing the carbon footprint on campuses. This year's winners are: Western State College of Colorado (Students in Action category), Central Florida Community College (Green Jobs and Education category), University of Arkansas (Campus-Wide Actions category), Georgia Institute of Technology (Best Video), and Boston Latin School (MA) (Innovative Research, Design, and Technology category). The Chill-Out webcast is available for viewing on-demand.
NY Times Publishes Article on EPA's Energy Star Label for Dorms
The New York Times has published an article on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star labels for college and universities dormitories. The article mentions two green residence halls at Ithaca College (NY) and one green residence hall at Hamilton College (NY).
St Mary's College, U Kansas to Start Green Revolving Loan Funds
The St. Mary's College of Maryland and the University of Kansas have announced plans to start revolving loan funds for campus sustainability projects. St. Mary's College Student Government Association will allocate roughly $100,000 to a new fund for creating or implementing sustainable, energy-saving technologies and systems on campus. The majority of the money saved will then go back into the fund. Students will be able to propose and modify projects using the fund. KU's Revolving Green Fund will finance sustainability projects aimed at reducing energy costs and consumption starting with $10,000.
Syracuse U Receives International Award for New Green Data Center
Syracuse University has been named one of the 2010 Green 15 by GDC’s InfoWorld for the University’s new Green Data Center (GDC). The annual Green 15 award recognizes the 15 most innovative IT initiatives of organizations around the world that have embraced green technology to drive projects and develop products aimed at boosting energy efficiency, trimming waste, and reducing or eliminating the use or the production of harmful substances.
Temple U Ambler Partners to Plant Trees at Local Park
The Temple University, Ambler (PA) Arboretum and the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture has partnered with the Philadelphia Zoo, among other institutions, to plant thousands of trees and native plants in Fairmount Park as part of the Zoo's Footprints conservation program. The project, which over the course of the next few years will involve 40 - 50 students, aims to reduce global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide through reforestation, restore native wildlife and habitat and improve forest connectivity in Fairmount Park, and increase local appreciation of wildlife and understanding of climate change effects.
U Albany Partners with Local Bus Service, Car-Share Program
The University at Albany has partnered with a local bus company to offer students, faculty, and staff more options for eco-friendly traveling around campus and in the community. Capital District Transportation Authority buses will be available to ride for free with a single swipe of a SUNY card by members of the university community. In related news, UAlbany has also launched a new car-share program. Connect by Hertz will give faculty, staff, and students access to four fuel-efficient rental vehicles.
U California Merced Releases Sustainability Plan, Website
The University of California, Merced has released its inaugural Sustainability Strategic Plan and formally unveiled its sustainability website. The Sustainability Strategic Plan, developed by the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Sustainability — which has been meeting monthly since late 2007 — includes environmental goals in 12 areas, such as energy use and "green" construction, and lists objectives and milestones for each. The UC Merced sustainability website is organized much like the plan, with objectives and achievements for each listed goal. It also includes a list of sustainability-related awards the university has received and detailed LEED scorecards for each of the buildings on campus. There are also links for students who want to get involved in environmental stewardship, as well as links to all of the university's major planning documents — including the Sustainability Strategic Plan — and sustainability-related podcasts and other outside links.
U Florida Commencement to be Carbon Neutral
The University of Florida has announced that its graduation ceremonies will be carbon neutral this year. The University plans to offset the utilities of the three facilities that will be used during commencement. Additionally, more than 350 graduating students signed the Green Graduation Pledge, committing to carry the values of sustainability with them as they move on from the University of Florida.
U Guelph Ridgetown Receives $2.3M for Anaerobic Digester
The University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus has received more than $2.3 million for the construction of an anaerobic digester and demonstration lab through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. The digester, which will generate approximately 250 kilowatts, has been nicknamed the "legless cow" because it takes in organic matter and churns out heat, carbon dioxide, and methane, which is burned to produce power. The anaerobic digester will use manure from the livestock operations on campus as well as other material gathered from local farms and processors. The operation and management of the machine will become part of the curriculum.
U Idaho Launches Grad Prgm in Natural Resources & Env'l Science
The University of Idaho has launched a new Professional Science Master’s program in natural resources and environmental science. The PSM, which is designed for completion in 18 months, combines advanced science and math skills with training in areas like project management, communications, ethics and leadership. Students will enroll in one of nine program tracks related to topics like sustainability science, fire ecology, water resources management and climate change. In addition to this focused science curriculum, students will take a series of transferable skills courses, and complete both an internship and research project to gain hands-on experience applying what they have learned.
U Massachusetts Medical School Opens Green Data Center
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has opened its new data center on campus that promises to reduce energy use by 40 percent over the current data center. The 7,400-square-foot facility will house all Medical School servers, plus those used by the University President’s office. Energy savings will come from a range of carbon emission-reducing features, including a high-efficiency cooling system, a clean flywheel backup electricity storage system, and no need for lights inside the center. Energy savings will also come from using “air-side economizing” technology, which brings in outdoor air for cooling the indoor space.
U Massachusetts Medical School Reduces Printers on Campus
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has begun a pilot program to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions attributed to the use of desktop printers. Launched in March, the program has already found a 1:1 ratio between employees and printers in at least two school departments. Since the industry standard calls for one printer for every 10 employees, these early results point to a significant opportunity for increasing efficiency and lowering energy costs across the school. The institution seeks to switch to offering multi-function devices positioned in common areas.
U Massachusetts Medical School Student Invention Wins Grand Prize
Max Fraden, a University of Massachusetts Medical School student, and project partner Charles Ishimwe, a business student at the Adventist University of Central Africa in Rwanda, recently won a global social entrepreneurship competition with their idea to replace dangerous kerosene with human pedal power. Based on advanced hand-crank technology, the Nuru Light uses a pedal generator similar to an incumbent bike to generate electricity, which is then stored in batteries. These batteries can be used to power lights, and eventually small household electronics, such as radios and cell phones. Currently, 90 percent of residents in Rwanda use expensive kerosene fuel to light their homes, exposing them to toxic fumes and other dangers. The two students will take home the $10,000 Grand Prize in the 6th annual Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC). Awarded by the Global Business Center at the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business, the GSEC is a business plan competition in which students from around the world—and across fields of study—develop creative, commercially sustainable solutions to problems of poverty in the developing world.
U Michigan, Harvard U Profs Awarded for Green Business Curriculum
The University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business has awarded its second annual D. Alfred N. and Lynn Manos Page Prize for Sustainability Issues in Business Curricula. The competition is designed to encourage and support efforts to introduce or substantially upgrade sustainability courses and/or associated coursework into the curriculum of business schools, both nationally and internationally. Dr. Andrew J. Hoffman of the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business and Dr. Michael W. Toffel and Dr. Forest L. Reinhardt of the Harvard University Business School were each noted as Grand Prize winners. Hoffman's course syllabus, “Green Construction & Design,” was selected for the innovative way in which it examines sustainability from the perspectives of design, construction, and environment. Toffel's and Reinhardt's graduate-level course, “Business and the Environment,” was selected because it represents an exemplary case-based curriculum for educating future business leaders on the impact of environmental considerations on business strategy.
Unity College Switches to Online Course Evaluations
Unity College (ME) has announced plans to replace its paper course evaluations with an online version starting this spring. The College, which has around 540 students, expects to reduce annual paper use by 8,000 sheets through this measure. In addition to saving paper, online course evaluations are expected to be more comprehensive, more accurate, and more expedient. They’ll also be less time intensive for staff processing, and will take place out of the classroom, giving faculty more instructional time at the end of the semester.
U.S. EPA Awards $1M+ to Colleges for Environmental Innovation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $1 million in grants to 14 college teams across the country who participated in the 6th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Winners of the EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) awards developed sustainable projects and ideas that protect the environment, encourage economic growth, and use natural resources more efficiently. The national P3 award competition encourages college students to create sustainable solutions to worldwide environmental problems through technological innovation. Each P3 award winner receives up to $75,000 to further develop a design, implement it in the field, or move it to the marketplace. Winners of this year’s awards are Harvard University (MA), Clemson University (SC), Texas A&M University, Humboldt State University (CA), Appalachian State University (NC), Clarkson University (NY) (two teams), Cornell University (NY), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Roger Williams University (RI), Virginia Tech, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Drexel University (PA). The EPA has posted Science Works Podcasts with its Sustainable Design Competition Winners.
Washington Post Covers Earth Day on College Campuses
The Washington Post has published an article on how college students celebrated Earth Day this year. The article mentions St Mary's College of Maryland; University of Georgia; American University (DC); Texas State University; University of Denver (CO); Gustavus Adolphus College (MN); Georgetown University (DC); Hamilton College (NY); University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Salisbury University (MD); Susquehanna University (PA); Dickinson College (PA); Harper College (IL); Sewanee: The University of the South (TN); and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Washington U in St. Louis Releases Sustainability Plan
The University of Washington in St. Louis has released its Strategic Plan for Environmentally Sustainable Operations. The Plan details the University’s sustainability achievements, aspirations, and challenges in terms of energy and water use, food sources, recycling, and transportation, among others. Goals included in the plan are: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 without purchasing carbon offsets; to build more sustainably by meeting at least LEED Silver qualifications and pursuing LEED Gold when appropriate; and to decrease solo-occupancy vehicles coming to campus by 10 percent by 2012. The plan was developed by the Sustainable Operations Leadership Council.
Western Michigan U Completes Res Hall Energy Competition
Western Michigan University has completed a competition to see which residence hall can save the most electricity. Eco-thon ran during the entire month of February and tracked which dorm could reduce electricity usage by the greatest percentage during the month. The competition used last fall's average electricity consumption as a baseline. The Grand Prize winner, Valley II, received $500 for reducing its consumption by 7.97 percent. Overall, campus residence halls reduced their energy use by 3.08 percent.
Western Michigan U Trustees Approve Student Green Fee
Responding to a student-led initiative and vote, Western Michigan University trustees have approved a new $8 per-semester fee that will begin in fall 2010 and fund campus efforts to sustain a campus culture focused on sustainability. The fee was approved by students who voted in a campus-wide general election this spring. The initiative will generate an estimated $440,000 annually and will be used to support a Sustainability Office, a green jobs program for students, and student research.
2010 Renewable Energy Challenge Winners Announced
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that, at the college level, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (NM) and the College of Menominee Nation (WI) have tied for first place in the 2010 Indian Education Renewable Energy Challenge to build the most efficient portable wind turbine system. The focus of the contest was to promote renewable energy development for Indian Country among students and teachers at the high school and college level. The challenge was a two-part contest. In Phase I, student teams organized by the schools were asked to submit designs for a portable wind turbine installation that generated energy, stored it mechanically or electronically and then used the stored energy to power an array of light emitting diodes. The best 10 designs were selected in the fall and those teams each received $1,300 to construct a prototype for Phase II.
27 New Institutions Sign Presidents' Climate Commitment
27 new institutions have signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment since the last update in the December 21, 2009 issue of the AASHE Bulletin. In doing so, these campuses have committed to develop comprehensive plans for achieving climate neutrality. The new signatories are: James Anderson of Fayetteville State University (NC); David DeCenzo of Coastal Carolina University (SC); Dale Knobel of Denison University (OH); Rufus Glasper of the Maricopa Community College District (AZ); Ernie Lara of Estrella Mountain Community College (AZ); Velvie Green of Glendale Community College (AZ); Paul Dale of Paradise Valley Community College (AZ); Anna Solley of Phoenix College (AZ); Ken Atwater of South Mountain Community College (AZ); Charlotte Warren of Lincoln Land Community College (IL); Frank Toda of Columbia Gorge Community College (OR); Paul McCarthy of El Centro College (TX); Jeffrey Docking of Adrian College (MI); John Anderson of Alfred State College SUNY College of Technology (NY); Richard Rhodes of El Paso Community College (TX); Robert Franklin of Morehouse College (GA); Stephen Beal of California College of the Arts; Stan Altman of Baruch College – CUNY (NY); T. Eston Marchant of Central Carolina Community College (NC); John Schlegel of Creighton University (NE); Michael Burke of Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI); Thomas Isekenegbe of Cumberland County College (NJ); Ed Gould of Imperial Valley College (CA); Becky Paneitz of NorthWest Arkansas Community College; Peter Angstadt of Rogue Community College (OR); Pamela Davies of Queens University of Charlotte (NC); and Mark Tierno of Cazenovia College (NY). 682 college and university presidents and chancellors have now signed the Commitment.
Arizona State U to Expand Recycling Collection
Arizona State University has announced plans to place a recycling bin next to almost every trash bin on campus this semester in an effort to increase recycling rates by making receptacles more accessible. The University is pairing the initiative with an education campaign to help reduce bin contamination.
Campuses Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
Campuses across the U.S. and Canada celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this year. Events ranged from tree plantings and panel discussions to presentations on composting and electronic waste collections. Many schools expanded their normal day or week long celebrations to last 40 days in recognition of the anniversary.
Clemson U Announces Sustainability Strategic Plan
Clemson University (SC) has released a three-part sustainability strategic plan. The white paper, titled “Clemson University’s Commitment to Green Economic Development,” draws from the proceedings of two energy-related summits Clemson hosted in late 2009. Clemson’s commitment comprises three key elements: educational programs, from certifications to graduate levels, to enhance the skills of the current work force in energy-related industries and prepare the next generation of talent; innovation and technology transfer through growth of research in targeted areas and continued development of the University’s innovation campuses; and an initiative to transform the main campus into a national model for sustainability: a net-zero carbon emissions university.
Columbia U Faculty House Awarded LEED Gold
Columbia University (NY) has announced that its recently renovated Faculty House has been awarded LEED Gold certification. Some of the features of the Faculty House restoration included integrated energy-efficient and water-conserving utilities, appliances, fixtures, and insulation; installation of new HVAC system, providing clean air quality; recycled, low-emission furnishings, materials, and finishes as well as locally made materials; and restored original details, repurposed old materials, donated used equipment, and recycled construction waste. With its renovation completed, Faculty House will now focus on providing the highest quality green meetings and events.
Dept of Energy Announces $100M for Smart Grid Workforce Training
U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu has announced that the Department of Energy is announcing award selections for nearly $100 million for 54 smart grid workforce training programs that will help prepare the next generation of workers in the utility and electrical manufacturing industries. These projects will leverage more than $95 million in funding from community colleges, universities, utilities, and manufacturers to develop and implement training programs. The award selections will support two types of workforce training initiatives - developing and enhancing workforce training programs for the electric power sector and smart grid workforce training.
EPA Announces Winners of Green Power Challenge
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the results of its fourth annual Green Power Challenge. The University of Pennsylvania emerged as the top individual school in the competition, purchasing more than 192 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of green power or 46 percent of their power purchases. Collectively, the Ivy League is the overall college conference champion in the challenge, with an annual green power usage of more than 225 million kWh. After the Ivy League, the Big Ten Conference followed by the University Athletic Association are the second and third place winners, respectively. Spread across 26 athletic conferences nationwide, 54 universities competed in this year’s challenge. More than 1 billion kWh of purchased green power were recorded as part of this year's challenge.
Furman U Students Weatherize Area Homes
Furman University (SC) has begun the Community Conservation Corps, a new initiative to weatherize older, energy-inefficient homes in the surrounding area. Projects could include weather stripping doors and windows, adding insulation, installing vapor barriers in crawl spaces, and placing foam pads behind wall plates. The Community Conservation Corps is under the direction of the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability.
Georgetown U Building Earns LEED Silver
Georgetown University's (DC) new Rafik B. Hariri Building, which houses the McDonough School of Business, has been awarded LEED Silver certification. The structure's green features include an expected energy savings of 15 percent through efficient lighting design and controls that include dimmable high-efficiency fluorescent fixtures, optimized garage exhaust fan controls, and ultra-low-flow lavatory fixtures; water-efficient landscaping; operable exterior windows that contribute to indoor environmental quality; and building materials that contain recycled content and were manufactured locally. The 179,000-square-foot building opened in summer 2009.
Indiana U Launches Pilot Project to be Greenest in Big 10
The Indiana University Athletic Department has launched the pilot project Greening Cream & Crimson, an effort to become the greenest athletic department in the Big Ten Conference. As part of the initiative, IU will offset carbon produced by electricity use, transportation, and food consumption during the game by trading out 100 watt incandescent bulbs with the equivalent 23 watt Condensed Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) in the area. Other projects will include recycling during tailgating, recycling inside Memorial Stadium, reducing vendor waste, collecting cell phones for recycling, and offering valet parking for bicycles. In addition to these new green initiatives, campus environmental groups are invited to set up educational booths in Memorial Stadium during the game to highlight other on-campus sustainability efforts.
Lehigh U to Reduce Paper Use on Campus
Lehigh University (PA) has announced plans to reduce the number of pages students are allowed to print each semester. The institution also plans to remove printers from residence halls and greek houses. The money saved from the effort will be used to improve high-speed wireless capabilities.
Michigan State U Students Auction Green Evening Gowns
Students from the "Special Topics: Innovative Approaches in Apparel Design" course at Michigan State University have been invited by Avatar producer and director James Cameron and wife Suzy Amis Cameron in Nashville for "Southern Shores," a fundraising fashion show and auction. Students designed and sewed gowns made from repurposed and or eco-friendly materials. For example, one dress, with a value of $2,200, was made from a repurposed cotton-polyester blend, and two other gowns were made from recycled and repurposed plastic bags. In related news, Amis Cameron wore an eco-friendly dress designed by MSU senior Jillian Granz to the Academy Awards as part of the global "Red Carpet Green Dress" competition, which challenges designers age 18 and up to create a dress make from repurposed or recycled materials.
Michigan State U to Hold Green Commencement
Michigan State University has planned a green commencement ceremony. Student diplomas have been made from recycled paper, caps from one 20-ounce plastic bottle, and gowns from 12 20-ounce plastic bottles. In addition, the program booklets were printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper, and invitations were sent electronically rather than through the mail.
