U Vermont Announces Waste Reduction Policy
The University of Vermont has announced a new policy that aims to reduce costs and waste on campus. The University has purchased a six inch high plastic trash can, known as the "mini-bin," for each employee. Under new procedures, custodial staff will no longer empty wastebaskets in individual offices — a task which they do daily now. Instead, faculty and staff will store trash in their mini-bins and dispose of it themselves in a receptacle centrally located near their offices. Employees will also be responsible for carrying their recyclable material such as paper, bottles, and cans to a central bin.
U Wisconsin Madison Begins Composting Initiative
The University of Wisconsin, Madison has launched a project to collect and compost food waste from campus eateries. Organized by We Conserve, a university-wide program that promotes environmental stewardship practices, the project aims to compost more than 400 tons of food waste annually when fully implemented. Food collection reservoirs are set up at two locations on campus, and waste from both sites is taken to a nearby research station run by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for composting.
Washington U St. Louis Installs Rooftop Wind Turbines
Washington University in St. Louis (MO) has begun a project to install seven wind turbines on top of a historic building on campus. The new turbines will provide energy for the 16 apartments that are contained within the structure.
Arizona State U Wins Green Design Awards Competition
Arizona State University's Global Institute of Sustainability has been announced the winner of the Educational Category in Environmental Design + Construction magazine's Excellence in Design Awards competition. Finalists included the Lewis Walpole Library at Yale University (CT), a student housing complex at Reed College (OR), the Danforth University Center at Washington University (MO), and a student housing complex at Vanderbilt University (TN). Honorable Mentions include Stuart and James halls, part of Dickinson College's (PA) new Rector Science Complex, and Dartmouth College's (NH) Floren Varsity House and Memorial Stadium Renovation. The awards recognize commercial, government, institutional and educational projects as well as single-family residences that demonstrate a clear commitment to green building and sustainable design.
Brandeis U Completes Phase 1 of Green Science Center
Brandeis University (RI) has completed Phase One of its 175,000-square-foot Carl J. Shapiro Science Center. The structure is built to LEED Silver certification standards and features recycled content materials, low VOC paints, urea-formaldehyde free wood products, a green roof, and a light harvesting system.
Eastern Mennonite U Announces 2 Sustainability Majors
Eastern Mennonite University (VA) has announced two new majors: Peacebuilding and Development and Environmental Sustainability. The Peacebuilding and Development major is a study of intentional social change around issues of conflict, poverty, inequality, sustainability, and social justice. The Environmental Sustainability major focuses on forward-thinking sustainability practices. Students in this program will choose between two tracks of study: Environmental Science and Environmental and Social Sustainability.
Farmingdale State U Partners to Establish Smart Energy Campus
Farmingdale State College (NY) has teamed with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to create Long Island's first "Smart Energy Campus." Under the partnership, LIPA will work with the College to expand FSU's solar center to become a Renewable and Sustainable Resource Center for demonstration of customer-owned renewable resources such as wind and solar. The College will also utilize the renewable energy center to expand certificate training programs for renewable resources for green technology entrepreneurs and industry workforce.
Riverland CC to Launch Wind Turbine Program
Riverland Community College has received final approval from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to launch its new Wind Turbine Program in the fall. The Wind Turbine Technician program will explore design, operation, and maintenance theory and application of multi-industry turbine technology usage with an emphasis on wind turbine/renewable energy applications.
Saint Xavier U Wins U.S. Green Building Award
Saint Xavier University (IL) has received the 2009 "SMALL feet/large FEAT – Excellence in Organizational Change" award from the U.S. Green Building Council. The annual award recognizes organizations that have made changes to reduce their environmental footprint.
Virginia Tech Selects Sustainability-Themed Book for Reading Prgm
Virginia Tech has chosen Daniel Goleman's Ecological Intelligence for its Common Book Project for the 2009-2010 academic year. The program gives nearly all new and transfer undergraduate students a common academic experience during their first year at the University. VT encourages faculty teaching first year students to integrate the common book into their curriculum in order to foster broader community discussions on important themes or issues. In Ecological Intelligence , Goleman tells of the critical role of the psychological dimension in our decision making, illustrates the inconsistencies in our response to the ecological crisis, and explains why we as shoppers have found it impossible to know the true range of harmful environmental and health consequences of our purchases.
2 Campuses Select Sustainability Books for Summer Reading
Smith College (MA) has chosen Van Jones' The Green Collar Economy as summer reading for all entering students. The book will be discussed in during summer orientation. In related news, Northwestern University (IL) has selected Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution – and How it Can Renew America as its reading book for all new, incoming undergraduate students. The One Book One Northwestern program will provide students with public lectures, the opportunity to engage in online discussions throughout the academic year, and other events related to the topics of energy and sustainability.
35 Campuses Post Greenhouse Gas Inventories
35 signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin . The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. New inventories were submitted by: University of Delaware; University of Connecticut; University of Utah; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; University of South Florida; Appalachian State University (NC); American University (DC); George Washington University (DC); Rice University (TX); Seattle Pacific University (WA); Washington State University, Spokane; Washington State University, Tri-Cities; Washington State University, Vancouver; University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute; University of Minnesota, Crookston; University of South Carolina, Columbia; State University of New York at Fredonia (NY); Case Western Reserve University (OH); Bucknell University (PA); Drew University (NJ); New College of Florida; Governors State University (IL); Colby College (ME); College of Saint Rose (NY); Antioch University Seattle (WA); Lake Michigan College; Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA); Carteret Community College (NC); Western Technical College (WI); Scottsdale Community College (AZ); Tompkins Cortland Community College (NY); Shoreline Community College (WA); Lorain County Community College (OH); Vermilion Community College (MN); and St. Clair County Community College (MI).
Campuses Donate Unwanted Items During Move-Out
AASHE has posted a blog on 2008 campus collection/donation campaigns, through which several campuses donated unwanted items during move-out season. The initiatives kept items out of landfills, saved trash pickup fees, and donated items to a good cause. Highlighted campuses include Rutgers University (NJ), Suffolk University (MA), San Francisco State University (CA), University of Dayton (OH), and Alfred University (NY).
Chronicle of Higher Ed Covers Trend of LED Lighting on Campus
The Chronicle of Higher Education has published an article on the trend of colleges and universities installing LED lighting. The article mentions Le Moyne College (NY), Georgia Institute of Technology, Marquette University (WI), Madison Area Technical College (WI), University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and North Carolina State University.
Dartmouth College Implements Several Green Dining Initiatives
Dartmouth College (NH) has implemented several new initiatives to make campus dining more sustainable. Among the new initiatives is the new “plate-default” program in the larger dining areas on campus, which means that real plates are used rather than serving items in to-go plastic and paper containers. The campus also implemented tray-less dining at its Sunday all you can eat brunch. In addition, new options on the catering menu offer low-waste event planning and more local food items.
Farmingdale State College to Create Green Building Institute
Farmingdale State College (NY) has announced that it has secured $357,000 in federal funds to establish a Green Building Institute. The GBI effort will include participation from faculty in Architectural Design and Management, Construction Technology, Landscape Design, Electrical Engineering, and the Solar Energy. Working with municipalities, agencies, and the public in training, workshops, and seminars, the institute will address such needs as alternative energies, alternative construction materials, storm water management, and “green” roofs and walls and will help to develop sampling techniques for monitoring indoor air quality and water efficient landscaping. In addition, the GBI will provide economic analysis and consultation in alternative land usage, cost-benefit analysis of alternative construction materials and energy systems, and the economic impact of green building construction. Development of the GBI will begin this fall, with its introduction expected to take place in 2010.
George Washington U Implements Several Green IT Initiatives
George Washington University's (DC) Information Systems and Services department has implemented several new initiatives to make its services more environmentally friendly. Such projects include the implementation of Lifecycle Refresh and GW documents, two programs that seek to lower energy costs. Lifecycle Refresh allows for new energy-efficient servers and data center systems that have greater computing power to replace older systems. One new machine can replace three to four old machines with no loss in performance. GWdocuments reduces the need for physical servers by consolidating administrative documents into a Documentum repository. The goal is to have all administrative documents in one central storage area, which lowers energy usage and makes information more accessible. GW is also in the process of launching a new data center, which will employ a number of energy efficient strategies. The data center is set to launch in early 2010.
Harvard U Class of '84 Reunion Goes Green
The New York Times has published a blog post on a Harvard University (MA) alumni class that opted to hold a green 25th reunion. Environmentally friendly features of the class of 1984's reunion included the use of reusable bottles, plates, and glasses; local food; and biodiesel-fueled busses for a field trip. The organizers of the event also offered suggestions for how attendees could offset their travel emissions.
HBCUs Partner to Increase African American MBA Students
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and deans of the 36 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) business schools have agreed to partner to better prepare African American students for both the GMAT exam and success in graduate management education. Currently, the mean score for African Americans is 100 points below the mean score for all test takers, and the new initiatives aim to eliminate the difference. As part of this partnership, GMAC pledged fee waivers for each of the HBCU business schools to use at its discretion to make sure that no student is denied access to the exam for financial reasons. In addition, GMAC gave each dean packages of test preparation materials, including copies of the new 12th edition Official GMAT Guide and GMAT Prep CDs.
Indiana U Offers Parking Pass Discount to Green Vehicle Owners
Indiana University has begun offering a 20 percent discount on parking passes for employees who drive zero emission vehicles, as determined by the California Air Resources Board, or a car that has achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's annual vehicle rating guide. Some employees have responded to the new discount negatively, arguing that it rewards people who can afford more fuel-efficient automobiles.
Morrisville State College Adds AAS in Renewable Energy Technology
Morrisville State College (NY) has added a new Associate's degree in Renewable Energy Technology. The new program will offer courses that focus on electrical power generation systems (wind, solar, and hydroelectric), heating and cooling (solar, geothermal), and biomass and biofuels.
St. Petersburg College Develops Garden at Local Grade School
St. Petersburg College (FL) Sustainability Club members have partnered with a local elementary school to develop a garden on its grounds. The garden will cover approximately 1,700 square feet and will be tended by K-5 students starting in the fall. The garden will produce a variety of vegetables, fruits, perennials, and annuals grown in an ecologically responsible manner.
U Maryland, North Carolina State U to Host NOAA Climate Inst
The University of Maryland has announced that it will lead a new climate research partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 17 other institutions. The nationwide consortium led by Maryland won a competition for a new NOAA-supported Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS) that will receive up to $93 million in funding over the next five years, with approximately two-thirds of this funding expected to be managed by the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center of the University of Maryland. CICS will be directed from two principal locations: the first in Maryland's research park; and the second associated with the agency's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC. North Carolina State University will be the lead institution for the UNC system and will host an Inter-Institutional Research Institute. CICS will work to create a National Climate Service that would provide longer-term forecasts and warnings related to climate change.
U Nevada Reno Establishes Renewable Energy Research Ctr
The University of Nevada, Reno has formalized its renewable energy research efforts in a new collaborative, the Renewable Energy Center. The collaboration will primarily focus on the work of four colleges within the University: Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources; Business; Engineering; and Science. Research areas will include geothermal, biomass, hydrogen energy, and solar.
U New Hampshire Supports Composting with New Tractor
The University of New Hampshire has purchased a new tractor and a windrow turner to aerate compost pulp. Purchase of the new equipment resulted from a collaboration with Dining Services, the Office of Sustainability, the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Parents Association.
U Oregon Opens Eco-Friendly Education Building
The University of Oregon has opened its new 67,000-square-foot HEDCO Education Building. The $50.5 million project includes natural daylighting, solar hot water, and landscaping that channels rainwater through gardens and bioswales. The structure is 30 percent more efficient than state code requirements.
Virginia Tech Adopts Climate Action and Sustainability Plan
Virginia Tech has adopted a 14 point Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan which calls for the pursuit of LEED Silver certification or better for all new buildings and renovations, a 35 percent recycling rate by 2012, a target for reduction of campus greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 emission level by 2050, reductions in electric usage, the creation of an office of sustainability, and improvements in transportation efficiency. To ensure progress towards goals are met, the university will conduct annual assessments to measure actual progress each year and release these reports publicly.
Wayne State U Hosts Community Farmers' Market
Wayne State University (MI) has begun hosting a community farmers' market on its campus. The market, which is held every Wednesday from June to October, offers fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and prepared foods. The weekly event was established after two successful pilots last year.
Wilson College Opens Green Science Complex
Wilson College (PA) has dedicated the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology. The new $25 million building has been built to achieve LEED certification and features daylighting in perimeter offices, high-efficiency condensing boilers, and solar water heating. The 51,500-square-foot renovation and 25,000 square-feet of new space also features dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals, ultra-low faucet aerators, and low VOC adhesives, finishes, and carpet systems.
Alabama State U Partners to Produce Biodiesel for School Buses
Alabama State University has partnered with the Montgomery Public Schools and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to establish the "Save the Environment" program, which will produce biodiesel fuel from recycled cooking oils for use in MPS buses and other equipment they use. ASU will provide the technical assistance, training, and scientific study of emissions and fuel efficiency; structure an alternative fuels internship program to assist in the operation of the program and in the collection of data for further scientific study; implement programs to inform its students and the public on ways to improve the environment; and apply for appropriate federal funds and/or grants to further the goals of the project.
AP Covers New Trend of Campuses Leasing Condos for Student Dorms
The Associated Press has published an article on a new college and university trend to lease empty condominium complexes and use them for student housing. The story mentions projects at Johnson and Wales University's (RI), Columbia University (NY), and Capital University (OH).
Boston U Student Center Earns LEED Silver Certification
Boston University's (MA) Makechnie Study Center has received LEED Silver certification. The 3,000-square-foot structure features bamboo walls, cork flooring, low VOC paint and carpet, and energy-efficiency lighting systems and electronics. The new center was made of nearly 14 percent recycled material and contains more than 90 percent Energy Star-rated computers, printers, and copiers.
Campuses Offer More Family-Friendly Policies
The University of Michigan's Center for the Education of Women has conducted a survey and issued a report examining the prevalence of family-friendly policies offered to higher education faculty and inquiring about the administration of those policies. Based on the comparison of the 2002 survey and the 2007 survey, which was completed by more than 500 four-year colleges, the Center found that the average number of family friendly policies per institution has increased in the past five years; however, many institutions still do not offer a range of flexible work policies. The survey results also showed that 44 percent of colleges and universities offer unpaid leave in excess of the 12 weeks required by the federal Family and Medical Leave act, up from 40 percent in 2002. However, the survey also found that nearly one in ten of the respondents from all types of schools said there was no policy or accepted practice at their institutions regarding time off for pregnancy/childbirth for biological mothers.
Christian Science Monitor Covers Growing Number of Green Dining Halls
The Christian Science Monitor has published an article on the growing number of dining halls, both K-12 and college-level, that are implementing local and organic food, tray-free, and environmentally friendly dinnerware, and Fair Trade initiatives. The article mentions initiatives at the following higher education institutions: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Green Mountain College (VT), Baldwin-Wallace College (OH), and the University of California, San Diego.
City U Seattle Announces MBA, Grad Certif in Sustainable Business
The City University of Seattle (WA) has announced plans to offer a Masters of Business Administration degree in Sustainable Business and a Sustainable Business Graduate Certificate starting in the fall of 2009. Students who are enrolled in the MBA in Sustainable Business program will take the same core classes as the other CityU MBA programs that are available in the U.S., Slovakia, Greece, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Students will have the opportunity to take their core classes at these international locations during the program, and once the core classes are completed, they can either stay and take their sustainability courses online or come back to the Seattle, Wash. area and take the courses in the classroom. Program emphasis areas are in social and environmental responsibility, marketing in a new economy, environmental accounting, and sustainability and business opportunity.
Cooley Law School Opens Green Addition
The Thomas M. Cooley Law School (MI) has announced the opening of a 65,000-square-foot addition, doubling the size of its Auburn Hills facilities. The structure, which is registered for LEED certification, includes a green roof, an enhanced heating and cooling system, and the use of many renewable and recyclable materials.
Duke U Announces Paperless Payroll
Duke University (NC) has announced that starting in July 2009, all university and health system employees will receive electronic direct deposit statements instead of printed statements. Duke has purchased, printed, and manually distributed more than 600,000 paper pay statements in previous years.
Furman U Class Constructs Cabin for Environmental Learning
A group of students in a Furman University (SC) Experience course have constructed a replica of the cabin that Henry David Thoreau lived in while writing Walden . The students built the structure after reading the book, and plan to donate it for use as a teaching tool and a learning laboratory for classes covering such subjects as environmentalism, philosophy, and literature.
Green Mtn College Announces Plans to Reach Carbon Neutrality by 2011
Green Mountain College (VT) President Paul J. Fonteyn has announced that the campus will be carbon neutral by 2011. Through a combination of a combined heat and power biomass facility and measures aimed at improving energy efficiency on campus, the College projects a 64 percent reduction in emissions outputs between 2007 and 2011. GMC already receives 50 percent of its electricity through Central Vermont Power Service’s Cow Power program, which creates biogas from cow manure on Vermont dairy farms.
Inside Higher Ed Covers ACUPCC Reporting
Inside Higher Ed has published an article on the progress of American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment signatories. Currently 78 percent of signatories are meeting their reporting deadlines. The article includes interviews with presidents from several signatory institutions.
Kresge Announces Green Building Standards for Higher Ed Grants
The Kresge Foundation has announced that it is raising the bar on green building requirements for challenge grants awarded to applicants in the higher-education sector. Effective June 2010, the foundation will only consider proposals for facilities-capital grants from colleges and universities that plan to use the funding for building projects – new construction, renovations, and expansions – that meet the Silver or higher level certification standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program or an equivalent rating agency.
Lafayette College Students Prepare Community Water Solutions
Students from a Lafayette College (PA) Technology Clinic class have prepared a set of recommendations for the town's West Ward Neighborhood Partnership on issues concerning the management of surface water runoff. Some of the group’s suggestions include slowing down runoff through the use of gravel and permeable pavement, green roofs, cisterns, and retention ponds; storing runoff with rain barrels, cisterns, and septic tanks; and reusing runoff to provide water for drinking, urban gardening, household applications, and energy through the use of turbines. In related news, a group of students from the same class created a marketing plan for a proposed flood museum in the community. The students’ mission was to create ideas and exhibits that focus on flood-related issues of immediate local importance for The Flood Project of the Nurture Nature Center. The students created interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations designed to engage the community and the College with issues surrounding floods.
NY Times Covers MBA Graduate Pledges for Social Responsibility
The New York Times has published an article on the increase in MBA programs that offer a voluntary or mandatory pledge to conduct business for the greater good and on the growing number of ethics courses and clubs. The article reviews pledges at Harvard University (MA) and Columbia University (NY) business schools and mentions ethics courses and student organizations at University of Pennsylvania and Columbia MBA programs.
Oberlin College Tractor to Run on Vegetable Oil
Oberlin College (OH) has converted its lawn-mowing tractor to run on vegetable oil. The tractor conversion will reduce the College’s consumption of fossil fuels by at least 700 gallons and eliminate more than 14,000 lbs of CO2 emissions. The fuel expenditure also will be reduced by about $1500 annually.
Ohio U Announces Commitment to Green Building
Ohio University has announced a new policy that requires all new construction and renovation projects to seek to meet or exceed LEED Silver certification. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis as to what level of certification is appropriate to a particular project.
Research Universities Worldwide Sign Sustainability Agreement
Vice-chancellors and presidents from Universitas 21, the international network of 21 research-intensive universities in 14 countries, have signed a statement on sustainability at their annual meeting held in Seoul, South Korea. The statement emphasizes the important role universities play in facing the challenges of climate change, the decline of biodiversity, the need for energy, food and water security, and of economic sustainability and of human health. Under the agreement, each university will develop, publish, and monitor targets, share the results with the others, undertake research aimed at a sustainable future, establish the university campus as a living laboratory for such a future, emphasize citizenship and engagement to promote faculty, staff, and student volunteers, and build capacity through cross-network collaboration and work. Fourteen of the university leaders also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint PhD program to enable doctoral students to undertake joint degrees. The universities believe this will enhance the students' international research and employment opportunities. American and Canadian participants include the University of British Columbia and the University of Virginia.
Rice U Reuses Office Supplies
Rice University (TX) has held a "freecycling" event in which campus members were able to donate excess or unused office supplies for use in other departments. Items that were not claimed by the end of the event were donated to a charitable organization.
Second Nature Announces Green Building Fellowship Grants
Second Nature has awarded 15 Kresge Fellowship Awards to advance campus green building at under-resourced institutions. Funding for these fellowships was provided by the Kresge Foundation, as part of a grant to Second Nature’s Advancing Green Building in Higher Education initiative. The fellowship provides a senior member of the college/university community with education on green building and sustainability in higher education as well as peer-to-peer networking opportunities. Fellowship selection was based on a committee’s assessment of the institutions’ level of need, statement of interest, and campus sustainability capacity. Winners include California State University, Bakersfield, College of Menominee Nation (WI), Houston Community College (TX), Kennebec Valley Community College (ME), Little Big Horn College (MT), Northeast Texas Community College, Onondaga Community College (NY), South Texas College, Tennessee State University, Texas Southern University, United Tribes Technical College (ND), Urbana University (OH), Western Technical College (WI), and Zane State College (OH).
