U San Diego Announces Major in Environmental Studies
The University of San Diego (CA) Marine Science and Environmental Studies Department has added a major in Environmental Studies. The new program is designed as an interdisciplinary approach studying environmental issues from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities perspectives. The major is intended to provide students with a background in the natural sciences, balanced by breadth in the social sciences and humanities most directly connected to environmental issues facing the world today.
USA Today, Inside Higher Ed Cover Increase in Sustainability Curriculum
USA Today has published an article on the increase in the number of college and university academic programs that incorporate sustainability into their curriculum. The article attributes the growth, in part, to increasing student interest in green careers. Institutions mentioned include the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University (MA), Arizona State University, Bucknell University (PA), and Kalamazoo Valley Community College (MI). In related news, Inside Higher Ed has published an article on the increase in academic programs and faculties that focus specifically on sustainability. Colleges and universities noted in the piece include Arizona State University, State University of New York at Stony Brook Southampton, Dalhousie University (NS), Colorado State University, Chatham University (PA), College of the Atlantic (ME), State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and the University of Washington.
U Western Ontario Expands Recycling
The University of Western Ontario has begun accepting milk cartons, drink boxes, and plastics with the recycling number four and five in its recycling bins. The University also plans to add new labeling to every recycling bin on campus, with an icon or symbol illustrating acceptable items.
U Western Ontario Installs Rooftop Garden
The University of Western Ontario has installed a living roof on its Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion. UWO has also embedded probes throughout the new installation that will allow students to monitor such data as soil moisture and temperature. Areas of the roof not covered by plants have been painted in a reflective white color to reduce the heat-island effect. The University plans to install solar panels and a wind turbine on the roof as well.
U Wisconsin Madison Serves Produce from Campus Garden
The University of Wisconsin, Madison's Dining and Culinary Services has begun sourcing a portion of its produce from a garden on campus. The campus eateries that serve the hyper-local food have posted signs to inform their customers about the initiative.
Wayne State U Receives $1.5M to Reduce Energy Waste
Wayne State University (MI) has received $1.48 million from the Great Lakes Protection Fund to help reduce energy waste in the Detroit water system. The University is developing computer software to reduce energy use in the system, which pumps 675 million gallons a day in a 1,079-square-mile area with 126 communities in eight counties.
Wayne State U Receives $5M for 4 Electric Vehicle Engineering Prgms
Wayne State University (MI) has received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to provide an electric vehicle (EV) engineering education and workforce training program. The proposed degrees include a master's in Electric-Drive Vehicle Engineering; a bachelor's in Electric Transportation Technology; an associate's in Automotive Technology and Electronic Engineering Technology; and a graduate certificate program in Electric-Drive Vehicle Engineering. The degree programs are expected to launch in January.
21 New Campuses Complete Greenhouse Gas Inventories
20 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 California, Berkeley; University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; University of Illinois at Chicago; Furman University (SC); University of Wyoming; University of South Carolina, Sumter; University of Minnesota-Duluth; State University of New York at Albany; Franklin College (IN); Castleton State College (VT); Cabrillo College (CA); Fairfield University (CT); University of Saint Thomas (MN); San Joaquin Delta College (CA); Springfield College (MA); Gateway Community College (AZ); Lake Superior College (MN); Washtenaw Community College (MI); Coppin State University (MD); and Johnson County Community College (KS). In related news, Michigan Technological University has also published a greenhouse gas inventory.
Bowdoin College Ice Arena Receives LEED Certification
The Sidney J. Watson Arena at Bowdoin College (ME) has become the first US ice area to receive LEED certification. The $20 million ice arena, which opened in January, uses 17 percent less energy than a comparable facility and contains energy efficient refrigeration and dehumidification systems. The structure, which offers a 90-by-200 square-foot ice surface and seating for 1,900 spectators, also features a storm water management system; low-flow showers, faucets, toilets, and urinals; local building materials; and low VOC adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and carpeting.
Campuses Urge Senate to Support Obama's Energy Education Plan
A group of over 100 universities, professional associations, and student groups joined the Breakthrough Institute in submitting a letter urging the U.S. Senate to fully support the Obama administration's national energy education initiative. The initiative, named "RE-ENERGYSE" (REgaining our ENERGY Science and Engineering Edge), aims to produce thousands of highly-skilled U.S. energy workers and develop new energy education programs at American universities and K-12 schools. The program would develop between 5,000 and 8,500 highly educated scientists, engineers, and other professionals to enter the clean energy field by 2015, which would rise to 10,000 -17,000 professionals by 2020. The Technical Training and K-12 Education subprogram would create between 200 to 300 community college and other training programs to prepare thousands of technically skilled workers for clean energy jobs.
Colorado State U to Install Solar Power Plant
Colorado State University has announced plans to install a 2 MW solar power plant on its Foothills Campus. The 15 acre solar array will generate enough solar power to meet more than 10 percent of the University’s electric energy needs. In exchange for hosting the solar panels, Colorado State has secured a 20-year contract for solar power to keep costs low.
Drexel U Adopts Smart Grid Technology
Drexel University (PA) has deployed an energy monitoring system on its main campus. The system will provide real-time measurements of Drexel's power usage and eventually allow the University to sell energy back to the larger public grid. Using real-time pricing technology, the system will also allow the University to purchase power at times of the day when demand is low and sell excess power back to the larger power grid. The Power Resources Department at Drexel’s College of Engineering will use the campus smart grid as a working laboratory to advance its study of urban power systems.
Florida State U Partners to Build 5 MW Solar Thermal Plant
Florida State University has announced plans to build a 5 MW power plant that uses solar thermal energy and biomass to generate electricity. The plant will use thermal aluminum panels that capture and store heat and will use biomass to make up for hours of the day when the sun isn't out. Construction is set to start in the fall and is expected to be completed in 18 months.
George Washington U Hires Green Stakeholder Engagement Coord
George Washington University (DC) has hired Sophie Waskow as its new stakeholder engagement coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. Waskow will be contributing to sustainability analysis, communications, reporting, and outreach of GW's sustainability efforts. Waskow previously worked at SustainAbility, a corporate social responsibility consulting firm, working with energy sector clients on their sustainability strategies, and is currently the co-chair of the Washington D.C. chapter of StartingBloc, a fellowship program dedicated to social entrepreneurship, corporate sustainability, and international development.
Grand Rapids CC Bookstore Rents Textbooks
Grand Rapids Community College (MI) has announced plans to begin renting textbooks to students starting this fall. GRCC's bookstore provider is testing the rental system at six of its 860 campus stores during the upcoming semester.
Keene State College Establishes Env'l Studies Department
Keene State College (NH) has created a Department of Environmental Studies. The courses in the new department will focus on how people interact with the environment, incorporating the natural world as well as social and political systems.
Luther College Names Sustainability Coordinator
Luther College (IA) has named Dan Bellrichard to the position of sustainability coordinator. Bellrichard will be tasked with assisting the College in achieving its sustainability goals and reducing the environmental impact of the institution by engaging students, faculty, and staff in sustainability initiatives related to campus operations, student life, and teaching and research. The new coordinator will also supervise student work-study sustainability employees, serve as a liaison between campus and community sustainability groups, and design and implement strategies to achieve reductions in solid waste disposal, campus energy usage, and recycling.
Portland State U Students Pass Green Fee
Portland State University (OR) will institute a $5 per term green fee starting this fall. The referendum was passed by 72 percent of voting students this spring, and is expected to generate more than $500,000 in funding for green projects. The allocated funds will subsidize a $10-$15 transit pass for students, create a student-run special sustainability projects fund to support small student-led sustainable projects, and establish a green revolving loan fund to finance energy and water conservation projects.
Princeton Review Releases Green Ratings, Honor Roll
The Princeton Review has released its second annual "Green Rating" of colleges, a measure of how environmentally friendly the institutions that filled out its survey. The company tallied its Green Ratings for 697 institutions based on data it collected from the colleges in 2008-09 concerning their environmentally related policies, practices, and academic offerings. The ratings are reported in some college profiles on the Princeton Review website and in its college guides. The Princeton Review also named 15 colleges to its "2010 Green Rating Honor Roll," a list that salutes the institutions that received the highest possible score – 99 – in this year's rating tallies. Institutions listed on the Honor Roll include: Arizona State University, Bates College (ME), Binghamton University (NY), College of the Atlantic (ME), Colorado College, Dickinson College (PA), Evergreen State College (WA), Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard College (MA), Middlebury College (VT), Northeastern University (MA), University of California, Berkeley, University of New Hampshire, University of Washington, and Yale University (CT).
St. Petersburg College Partners to Offer LEED Training
St. Petersburg College’s (FL) Corporate Training Office has announced a partnership with the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council to provide a sustainable building operations training course based on the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system. The collaboration will make the training available beyond the local area.
Students' Guide to Sustainable Living at Stanford
Students at Stanford University (CA), in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, have created the "Students' Guide to Sustainable Living at Stanford." The guide, which will be presented at the new student orientation events, contains information on greening dorm rooms and apartments, how to conserve water and electricity while doing laundry, how to make study habits more sustainable, eating sustainably on campus, using alternative transportation options, and where and what to recycle.
U Iowa 15th in Nation for On-site Green Power
The University of Iowa has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of the Top 20 On-site Green Power Users, with a rank of 15th in the nation. As the only college campus on this list, the UI has an on-site power plant that uses oat hulls to generate nearly 9 million kilowatt-hours of biomass power annually, equivalent to 3 percent of its electricity use.
UNESCO, Microsoft Announce Partnership for Green Training
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Microsoft Corp. have announced a joint task force to help higher education institutions worldwide meet the growing challenge of supporting economic stimulus efforts and work-force development strategies. The UNESCO-Microsoft Task Force on Higher Education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will create a strategic plan of action to identify how ICT can be used by governments as a catalyst for change. The Task Force will also seek to ensure that students are equipped to drive and support economic growth and to address major development challenges such as those related to the environment.
U Saskatchewan Appoints Chair in Env & Sustainability
The University of Saskatchewan has appointed Douglas A. Clark as Centennial Chair in the School of Environment and Sustainability. The Chair, a five-year appointment effective August 1, 2009, will provide leadership and vision in establishing an interdisciplinary research program and promote excellence in graduate student training. Clark earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Victoria (BC), a Master’s in Zoology from the University of Alberta, and a PhD in Geography and Environmental Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University (ON). Since 2007, Clark has served as a scholar-in-residence at Yukon College, building the college’s research capacity and providing strategic advice on a new undergraduate environmental studies program.
U System of Ohio Partners for Green Jobs
The Ohio Board of Regents has announced the launch of Ohio Green Pathways, a collaboration of the University System of Ohio and the Ohio Environmental Council that is designed to link education and training with green industry jobs in the state. The program aims to demonstrate career pathways for students in green education programs, increase enrollment in these programs, and help ensure that the state's workforce demands are met. Goals of the program include creating a database of green programs in the University System of Ohio, identifying current best practices in green education and training programs in Ohio and across the nation, and meeting anticipated workforce demand through new and expanded development of workforce training in the University System of Ohio's adult career-technical education sites and community colleges.
U Washington Theater Receives LEED Gold
The University of Washington Drama Department has received LEED Gold certification for its Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse Theater. The Theater, which seats over 200 people, features natural ventilation; hydronic floor heating; an under-floor air displacement system; water conservation technologies; low VOC paints, sealants, carpets, and theater scenery; recycling of construction waste; and use of regional materials.
Washington State U Installs Smart Sprinklers
Washington State University has installed a new water management irrigation system that turns off when it is raining. The University expects the evapotranspiration controller system to reduce water consumption by 30 percent.
Austin Peay State U Purchases 4 Electric Vehicles
Austin Peay State University (TN) has purchased four new Global Electric Motocars (GEMs). The vehicles – two six-passenger GEMs, one four-passenger and one two-passenger – are used by APSU staff to travel on campus for maintenance projects, deliveries, and errands. The four GEM vehicles, which cost a total of $69,000, were funded with money from student sustainability fees.
Clemson U Dedicates Green Building
Clemson University (SC) has dedicated the Harris A. Smith Building, a structure that houses the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics. The 28,000-square-foot building features natural daylighting, locally sourced materials, concrete floors with a 20 percent fly ash content, and a metal sunscreen that mitigates the sun's exposure on the building's southwest corner glass wall. Clemson is seeking LEED Gold certification for the structure.
College of William and Mary Names First Sustainability Fellow
The College of William and Mary (VA) has named Philip Zapfel as a sustainability fellow for the 2009-2010 school year. Zapfel, a 2009 graduate of William and Mary, will be the College's first full-time employee dedicated to sustainability. In his new post, Zapfel will be responsible for coordinating the Committee on Sustainability's (COS) sustainability initiatives and helping to promote the College’s sustainability goals. Other responsibilities will include researching fundraising opportunities, encouraging and coordinating campus sustainability activities by faculty, staff, and students, preparing press releases regarding sustainability actions on campus, and maintaining the COS website.
Connecticut Holds Sustainability Education Workshop
The Connecticut Partnership for Sustainability Education has completed a "Best Practices in Sustainability Education Workshop." The workshop provided opportunities for Connecticut schools to share their successes and challenges in integrating the principles of environmental sustainability into the curriculum and into campus practices. Faculty from Three Rivers Community College and several K-12 schools were in attendance.
Federal Agencies Announce Biofuels Research Grants
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack have announced up to $6.3 million in funding for genomics-enabled research leading to the improved use of plant feedstocks for biofuel production. Awards have been given to the University of Georgia, Michigan Technological University, the University of Florida, and the University of Nebraska.
Kansas State U Installs Green Roof
Two professors in Kansas State University's College of Architecture, Planning, and Design have installed an experimental green roof over a third-floor breezeway on campus. The professors hope to assess how a living roof can reduce the urban heat load and control runoff from the region's intense thunderstorms. The rooftop garden mixes 14 grasses and other plants native to Kansas inside a border of sedum, a shallow-rooted succulent.
North Carolina State U Offers Concentration in Renewable Energy
North Carolina State University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has announced plans to offer a new undergraduate concentration in Renewable Electric Energy Systems within the Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree program starting this fall. The new concentration will offer coursework in electromechanical energy conversion, renewable electric power systems, power electronics, and power transmission and distribution systems.
North Carolina State U Receives $1.3M to Improve Hybrid Car Batteries
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $1.3 million to faculty in North Carolina State University's Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center to improve the batteries that help power plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The grant will support research into the development and use of electrospinning technology to integrate lithium alloy and carbon into novel composite nanofiber anodes, which hold more energy, cost less and tolerate abuse better than materials found in existing batteries.
Portland State U Composts at Summer Orientation
Portland State University (OR) has announced that it is providing event composting services at its 15 orientation sessions for incoming first year and transfer students. Composting bins, along with student recycling and composting specialists, are located at each Lunch and Resource Fair. PSU collected over 300 pounds of compost and only 100 pounds of trash during the first 2 weeks of orientation.
Smith College Distributes Green Back-to-School Shopping List
Smith College (MA) has distributed an environmental sustainability-focused back-to-school shopping list that was developed by a Smith student. The list encourage students to bring cloth bags, a bicycle, reusable mugs, Tupperware, Energy Star appliances, power strips, and compact fluorescent bulbs. The list also discourages students from bringing a refrigerator, a computer printer, and incandescent bulbs.
St. Petersburg College Building Awarded LEED Gold Certification
St. Petersburg College (FL) has received LEED Gold certification for its Natural Science, Mathematics, and College of Education building. The structure, which opened in January 2009, includes reflective roofing and paving materials, fourteen preferred parking spaces for fuel-efficient vehicles and carpools, and bicycle storage and shower/changing facilities. The College has also committed to using only green cleaning products in the new building.
U Arkansas Sustainability Research Ctr Receives PepsiCo Grant
The University of Arkansas Applied Sustainability Center has received a $300,000 grant from PepsiCo. The Center works with a wide range of partners, including other UA colleges, for the rapid development of sustainable business practices and to promote their application across the retail and consumer goods industries.
Universities Receives DOE Funding for Wind Energy Research
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the selection of 28 new wind energy research projects for up to $13.8 million in funding. The higher education institutions that will receive a portion of the funding include: the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; University of Massachusetts, Lowell; Illinois Institute of Technology; New Mexico State University; the University of Michigan; the University of Colorado; Tennessee Technological University; the University of Texas at Austin; and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
U Pennsylvania Installs Water Conserving Shower Heads
The University of Pennsylvania has begun a project to install 2,500 new environmentally friendly shower heads in campus residences. The new devices will save approximately 17.25 million gallons of water per year.
U Southern California Campus Building Earns Green Award
The University of Southern California's Ronald Tutor Campus Center has received a Green Building of America Award and a spot in the "green success stories" edition of the upcoming Southwest Real Estate & Construction Review . The Campus Center, which is registered for LEED Silver certification and is not yet open, incorporates radiant heating in the outdoor plaza, bamboo wood, trash compactors that separate out biodegradables, and lighting with motion sensors and long-life bulbs. The building also contains low-flow plumbing and an underground retention basin to capture rainfall.
U Tennessee Opens Biodiesel Production Facility
The University of Tennessee has opened a biodiesel production facility on its agricultural campus. The production facility will convert waste fryer oil from Knoxville area restaurants into useable fuel and will serve as a research center for other agricultural fuels like soybean oil and oilseed crops. The facility can produce up to 380,000 gallons of biodiesel annually, which will supply UT and local businesses.
Washington U in St. Louis Apartments Certified LEED Silver
Washington University in St. Louis' (MO) Village East student apartment building has received LEED Silver certification. The Village East, which opened in August 2008, contains 152 beds in four-bedroom apartments for upper-class students. The structure features natural daylighting; materials with recycled content; low-emitting paints, carpets, and composite wood; and stormwater management, including an on-site rain garden.
3 Florida Colleges, City Partner for Sustainability
Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach Community College, and Lynn University have partnered with the City of Boca Raton, Florida to address environmental sustainability issues. The group plans to appoint a five person Green Living Task Force that will advise the City Council.
College of Charleston Releases Campus Sustainability Video
The College of Charleston (SC) has created a video about sustainability on the Charleston campus. The video aims to teach students about sustainability and how they can reduce their energy consumption on campus and to encourage students to take action to make the College more sustainable.
Colleges Partner with Wal-Mart for Sustainability Consortium
Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas are leading a Sustainability Consortium that will provide scientific research to support Wal-Mart's sustainability index, a project that aims to place labels on all of the retailer's products that informs consumers about their environmental impact and treatment of workers. Additional campus partners include Duke University (NC); Harvard University (MA); Stanford University (CA); the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Michigan; the University of Quebec at Montreal; and the University of Texas.
Colorado College Saves $100K in Energy Costs
Colorado College has announced that it saved nearly $100,000 during its 14 week "aCClimate14" conservation campaign during the spring semester. The "aCClimate14" effort was a campus-wide resource conservation campaign designed to achieve a 14 percent reduction in electricity, heat, and water use through behavioral change. Each of the 14 weeks in the semester focused on different daily habits such as computing, bathing, transportation, and studying. The campaign included various communal tools to encourage behavioral shifts, including drying racks, outdoor recycling receptacles, shower timers, and plug-in electric meters.
