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).
Syracuse U to Build Off-the-grid Data Center
Syracuse University, New York State, and IBM have entered into a multiyear agreement to build and operate a new computer data center on the University's campus that will incorporate advanced infrastructure and smarter computing technologies. The 6,000-square-foot data center will feature an on-site electrical co-generation system that will use natural gas-fueled microturbine engines to generate all electricity for the center and provide cooling for the computer servers, allowing the center to run completely off the grid. In addition, SU will conduct research and analysis of the data center's power and cooling technologies and develop models and simulation tools to monitor, estimate, plan, and control energy use to achieve the goal of reducing average data center energy use by 50 percent.
U Richmond Becomes 100th Signatory of Talloires Decl on Civic Roles
The University of Richmond (VA) has signed the Talloires Declaration on the Civic Roles and Social Responsibilities of Higher Education (which is separate from the Talloires Declaration on Sustainability), making it the 100th worldwide institution to do so. The Talloires Network began in 2005 when the Declaration was drafted by 29 university presidents, rectors, and vice chancellors from 23 countries. By signing this international declaration, the University of Richmond has committed to educating for social responsibility and civic engagement, and to strengthening the application of university resources to the needs of local and global communities.
U Winnipeg Receives $18M Grant for Env'l Research Complex
The University of Winnipeg (MB) has received an $18,042,000 infrastructure grant from the Government of Canada to construct the Science Complex and Richardson College for the Environment. The Complex, which will seek LEED Silver certification, will engage students and faculty in research and development related to the North, urban ecology, water stewardship, green chemistry, and indigenous science. The expected completion date is March 2011.
Virginia Tech Students Produce Biodiesel
A group of Virginia Tech students have produced more than 200 gallons of biodiesel as part of a senior design project for the department of mechanical engineering. The Virginia Tech Bio-Fuels group uses the B100 fuel, which is made from waste vegetable oil obtained from local restaurants, to run two pickup trucks.
Washington U Opens Building Designed to Meet Living Building Challenge
Washington University in St. Louis (MO) has opened its new Living Learning Center. Located on 2,000 acres of woods, prairie, ponds, and savannahs, the 2,900-square-foot facility is built to meet the Living Building Challenge, a program by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council that contains 16 green building requirements. The center is designed to be a zero-net energy and zero wastewater building and will capture rainwater and purify it for drinking. The facility also features porous paving that will absorb almost all storm runoff, a composting toilet, a 3,000 gallon underground cistern, and a 17-kW photovoltaic system that will power the building.
Western Michigan U Health Building Receives LEED-EB Gold
Western Michigan University's College of Health and Human Services building had received LEED-EB Gold certification. The structure is the first higher education building in the US to receive higher than a LEED-EB Silver award. The 200,000-square-foot building was completed in the summer 2005 and includes cork flooring, motion-activated lights, and rice paper between sheets of glass that provides translucent windows along hallways.
Wheelock College Dedicates Green Campus Ctr & Residence Hall
Wheelock College (MA) has dedicated its new Campus Center and Students Residence Hall. The 58,000-square-foot facility, which provides housing for 108 students, features a green roof and light-absorbing windows and is registered for LEED certification.
Appalachian State U Students Test Green Construction Methods
Students in the Building Science and Appropriate Technology Program at Appalachian State University (NC) have constructed a 500-square-foot model house to test innovative technologies and building practices. The structure is designed to be a self-sufficient and adaptable disaster relief dwelling. The building’s energy-efficient features include use of structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the building’s exterior walls and roof; solar panels, which will generate energy needs for the occupants, a system to collect rainwater from the roof, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The structure can accommodate up to five occupants.
Butte College Unveils Solar Arrays on Parking Structure
Butte College (CA) has installed a solar array on one of its campus parking lots. The new array, which also provides shade for cars, will generate energy for seven buildings and four greenhouses. The College expects to save $8 million over the life of the array. This installation is the fifth solar project the College has embarked on in the last four years. Overall, 45 percent of the College's electricity needs are now met with solar power.
California State U San Marcos, U Minnesota Host Farmers' Markets
California State University, San Marcos has begun a new farmers' market on campus. The weekly market is a joint project of CSUSM and the San Diego County Farm Bureau. The University of Minnesota has also begun hosting its community farmers' market. The weekly event features produce from the students organic farm, meat and cheese from the University's laboratories, and food from local vendors.
Drexel U Announces Public Service Fellowships
Drexel University (PA) has announced the establishment of the Constantine Papadakis Public Service Fellowships, an academic tuition award available for any public service worker who enrolls in any of the 11 programs being offered at the University's Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento, CA. The Fellowships will reduce tuition by 15 percent for any individual working at least 20 hours per week in a qualified public service job, including a not-for-profit organization, any governmental or quasi-governmental agency, or any other public service employer.
Florida Legislators Deny Student Green Fee
Florida state legislators did not pass a proposal to allow public colleges and universities in Florida to institute green fees for on-campus renewable energy projects. Such fees had been approved in student referendums at several of Florida's public institutions. Students plan to continue the campaign through next year's legislative session.
Green Purchasing Survey Reveals Growing Role of Sustainability Programs
The National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) and SciQuest, a procurement automation company, have announced the findings of "The Current State of Green Procurement Trends within Higher Education" survey. The survey, which garnered responses from procurement professionals at more than 100 colleges and universities in the U.S., found that: nearly half of respondents plan to institute a green purchasing policy in the next year; more than 62 percent of colleges and universities have a sustainability plan in place, but only 24 percent have green procurement policies in place to support them; more than 85 percent of respondents believe the call to "do the right thing" is the most important reason for implementing sustainability initiatives; only 30 percent of respondents have the ability to promote green certified suppliers; and more than 60 percent have no way to determine how much is spent on environmentally friendly products. The survey is intended to provide a benchmark from which the profession can gauge the growing role of procurement within sustainability efforts.
John Brown U Partners to Help Community Measure Wind Potential
The John Brown University Renewable Energy Department and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Energy Office have partnered to develop an anemometer loan program designed to allow land owners in Arkansas to measure wind energy potential and to help promote wind energy throughout the state. Through the program, selected participants will borrow wind measurement instrumentation to conduct a one-year measurement study on their site. Faculty and students from JBU will install the equipment and monitor the data from campus. They will also develop a wind resource analysis for each participant at the end of the measurement period. Once the one-year measurement period is completed and the data is collected, the equipment will be relocated to other selected participants.
Manchester College Launches Sustainability Website
The Manchester College (IN) Green Campus Initiative has launched a new website. The site provides green tips, lists current campus sustainability projects, and posts the College's sustainability policy. The site also has an on-line meter of electric and gas usage on the campus and links for activism opportunities and green jobs.
NY Times Covers Increasing Number of Organic Farm Internships
The New York Times has published an article on the increasing number of liberal arts students who are opting to intern at organic farms during the summer. The article mentions Barnard College (NY), Kenyon College (OH), Washington State University, and New York University.
Rockingham CC Students Install Solar Arrays
Students at Rockingham Community College (NC) have installed 17 photovoltaic panels on the northwest side of a 1,000-square-foot home built on campus. The array will meet all electricity needs for the structure. Students have also installed a solar panel for the house's hot water heater. Professors plan to use the arrays as teaching tools in the future.
San Diego CCD Opens Green Campus
San Diego Community College District has opened its West City Campus, the newest site for its Continuing Education program. The structure, which is registered for LEED Silver certification, features low E-rated windows and solar tubes that help maximize natural daylighting; sensors that automatically dim lights in response to available lighting; low-flow and waterless plumbing fixtures; low-VOC paint, adhesives, and carpeting; and a high percentage of recycled construction materials.
Students Campaign for Econ Textbooks to Address Sustainability Issues
Students have begun a campaign, called Toxic Textbooks, to support and coordinate protests against college and university economics textbooks that do not consider social and environmental externalities. The group desires a textbook that instead focuses on human well-being and quality of life and teaches students to distinguish between poverty in terms of low quality of life and in terms of low monetary income.
U Mass Online Announces 3 Sustainability-Related Academic Prgms
The University of Massachusetts Online has announced three new programs: a concentration in Sustainable Entrepreneurship, a graduate certificate Environmental Public Policy, and the Green Building Professional Development Series. The concentration in Sustainable Entrepreneurship will include courses on holistic health, sustainable food and farming, geothermal energy conservation, and green building. The Environmental Public Policy graduate certificate comprises two required and two elective courses, all of which are entirely online. The required courses are: Public Institutions and the Policy Process and Environmental Policy. Electives include Environmental Consequences of Globalization, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, and Ocean Policy and Law. Credits earned through the graduate certificate program will be transferable into the University's Master's degree in Public Policy anticipated for calendar year 2010. The Green Building Professional Development Series includes courses in Sustainable Building and LEED Certification, Energy Efficient Housing, The Built Environment, Green Building and Indoor Environmental Quality, and Sustainable Sites for Green Building.
U Northern British Columbia Announces Biomass Gasification Project
The University of Northern British Columbia has selected Nexterra Energy Corp. to supply and install a turnkey biomass gasification system to heat the Prince George campus and to anchor its new Northern Bioenergy Innovation Centre. The gasification system will convert locally-sourced wood residue into clean-burning renewable synthetic gas that will displace up to 85 percent of the natural gas currently used to heat the campus. The project, which is jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, is expected to begin in June 2009. It will be complete by mid-2010.
U Texas Arlington Names First Sustainability Director
The University of Texas at Arlington has named environmental lawyer Kathryn C. Poulos, a commissioner for the Environmental and Energy Advisory Commission in Oak Park, Ill., as the University’s first sustainability director. Poulos, who will begin her new job on August 1, 2009, earned her law degree along with a certificate in environmental law from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1993.
Wayne County CCD Announces Green Efforts as Part of Budget Strategy
Wayne County Community College District (MI) has announced that it will, among other strategies, reduce energy costs through environmental sustainability initiatives in an effort to decrease spending in the 2009 fiscal year budget. The District decided to implement the fiscal strategies due to a decrease in revenue from local property taxes and state aid. WCCCD has also announced plans to launch the "Workforce Education and Green Careers Initiative" through which the Eastern Campus will become a model green campus. The District's new workforce education model will also include an "Open Door Equity Initiative" designed to assure that those individuals who experience barriers to career and academic success due to low income and limited literacy skills will have access to support services such as career counseling, financial aid, and literacy, and basic job skills education.
Western State College Installs 3 Solar Arrays
Western State College of Colorado has installed three solar systems on Kelley Hall, a building that houses the Environmental Studies and Behavioral and Social Sciences programs. The system, which is primarily meant to provide a solar laboratory for student research, includes two solar electric systems that will offset a portion of the structure's electricity usage and a solar thermal system that will provide heat for domestic water for hand-washing in the restrooms and some space heating for the building.
