Kwantlen Polytechnic U Waives Tuition for First Nation Students
Beginning fall 2023, the university will waive tuition for incoming and current students who are members of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Musqueam, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem First Nations. The announcement was coupled with the release of a framework to address and reduce ongoing systemic colonialism, oppression and racism toward Indigenous people.
Georgia Southern U Launches Earth, Environment & Sustainability School
In early July, the university's College of Science and Mathematics launched a new School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability (SEES). The new school will blend several science disciplines to better serve a growing student demand for sustainability and environmental science education. Under the new school, students can pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Science while working toward their undergraduate degree.
Oakland U Receives $1M for Sustainability Center
At an event in early June, the Oakland University Credit Union announced the $1 million gift to the university, which will go toward the establishment of a Center for Environmental Sustainability and Ethics. The funds will also support a director of sustainability position and additional sustainability initiatives.
U Adelaide Publishes Sustainability Strategy
(Australia) The newly published Sustainability Strategy 2030 Here for Good aims to embed sustainability across institutional decision-making and provide graduates, communities and government leaders with the knowledge and innovations to adapt and prosper across generations. The plan includes goals and targets related to learning and teaching; research and innovation; decarbonization; investing; reporting and communications; and governance.
California State U Northridge Launches Sustainability Plan
The university's new, 10-year "Road Map to Sustainability" has ten key focus areas, each with its own action plan to achieve university-wide goals. The ten areas include: cultivating sustainability; emissions; food systems; procurement; waste; education; energy; justice, equity, diversity and inclusion; transportation and water.
Investment Coalition Seeks to Stop New Fossil Fuel Projects
(U.K.) Representatives from the Universities of Newcastle, Sussex, Bristol, and from Trinity College Cambridge and Jesus College at the University of Cambridge recently published an open letter asking asset managers to vote against directors of companies pursuing or backing new fossil fuel projects. It also asks investors to support all climate-linked shareholder resolutions, particularly those that call for an end to new fossil fuel projects.
U California Signs 85 MW Wind Energy Contract
The newly signed wind energy contract supports a 3,500 megawatt utility-scale wind farm in New Mexico. The university is procuring 85 megawatts, which is equivalent to the total annual electricity consumption for US Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside and UC Merced combined. Construction is expected to start this year and commercial operation is anticipated in 2026.
SUNY ESF Renews STARS Platinum Rating
The university's latest STARS report highlights its employee sustainability educators program that supports and facilitates sustainable practices through peer education and collective action. Another point of distinction is a 41 percent reduction in waste and a 23 percent increase in waste diversion compared to a 2018 baseline.
