Campus Sustainability Planning: A May Update
Solar power capacity within the California State University system has more than doubled in the past five years and is proposed to double again by the end of 2012, it was recently announced in "The CSU Commitment to Sustainability." Thirty research centers and 150 academic programs are related to the environment, green engineering and sustainable practices; 19 of 23 campuses participate in programs to curtail campus energy use during times of peak demand; and the university system has 36 LEED-certified buildings with another 10 on the way. Also reported to AASHE in the recent past, York University (ON) has released its 2010 Sustainability Report, which includes 20 recommendations for a long-term and holistic approach to sustainability on campus. Initiatives include a pilot project for student sustainability engagement in summer 2011; the development of green IT guidelines for all departments; and identifying strategies to embed sustainability in course design. In related news, Miami University (OH) has committed to reduce its coal consumption immediately in its first sustainability plan, with the goal of completely eliminating coal as a campus energy source by 2025. The university also plans to expand its recycling efforts, strive for environmentally friendly construction and develop a campus plan for alternate transportation options including a network of bike lanes. In more related news, the University of Maryland's Facilities Management department has unveiled the first draft of its new master plan, largely focused on how to make the campus more bike and pedestrian friendly.
Rochester Institute of Tech Names Senior Sustainability Advisor
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) has named Enid Cardinal as senior sustainability advisor to the RIT president. Cardinal, a LEED-accredited professional with a background in socially responsible investing and environmental policy, will assume her new role in July. She will be responsible for developing, implementing and administering policies and programs that will further the institute's goal of becoming an international model for best practices in campus sustainability operations and programs.
Harvard U Invigorates Green Campus Efforts with Awards System
Harvard University (MA) recently held its Green Carpet Awards ceremony, recognizing campus community members with 55 individual awards in areas including infrastructure improvements, behavior change, waste/water reduction, green buildings, green teams and renewable energy. Besides raising awareness for sustainability issues and efforts, the event aims to provide positive incentives to those working daily to advance sustainability throughout campus. The ceremony drew a crowd of 500 and included videos from Harvard professors speaking about the challenge of climate change and the student-produced music video, "Turn Off the Lights."
Syracuse U Appoints VP of Sustainability Initiatives
Syracuse University (NY) has appointed Sherburne Abbott as vice president for sustainability initiatives and university professor of sustainability science and policy. In her current position as associate director for environment in the Executive Office of the President, Abbott manages a portfolio of science and technology policy that ranges from energy and climate change to environmental quality and sustainability. Her appointment will be effective in July.
Arizona State U Creates Employee Sustainability Literacy Program
Arizona State University has announced a new sustainability literacy program for campus employees. The Sustainability Literacy Education interactive online program educates employees about current and future sustainability initiatives happening on campus and suggestions for how to get involved. The educational component includes photo slideshows, videos and audio recordings to help arm employees with the necessary facts to fulfill the sustainability requirement of their annual work performance evaluations.
Rochester Institute of Technology Names McCarthy Chair
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) has named Jennifer Schneider, a professor in its College of Applied Science and Technology, as the new Russell C. McCarthy Chair. In her new role that begins in September, Schneider will help to expand the college's research strategy in the area of infrastructure science focusing on the role it plays in communities. Her research in environmental health and safety management system design, risk management and critical infrastructure will expand in her role as chair, focusing on building resilient communities.
U California Berkeley Promotes Travel-Free Meetings
The University of California, Berkeley's Office of Sustainability has launched a small grant program to promote the use of campus videoconferencing and web-based meeting tools as alternatives to in-person meetings that require travel by airplane. The Travel-Free Meeting grant program aims to provide incentives and help remove barriers to using video/web-based services as meeting alternatives. Grants of up to $100 will be given for hosting web meetings and videoconferences, or for purchasing a computer camera for Skype calls or desktop web-conferencing.
U Florida Recognized for Wealth of Online Sustainability Content
With 800 pages pertaining to sustainability, the University of Florida came out on top during an investigation by undergraduate students at Claremont McKenna College's (CA) Roberts Environmental Center as to which institutions devote the most online content to sustainability issues. The university’s diverse coverage of sustainability includes carbon emissions reduction, a focus on locally grown produce and renewable energy outreach and development.
Entrepreneur Magazine Names Best 'Green Business' Schools
Entrepreneur Magazine has recommended 16 graduate business schools as the best institutions for MBA students to get a sustainable business degree. The publication based its rankings on The Princeton Review's survey of administrators at 325 graduate schools of business in 2009-2010 and of students attending the schools. Administrators were surveyed on their school's academics, curricula, campus policies and student services related to sustainability, social responsibility and the environment. Students were polled on how well they felt their MBA programs were educating them for careers in "green business" fields. The institutions, in alphabetical order, are: Babson College (MA), Bentley University (MA), Brandeis University (MA), Claremont Graduate University (CA), Clark University (MA), Columbia University (NY), Duke University (NC), McGill University (QC), New York University, Portland State University (OR), Stanford University (CA), University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame (IN), University of Virginia and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Cornell U Launches New Sustainability Focus Initiative, Website
Cornell University (NY) has upped its sustainability collaboration efforts with the launch of a new sustainability focus team initiative and website. The initiative includes 10 teams that together represent a comprehensive look at sustainability from buildings to people, and are based on best practices identified by STARS. Over the next few months, teams will set goals, recruit members and collect benchmark data for STARS reporting. The new website features pages for each focus group.
U California Davis to Shutter Domes; New Student Housing Planned
Citing the need for costly repairs, the University of California, Davis has announced plans to close the Domes; 14 huts that house about two dozen students in a communal living area with organic gardens, chickens and fruit trees. The modest student housing will give way to 35 acres of apartment student lodging, planned with bike-friendly pathways and energy-saving technology like solar panels, power-saving lighting and high-grade insulation. Residents of the Domes applaud the sustainable building efforts, but say that environmental sustainability is not the same as the social sustainability fostered in their communal living situation.
U Texas Austin Launches Sustainability Website, Directory
The University of Texas at Austin has introduced a sustainability website dedicated to monitoring sustainability issues across campus. The main feature of the portal is the Sustainability Directory, a searchable, relational database focused on education and research that organizes information into topical subjects related to sustainability issues.
Harvard U Library System Meets Green Office Challenge
All workspaces in buildings managed by Harvard College Library Operations at Harvard University (MA) have achieved at least Green Leaf Level One as part of the Office of Sustainability's Green Office Program. Staff in campus libraries were challenged to “go green” in February 2010 with the goal being 100 percent at level one by January 2011. Several offices surpassed this by achieving the highest Green Leaf Level Four.
New CUNY Community College Slated for 2012; First in 43 Years
With plans for degree programs including energy services management, environmental science and urban studies, a new community college has been approved by the City University of New York Board of Trustees. The system's first new community college in 43 years, the institution will open in Manhattan in the fall of 2012 with an initial 500 students.
Ohio Wesleyan U Hires First Sustainability Coordinator
Ohio Wesleyan University has named Sean Kinghorn as its first energy conservation and sustainability coordinator. With more than 15 years of experience in sustainability planning, sustainable development, renewable energy, green building consulting and environmental planning, Kinghorn will help the campus community reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint and seek cost savings. The two-year position is funded through a State of Ohio Energy and Conservation Block Grant awarded to the university in June 2010. This grant also funded a campus-wide energy audit, the results of which will be available this spring.
U Washington Seattle Practices Certified Salmon-Safe
The University of Washington’s Seattle campus has been certified salmon-safe by the Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability. The certification is the first of its kind for an organization of the university’s size. The certification is an in-depth process that inspects the grounds, water usage and energy sources to ensure that the university’s practices do not harm salmon habitat.
Earth Education International Releases Sustainability Inventory
Earth Education International (Costa Rica) has released its first Sustainability Assessment Inventory, detailing its sustainability efforts to date and the social, economic and/or environmental benefits of each. Sustainability highlights for the interdisciplinary study abroad organization include a pedestrian-friendly program design with locally based activities, field sites and volunteer work; the support of environmentally friendly lodging and food vendors; tree planting to offset the carbon emissions of participant travel; and the use of natural ventilation and renewable energy whenever possible in its office buildings.
Macquarie U Names First Sustainability Engagement Officer
Macquarie University (Australia) has appointed its first sustainability engagement officer as part of a sustainability agenda that calls for ecologically sound, socially just and economically viable university activities. Cindy Cunningham, who previously worked as a sustainability officer for more than 10 years in local councils, will lead two initiatives for staff engagement. The first, the Sustainability Representative Network, is comprised of sustainability champions from all departments and faculties across campus and acts as a liaison between the sustainability team and university staff and faculty. The second initiative is the Department Sustainability Challenge, where departments compete for prizes by completing sustainable actions.
Newcastle U Hosts Carbon Speed Dating Event for 'Go Green Week'
The People & Planet student group at Newcastle University (UK) recently hosted "Go Green Week 2011," to raise sustainability awareness on campus. Events included a night of Carbon Speed Dating, free smoothies for students made out of fruit and vegetables from the local farmers market that were destined for the trash, and a showing of the movie, "Food, Inc."
U Gloucestershire Wins Green Gown Award
In recognition of its Sustainability Team's work to facilitate change in teaching and learning for sustainability across departments, the University of Gloucestershire (UK) earned a 2010 Green Gown Award for Continuous Improvement. The first time that an educational initiative in sustainability has won in the Continuous Improvement Category, the award recognized new strategies and institutional support mechanisms instituted by the university that seek to transform student sustainability learning. The awards are administered by the United Kingdom's Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges. Applications for 2011 Green Gown Awards will open in April 2011.
Campus Sustainability Planning: A February Update
The University of California System reports that University of California campuses increased their number of LEED certified building projects during 2010 from 33 to 49. These projects contributed to the system's energy cost savings, which increased from $15 million to $21 million last year due to efficiency initiatives on all campuses. Also reported to AASHE in the recent past, Johns Hopkins University (MD) has released its first sustainability report. Though campus water consumption rose by 9 percent in fiscal year 2010, the university made progress with green building efforts including collecting, conserving and treating stormwater; the expanded use of green materials and cleaning products; and an increase of locally sourced and organic campus dining options. In related news, College of the Holy Cross (MA) has announced that it has reduced campus carbon emissions by 23.5 percent, four years ahead of its scheduled goal of 20 percent by 2015. A few of its strategies include the purchase of a long-term contract for electrical power from renewable energy provider TransCanada, a fuel switch from oil to natural gas in its boilers, and the intent to meet LEED certification for all new major construction and buildings. In more related news, Bowdoin College (ME) has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2020, removing from the atmosphere as much of the gases associated with climate change including greenhouse gases as it puts in. In addition to an expanded solar hot water system, plans to buy $35,000 this year in renewable energy credits and the launch of a building dashboard that provides real-time measurements of energy use of campus facilities, the college has plans to add a $3 million steam turbine generator to its central steam plant, saving $230,000 per year and trimming greenhouse emissions by 18 percent.
Northwestern U Ranks Fifth Among Green Power Buying Institutions
Northwestern University (IL) has announced that it ranks fifth among colleges and universities represented in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent list of the largest green power purchasers. The university supports green power by matching 30 percent of its total annual electricity use with Green-e Certified Renewable Energy Certificates. The EPA's Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program encouraging organizations nationwide to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. Green power refers to renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and low-impact hydropower. The University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University (PA), Drexel University (PA) and Pennsylvania State University round out the top five.
Yale U Awards 16 Workplace Green Certifications
The Green Workplace Certification Program, administered by Yale University's (CT) Office of Sustainability, has recognized 16 university offices and departments for sustainable practices. Participating offices earn certificates by accumulating points for action items ranging from recycling printer and toner cartridges to participation in the university's departmental bike share program.
Dickinson College Names New Sustainability Chairs
During a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Dickinson College (PA) honored two new Distinguished Chairs in Sustainability Studies. The tenured faculty are Ashton Nichols, professor of english, and Candie Wilderman, professor of environmental studies.
U.S. Dept of Labor Kicks Off Community College Summits
As a follow-up to the White House Community College Summit last fall, the U.S. Department of Education will hold a series of regional community college summits. The last meeting in April will be a virtual symposium that will present findings on issues discussed at the regional summits. Bringing together representatives from community colleges, students, business and industry, philanthropy, labor, and state and local government, these summits are intended to further the conversation regarding community colleges' role in workforce development and student success, in particular President Barack Obama's goal of an additional five million Americans earning a college credential by 2020.
Warren Wilson College Reveals Sustainable Practices Guide & Award
Warren Wilson College (NC) has released a campus Sustainable Practices Guide, recommending actions that support sustainability values and formal pledges including the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment. Developed by the campus Sustainability Working Group to replace the college's Green Office Guide, the new guide goes beyond office practices to cover areas such as transportation and campus events. The college has also implemented the Sustainability Recognition Award, which will recognize up to 3 sustainability projects per year. The Sustainability Working Group will select an annual award winner that best reflects the principles of the college's sustainability commitments.
STARS Recognizes New Submissions
Thirty-four institutions have submitted reports for the first deadline of AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). Among the institutions who have submitted complete reports so far, seven have received a STARS Gold rating including American University (DC); Duke University (NC); Middlebury College (VT); New York University; Oregon State University; University of Colorado at Boulder; and University of South Florida. Seventeen have earned a STARS Silver rating including Babson College (MA); College of Lake County (IL); Delta College (MI); Furman University (SC); Grand Valley State University (MI); Indiana University Bloomington; Pacific Lutheran University (WA); Royal Roads University (BC); Santa Clara University (CA); St. John's University (NY); University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; University of Florida; University of Louisville (KY); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of Texas at Arlington; University of Texas at Austin; and Wake Forest University (NC). And nine institutions have earned a STARS Bronze score including DePauw University (IN); Estrella Mountain Community College (AZ); Goshen College (IN); Kankakee Community College (IL); Moraine Valley Community College (IL); Orange County Community College (NY); State University of New York at Fredonia; University of Illinois, Chicago; and Wilfrid Laurier University (ON). Earlham College (IN) also submitted its data as a STARS Reporter, a reporting level that doesn't seek a rating but is still available for viewing on the STARS website.
U Colorado Boulder Leads in Number of Peace Corps Volunteers
The University of Colorado at Boulder leads the recently released Peace Corps' annual ranking of the colleges and universities that sent the most volunteers to serve last year, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. With 117 volunteers, the university led the category of large colleges and universities. The universities of Florida, Michigan, North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Washington rounded out the top five.
U Dayton Implements Power Usage Report Cards
A recent survey at the University of Dayton (OH) shows that a new sustainability project targeting student neighborhoods is influencing student energy usage at home. The Greenhouse Effect report card program measures current resident usage of natural gas and electricity versus the bills of previous residents. Forty-eight percent of the 350 students surveyed said that their first report card grade affected their energy habits. Of the roughly 300 houses and 150 apartments tracked, it is estimated that $7,320 was saved over the course of November and December last year. The university’s administration is repaying the top performers with financial incentives to build support for the program.
San Francisco State U Debuts Center for Sustainable Business
San Francisco State University's (CA) College of Business has launched the Center for Ethical and Sustainable Business, a clearinghouse for sustainable and ethical business education that will incorporate research and expertise from disciplines across the college. The center will work to build long-term partnerships with local organizations and businesses interested in ethical and sustainable business practices and help facilitate career opportunities for the university's graduate business students, among other efforts.
Yale U Launches Green Certification Program for Labs
Fifty-five of Yale University's (CT) laboratories have stepped up to the challenge of making their everyday operations more sustainable as part of Yale Environmental Health and Safety's Green Laboratory Certification program. The program, which offers four levels of certification based on points awarded for various action items, also encourages laboratories to innovate their own strategies for reducing waste, energy use and material consumption, such as a solvent recycling system or the reuse of packing materials. It is complemented by the Yale Office of Sustainability's Green Workplace Certification program, which pursues a similar goal of institutional sustainability in university offices and departments.
NYC Urban Tech Innovation Center Launches at Columbia U
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has announced the launch of the NYC Urban Technology Innovation Center at Columbia University (NY). Designed to promote the development and commercialization of green building technologies in New York City, the center will be led in partnership by Columbia University, Polytechnic Institute of New York, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the City University of New York. The initiative will connect scientific research with companies creating the associated products and building owners who will use those technologies.
Campus Sustainability Planning: A January Update
Three institutions have reported the completion of 2010 sustainability progress reports to the AASHE Bulletin in the recent past. Princeton University (NJ) outlines its progress in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, resource conservation, research, education and civic engagement. Through direct local reductions, the university is set to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Pomona College (CA) reports progress toward campus reduction of water use, landfill waste and fertilizer use. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has published its third annual sustainability report, researched and compiled by MBA students as part of an experiential learning assignment in a business law and corporate responsibility class. In related news , the University of Iowa has announced goals to become a net-negative energy consumer, reach 40 percent renewable energy consumption and divert 60 percent of its waste by 2020 in its "2020 Vision" sustainability plan.
Chatham U Announces Plans for New 388-Acre Campus
Chatham University (PA) has announced the launch of its multi-year Eden Hall Campus Master Plan. The campus will be constructed on 388 acres of farmland, a gift from the Eden Hall Foundation, which will also be home to the university's School of Sustainability and the Environment. The announcement comes on the heels the university's recent appointment of David Hassenzahl as dean of the new school. The Master Plan promises climate positive buildings and landscape design, meaning on-site greenhouse gas emissions will be less than zero. The campus will maintain nearly half of the 388 acres as open space and be organized into four districts. Phase one of the construction is expected to take place over a two- to three-year period at a cost of $30 million. It will take more than 10 years to complete the final phase four of the campus.
Hawaii Pacific U Hires First Sustainability Coordinator
Hawaii Pacific University has hired Josh Prigge as its first sustainability coordinator. Prigge is a graduate student in the university's Global Leadership and Sustainable Development program. Prigge, who also serves as vice president of the university's GREEN Club, will develop databases to track sustainability initiatives across campus and resource and energy use. He will also promote and implement campus sustainability initiatives, develop annual surveys that assess the university's state of sustainability and expand campus recycling programs.
U Chicago Approves Sustainable Building Policy
The University of Chicago (IL) has implemented a Sustainable Building Policy that will require all new campus buildings over $5 million to be LEED certified. In development over the last year and a half, the policy is the result of a collaboration between students, faculty and staff. Students led efforts to conduct a peer review of green building policies and helped draft the university's new policy.
Indiana U Office of Sustainability Awards Green Certification
Indiana University’s Office of Sustainability has awarded the first certification of its Green Office Certification program. The Office of Environmental, Health and Safety Management received the first level of certification by fulfilling 17 actions including the establishment of a central location for the collection and re-distribution of surplus office supplies and unplugging electronic appliances when not in use. The Office of Sustainability implemented the certification program in August 2010 to make the task of greening office spaces more tangible and accessible to the campus community.
Temple U Kicks Off Sustainability Pledge Drive
Temple University (PA) has kicked off a Sustainability Pledge Drive aimed at collecting sustainability commitments from 3,000 students, faculty and staff by Earth Day on April 22, 2011. The drive challenges the campus community to live more sustainably in all areas of their lives including transportation alternatives, energy use, food choices, waste reduction and water conservation. The Office of Sustainability will track the success of the drive and post weekly updates online. The office is also working with members in individual campus departments to conduct green office audits that evaluate current operating practices including energy usage, recycling and purchasing practices.
U California Riverside Hires New Sustainability Coordinator
The University of California, Riverside has hired Fulbright scholar and sustainable management M.B.A. graduate John Cook as its new sustainability coordinator. Cook will work to meet the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals set in the university's Climate Action Plan with representatives from housing, dining, energy, transportation, sustainability and the Office of the Chancellor. He will also work with students as a mentor on campus LEED projects, developing content for the sustainability website, collecting data for the GHG inventory and the Green Campus Action Plan, a student-approved referendum that is funded with a per-student, per-quarter fee of $2.50.
Wesleyan U Establishes Green Fund Committee
Wesleyan University (CT) has established a Green Fund Committee to support initiatives that move the university forward in sustainability and environmental stewardship. The student-managed committee will finance projects that will decrease the carbon footprint of the university, decrease waste, increase the university’s use of energy from renewable resources and increase the visibility of environmentally responsible practices on campus. The committee raised about $40,000 through a $15 fee collected voluntarily from students during the fall 2010 semester.
Skidmore College Hires New Sustainability Coordinator
Skidmore College (NY) has hired Riley Neugebauer as its new campus sustainability coordinator. Neugebauer has significant experience working with student groups and previously held sustainability positions with American University (DC) and Allegheny College (PA). She has also worked as a research analyst in renewable energy options and energy efficiency, and currently serves on the AASHE Advisory Council. Neugebauer will work on the completion and implementation of the college's Climate Action Plan in addition to other projects that include "composting, managing the Eco-Rep program, creating awareness around diversity and sustainability, stewardship within the campus-owned forest, building community relationships and investigating alternative financing for renewable energy," she tells AASHE Bulletin.
U Colorado Boulder Awarded First STARS Gold Rating
AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) has awarded its first STARS Gold rating. The University of Colorado at Boulder is the third school to submit for a rating, earning STARS Gold with high ratings in operations, education and research, and planning, administration and engagement. More than 230 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada have registered for STARS, with 229 of those recognized as STARS Charter Participants (institutions that signed on prior to Aug. 20, 2010). STARS Charter Participants, including the University of Colorado at Boulder, range from individual campuses to university districts, community colleges to research universities, tribal to parochial, and public to private institutions. Previously rated schools include Pacific Lutheran University (WA) and Royal Roads University (BC).
Williams College Launches New Sustainability Website
The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives at Williams College (MA) has launched a new campus sustainability website. The site features sustainability news stories and upcoming events, and encourages each campus building to keep track of its energy use with an energy dashboard feature. Interns in the college's summer instructional technology program helped design the website.
Florida State U Names First Campus Sustainability Director
Florida State University has hired its first full-time director of campus sustainability. Elizabeth Swiman will head the university's Sustainable Campus Initiative including its recycling program, Eco Rep program, energy conservation competition and annual charity collection drive. Swiman previously worked as a community engagement coordinator for the university's Center for Leadership and Civic Education and served on the Sustainable Campus Committee.
Stony Brook U Creates Green Map
Stony Brook University (NY) has created a web-based, interactive “Green Map” to showcase and raise awareness of campus sustainability initiatives. The map will enable users to learn more about each initiative by clicking on the sustainability markers. Created by the university's Sustainability Task Force, the map will continue to be updated as new sustainability projects are initiated.
ACUPCC Elects 2010-2011 Steering Committee
The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) has elected five new co-chairs and 17 new members to its Steering Committee. The network of 675 colleges and universities in all 50 states and D.C. - representing nearly six million students - is led by a Steering Committee comprised of 29 university and college presidents and chancellors. The five new co-chairs include the president of Winona State University (MN), the chancellor of the Houston Community College District (TX), the president of Spelman College (GA), the president of Unity College (ME) and the chancellor of the University of California, Riverside.
Emory U Creates Green Event Planning Guidelines
Emory University's (GA) Office of Sustainability Initiatives, Emory Recycles and the Office of University Events have launched a Sustainable Events Certification program. The program is designed to guide campus event planners and organizers in creating events in a sustainable way including reducing waste and departmental costs. The certification guidelines outline best practices and offer three levels of sustainability that event planners can achieve. Event planners are encouraged to use Emory's Encore! program to recycle, repurpose and reuse decor, packaged foods, supplies and rentals.
Maryland Institutions Propose Energy Performance Contract
Bowie State University, Towson University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County have proposed an Energy Performance Contract to the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. The contract would allow the institutions to reduce energy consumption, save operating budget funds and replace aging mechanical systems. The board has approved energy contracts for multiple buildings at the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; and the University of Baltimore.
Sustainable Endowments Inst. Releases Green College Report Card
The Sustainable Endowments Institute has released its fifth annual College Sustainability Report Card, evaluating sustainability in campus operations and endowment practices for colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. This year's report represents institutions in 50 states and eight Canadian provinces, assessing the schools in nine categories ranging from climate change to green building to investment practices. Ninety-five percent of institutions included in the report have sustainability committees, compared to 40 percent in 2006. Other large increases since 2006 include trayless dining practices (75 percent from 0 percent in 2006) and the implementation of a campus farm or garden (70 percent from 9 percent in 2006).
U Arizona Creates Campus Sustainability Units
The University of Arizona has created the President’s Advisory Council on Environmental Sustainability, the Office of Sustainability and the student-led Green Fund Committee. The campus sustainability trio will ensure the coordinated participation of students, faculty, staff and administrators in maintaining the university’s commitment to sustainability. The units will also ensure that the Board of Regents’ approved tuition resources are dedicated to campus design, student engagement, operations, research and outreach.
