Oregon State U Launches Sustainability Social Science Degree
The university's new bachelor’s degree program focuses on social, cultural and environmental dynamics in communities, cities and nations, and will include a community development concentration. Students will examine how these dynamics impact the development of sustainable systems.
SUNY Canton Receives $6.6 M for Wind Turbine Project
Funded by the New York Power Authority, the university will design and, if approved, construct a 2.8-megawatt wind turbine. The project is expected to provide up to one-third of the electricity needed to power the campus and provide educational opportunities for students.
Taylor U Completes Green Science Center
The university has completed construction on its 127,000-square-foot science complex that was designed to be both sustainable and to serve as an environmental learning tool. Sustainable features include a 10-kilowatt photovoltaic system, rooftop garden, geothermal system and wind turbines. The facility also features a heliostat that helps capture natural daylight.
U Illinois Chicago Researcher Studies More Efficient Solar Energy
A professor and head of chemistry at the university has received a $390,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to test methods of coating solar panel films using nanoparticles from a chemical group called metal chalcogenides. The inexpensive films could be wrapped over everything from vehicles to buildings to gain maximum sunshine exposure and produce electricity.
U Michigan Opens Sustainable Computing Data Center
The new data center has the capacity to house up to 1 megawatt of high-performance computing equipment in a compact container the size of several shipping containers. With the flexibility to expand its capacity as needed, the center is designed to cool equipment 75 percent of the year with the use of outdoor air.
U North Carolina System Commits to Carbon Neutrality by 2050
During a recent a three-day Appalachian Energy Summit hosted by Appalachian State University and Rocky Mountain Institute, representatives from all 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system and five private colleges made a signatory commitment to work toward carbon neutrality by 2050. The inaugural event was designed to aid in the creation of actionable energy plans that benefit students, the environment and the local economy. The summit launches a multi-year process in which participating campuses will collaborate to set goals, share best practices and educate leadership on integrated design and the latest technologies. The five private colleges include Catawba College, Davidson College, Duke University, Warren Wilson College and Wake Forest University.
U South Dakota Introduces New Sustainability Major
The university's new major, set to launch this fall, will include introductory sustainability courses, electives and an applied learning experience. Students will have the opportunity to choose from two concentrations in public communication or science.
U Tennessee Ayres Hall Renovation Earns LEED Silver
After a two-year, $23 million renovation, the university's classroom building features low-flow plumbing fixtures and energy-efficient windows. The renovation included the refurbishment and reinstallation of the original hardwood floors, clay roof tiles and marble.
U Utah to Introduce Electric Transit Bus
The university has ordered an electric bus to transport students across campus. The bus will charge its batteries wirelessly through a pioneering recharge-station technology developed by Utah State University. Funding was provided by a federal grant.
Winthrop U Updates MBA Program with Sustainability Focus
The university has redesigned its Master of Business Administration program to focus on globalization, communication and sustainability. Starting this fall, students will be able to choose from seven different concentrations.
Yale U College Reunions Go Green
The university’s College Reunions department has achieved platinum-level certification by its Office of Sustainability for reducing the carbon footprint of its 2012 reunion weekends. The department worked with other groups on campus to promote green transportation methods, use renewable products, order locally produced food and dispose of waste carefully. The reunions are the largest on-campus events ever to receive the highest level of green event certification.
Babson College Reduces Student Move-Out Waste
Through a new Green Move Out initiative that urges students to recycle, reuse and donate, the college has reduced the overall waste associated with end-of-the-year student moving by 29 percent. All donations and recyclables were distributed to local nonprofits.
Cornell U Announces Funding for Sustainable Projects
Provided by the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future’s academic venture fund, the university has announced $735,000 in awards for 10 cross-disciplinary sustainability science research projects. Winning proposals include the sustainable production of green vegetable crops in sub-Saharan Africa; improving energy costs and scalability of algal biofuels; developing species-specific and environmentally friendly insect control; energy harvesting from high-density, small-scale turbines in urban areas; assessing mycotoxin exposure in pregnant Zimbabwean women; and climate protection as a driver for job creation for New York state.
Cornell U Students Design Sustainable Housing for Nicaragua
After conducting a site analysis and speaking with community members, 14 students have provided recommendations for sustainable housing in San Diego, Nicaragua, a village of 99 households. An interdisciplinary team of more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students are part of Sustainable Neighborhood Nicaragua (SSN), an international project developed by Cornell University Sustainable Design. This summer, the SNN team will work on the design phase of the project that includes a mock-up drawing and digital design of a model house, estimating materials and cost, and raising funds. The students will also offer recommendations for neighborhood designs, with the hope that their model will provide plans for other communities on how to build sustainable housing that serves local needs.
Emory U Conference Center Hotel Earns LEED Silver
The Emory Conference Center Hotel features a single-stream recycling program, turns food waste into gray water and converts waste oils into biodiesel for the university’s transportation fleet. The hotel also received the Achievement Award for Good Earthkeeping from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
EPA Announces Youth Sustainability Challenge Winners
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the winners of the Youth Sustainability Challenge, a project that challenged American youth to submit a video that shared what they are doing to encourage sustainability in their communities. Georgetown University (DC) students' "A Generation of Energy" won the Best Overall Video category.
Grand Valley State U Acquire Bees to Help Teach Sustainability
The new apiary is home to thousands of honeybees and is designed to align with the university’s commitment to sustainability, as well as promote the importance of the honeybees through education and awareness. The two hives will provide opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and research by students and faculty. The project received funding from a Sustainability Reinvestment Grant from the GVSU Sustainable Community Development Initiative.
Hamline U Installs Green Roof
Installed atop the university’s new Anderson Center, the 1,800-square-foot LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof system will help achieve energy savings, sound insulation and stormwater run-off reduction.
Luther College Debuts 280 kW Solar Energy Field
The college's recently installed $1.2 million solar energy field is expected to go online by the end of July. Located on a two-acre site, the 280-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system features 1,250 solar panels mounted in six rows. The solar field will provide electricity used by Baker Village, an all-electric student housing facility that uses geothermal energy for heating and cooling.
Mercer County CC Solar Project to Meet 70% of Electricity Needs
The upcoming 8-megawatt solar installation on campus, funded by the Mercer County Improvement Authority, is expected to meet 70 percent of the college’s electricity needs. This will yield an approximate savings of $1 million per year in electricity costs.
Michigan State U Plans Urban Agriculture Research Campus
The university has partnered with the City of Detroit to pursue an urban agriculture research campus within the city that may include a large working farm and innovative research techniques, such as transforming empty buildings into multi-tiered farms. The university has agreed to spend $500,000 a year for three years to explore the creation of what would be called the Metropolitan Food Plus Innovation Cluster. The agreement states that the university and the city would approach businesses, nonprofits and government sources for funds to pay for the center.
New Mexico State U Housing Achieves LEED Gold
The university’s new Chamisa II multi-family home structure features a water collection system that takes water from the roof of each building and drains it into storage ponds for use in irrigation systems. Additional sustainable features include drought-resistant landscaping, recycled insulation, low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient appliances.
U California Berkeley Plans First CO2 Sensor Network in Oakland
The university's upcoming urban sensor network installation will provide real-time, neighborhood-by-neighborhood measurements of carbon dioxide. The prototype network will employ 40 sensors spread over a 27-square-mile grid, most of them mounted atop schools to engage students in the project. The information the network will provide could be used to monitor local carbon dioxide emissions to check on the effectiveness of carbon reduction strategies now mandated by the state.
U Colorado Students Introduce Green Energy Curriculum in Haiti
Five engineering students introduced a green energy vocational training program after an initial visit to Haiti in January to assess specific energy needs and employment opportunities for those who are trained in the field. Last month, the students returned for three weeks to train six local instructors on the essential knowledge and skills they need to pass on to their students. The 250-hour curriculum covers the installation, operation and maintenance of solar, wind and hydropower renewable energy systems. Beginning this fall, the program will be taught to local students in the 11th grade and beyond. The Neges Foundation, a relief and development organization, is supporting the instructors.
U Louisville to Launch Car Sharing Program
The university has partnered with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to offer an on-campus car-sharing program for faculty, staff and students beginning this fall. Rental costs for the WeCar by Enterprise program range from $8 per hour to $56 per day including fuel, 200 free miles, insurance for basic physical damage to the vehicle, and state-required liability protection.
U Massachusetts Lowell Increases Recycling Rate by Nearly 17%
With 54.5 percent of on-campus solid waste recycled in fiscal year 2011, the university has announced a 16.7 percent increase in campus recycling efforts over the previous year. The university attributes the improvement to a campus-wide campaign to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that includes a Zero-Sort program.
U Washington Introduces Outdoor Waste Collection Kiosks
The university has installed automated kiosks to replace existing garbage and recycling cans as part of a pilot program. Powered by the sun, the kiosks consist of three containers for sorting waste – composting, recycling and garbage – each of which is equipped with a sensor that regularly measures the mass of material inside. In the first month of use, the total volume of waste collected was 42 percent compostable. The remaining volume was 38 percent recyclable and only 20 percent actual garbage. Due to the success of the pilot project, additional kiosks will be installed this fall.
2 California State U Schools Earn Top LGBT-Friendly Marks
Humboldt State University and San Diego State University have ranked among the top friendliest schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students by national nonprofit Campus Pride. The LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index aims to set a national standard of LGBT inclusive policies, programs and practices, and offer an ongoing measurement tool to improve the quality of life for LGBT people on campuses.
Arkansas State U Pilots Biodiesel Blend in Campus Trucks
The Renewable Energy Technology program has increased the production of biodiesel to compare its emissions levels with vehicles that run entirely on petroleum diesel. If the biodiesel proves more economically and environmentally friendly, students in the program will advocate for producing enough biodiesel for all campus trucks.
Bill Could Expand Drilling on Pennsylvania College Campuses
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted 131 to 68 to approve a bill that could expand oil and gas drilling on public-university campuses in the state. The legislation, which awaits a final vote in the State Senate, would allow colleges to keep 40 percent of any royalties; 15 percent of which would have to be devoted to reducing tuition costs.
Calgary Students Work on Solar-Powered Emergency Response
Students at the School of Information and Communications Technologies are working on a solar-powered communications system that will supply phone and internet connectivity for emergency response, geological survey and remote residential applications. The students are working with prototyping lab Calgary Protospace, a local incubator for innovative technology ideas, and renewable energy consultants Think Energy, on the project.
Columbia College Chicago Creates Sustainable Events Program
The college's Columbia Recycling Program has initiated a program to integrate sustainability in the events planning process for on-campus events. Using criteria defined by the Green Seal Event Checklist (points are allocated among promotion, catering and education), event planners are awarded a "green seal" designation.
Duke U Adopts Investment Guidelines on Conflict Minerals
A student-led effort to tie the university’s investment guidelines to the issue of conflict minerals has received the backing of the Board of Trustees. A resolution was approved that authorizes the university’s investment arm to adopt a proxy voting guideline for investments in which the university has direct ownership. The guideline stipulates that the university will vote in favor of "well-written and reasonable shareholder resolutions that ask companies for reports on their policies and efforts regarding their avoidance of conflict minerals and conflict mineral derivatives."
Energy Department Announces $56 M toward Solar Research
Spanning 13 states for a total of $56 million over three years, the research projects will be conducted in partnership with universities, private industry and national laboratories. The awards support the department's SunShot Initiative, a collaborative national effort to make solar power cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by the end of the decade.
Hartwick College Launches Watershed Curriculum Workshop
The college’s Pine Lake Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Studies has announced a professional development workshop that brings together area teachers, faculty, education majors, and regional and national watershed experts in a project called Think, Act, Protect the Upper Susquehanna River watershed (TAP-US). TAP-US will help area teachers develop and offer hands-on, inquiry-based lesson plans to increase environmental literacy and engage students in activities to protect and maintain the ecology of rivers, streams and wetlands.
Harvard U Goes Campus-wide with Styrofoam Recycling
After a successful plastic foam recycling pilot program in the campus research laboratories, the university has announced plans to expand plastic foam recycling to the entire campus. The university is working with its recycling vendor to recycle plastic foam waste containers into new products like picture frames and architectural molding.
Indiana U-Purdue U Indianapolis Announces Sustainability Programs
Starting in fall 2012, the university will offer a new Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in urban sustainability and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs in sustainable management and policy. At the undergraduate level, students will learn the principles of sustainability, sustainable management, environmental justice and green technologies. At the graduate level, students will take courses in areas including urban sustainability, environmental conflict resolution, cost-benefit analysis, and natural resource management.
Mills College Students Spearhead New Campus Bike Co-op
Students recently partnered with the Mills College Sustainability Center and local, community bicycle shops to launch the cooperative. Aiming to make bicycles accessible for everyone and support sustainable transportation and exploration, the co-op's grand opening included the promotion of a Bike to School Day and a fix-it-yourself workshop led by local mechanics. The student-run space provides tools and open hours with volunteer student mechanics to assist in maintenance and repairs throughout the academic year.
NACUBO, Second Nature Call on Gov't for Help with Sustainability
A recent report released by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, (NACUBO), Second Nature and the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) calls on the federal government to make it easier for colleges and universities to finance big sustainability projects on their campuses, reports the Chronicle of Higher Education. The report includes several policy proposals to create incentives for colleges to pursue large-scale energy-efficiency projects like retrofitting laboratories and developing renewable energy sources to power their campuses.
Northwestern U Wins National Clean Energy Biz Plan Competition
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that NuMat Technologies from Northwestern University (IL) won the first-ever DOE National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition. Part of the Obama Administration's Startup America Initiative, the competition aims to inspire university teams across the country and promote entrepreneurship in clean energy technologies that will boost American competitiveness. NuMat Technologies presented a plan to commercialize a nanomaterial that stores gases at lower pressure, reducing infrastructure costs and increasing design flexibility.
Report Calls for Sustained Investment in Higher Education
In the face of major challenges including decreased state funding, a recent National Research Council report argues that a larger commitment is needed from state and federal governments in public and private universities. Including policy principles like revitalizing and redefining the partnership between the federal government, state governments, research universities, and businesses, "Research Universities and the Future of America: Ten Breakthrough Actions Vital to Our Nation’s Prosperity and Security" calls for a larger commitment from state and federal governments in exchange for greater efficiency and more openness to collaboration with businesses on the part of universities.
Rice U Opens Energy, Sustainability Administrative Center
The university's new Administrative Center for Sustainability and Energy Management pulls together administration, staff, faculty and students from different parts of campus to tackle the future of energy and sustainability at Rice. Coming up, the center - also known as the "think-and-do-tank" - will create a holistic plan to guide future energy investments and decisions.
Stanford U Receives $1.6 M Energy Rebate
After retrofitting four campus buildings for greater energy efficiency, the university has earned $1.64 million in cash rebates from Pacific Gas & Electric through the utility's incentive programs. Upgrades to heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical and water systems over the last two years are expected to save more than $1.8 million annually in energy costs.
Stockton College to Tackle Issues of Access, Affordability
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has announced plans to lead an effort to address issues of public college access and affordability. The Center for Higher Education Strategic Information and Governance will form a pioneering Policy Steering Council in an effort to determine who will have the chance to attend college and how they will pay for it. The council will identify working priorities, implementation strategies, partners and funding sources, and concrete recommendations for engagement during the 2012-2013 school year.
Syracuse U Installs Energy-Efficient Upgrades to Steam Station
Two recently installed air compressors will cut the steam plant's water use by three million gallons a year and save electricity. The university estimates that the new equipment will lower the steam station’s compressed-air costs by as much as 57 percent per year.
Temple U Collaborates to Make Philadelphia More Bike-Friendly
After a ThinkBike Workshop with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, students and staff at the university worked with City of Philadelphia transportation planners and cyclists from around the region to develop specific bike-friendly proposals for each neighborhood. Proposals include a two-way bike route, increased covered and secured bike parking and storage capacity, and additional bike lanes.
U Buffalo Introduces New Fleet of Eco-Friendly Buses
To meet the demand of increased ridership among the campus community, the university has purchased a new fleet of environmentally friendly buses that use cleaner fuel with a mixture of biodiesel. The buses are equipped with bike racks, and riders will be able to track the fleet using a mobile app and website.
U California Davis Unveils Outdoor 'Smart' Lighting System
Part of the university's Smart Lighting Initiative, the nearly-completed $1 million network of "smart" lights can coordinate with each other and adapt to their environment. The system senses occupants and can be scheduled and adjusted for increased or decreased levels of activity. The new outdoor lights are expected to save the university $100,000 a year in electricity costs and offset the equivalent annual greenhouse gas emissions of 135 cars and trucks. Later this year, the university will begin the installation of adaptive, networked lighting on the inside of campus buildings.
U Findlay Debuts Wind Turbine, Solar Array
The university has announced the completion of a wind turbine and solar panel array that will be used to power student housing facilities. The installations will also serve as a learning tool for students in the environmental, safety and health management fields.
