Florida Int'l U Solar House to Become Sustainability Office
A team of Florida International University students and faculty have designed and engineered a house for the 2011 Solar Decathlon competition, taking place in the fall. When the house returns to the university, it will become the new home of the Office of University Sustainability. The house emphasizes adaptability and customization as key components of its energy performance. Designed for south Florida’s potentially harsh hurricane seasons, the house features floor-to-ceiling windows protected by an advanced louver system designed to both provide shade when opened and protection from high winds when closed. One hundred percent of the total energy will be produced by solar panels.
Harvard U Earns 50th LEED Certification
Harvard University (MA) has become the first higher education institution to achieve its 50th LEED certification. The green building milestone includes six platinum-level projects and represents more than 1.5 million square feet of labs, dormitories, libraries, classrooms and offices. An additional 3 million square feet of space is registered and pursuing LEED certification. In April, the university announced a 10 percent decline in the university’s overall greenhouse gas emissions reflecting energy supply improvements, efficiency measures and the engagement of faculty, staff and students in activities designed to transform behavior.
Illinois Central College to Provide Green Building Training
Illinois Central College has announced plans to offer a 12-week training course for green building professionals. The training will provide a comprehensive look at the design, construction and operation of green buildings and communities. Emphasis will be placed on the categories developed by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. The training is sponsored by the Green Workforce Alliance. Funding for the training is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
New York U Reduces Energy by 15% During Heat Wave
New York University students and employees took the lead in reducing their energy usage during recent record-high temperatures, cutting the university's energy consumption by about 15 percent. The university's executive vice president announced in a university-wide email that unnecessary lighting, elevators and air conditioning were to be shut off per the request of Con Edison, which faced a peak power emergency as a result of record-breaking temperatures across the New York City. Students, faculty and staff were encouraged to change their individual behaviors to reduce electrical usage and campus sustainability advocates helped spread the word about the curtailment and the need for conservation on campus.
Northwestern U Students Construct 'Tiny House'
Students and alumni of the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University (IL) have begun construction on a Tiny House project that will serve as a display to the community. Part of a movement stemming from high energy prices and an increased interest in sustainability, the tiny zero net-energy house - with a toilet in the shower - will produce its own electricity using solar panels and collect all of its water. The tiny house movement, which emphasizes living simply and creatively using the space one has, is defined by some enthusiasts as less than 140 square feet. Construction began in the spring and the team intends to complete the home in the fall.
Pell Grant Paycheck Pilot Program Shows Early Success
A pilot program that uses surplus Pell Grant money after tuition costs as a biweekly paycheck for students has earned positive results in its first year at Mt. San Antonio College (CA), reports Inside Higher Ed. Believing that students who are receiving a paycheck may be more likely to give their studies more focus, "Aid Like a Paycheck" - a joint project from the Institute for College Access and Success and policy research organization MDRC - aims to improve completion rates. Students in the pilot phase have reported that being paid to stay in college makes them take their studies more seriously, and that they have pared back hours on outside jobs, giving them more time to focus on school.
Robert Morris U Fosters Diversity through Student Service
With nearly 50 students from Saudi Arabia's cultural-exchange program scheduled to arrive in the fall, Robert Morris University (PA) has announced a new service project designed to expose the incoming students to as diverse a set of classmates as possible, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. The students from Saudi Arabia will join members of the university's Black Male Excellence Network, Hillel chapter, Coalition for Christian Outreach and Hispanic Student Association for a service project in Coraopolis, a distressed Pittsburgh community near the university. The students will work on activities like outfitting a building to operate as a food pantry and clothing bank, setting up a community garden, and serving a Thanksgiving dinner. The program was initiated in response to President Barack Obama's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, which invites higher education institutions to commit to a year of interfaith and community service programming on campus.
Saginaw Valley State U Hall Earns LEED Silver
Saginaw Valley State University’s (MI) Pioneer Hall has earned LEED Silver certification. Sustainable features of the $16 million renovation include high-performance glass for optimized energy performance and thermal comfort, regionally manufactured materials and passive solar design.
Santa Clara U Debuts Sustainable Energy Graduate Program
Santa Clara University’s (CA) School of Engineering has announced a new graduate degree in sustainable energy. Debuting this fall, the interdisciplinary program’s coursework will focus on societal responses to environmental problems, allowing graduate students to later pursue careers in energy management, smart grids, and energy generation and distribution. The program places a heavy reliance on project-based learning, case analyses and industrial practices. The master’s degree program is open to all students who have completed their bachelor’s in any engineering discipline.
Six Colleges Selected for Green Campus Network Program
The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Alliance to Save Energy have selected six regional colleges to participate in the Green Campus Network pilot program. Including Calhoun Community College (AL), University of Alabama, University of Memphis (TN), University of Mississippi, University of the South (TN) and Western Kentucky University, the program involves students, faculty, administrators and campus support staff in cutting energy use on college campuses. The program will also work to incorporate energy efficiency into curricula, encouraging students to pursue careers in sustainability after graduation, and increasing general awareness of energy efficiency. The Tennessee Valley Authority funding will cover program implementation and wages for student interns, who will develop and execute on-campus energy efficiency projects and campaigns with support and guidance from the Alliance.
STARS Ratings Pass 100 Institution Mark
With submission deadlines last week, 104 institutions have now submitted reports to AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) during the past year. A total of 22 institutions have received a gold rating, 55 have earned a silver rating, and 21 have received a bronze rating. Six institutions also submitted their data as a STARS Reporter, indicating that they were not seeking an overall score but wanted to make their data public. The ratings are indicators of the sustainability performance of an institution using a broad and comprehensive set of credits. More than 260 institutions from the U.S. and Canada are currently participating in STARS. The remainder will be submitting their reports throughout the next year.
St. Michael’s College Installs Solar Electric Vehicle Chargers
St. Michael’s College (VT) has installed two solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations. The stations will be paired with a solar photovoltaic system placed atop the college's Klein Center. When the electricity generated by the solar array isn’t needed to charge vehicles, it will go into the grid and offset the college’s overall energy consumption. The stations are compatible with all types of electric vehicles currently available on the market.
SUNY Cortland Creates 'No Mow' Zone
State University of New York at Cortland has initiated a “no mow” zone in order to reduce fuel emissions and encourage natural habitats. A decline in fuel and equipment usage will reduce carbon dioxide emissions while saving money. The Physical Plant department expects to gain at least 10 labor hours each week, helping the university's ongoing effort to maximize its resources. Birds, butterflies and other animals will find food and habitats while native wildflowers will claim spots to bloom.
SUNY Delhi Solar Project Offers Educational Benefits
State University of New York at Delhi has begun installing a system of solar electric modules to provide a permanent site for demonstrating renewable energy technology to students preparing for careers in electrical and building construction. The installation involves 100 solar panels mounted on poles adjacent to the college's Electrical Technologies Center. The proximity to electrical technology classrooms will provide an ongoing learning experience for the university's students and for participants in the college's accredited photovoltaic workshops. Two additional solar modules will be installed exclusively for a laboratory where students will learn how to set up and break down a solar electric system. The project was funded by a $172,000 grant by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Technical College of the Lowcountry Installs Geothermal System
The Technical College of the Lowcountry (SC) has installed a geothermal heat pump system. The college will begin training people next month to become accredited installers of the pumps. The new system and training are the latest manifestations of the college’s ongoing push into alternative energy education. The new system was funded through a $25,000 grant from the S.C. Energy Office.
U Alaska Anchorage Installs Energy Consumption Monitors
The University of Alaska Anchorage has installed a system to monitor energy expenditures of individual buildings. The digital monitoring will be used to create a baseline to determine the energy and water use per square-foot of each building, assess the performance of campus building systems, and to reward occupants who lower their energy consumption.
U Arizona Students Harvest Mesquite Pods for Dining Services
The University of Arizona has begun harvesting mesquite pods from campus trees. The student-led project has volunteers fanning out across campus twice a week to harvest the pods, which ripen to make flour. Campus chefs are working on recipes that will use the flour including scones and cookies. The project will also work to educate the community about the nutritional benefits of eating mesquite products, as well as appreciate it as a sustainable practice.
U Kentucky Helps Fund New City Bike Lanes
For a more interconnected campus and city bicycle network, the University of Kentucky will help fund new bike lanes and sharrows in the adjacent community. A partnership between the university and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the project aims to increase the viability of biking as an alternative to driving.
U Maine Offers Renewable Energy Curriculum
The University of Maine has announced three new undergraduate minors in renewable energy. The renewable energy engineering minor will focus on the design and implementation of both existing and emerging technologies. The renewable energy science and technology minor will focus on electricity production, climate change and life cycle analysis, providing students with a foundation in renewable energy science, both in terms of generation and lasting environmental impacts. The renewable energy economics and policy minor will focus on the financial, ethical, political and legal considerations that constrain or enhance energy decisions, providing a conceptual understanding of energy science and detailed exposure to the varied impacts of energy systems. The College of Engineering is also designing a Master of Science in renewable energy engineering and the environment for deployment in fall 2012.
U Maryland Eastern Shore Renovation Earns LEED Gold
The renovation of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's Somerset Hall, a 60-year-old former dormitory that is now the campus' most energy-efficient building, has received LEED Gold certification. Renovations to the building, which now houses the pharmacy school, were designed and built to consume less energy. Sustainable features include housekeeping products that are recyclable and non-toxic, designated parking spaces for electric and hybrid cars, and bicycle racks.
U Washington Creates Campus Sustainability Dashboard
The University of Washington has created a new sustainability dashboard. The site provides a one-stop source for information on all the sustainability measures happening on campus. The site is also hopes to be a resource for the growing number of organizations and publications that are ranking and reviewing the sustainability efforts of universities and other major institutions.
U Wyoming 'Clean Coal' Project on Hold
The University of Wyoming's High Plains Gasification-Advanced Technology Center research project is delayed indefinitely. The university's partner, General Electric, said the energy market is too uncertain to move ahead with the project, which aims to turn coal into a gas that will burn more cleanly than does coal itself. General Electric cites low energy prices and the lack of a clear federal energy policy, but says that it will take another look at the situation in 18 to 24 months.
Campus Sustainability Planning: An August Update
The University of Kansas has created its first Campus Sustainability Plan. For the past year, a group of more than 150 administrators, faculty, staff and students have been working on a host of action steps and recommendations that will build a more sustainable community over the next 40 years. The plan focuses on nine major areas: administration, built environment, campus grounds, curriculum and research, energy, procurement, student life, transportation and waste reduction. In related news, Pennsylvania State University has begun drafting its first strategic plan for sustainability. The development will involve students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni, supporters and corporate partners. The council’s plan aims to make the university a living laboratory of sustainable ideas. The goals under consideration include ensuring that graduates have a deep understanding of sustainability; engaging the community in learning about and pursuing sustainability; creating an integrated living laboratory for global sustainability; and advancing sustainability within the greater community.
Canadian Research Teams to Study Climate Change Adaptation
Five teams made up of Canadian institutions and universities in developing countries will participate in the International Research Initiative on Adaptation to Climate Change (IRIACC). Each team will receive $2.5 million over five years to study how best to protect people, communities and vital economic sectors, like agriculture and tourism, that are most at risk from the effects of climate change. Two teams will focus specifically on vulnerable indigenous populations. Together, the research projects, which will take place in Canada and in developing countries across four continents, aim to address how to anticipate, manage and reduce climate risk vulnerability through adaptation.
Clark U Student Orchestrates Bike Initiative for Campus Police
A student at Clark University (MA) has launched a University Bike Patrol initiative on campus. Funded by the university's Big Idea Contest, one officer was outfitted with a patrol bike and uniform. In a show of support, the Police Department purchased a second bike and uniform. In addition to increased safety and officer visibility among students, the bike patrol will help decrease the university's greenhouse gas emissions with fewer sports utility police vehicles.
Dartmouth College Greek Community Creates Sustainability Council
Two Office of Sustainability interns at Dartmouth College (NH) have begun working to initiate a new Greek council on sustainability. The council will provide a forum for Greek organizations to share ideas and work together to promote efficient use of resources. The current council has identified short and long-term goals, the first of which is to increase recycling in Greek houses. Long-term goals include conducting energy audits, energy-efficient lighting and ensuring that there is insulation in place for the winter. Additionally, the council hopes to organize a competition that would award a prize to Greek organizations for improvements in sustainability.
EPA Announces Top Campus Purchasers of 'Green Power'
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has revealed its top 20 list of campus green power purchasers. Four universities in Pennsylvania are among the 10 institutions in the U.S. that bought the most "green power," characterized by renewable energy certificates, on-site generation and utility green power products. The University of Pennsylvania topped the list, purchasing nearly half of its total electricity in the form of solar and wind power.
Macalester College Raises Chickens
Macalester College’s (MN) Urban Land and Community Health program has begun raising chickens on campus. Students, faculty, staff and community members will be provided with an ongoing hands-on education and will have an opportunity to learn how to care for chickens as part of a more sustainable urban landscape. A group of students worked with Amish furniture makers to design and construct the coop. The eggs will be distributed among the caretakers.
Messiah College Creates Sunflower Power Project
Messiah College (PA) has launched the Sunflower Project, a plan to squeeze the oil out of the sunflower seeds to be used in the campus dining hall and biofuel. The college is growing five acres of sunflower plants for cooking oil. Once it is used in the dining hall, it will be converted to fuel for campus vehicles. The college expects to produce 500 gallons of oil. The college has been recycling cooking oil for the last three years to power some of its vehicles and heat some of its buildings.
New Jersey IT, Rutgers U Students Build Sustainable Home
A group of architecture, planning and engineering students from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University (NJ) have built a one-story house as a submission to the 2011 Solar Decathlon, an international green technology contest staged every two years by the U.S. Department of Energy. The 940-square-foot house features a modular structure, precast concrete walls and an inverted roof to catch water and sunlight. Solar and thermal technology is integrated into every exposed surface of the house, which produces enough energy to power all of its appliances and maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
Oregon State U Offsets Nearly 100% of Energy Use
Oregon State University has purchased $430,000 in renewable energy certificates for a total offset of nearly 100 percent of its campus energy use. The certificates were initially purchased from student green fees but the students wanted to redirect the money to fund local energy projects. The university administration agreed to continue to purchase renewable energy off-site. The certificates were purchased from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, which reinvests profits from the sale of carbon offsets into watershed restoration and renewable energy programs.
Pennsylvania State U Installs Wind Turbine
Pennsylvania State University has installed a 2.4-kilowatt wind turbine. The turbine is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America Program. The university will collect data from the turbine and work with K-12 schools that want to set up their own small-scale turbines for hands-on learning.
San Diego State U Students Assess Sustainability in the Dominican
San Diego State University students recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to complete research for a sustainability evaluation of the Punta Cana region as part of a four-week study abroad program on sustainable development. The students are developing a sustainability evaluation that will create benchmarks based on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and will be used to assess development in the region as the region applies for the United Nations Global Cities Compact Certification.
U Chicago Transforms Dormant Campus Space into Garden
Three University of Chicago (IL) departments have announced a collaboration to convert a dormant campus space into an "Avant Garden." University staff and interns volunteered to transform a large empty lot into a common space for interaction, production and innovation. Herbs and vegetables will be harvested in the space and the plants were strategically placed in locations that emphasize their aesthetic qualities.
U Colorado at Boulder Holds Low-Income Youth Computer Intensive
For the first time, the University of Colorado at Boulder's decade-old "Computers to Youth" program has selected students to come onto the campus for a week to get a sneak peak of college life. The program, which provides computers to college-bound students from low-income families, exposes the students to the anatomy of computers in an attempt to bridge the "digital divide" that can affect economically disadvantaged groups. At the end of the camp, the students get to take home the donated computers that have been recycled and refurbished.
U Delaware Class Installs Green Roof
A University of Delaware professor and a group of chemical engineering students have created a green roof as a solution to their classroom building’s hot temperature. The idea bloomed on an especially hot day in 2008, when the temperature was 86 degrees inside and the construction outside was too noisy to open the window. The class treated it as an engineering problem and came up with a green roof as the solution. The roof contains 14,000 square feet of small sedums planted in trays with 4 to 8 inches of soil. The plants act as a natural heat shield, absorbing and deflecting the sun’s radiation. Recent temperature readings revealed that the plants cause the peak temperature of the roof to occur later in the day.
U Michigan Creates Peregrine Falcon-Friendly Campus
To celebrate the first known hatchlings of a breeding pair of peregrine falcons that have nested on the University of Michigan's campus for several years, the university is offering children at a local hospital the opportunity to name the baby falcon through an online contest. The university hopes to create awareness of environmental stewardship and sustainability on campus and in the community. The falcons nest on the roof of the University Hospital, where staff modified the box to withstand higher wind speeds and other weather damage. The university also plans to build an access hatch that will allow Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff to band future chicks and better track their movements.
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Posted Aug 2, 2011
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Other News
U Minnesota Hits Energy Reduction Goal of 5%
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities has reduced its energy consumption by 5 percent for the second consecutive year, avoiding $2 million in annual energy costs. The savings were the result of the campus-wide "It All Adds Up" conservation program, initiated in 2009 by the university's Energy Management department. The program includes recommissioning buildings and engaging the campus community to reduce operational energy use. Since the program began, the university has avoided $4.6 million in annual energy costs and the reduced carbon emissions by 50,000 tons annually.
U Minnesota Research Touts Benefits of Flexible Work Schedule
Two sociology professors at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities have published a study about the effects of flexible work time on employees. In 2005, Best Buy introduced Results Only Work Environment (ROWE) to its employees, an initiative that allows employees to choose their work hours and places, as long as they achieved the desired results. Surveying 608 Best Buy employees, half who were given a ROWE work environment and half who continued under standard work hours and locations, the study found that flexible scheduling reduced work-life stress and increased enjoyment and commitment to the position. The employees also reported that they could avoid rush hour and reduce their commuting time by up to 75 percent.
U Missouri Dining Starts Composting Program
The University of Missouri’s Campus Dining Services has partnered with the Bradford Extension Farm to compost discarded dining hall food. The farm plans to combine food waste with animal waste to make compost and will use the compost to grow vegetables to be served on campus. The university is currently constructing an aerated compost facility. The potential in food waste is up to 250 tons per year of compostable food. The Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District has donated a grant to help cover the costs of the new facility.
U Oregon Initiates Take Back the Tap Campaign
The University of Oregon’s Dining Services has announced plans to implement a pilot program in support of the Take Back the Tap campaign in the fall. The campaign is a trademark of Food and Water Watch that promotes access to quality tap water and the discontinued use of plastic water bottles. Members of the university's Climate Justice League received support for the campaign in May from the university's president, and recently held meetings with Student Affairs, Housing and Athletics in an effort to promote the use of tap water over sales of single-use plastic bottled water. The campaign has also received support from Fraternity and Sorority Life, Campus Recycling, various student groups and more than 1,700 students. To encourage more student interest, the Climate Justice League has installed more than 25 spigots, posted informative fliers and handed out reusable water bottles.
U South Florida Dining Services Eliminates Styrofoam
The University of South Florida's Dining Services has eliminated Styrofoam take-out boxes in campus dining halls in favor of reusable to-go boxes. The plastic containers are offered to students for a $4 refundable deposit. The university purchased 7,500 reusable containers for $17,000 but has saved $23,000 by not using Styrofoam. With the reduction of plastic foam, the university aims to reduce carbon emissions and landfill space.
U Texas Conducts Solar Panel Research
A University of Texas mechanical engineering research team will study the output of three different types of solar panels from three different manufacturers under the same conditions. Research on the new solar panels will show how they respond to different temperatures, partial dirtiness and aging. The project is being funded by a $195,000 grant from federal funds.
U Toledo Creates New Green Chemistry School
The University of Toledo (OH) has announced the creation of a new school that will teach students about green chemistry and engineering. The School for Green Chemistry and Engineering will focus on the need for sustainability with the design of products that use renewable raw materials and environmentally safe processes. The university is positioning itself to be a leader in teaching, researching and applying green chemistry and biomimicry, which is green chemistry and engineering that uses natural raw materials and processes that mimic nature and produce zero waste.
Winona State U Plans Sustainability Theme House
If approved by the Winona City Council, Winona State University (MN) plans to build a pilot theme house dedicated to sustainability. Ten students with similar interest and studies in sustainability will live together in the university-owned house. If the university can demonstrate that the pilot house is successful, it plans to implement more theme houses in the future. University officials describe the pilot project as a compromise solution to concerns that have been raised as the city works through the process.
American U Sharjah Students Harvest Power from Noise
The Institute for Engineering and Technology has recognized the efforts of four American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) students, who have developed a device that can convert otherwise wasted mechanical energy, acoustic noise and ultrasonic waves into electricity. Using piezoelectric technology, the students looked toward places where a lot of mechanical energy or noise is wasted like footsteps on a pavement or the cacophony of a football stadium. One of their envisioned applications includes installing piezoelectric devices in shoes to capture the energy produced while walking or running to power small electronic devices like cell phones.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham U Conducts Sustainable Outreach
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University's (India) Center for Environmental Studies has launched training and extension programs for individuals, farmers and non-government organizations. Topics on organic farming, wastewater management, composting, medicinal plants and tree planting are discussed and include field demonstrations. The center has also partnered with the state forest department to help instill a sense of protection for trees and forest wealth within the community.
Australian National U Announces Green Precinct Project
The Australian National University has announced that it will establish itself as one of 13 Australian Green Precinct demonstration sites. The Green Precincts Fund is an Australian Government initiative to prepare Australia for a future with less water and to encourage local communities to better manage their water and energy use for current and future generations. The Education Precincts for the Future project, co-funded by the university and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities under the Green Precincts Fund, will create a showcase sustainability precinct on campus to demonstrate effective climate change solutions, significant water savings, community motivation and mobilization, and the strategic extension of solutions to the wider community.
Banff and Buchan College Installs 100 Solar Panels
More than 100 solar panels have been installed at Banff and Buchan College (United Kingdom) as part of a continuing £20 million expansion. At peak daylight times, the solar photovoltaic array can generate up to 20 kilowatts of energy. The college will use some of the electricity for itself, but sell off the rest to the national grid.
British Universities Fail to Meet Carbon Emissions Targets
A new report released by the Guardian reveals that British universities are on track to fail to meet carbon emissions targets set by the government. Academic institutions have been told to reduce their emissions by 48 percent between 2005 and 2020. According to the People & Planet Green League of UK higher education institutions, the emissions from the 142 universities that provided data for the survey have risen 3.9 percent in total since last year, despite the fact that funding for English universities is linked to their ability to meet these targets.
