U Mississippi Donates Computers to Tornado Ravaged School
The University of Mississippi's Technology Recycling to Enhance Education (TREE) program recently delivered 24 computers to the Monroe County School District office for the Smithville School campus. The K-12 school was heavily damaged in an April tornado and students will attend classes in 43 mobile trailers when school resumes in August. The computers were collected from across the university's campus and cleaned and refurbished for distribution to public K-12 schools. TREE is a joint effort among the university's Association for Computing Machinery chapter, computer and information science faculty, and the Office of Information Technology to reduce the waste of usable electronic equipment.
U North Texas Debuts Sustainable Tourism Graduate Program
The University of North Texas' School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management has partnered with CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) in Costa Rica for a joint master's degree program in international sustainable tourism. The degree offers students an interdisciplinary perspective on sustainability and tourism with one year of study in each country. It is designed to prepare students for management and leadership positions in ecotourism and sustainable tourism, balancing environmental, economic and socio-cultural benefits and concerns.
U South Florida Installs Water Refilling Stations
In an effort to discourage the use and disposal of plastic water bottles, the University of South Florida has installed water bottle refilling stations connected to water fountains on campus. The university has currently installed 15 stations across campus but expects to install more in the fall. A counter is keeping track of the plastic bottles saved as each re-usable container is filled.
U Texas San Antonio Installs Eco-Friendly Turf
The University of Texas San Antonio has begun installing synthetic grass turf made of recycled tires on its recreational fields to conserve water and maintenance costs. The university expects to save approximately 4.7 million gallons of water per year.
Yuba CC District Plans 2.7 MW Solar Power Project
Yuba Community College District (CA) has announced plans to construct a multi-campus solar power project. The 2.7-megawatt project is expected to generate two-thirds of the power needed for the campuses. The district sought performance-based incentives of about $3 million from the California Solar Initiative and $4.5 million in federal subsidies to help pay for the project. The district expects to save $155,000 annually during a financing term of 16 years. After the financing period, the district projects savings of $1.5 million per year.
Ball State U Adds Green Roof Atop Geothermal Station
Ball State University (IN) has installed about 7,000 square-feet of GreenGrid, a modular and maintenance-free plant system, on the roof of its North District Energy Station. The green roof features pallets that are made of 60 percent recycled plastic and filled with low-growing vegetation. The installation will help insulate the building and reduce the amount of rainwater that flows into the storm sewer system. The university hopes to incorporate green roofs into its strategic construction plan.
Central Arizona College Debuts Renewable Energy Associate Degree
With funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Community-Based Job Training Alternative Energy Grant, Central Arizona College has debuted a renewable energy program. The college offers a renewable energy technician associate degree that is transferable to all three of Arizona’s state universities. The program focuses on interdisciplinary and outreach learning approaches to train students to develop the skills required to succeed in high growth industries. The college also offers solar energy and biofuel technician certificates.
Central Carolina CC Receives Grant for Renewable Energy Programs
Central Carolina Community College (NC) has been awarded a $30,000 grant for its green building and renewable energy programs. The Progress Energy Foundation grant will be used to support the establishment of two laboratories in the college’s Sustainable Technologies Lab Building. The lab will include workstations in solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, as well as weatherization stations and green building materials demonstrations. It is designed to feature a mock home shell to demonstrate advanced framing techniques, envelope design and required thermal and air barriers. Students will have the opportunity to work on photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, testing equipment and monitoring system efficiencies.
Central Michigan U Starts Community Organic Garden Initiative
Central Michigan University’s Campus Grow, a local food-focused student organization, hosted a planting day for children at the Child Development and Learning Lab. The initiative was created to educate children about a variety of plants and how to begin and nurture a garden. Students planted an assortment of lilac cuttings, squash and watermelon seeds. Volunteers with the project will care for the garden along with two other campus gardens. The student group was founded two years ago and utilizes and researches non-toxic and organic means of producing a variety of open-pollinated fruits and vegetables.
Clark U Recognizes Student Sustainability Leadership
Clark University (MA) recently handed out its first Leadership in Sustainability award to a student. Hannah J. Tirrell-Wysocki, who served as an Eco Reps coordinator and founder of the Clark Sustainability Collaborative, raised sustainability awareness as an orientation coordinator, peer adviser and campus tour guide.
Confederation College Announces New Biomass Research Center
Confederation College (ON) has announced plans to build a new biomass energy research center to provide students and researchers with state-of-the-art labs to gain hands-on training in renewable fuel technologies. The biomass renewable energy project will use wood waste that has no other commercial value. Ontario has invested $4.2 million in the research center as part of the government’s long-term capital plan.
Harvard U Building Achieves LEED Gold
Harvard University’s (MA) Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study has achieved LEED Gold certification. Sustainable features of the new 42,000-square-foot building include an efficient HVAC system, low-emitting paints and materials, and passive solar design. Education about the sustainable operation of the building was also provided to staff. A utility display in the lobby allows occupants to see the building’s real-time energy use.
Harvard U Commencement Luncheon Achieves 95% Recycling Rate
With the efforts of Harvard University (MA) Green Team members, the custodial team and undergraduate Dorm Crew workers, Harvard Law School was able to compost or recycle 95 percent of the waste generated at its recent commencement luncheon. The 5,000 guests received recyclable and compostable materials in their commencement lunch boxes that they then brought to the recycling tent, where volunteers sorted the waste into trash, compost and recycling.
Indiana U Announces Sustainability Research Grant Projects
The Indiana University Office of Sustainability has announced the recipients of its Sustainability Research Development Grants for the 2011-2012 academic year. Two teams of faculty and graduate students will explore conditions for the successful implementation of low-carbon distributed energy programs in developing countries, and the use of policy tools to promote protection, conservation and development of the urban tree canopy. Each project will receive $15,000 that can be used for graduate fellowships, faculty research fund awards or summer faculty fellowships. Recipients are expected to develop new, collaborative lines of research that have the potential to grow into externally funded research projects.
Inside Higher Ed Covers Rise in Green Driving Alternatives
This recent Inside Higher Ed article looks at a new set of challenges emerging as a growing number of institutions encourage green alternatives to driving to campus. With case studies including Boston University (MA) and Ripon College (WI), the article also explores the solutions being raised.
Messiah College Hires First Sustainability Coordinator
Messiah College (PA) has appointed Craig Dalen as its first full-time sustainability coordinator. Dalen, who has held various roles at the college including Sustainability Committee leader, will direct sustainability projects on campus and think about how to leverage resources and partnerships taking into account the ecologic, economic and social impact.
NY Times: Sustainability Careers Appeal to Recent Grads
A new wave of recent college graduates are entering environmental sustainability careers, reports a recent article in The New York Times. "Suddenly, 'sustainability' seems to resonate with the sex appeal of 'dot com' or 'start-up,' appealing to droves of ambitious young innovators," says the article. Idealist.org, a website that lists paid and unpaid opportunities for nonprofit groups and social enterprise companies, reports that the number of jobs related to environmental work has roughly tripled in the last three years. Yale School of Management's (CT) director of career development notes in the article that business students are recognizing that corporations of all kinds consider environmental issues like reducing waste and carbon footprints important.
Rowan-Cabarrus CC Constructs First LEED Gold Building
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s (NC) first new building to be constructed in more than 30 years has earned the school its first LEED Gold certification. Sustainable design features include solar tubing, low-flow plumbing fixtures, carpeting made from recycled materials and the use of exterior materials that reduce light pollution. The building’s green design is expected to save the college more than $14,000 in utility costs and reduce water usage by 60,000 gallons each year.
Saint John's U Awarded First LEED Gold Certification
The McKeown Center at Saint John's University (MN) has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The first LEED-certified building on campus, the community center features natural lighting; energy-efficient lighting, heating and air conditioning systems; low-flow lavatories; monitored energy use; no-mow grass; a rain garden; and pervious sidewalk pavers. The building also provides educational value, offering environmental studies students the opportunity to visit a sustainable building on campus.
Second Nature Recognizes Climate Leadership Among Institutions
Second Nature recently honored several institutions with its 2nd Annual Climate Leadership Award. Award recipients, recognized during the 5th Annual American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) Summit on June 23, include University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maine; University of California, Irvine; Frostburg State University (MD); Delaware State University; Green Mountain College (VT); Colgate University (NY); Mount Wachusett Community College (MA); Montgomery County Community College (NC); and Bunker Hill Community College (MA).
Stonehill College Starts Organic Farm for Local Food Desert Area
Stonehill College (MA) has started an organic farm to grow and distribute produce to local organizations. The farm was developed after learning that much of the surrounding community was considered a food desert. Students, faculty and staff volunteer to maintain the farm and have already delivered produce to three organizations. The farm has also inspired a new course to be taught in the fall as part of a learning community called “Food Justice,” which will focus on food access and distribution issues.
Texas State Technical College Installs Solar Electric System
Texas State Technical College has partnered with Meridian Solar to install a solar electric system that will be used as an instructional tool for students. The company will install 120 modules on campus. The project is expected to cost $200,000 and save the college $6,400 per year in energy costs. A grant from the State Energy Conservation Office will provide the majority of funding for the project. The newly installed system will also be used for consumer education for the public.
U Chicago Reduces Paper Use with 'Print Sprint Tournament'
In an effort to reduce the amount of copies and printouts, the University of Chicago (IL) recently held the inaugural Print Sprint Tournament in its Young Building. Streamlined printing processes and reduced excess printing were identified by Facilities Services' SAGE Ambassadors as priority goals for greening the building. The single-elimination style tournament lasted three days and only the winners of each day's match-up advanced to the next round. The daily winners were those who produced fewer printouts and copies than their opponent, and the overall tournament winners were treated to a catered lunch.
U Hawai'i Manoa Partners for Research Agreement to Treat Grease
The University of Hawai’i at Manoa has partnered with Pacific Biodiesel Inc. to find pathways for treatment of waste-trap grease from restaurants. The research agreement is an outgrowth of a Water, Energy and Soil Sustainability research effort at the university. Waste-trap grease is a waste stream that is heavy in fats, oils and grease that cannot be directly discharged into main sewer lines.
U Montana Receives $250K Toward Biomass Boiler Project
The University of Montana has received an additional $250,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service to help with its plans to develop a biomass boiler project on campus. The grants awarded by the U.S. Forest Service are designed to help projects that are attempting to find ways to turn the woody material taken from forests into energy. Several tons of biomass is generated each year from projects including wildfire prevention and logging operations.
Universities Turn to Alternative Fuels as Gas Prices Rise
With gasoline prices expected to keep rising over the next few years, institutions are looking for ways to decrease their long-term reliance on fuel, reports a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article. The University of Florida has worked since 2007 to replace aging vehicles with ethanol-fueled vehicles, says the article, and the University of Minnesota is looking to start purchasing hybrid-electric vehicles. Ohio State University has spent $40,000 more on fuel than it budgeted for the 2011 fiscal year and is dipping into parking fee reserves to cover the difference. The university is researching compressed natural gas—cheaper and cleaner-burning than conventional gas—and ways to reduce traffic to campus including a dial-a-ride service.
U Texas Arlington Research Building Earns LEED Gold
The University of Texas at Arlington’s new Engineering Research Building has received LEED Gold certification. The 234,000-square-foot building features multiple green and light-reflecting roofs, passive solar design, rain and condensate water storage systems for landscaping, and incorporated recycled materials. Approximately 82 percent of on-site construction waste was diverted from landfills and 28 percent of total building materials were manufactured using recycled materials.
U Washington Awarded Fifth LEED Gold Rating
The University of Washington has earned its fifth LEED Gold-certified building with the recent certification of its Paccar Hall. Environmentally friendly design and construction features include wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council; low-VOC paints, adhesives and carpet; an electric vehicle plug-in station; and a green roof system. Ninety-six percent of the construction waste was recycled.
U Winnipeg Opens Green Environment and Science Complex
The University of Winnipeg (MB) has opened the doors of its new Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex. The building will seek LEED Gold certification with environmentally friendly features including a 1,127-square-foot rooftop greenhouse. The facility will provide a space for research and development in natural and social sciences focused on climate change, water stewardship, green chemistry, urban sustainability and indigenous science.
Western Kentucky U Celebrates Energy Savings
Western Kentucky University has been awarded a check for $106,390 from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Bowling Green Municipal Utilities for its investments in energy efficiency. The university has trimmed electricity usage more than 500 kilowatts since joining TVA’s EnergyRight Solutions for Business program in March 2010. The program, offered through the local power company, pays up to $200 for every kilowatt saved.
Albany State U to Revamp Water Conservation Program
Albany State University (GA) has announced plans to upgrade its water conservation program. The program was first implemented in 2007 during the last major statewide drought. It helped reduce water use on campus by 23 percent, but campus leaders are putting a renewed focus on conservation. The university has stopped washing all vehicles and will discontinue the watering of lawns.
Antelope Valley CC Completes 1MW Solar, Energy Efficiency Project
Antelope Valley Community College (CA) has announced the completion of a 1.1-megawatt solar and energy efficiency project on campus in partnership with Chevron Energy. The project includes a new solar energy system, car charging stations and a central cooling plant and data center. Alongside numerous energy efficiency improvements made, the college expects to gain more than $1.1 million net savings in the first five years. The college also expects to save the district more than $25 million over the life of the project, including incentives from the California Solar Initiative. Chevron Energy Solutions designed, constructed and will operate the solar system. The company also engineered and installed energy-efficient improvements.
Appalachian State U Introduces Green College of Education
Appalachian State University (NC) has unveiled its new College of Education building. The university expects to receive LEED certification for the $35 million structure, which includes a green roof, motion-sensor lights and cork flooring. Recycled materials were used during construction and solar panels were installed on the roof to help with domestic water heating.
Arizona State U Tapped to Lead National Clean Energy Effort
Arizona State University will lead a consortium of higher education institutions and service providers that offer clean energy training and education to develop and implement programs worldwide, it was recently announced. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a $10 million cooperative agreement to the university; $3 million to build and develop the program and up to $7 million for country specific projects to be formed under the Vocational Training & Education for Clean Energy umbrella. Led by the College of Technology and Innovation on the university's Polytechnic campus, the initiative will help create curricula around the operation and maintenance of decentralized clean energy technologies.
Brown U, Cornell U Awarded Int'l Sustainable Campus Awards
Brown University (RI) and Cornell University (NY) were honored by the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) at the recent International Sustainable Campus Awards. The awards are open to any college or university worldwide that has developed outstanding construction or educational projects that promote sustainability on campus and in the surrounding community. Brown University received the Excellence in Campus award for its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program and Goals, which is well ahead of schedule with a 21 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2007 and an annual savings of $1.8 million. Cornell University Sustainable Design, a student-led organization, won the Student Leadership in Sustainable Campus award for its Schoolhouse South Africa project, an interdisciplinary student-led project to finance, design and build a 6,000-square-foot preschool and teacher training center in South Africa.
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Posted Jun 28, 2011
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Other News
Butte College Announces Grid Positive Status
Butte College has become the first institution in the U.S. to go "grid-positive," producing more than 100 percent of the electricity it uses from its on-site solar arrays. The solar arrays total 4.538 megawatts and will generate more than 6.5 million kilowatt hours per year. By eliminating its electricity bill, getting paid for excess electricity production and avoiding future electricity rate increases, the college estimates that it will save between $50 million and $75 million over 15 years. Watch for a formal press release to be released tomorrow on the college's website.
Dept. of Energy Allots $30 Mil Toward Energy Efficiency Training
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the availability of more than $30 million to train undergraduate and graduate engineering students in manufacturing efficiency to help them become the nation's next generation of industrial energy efficiency experts. Through the Industrial Assessment Center program, university teams across the country will gain practical training and skills by helping local companies and factories reduce energy waste, save money and become more economically competitive.
Dixie State College Launches Energy Saving Initiative
Dixie State College (UT) has initiated the Energy Saving Company, a project that will implement various strategies to reduce campus energy costs. The money saved will be used to purchase energy-saving equipment. Lights throughout campus including two sporting venues will receive upgrades. The project also includes the installation of solar panels and adjusted temperature controls of cooling and heating units. The college expects to save $200,000 a year if the project is successful.
Elon U Alumni Field House Earns LEED Gold
Elon University's (NC) Alumni Field House has earned LEED Gold certification. Environmentally friendly features of the 30,000-square-foot building include added layers of insulation to improve its thermal envelope; high-efficiency window glazing that acts as a passive solar mechanism to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer; low-flow plumbing fixtures that reduce potable water consumption by 40 percent; and climate adaptive vegetation and a drip irrigation system. Ninety percent of the construction waste was diverted from the landfill for recycling or reuse.
Frostburg State U to Conduct Campus-Wide Energy Audit
Frostburg State University (MD) has announced that it will move forward with a campus-wide energy audit this fall. The university was awarded a Constellation Energy EcoStar grant in support of the student-led initiative. Audits will determine individual and collective energy usage on campus, aid in the effective implementation of energy saving devices and provide recommendations for individuals to change energy use habits. A team of students will be trained to conduct the audits, scheduled to begin this summer and continue through May 2012.
Georgia Tech Basketball Center Earns LEED Gold
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Zelnak Center has achieved LEED Gold certification. The design and construction of the basketball practice facility was guided by the institute’s Yellow Book. The Georgia Tech Yellow Book is a document that guides architects and engineers in the process of designing new buildings, additions and renovations to existing buildings. The center is the institute’s fourth building to receive LEED Gold certification.
Georgia Tech Improves Bike Culture on Campus
Students and staff on the Bicycle Infrastructure Improvement Committee at Georgia Institute of Technology have announced plans to make it safer and easier to bike to campus. With a $26,146 grant from the Student Government Association, the group will spearhead additional bike racks and bike lanes, slated for a fall 2011 completion. The group also debuted an online campus bike hub.
Lake Region CC Installs Solar System
Lake Region Community College (NH) has installed 15.57 kilowatts of photovoltaic panels on campus. The stationary 12.42-kilowatt panels were placed on the college’s Center for Arts and Technology academic building. Another 3.15-kilowatt photovoltaic panel has a built-in tracking system that follows the sun’s trajectory. The college expects to save $3,600 a year in energy costs and the project qualifies for a $12,000 incentive. The project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the State Energy Program through the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning.
Lehigh U Donated Item Sale Raises Nearly $15K for Community
A recent clothing and household items sale at Lehigh University (PA) raised $14,700 for the Community Service Office's Homework Clubs. This is a record amount for the event, which began 13 years ago when university professors noticed the vast number of usable items being discarded by students who were leaving campus for the summer. That initial drive netted $500 for the South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center. Starting with a donation drive in April, this year's sale featured two 100-square-foot tents full of reduced price items donated by students.
Linfield College Students Embark on Sustainability Road Trip
Six students from Linfield College (OR) are traveling cross-country this summer in a renovated veggie oil bus to promote sustainability. Dubbed "The Self Express," the bus features donated bamboo boards, solar panels and used veggie oil from Community Plate in McMinnville, Ore. Enviofuel of Corvallis, Ore. donated the labor to install a new veggie oil system. The students will stop first in Salt Lake City for the sentencing of Tim DeChristopher, convicted for disrupting an oil-and-gas lease auction by bidding when he wasn't planning to buy in an attempt to protest policies on climate change. The bus hopes to connect with other forward-thinking youth, nonprofits and media there. The students also plan to visit Appalachia to see the environmental and social devastation of mountaintop removal coal mining.
Manhattan, Queens College Awarded NYC Green Infrastructure Grants
Manhattan College and Queens College recently received funding from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's for their innovative methods to manage stormwater runoff. A total of 15 awardees - ranging from private property owners, businesses and nonprofit organizations - will share approximately $3.8 million to build green infrastructure projects that will reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality in New York Harbor. Manhattan College was awarded $420,125 to retrofit two parking lots with porous concrete, which will allow rain to seep to underlying layers of gravel and other substrate instead of running into the sewer system. The system will manage more than one million gallons of stormwater per year. Queens College received $375,000 to retrofit three different areas on campus to infiltrate stormwater runoff, managing more than 707,000 gallons of stormwater per year through the use of porous concrete and rain gardens that will infiltrate and retain water using native plants and trees.
Michigan State U Uses Hybrid Technology for Construction
Michigan State University has started using hybrid technology at a construction site on campus. The university’s contractor opted for a green alternative and invested in a hybrid excavator. The machine can cost up to 20 percent more than a regular machine, but with the amount of reduction in fuel consumption, the excavator can pay for itself in three to five years.
Owens CC to Offer Urban Agriculture and Sustainability Program
Owens Community College (OH) has announced that it will offer a new urban agriculture and sustainability certificate program. The program will require 26 credit hours of coursework including plant science, soil science, greenhouse management, urban livestock and animal husbandry, organic gardening and food systems management, harvest and post-harvest technology, and urban horticulture and sustainability. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in various experiential learning laboratory projects at Toledo GROW’s Oneida Greenhouse.
Palm Beach Atlantic U Receives Water Monitoring System
An underground soil moisture monitoring system has been donated to Palm Beach Atlantic University (FL). The university will use the system to measure and help reduce its water usage for irrigation purposes on campus. The system measures soil moisture at the root level and transmits data wirelessly to a base station that works with the existing irrigation clock to prevent over-watering. The moisture sensors and base units are expected to save as many as 2.5 million gallons of water a year.
Pennsylvania State U Directs Northeast Food Insecurity Study
Faculty in Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences will direct a new $5 million project to study whether greater reliance on regionally produced foods could improve food access and affordability for disadvantaged communities. Part of a national initiative to reduce food insecurity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded project, "Enhancing Food Security in the Northeast with Regional Food Systems," brings together researchers, educators, entrepreneurs and community leaders from a 12-state region to shed light on how the food system can better serve disadvantaged communities, farmers and others in the food supply chain across the nation. Other participating institutions include Columbia University (NY), Cornell University (NY), Delaware State University, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (MD), Tufts University (MA), University of Vermont and West Virginia State University.
