Antioch U Los Angeles Launches Urban Sustainability Grad Program
Antioch University Los Angeles (CA) has announced the launch of its M.A. in urban sustainability. The program, which emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of urban sustainability and focuses on the social implications of environmental and economic change, features two residency periods each semester, online learning and community engagement through fieldwork.
California Institute of Technology Unveils 1 MW Solar Array
The California Institute of Technology has unveiled a new 1.1-megawatt solar energy system. The 4,500-panel system has been installed on the rooftops of seven campus buildings. The institute entered a 20-year contract with Perpetual Energy Systems and Suntech, during which Caltech will buy the energy generated from the system at a predefined rate.
Chippewa Valley Technical College Joins Food Co-op
Chippewa Valley Technical College (WI) has joined the Producers & Buyers Food Co-op, pledging to buy 15 percent of the food needs locally for its campus dining services. The co-op is a Wisconsin-based organization of farmers, institutional buyers, processors and transporters who have joined together to help institutions source local and sustainably produced food. The college hopes its co-op membership will help provide income to local farmers and reduce the amount of energy consumed to transport food to the college.
Elon U Introduces Building Dashboard
Elon University (NC) has unveiled a building dashboard that allows users to monitor the electricity usage from any of the 53 buildings on campus. Created by Lucid Design Group, the dashboard provides real-time, online data in a variety of units including kilowatt hours, pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and dollar amounts.
Elon U Trustees Establish 56-Acre University Forest
The Board of Trustees at Elon University (NC) have voted to preserve a 56-acre undeveloped tract near the university as a dedicated natural area to be known as the Elon University Forest. The action protects the largest remaining intact forest in the area, safeguarding thousands of species of plants, animals and other organisms, according to the university. More than half of the forest area contains old-growth trees, some estimated to be 200 years old.
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.
George Washington U to Install Solar Thermal Systems
The George Washington University (DC) has announced plans to install solar thermal systems to heat water for three residence halls with the goal of reducing about 70 tons of carbon annually. The installation will also further the university's goal to be a test bed for renewable technologies and generate 10 percent of energy from on-campus renewable sources by 2040 as outlined in its Climate Action Plan. The system will work by converting sunlight to thermal energy, where the heat is then sent to a hot water tank that pumps the water for use in the residence halls.
Grand Valley State U to Offer Social Justice Training Program
Grand Valley State University (MI) has announced the launch of a free social justice training program for students and community members. The vision behind the program is to help foster multi-generational and diverse partnerships between students and the West Michigan Community. The program was funded through a grant from the Arcus Foundation and will start in January.
Indiana U Receives $1.1 Million for Green Research Projects
Indiana University has received $1.1 million from the National Science Foundation for two research projects in environmental science. The first project, Spatial Interactive Optimization for Restoration of Upland Storage in Watersheds, will receive $410,000 over three years. Researchers will study water management practices for the purpose of designing more efficient upstream water management systems on agricultural lands in response to local climate variability and long-term climate change. The second project will study farmers’ interactions with local environments in Zambia and how they survive periods of drought through different types of coping strategies.
John Carroll U Revamps Recycling Program
John Carroll University (OH) has begun to revamp its recycling program. The university is working to make recycling bins more distinguishable and make recycling easier and more obvious to students in residence halls. Small blue receptacles will be distributed to each student’s room. Additionally, the university renegotiated its contract with Landmark Disposal for Waste that will include the installation of scales on the truck to measure how much waste the campus generates.
Keene State College Students Working Toward a Fair Trade Campus
Students in Keene State College's (NH) Measuring Fair Trade course are assisting the college to meet several criteria to become a certified fair trade campus. To become a certified campus under TransFair USA, an institution must carry fair trade products, have support from the administration and have at least one fair trade club or organization on campus to ensure student involvement. Currently, the college serves a variety of fair trade products and ingredients including coffee, sugar, bananas, tea and chocolate bars. Students are working to increase awareness and demand for fair trade products on campus with a campus-wide fair trade day with product demonstration and sales.
Luther College Produces Potatoes for Local Food Pantry
Students and staff at Luther College (IA) are producing potatoes for a local food pantry as part of the college's Luther College Gardens initiative. Seed potatoes donated from a campus cafeteria were planted in a Luther Gardens plot and tended to by student gardeners over the summer. The college recently harvested 70 pounds of potatoes that were donated to the food pantry.
Oil Companies Turning to Institutions for Commercial Research
Oil companies have given millions to support energy research at institutions in the past decade, according to a recent report by the Center for American Progress. The report analyzes 10 research collaboration contracts between U.S. institutions and companies with a direct commercial stake in future energy markets like Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp. and ConocoPhillips. Much of the funding is being used for research into new sources of alternative energy and renewable energy, mostly biofuels. The report looks at why highly profitable oil companies are turning to institutions to perform their commercial research and development instead of conducting the work in-house, and why institutions are choosing to partner with oil companies.
Pomona College Dining Halls Get Sustainable Makeover
Pomona College’s (CA) dining halls have implemented several changes to their food purchasing and trash disposal systems in an effort to make the college’s food services more sustainable. Initiatives include the expansion of vegetarian, gluten-free, organic and fair trade options and the incorporation of local food into the menu. The compost system has been revamped to include preproduction food scraps and recycling expanded to include all paper, glass, plastic and metal products.
San Francisco State U Implements Low-Maintenance Landscaping
San Francisco State University's (CA) Campus Grounds is altering its landscaping plan to include alternative plantings that require less water and maintenance. The university allows grasses near the gym, humanities and science buildings to grow unfettered with once-a-week watering. Ground workers have added native plants like huckleberry, lupine, yarrow and willow in an effort to attract birds and pollinators. Also, pesticides, fertilizers and mowing have been eliminated in three areas of campus. The university plans to continue to experiment with ways to further reduce its water use and coordinate with science classes to quantify differences in biodiversity after letting the lawns grow.
Santa Clara U Installs Solar Energy System
Santa Clara University (CA) has installed a 967.68-kilowatt solar energy system to compliment the university’s existing solar array. The panels have been installed on the rooftops of three campus buildings. The university entered into a power purchase agreement with Perpetual Energy Systems, enabling the university to host the solar installations without capital outlay. Under the agreement, the university will purchase the clean solar energy produced by each installation at a predetermined, fixed rate.
Santa Clara U Launches Frugal Innovation Initiative
The School of Engineering and Center for Science, Technology and Society at Santa Clara University (CA) have teamed up on a campus frugal innovation initiative. Frugal innovation focuses on providing products and services in emerging, underdeveloped countries with an emphasis on environmentally friendly practices and the spare use of low-cost raw materials. The initiative includes a collaboration with the university's Leavey School of Business to address needs for emerging markets through what is known as "lean entrepreneurship."
Santa Monica College Completes Energy Retrofits
Santa Monica College (CA) has completed a $3.6 million solar and energy efficiency project expected to produce total savings of $14 million for the campus. Installations include a 408-kilowatt solar system on top of two parking structures that generates power for the parking garages and a portion of the college's Business Building. The campus also increased its energy efficiency with a lighting retrofit, variable speed drives, new hot water boilers and emergency circuit upgrades.
Temple U Plants Trees in Northeast Philadelphia Community
Temple University's (PA) student-initiated Northeast Tree Tenders program has planted a total of 270 trees in Northeast Philadelphia since its start in 2007. Founded by an undergraduate engineering student, the program sends trained volunteers to neighborhoods to plant trees along streets and in yards at the request of homeowners. Northeast Tree Tenders is one of 225 such groups in Philadelphia managed and trained by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Temple U to Initiate Nanotechnology Solutions to Sustainability
Temple University (PA) has received nearly $200,000 from the National Science Foundation to implement nanotechnology, the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale, into its undergraduate engineering curriculum. The goal is to provide students with hands-on experience through internships, design projects and lab work with the use of nanotechnologies in advancing a sustainable urban environment. Nanotechnology modules will be added to a minimum of eight courses in the College of Engineering.
U Mass Dartmouth Plans for Offshore Renewable Energy Test Site
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has announced plans to create a 300-square-mile zone offshore that will allow companies to test systems to create energy from wind, tides or waves. The National Ocean Renewable Energy Innovation Zone has received $1.5 million in federal funds and $160,000 from the office of the university's president. A related grant of $748,000 was announced for a two-year study of wind and ocean renewable energy resources based at the zone.
U North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wins EPA Building Competition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the winner of its first National Building Competition. The competition challenged teams from 14 buildings across the country to measure their building's energy use and reduce waste. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Morrison Residence Hall reduced its energy use by 35.7 percent in one year, saving more than $250,000 in energy bills and reducing more than 730 metric tons greenhouse gas emissions. Strategies included improvements to the building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and outreach to Morrison Hall residents. A computer touch-screen helped residents keep track of their energy consumption and competitions between dorm floors encouraged students to turn off lights and computers.
U North Carolina Greensboro Students Start Campus Garden
University of North Carolina Greensboro students have begun building raised beds for an organic garden in an effort to promote sustainable local food. The campus dining hall will plant an herb garden for use in its meals. The university hopes faculty members will incorporate the gardens into their curriculum.
Voorhees College Receives $40,000 in Grants for Green Initiatives
Voorhees College (SC) has received $40,000 in grants for sustainable initiatives on campus. A $20,000 grant from the United Negro College Fund will enable the college to develop and carry out projects to reduce energy consumption. A technical assistant grant from the South Carolina Energy Office is designed to conduct energy assessments on 17 facilities and buildings on campus.
Wheaton College Science Center Earns LEED Gold
Wheaton College’s (IL) Science Center has received LEED Gold certification. The new 134,000-square-foot facility was built on a previously developed site using recycled steel, brick and acoustical tile, as well as regionally produced materials. Builders used low-emitting adhesives, sealants and paints. Additionally, 70 percent of the building’s electricity comes from a provider of renewable energy and landscaping plants are native to the region.
Alfred State College Students Build Green Home on Campus
Students at Alfred State College (NY) are receiving hands-on learning about green construction and technology by helping to build a green home on its Applied Technology campus. Utilizing the skills they have developed in architecture, building trades and electrical construction courses, the students are using an integrated approach to energy efficiency in the design of the buildings, the building envelope and the mechanical space conditioning systems.
Appalachian State U Installs Green Roof
Appalachian State University has installed a Living Roofs, Inc. vegetative green roof atop a campus hall in an effort to reduce energy costs. A joint effort between the university's Physical Plant department and Pepco Energy Services, the roof will cool and insulate the building, managing heat caused by concrete exposed to the sun, and provide a way to disperse stormwater more sustainably.
Appalachian State U Students Take Service-Learning Trips
Appalachian State University (NC) students recently conducted community service projects as part of the university's Alternative Fall Break trips program. Fall trips included a visit to a wildlife refuge on the South Carolina coast, where students helped clean and maintain sensitive ecosystems; working alongside park rangers to maintain the Appalachian Trail; and helping local community agencies through environmental cleanup. Students help offset the carbon emissions of their trips by calculating how much carbon was used to travel and do every-day activities, and planning a sustainable community service project to achieve carbon-neutrality.
Boston Architectural College Debuts Sustainable Design Master's
Boston Architectural College has announced the creation of an online Master of Design Studies in sustainable design. Debuting August 2011, the coursework includes both online study and week-long learning intensives at the college's Newbury Street campus. The curriculum will feature more than 30 graduate courses including green building design, green policy and advocacy, sustainable community planning and sustainable construction.
California State U Fresno to Build Bike Barn
After 17 bikes were reported stolen during August and September, California State University, Fresno has announced plans to construct a bike barn to provide a safe place for students to park. The bike barn will be a designated area to park a large number of bicycles in a secure location. The project will be paid for by the Alternative Transportation Fund, which is funded through campus parking violations.
Campuses Making Energy Reduction Strides Through Green IT Plans
As campuses struggle with the immensity of the carbon neutrality challenge, information technology is often the leader in small sustainability initiatives that reduce energy and galvanize the campus for larger work ahead, reports Campus Technology. The news outlet profiles Alfred University (NY), where the IT department has been instrumental in automating processes to make the campus as paperless as possible; and Scottsdale Community College (AZ), which has switched to lower-wattage computers, converted CRT monitors to LCD models and implemented programs to shut off computers in student labs that haven't been used in the last 30 minutes.
Clemson U Gifted $2 Mil for Sustainable Development Endowed Chair
Clemson University's (SC) Center of Economic Excellence in Sustainable Development has received a $2 million gift to endow a chair in the sustainable development field. Gifted by former Bechtel Corp. senior executive and 1969 Clemson mechanical engineering graduate Tom Hash, the position will help develop new sustainable technologies and encourage smart growth. Focusing on areas where the natural and built environments meet, research will aim to produce tools and products to better monitor, manage and protect the environment while allowing for continued economic growth and development.
Cornell U Receives $80 Mil from Alum for Sustainability Center
Cornell University (NY) has announced an $80 million gift from 1960 graduate David R. Atkinson to create a permanent campus research center that will be a focal point for sustainability-related activity on campus, including education, operations, outreach and research. The gift builds on the success of the Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future, established in 2007, which is now renamed the David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. Its current research projects include index-based insurance products for poor herders and farmers and for pre-financing of emergency response by humanitarian organizations; technology for bio-based energy and feedstock production; and exploring the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, invasive species and pollution from the perspectives of population genetics, modeling, biogeochemistry, economics, environmental sociology and microbiology.
Delta College President Recognized for Climate Leadership
Delta College (MI) President Jean Goodnow has received the first annual Climate Leadership Award for Outstanding Individual Climate Leadership from Second Nature. Honorees were recognized at the organization's fourth annual American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment Summit in October. Goodnow has integrated sustainability into the college's educational, administrative and operational activities including Green Fridays, a four-day work week established as a successful measure of campus carbon reduction. The college is also launching an Introduction to Sustainability course to serve as the foundation for its upcoming Sustainability Certificate program.
Elon U Introduces Environmental Studies Program
Elon University’s (NC) Department of Environmental Studies has created a B.S. in environmental and ecological science, and a minor in environmental and sustainability studies. The department hopes to better serve students interested in careers in environmental science, wildlife biology, conservation biology, ecosystem management and restoration. The major has less core course and more elective choices. The minor will educate students about the principles of sustainability.
Florida Ag and Mechanical U Students Study Biodiesel Production
Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University has received a $50,000 grant from Ford Motor Company to allow students to grow and harvest oil seed crops for the production of biofuel. Students will have an opportunity to learn all of the components that go into making biodiesel fuel.
Illinois Central College Constructs Green Roof
Illinois Central College has begun constructing a green roof atop its fitness center as part of an $18 million expansion of the Cougar-Plex. Low-growing plants will be installed to help provide insulation. The college expects the new roof to help reduce energy costs and extend the life of the existing roof material.
Loyola U Offers Sweatshop Free Apparel
Loyola University (MD) has partnered with Alta Gracia Apparel to offer sweatshop free apparel in the college bookstore. The clothing manufacturing company implements responsible labor practices and pays its workers, who are free to unionize, a living wage. Alta Gracia's wages were standardized by the Workers Right Consortium, a labor rights watchdog organization that includes the involvement of more than 180 collegiate apparel factories. The university's Center for Community Service and Justice has been involved with several initiatives on campus to support unionized factories and tries to spark interest in the fair trade initiative among students, groups and offices on campus.
Lubbock Christian U Building to Seek LEED Gold
Lubbock Christian University (TX) has unveiled its newest green building, designed to receive LEED Gold certification. Ground source heat pumps will heat and cool the Cardwell Welcome Center, which also features light-colored parking pavement to reflect the sun’s heat rather than absorb it, and shade trees around its perimeter that are irrigated by captured rainwater from its roof. Nearly 85 percent of the construction waste was recycled.
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.
Middlesex County College Residence Hall Seeks LEED Silver
Middlesex County College (NJ) has nearly completed the construction of a 36,000-square-foot building designed to meet LEED Silver certification. Sustainable features include waterless urinals, recycled construction materials and a white roof to reflect heat. Additionally, the grounds include catchments for rainwater to be used for irrigation.
Northeastern U Receives $8 Mil for Renewable Energy Research
Northeastern University's (MA) Center for Renewable Energy Technology has received six federal grants totaling more than $8 million to conduct research that will focus mainly on increasing the availability and affordability of electric cars in the marketplace. Among the grants is a four-year, $6.38 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a cost-effective and energy-efficient non-platinum based fuel cell catalyst for electric vehicles. The new technology would replace internal combustion gas engines with fuel cells.
Oberlin College Receives $1.1 Mil Grant for Energy Assessments
Oberlin College (OH) will administer a $1.1 million federal award secured by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur that will be used to conduct a comprehensive, district-wide assessment of energy infrastructure and alternative energy transmission. Under the guidance of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, the college will study solar energy feasibility and sustainable energy opportunities for the city of Oberlin as well as potential options for converting the college's current central heating plan to biomass or another alternative energy source.
Ohio Wesleyan U Debuts Green Aquatic Center
Ohio Wesleyan University has debuted its $10 million Meek Aquatics and Recreation Center, designed to meet LEED certification. The center was funded with alumni contributions and grants, including $1.1 million in federal funds to support the geothermal energy system to heat and cool the building.
Rend Lake College Develops Biofuel Education Program
Rend Lake College (IL) has received a $60,835 federal grant to support a three-part biofuels education program, which will include training on farm-based biodiesel production. The first component of the program will include the development of a hybrid course with online lectures and lab sessions with lab-scale production of biodiesel, ethanol and methane. A community education course designed for local community members who want to learn more about small-scale biofuel production and use will be part of the second component. The third portion of the program involves an internship program for the college’s students. Interns will produce small batches of biodiesel, ethanol and methane using feedstock sourced from the campus farm.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland Builds Rain Garden
St. Mary’s College of Maryland has constructed a rain garden to capture stormwater runoff and filter out sediments and nutrients that would otherwise end up in the waterways. The low-maintenance garden features native species and requires seasonal deadheading and weeding. The project will be part of an environmental science course for elementary school kids.
SUNY College of Enviro Science and Forestry Hosts Denim Drive
Students at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry hosted a denim drive throughout the month of October as part of Cotton Incorporated’s campaign, “Cotton From Blue to Green.” The campaign converts donated jeans into sustainable natural-fiber housing insulation to be used by Habitat for Humanity. It takes 500 pieces of denim to insulate a house. The student group Green Campus Initiative led the effort to bring the campaign to the university and oversaw the collection events and donation bin maintenance on campus.
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).
Syracuse U Interior Design Class to Create Green Office
Six teams of Syracuse University (NY) interior design students are working to transform a basement into a green office for the university’s Sustainability Division. The third-year design students will infuse functionality and style to create a nontraditional office using sustainable materials and featuring green amenities. The office, known as the Sustainable Studio, will allow the division’s staff to build a presence within the College of Visual and Performing Arts while they implement the university’s climate action plan.
U Albany to Research How to Reduce Traffic Light Idling Time
An associate professor at the University at Albany School of Business (NY) has been awarded a $378,375 grant from the James S. McDonnell Foundation to study how traffic lights may be more efficiently organized for drivers to save time and gas. The goal of the research is to improve traffic light synchronization through a self-organizing system, avoiding the idling time for drivers that hit six red lights in a row, for example, and helping to reduce carbon emissions.
