Saint Michael's College Approves Major, Minor in Env'l Studies
The Saint Michael's College (VT) Board of Trustees has approved a new major and minor in environmental studies. The program will focus on the environment from the perspective of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Students choosing environmental studies as a major will select one of these areas to fulfill specific requirements including a self-designed concentration carried out through a research project.
St. Charles CC Announces Several Green Campus Projects
St. Charles Community College (MO) has announced several new green projects on campus. SCCC has received a Public Buildings and Energy Efficiency Retrofit grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $187,718, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which will be used to purchase a high efficiency hot water boiler, advanced control valves to improve the efficiency of the chilled water cooling system, and sensors to control the lighting, heating, and cooling systems for classrooms. In addition, SCCC new brown rubber mulch made from recycled tires is being used in some college parking lot islands, a new "Team Green" committee has been formed, and $50,000 has been earmarked for the development of an outdoor classroom to be used by the College and local schools and community groups.
Student Leaders Submit Letter to Congress for Green Jobs Training
A group of more than 100 university and college student government presidents submitted a letter today urging Congress to launch a national program for clean energy science and engineering education. The presidents – representing more than one million American students –warned Congress that advanced energy education is critical for U.S. leadership in the global clean energy industry. The letter, organized by Americans for Energy Leadership and the Associated Students of Stanford University (CA), calls on Congress to support the RE-ENERGYSE (“Regaining our Energy Science & Engineering Edge”) proposal, which would invest tens of millions of dollars annually in energy science and engineering education programs at universities, technical and community colleges, and K-12 schools. It was originally proposed by President Obama in April 2009 and is currently under consideration in Congress as part of the Department of Energy’s 2011 budget request.
Texas State U Collects 20K Lbs During E-Waste Event
Texas State University, San Marcos has announced that a recent event helped to collect more than 20,000 pounds of electronic waste from the campus and the community. Approximately 170 participants brought in an average of 120 pounds of electronic waste each. Most of the collected items will be recycled at facilities located within the United States by reselling working items and “demanufacturing” the old, non-working equipment to component level, processing the components back into raw materials for use in new products. Additionally, about 30 computers needing rehab were donated to the Computers for Learning Program.
Thomas College Installs Solar Panels
Thomas College (ME) has installed a solar panel system on the roof of its main administration and classroom building. The panels are expected to produce 8.28 kW. The College also installed a grid-tied inverter, which changes the DC power made by the photovoltaic panels into usable AC energy, which is used to run lights and radios, for example. The panels are estimated to reduce the cost of electricity in the building by approximately $1,600 annually. The project was made possible by a $50,000 grant from Efficiency Maine.
U California Los Angeles Launches Single-Stream Recycling
The University of Southern California, Los Angeles Campus Recycling Action Research Team has debuted single-stream recycling on the UCLA campus and has expanded the number of recycling bins on campus. All trash bins are now paired with recycling receptacles.
U California Santa Barbara Allots Funding for Green Projects
The University of California, Santa Barbara's The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) Grant Making Committee has announced its grant recipients for the 2009-10 funding cycle. The 13 projects selected to receive funding include plastic bottle reduction, LED stage lights, building waste audits, a wind turbine installation, a utility conservation incentive program, a water conservation initiative, and other eco-friendly projects.
U California Santa Barbara Students Approve Renewable Energy Fee
Students at the University of California, Santa Barbara have approved a mandatory student renewable energy fee with the highest voter turnout ever recorded. The Student Services Renewable Energy Initiative will generate revenue to be used to fund large-scale renewable energy projects at the seaside campus. This fee increase of $6 per quarter will generate upwards of $3.4 million dollars by the time it expires in 2020.
Udall Scholars Are Announced
The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation is pleased to announce 80 students from 63 colleges and universities have been selected as 2010 Udall Scholars. A 14-member independent review committee selected this year's group of Scholars on the basis of commitment to careers in the environment, health care or tribal public policy; leadership potential; and academic achievement. The review committee also awarded 50 Honorable Mentions. Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for the Scholar’s junior or senior year. The 2010 Udall Scholars will assemble August 4-8, 2010, in Tucson, Arizona, to receive their awards and meet policymakers and community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care, and governance.
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Posted May 10, 2010
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Other News
U Kentucky, U Louisville Receive $2M for Energy Research
The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville (KY) have each received $2 million for energy research from E.ON, a German power company. UK's donation will support clean coal research, and U of L's funding will go towards engineering and energy-efficiency programs.
U Nebraska Omaha Switches to Compostable Diningware
The University of Nebraska, Omaha Food Services staff has announced "Go Green - Fall 2010," an initiative to switch containers and serving receptacles (including all flatware and paper goods) the department uses to compostable and bio-degradable PLA (polylactic acid), cornstarch-based, and recycled paper materials starting in August. The change will take place in the campus food court and in all other campus Food Service operations.
U New Hampshire Completes Eco-Friendly James Hall
The University of New Hampshire has completed its renovation of James Hall, home of the departments of Earth Sciences and Natural Resources and the Environment. The $33.9 million renovation will seek LEED Silver certification for its use of environmentally-responsible materials and its efficient energy and water systems. Energy-saving innovations in James Hall include a gray water system that captures rainwater from the building’s roof and gutters for use in toilets and urinals; daylight harvesting, which utilizes sensors to turn off electrical fixtures when natural daylight provides adequate light; and a heat wheel recovery system, which makes the air handling unit extremely efficient. In addition, 20 percent of the materials used in the renovation consist of recycled content, and 30 percent of the materials were extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of Durham. Visitors to James Hall can monitor energy use live via an energy kiosk in the building.
U North Carolina Chapel Hill to Be Coal-Free by 2020
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has announced plans to end its use of coal by 2020. As a step toward ending coal use, the campus' cogeneration facility will test co-firing coal with biomass in the form of dried wood pellets later this spring and torrefied wood – a product similar to charcoal – this fall or winter. The University plans to replace 20 percent of its coal with biomass no later than 2015, and perhaps by 2012. Last year, the Sierra Club’s Coal-Free Campus Campaign targeted 60 U.S. campuses that are still burning coal, including UNC and its coal-burning cogeneration facility. The Sierra Club urged these campuses to lead by example, cut their pollution, and end burning coal as soon as possible. In response, Chancellor Holden Thorp appointed 10 students, faculty and community members to a task force to make recommendations before year’s end to reduce Carolina’s carbon footprint. The 2020 date for ending coal usage was one of six interim recommendations submitted to Thorp the end of April.
Washington State U Creates Biodiesel Fuel for Campus Machinery
The Washington State University Biodiesel Club has begun collecting used cooking oil each week from local restaurants and dining halls to create biodiesel. Their aim is to sell the fuel to the University’s motor pool in large enough quantities to operate WSU machinery. The group hopes to produce 300 gallons of biodiesel each week.
10 Campuses Complete Climate Action Plans
10 new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAP) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on March 22, 2010. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. The new submission are: New York University, University of Oregon, Northern Arizona University, Northeastern University (MA), Antioch University New England (NH), Framingham State College (MA), New Mexico State University Dona Ana Branch, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Northern Essex Community College (MA), and Naropa University (CO).
7 Colleges & Universities Make Canada's Greenest Employers List
The editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers project have announced the 2010 winners of Canada's Greenest Employers competition, and among the winners are seven colleges and universities. Thie designation recognizes the employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness in their organizations. These employers have developed exceptional earth-friendly initiatives -- and are attracting people to their organizations because of their environmental leadership. The 2010 college and university winners are: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Georgian College (ON), Kwantlen Polytechnic University (BC), McGill University Health Center (ON), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, University of Alberta, and University of Victoria (BC).
Boston U Sustainability Website Receives International Award
Boston University's (MA) sustainability@BU website has been selected as a 2010 “Webby Honoree” in the Green category for the 14th Annual Webby Awards. Nearly 10,000 entries were received from all 50 states and over 60 countries. The Official Honoree distinction is awarded to the top 15 percent of all work entered that exhibits remarkable achievement.
Christian Science Monitor Covers Green College Graduation Gowns
Christian Science Monitor has published an article on the growing number of colleges and universities that are switching to green graduation caps and gowns and are implementing green initiatives such as offering diplomas made from recycled paper and taking sustainability pledges as part of the ceremony. Most green gowns are made from recycled plastic bottles. The article mentions California Western School of Law, University of Texas at Austin, Harper College (IL), and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
College Fraternity Partners with Env'l Defense Fund for Diversity
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation's oldest black fraternity, and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are launching a transformational partnership to increase the number of diverse environmental leaders on university and college campuses and in communities of color. The Alpha and EDF partnership will educate the fraternity's student and alumni chapters about climate change, environmental justice, energy efficiency, clean energy, and green jobs. Sustainability projects designed by students and alumni will help African American and other populations become more involved in public health and environmental issues caused by air and water pollution and social inequity. The fraternity has 5,000 student members on more than 350 US campuses and 95,000 alumni members.
College of the Holy Cross Releases Sustainability Video
The College of the Holy Cross (MA) has released "Don't Go Green," a video in which campus leaders urge the community to think seriously about their impact on the environment. The video, sponsored by the Presidential Task Force on the Environment, is designed to help enhance the culture of sustainability on campus.
Columbia U Partners with IBM for Green Jobs
Columbia University's (NY) Department of Engineering and IBM have formed a joint initiative to provide technology resources to prepare students for the emerging green economy. The Smarter Cities Skills Initiative will provide Columbia faculty and students access to IBM software either on premise or in the cloud; technical support for green technology courses that show students how to build energy efficient IT infrastructures for smart buildings, smart grids, and smart water systems; and energy efficiency and open standards software development tools on IBM developerWorks. Additionally, Columbia faculty and students can have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with IBM Research scientists on projects related to the future of smarter cities and sustainability.
Ecotech Institute Announces College Focused on Renewable Energy
The Education Corporation of America, an owner of private higher education institutions in the U.S., has announced the launch of Ecotech Institute, a college focused entirely on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design. Ecotech Institute launched its first campus in Aurora, Colorado, offering seven associate's degrees and a certificate program for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Once its flagship campus is fully established, Ecotech plans to expand across the U.S. to help fuel rapidly-growing industries in the clean energy sector.
Florida International U Garden Named 'People's Garden' By USDA
Florida International University's Organic Garden, located on campus and run by faculty, staff, and students, has been named a "People's Garden" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The special recognition is accorded to community gardens across the United States, an initiative started by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last year to promote sustainable, healthy, and local community food production in the country.
Franklin College Converts Fryer Oil to Biodiesel
A group of Franklin College (IN) students, faculty, and staff have converted a gallon of used fryer oil from the campus cafeteria into biodiesel fuel and successfully powered a college-owned tractor on campus. The idea for the project, sparked by the winter term class "Going Green Matters," came from two freshmen students. Students are now refining the process they implemented, trying to find the most efficient technique possible. Business students are also working on calculating the cost of savings from recycling and converting the college's used cooking oil.
Furman U's Cliff's Cottage Receives LEED Gold
Furman University's (SC) Cliffs Cottage has been awarded LEED Gold certification. Built on the Furman campus in 2008, Cliffs Cottage was Southern Living magazine’s first “green” Showcase Home. From its bamboo flooring and insulated windows to the solar panels in the roof, the 3,400-square-foot cottage has served as a model of how to design and build an energy-saving house using environmentally responsible techniques and materials.
Gateway CC Launches Sustainability Studies Certificate
Gateway Community College (CT) has launched a new certificate in sustainability studies. The new professional development courses may be taken together to earn a certificate, or individually. Available courses include sustainable business and economic development, green technologies for the new economy, understanding green employment and living, and home energy savers career awareness program.
Haverford College Student to Study Sustainable Living Worldwide
Haverford College (PA) student Tim Richards has received one of 41 2010 Watson Fellowships. As part of his project, "Holistic Environmentalism: Community Approaches to Sustainability," Richards will explore sustainable living across five continents. Richards will travel to Argentina, Australia, India, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Scotland, and Thailand, and will live in three types of communities that have emerged as international movements aimed at achieving sustainable lifestyles. They are: permaculture communities, human settlements that mirror the relationships found in natural ecologies; ecovillages, international communities of people who strive to live environmentally low-impact lives; and Transition Towns, pre-existing communities that address environmental issues by reducing their carbon emissions and use of fossil fuel.
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Posted May 3, 2010
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Other News
Humboldt State U to Hold Green Graduation
Humboldt State University (CA) has announced plans to hold a green commencement ceremony. The event has banned disposable plastic water bottles and will instead be offering chilled filtered water in compostable cups. In addition, all 1,400 graduate and undergraduate gowns sold by the HSU Bookstore have been made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. The campus will also print fewer Commencement programs per graduate this year, with an eye toward reducing the amount of paper used.
Michigan State U Unveils Recycling Initiative
Michigan State University has unveiled "Going Green," a campus-wide recycling initiative. As part of the initiative, 210 recycling stations will be placed throughout campus enabling MSU faculty, staff, students, and visitors an opportunity to place unwanted paper, plastic, and aluminum in a recycling bin rather than a trash can.
New Mexico State U Restores Solar-Powered Furnace
A group of New Mexico State University students, faculty, and staff have restored a university solar-powered furnace that was constructed in 1979 and has since fell into disuse and disrepair. Rather than electricity, the furnace produces heat, a type of energy production known as solar thermal energy. Graduate student Kyle Glenn and undergraduate Mike Dehmlow operate the furnace. They conduct demonstrations for visiting students to peak their interest in engineering and help them better understand how renewable energy installations, such as a solar furnace, operate.
Northeastern U Awarded $9.9M for Research on Environmental Health
Northeastern University (MA) has received a $9.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of exposure to environmental contamination on preterm birth rates and to develop sustainable solutions. Led by Akram Alshawabkeh, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern, the team will explore whether exposure to commonly found environmental contaminants and chemicals, such as phthalates and trichloroethylene, contribute to the high incidence of preterm births in Puerto Rico. They will pursue new sustainable technologies to identify and remove harmful chemicals from contaminated groundwater. Researchers from Northeastern’s College of Engineering and the Bouvé College of Health Sciences will collaborate with the University of Puerto Rico and University of Michigan on this interdisciplinary research project.
Northeastern U Unveils Green Dining Facility
Northeastern University (MA) has unveiled International Village, a 20,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified dining facility. The dining hall and retail space are both 3-Star Certified Green Restaurants. The all day breakfast station uses cage-free eggs, milk without artificial growth hormones, and Fair Trade Certified coffee and tea. The dedicated vegetarian and vegan platform uses locally purchased produce, and pork and poultry produced without the use of routine antibiotics is prepared in a variety of dishes. Furthermore, all seafood is purchased in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guidelines for sustainability to protect our oceans and their inhabitants. Integrated green building solutions include high performance, energy-efficient foodservice equipment from HVAC to exhaust hoods, to water consumption and automated lighting controls. Low VOC paints, eco-friendly carpeting, and the integration of recycled content were used throughout the entire facility. In addition, 90 percent of the build-out waste was diverted from landfills and an air quality monitoring system was implemented during construction.
NWF Announces 2010 Chill Out Competition Winners
Five colleges and universities from across the United States have won national recognition in National Wildlife Federation’s annual competition Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming. This award program is a campus competition to promote sustainability and honor U.S. schools that are advancing creative approaches to reducing the carbon footprint on campuses. This year's winners are: Western State College of Colorado (Students in Action category), Central Florida Community College (Green Jobs and Education category), University of Arkansas (Campus-Wide Actions category), Georgia Institute of Technology (Best Video), and Boston Latin School (MA) (Innovative Research, Design, and Technology category). The Chill-Out webcast is available for viewing on-demand.
NY Times Publishes Article on EPA's Energy Star Label for Dorms
The New York Times has published an article on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star labels for college and universities dormitories. The article mentions two green residence halls at Ithaca College (NY) and one green residence hall at Hamilton College (NY).
St Mary's College, U Kansas to Start Green Revolving Loan Funds
The St. Mary's College of Maryland and the University of Kansas have announced plans to start revolving loan funds for campus sustainability projects. St. Mary's College Student Government Association will allocate roughly $100,000 to a new fund for creating or implementing sustainable, energy-saving technologies and systems on campus. The majority of the money saved will then go back into the fund. Students will be able to propose and modify projects using the fund. KU's Revolving Green Fund will finance sustainability projects aimed at reducing energy costs and consumption starting with $10,000.
Syracuse U Receives International Award for New Green Data Center
Syracuse University has been named one of the 2010 Green 15 by GDC’s InfoWorld for the University’s new Green Data Center (GDC). The annual Green 15 award recognizes the 15 most innovative IT initiatives of organizations around the world that have embraced green technology to drive projects and develop products aimed at boosting energy efficiency, trimming waste, and reducing or eliminating the use or the production of harmful substances.
Temple U Ambler Partners to Plant Trees at Local Park
The Temple University, Ambler (PA) Arboretum and the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture has partnered with the Philadelphia Zoo, among other institutions, to plant thousands of trees and native plants in Fairmount Park as part of the Zoo's Footprints conservation program. The project, which over the course of the next few years will involve 40 - 50 students, aims to reduce global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide through reforestation, restore native wildlife and habitat and improve forest connectivity in Fairmount Park, and increase local appreciation of wildlife and understanding of climate change effects.
U Albany Partners with Local Bus Service, Car-Share Program
The University at Albany has partnered with a local bus company to offer students, faculty, and staff more options for eco-friendly traveling around campus and in the community. Capital District Transportation Authority buses will be available to ride for free with a single swipe of a SUNY card by members of the university community. In related news, UAlbany has also launched a new car-share program. Connect by Hertz will give faculty, staff, and students access to four fuel-efficient rental vehicles.
U California Merced Releases Sustainability Plan, Website
The University of California, Merced has released its inaugural Sustainability Strategic Plan and formally unveiled its sustainability website. The Sustainability Strategic Plan, developed by the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Sustainability — which has been meeting monthly since late 2007 — includes environmental goals in 12 areas, such as energy use and "green" construction, and lists objectives and milestones for each. The UC Merced sustainability website is organized much like the plan, with objectives and achievements for each listed goal. It also includes a list of sustainability-related awards the university has received and detailed LEED scorecards for each of the buildings on campus. There are also links for students who want to get involved in environmental stewardship, as well as links to all of the university's major planning documents — including the Sustainability Strategic Plan — and sustainability-related podcasts and other outside links.
U Florida Commencement to be Carbon Neutral
The University of Florida has announced that its graduation ceremonies will be carbon neutral this year. The University plans to offset the utilities of the three facilities that will be used during commencement. Additionally, more than 350 graduating students signed the Green Graduation Pledge, committing to carry the values of sustainability with them as they move on from the University of Florida.
U Guelph Ridgetown Receives $2.3M for Anaerobic Digester
The University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus has received more than $2.3 million for the construction of an anaerobic digester and demonstration lab through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. The digester, which will generate approximately 250 kilowatts, has been nicknamed the "legless cow" because it takes in organic matter and churns out heat, carbon dioxide, and methane, which is burned to produce power. The anaerobic digester will use manure from the livestock operations on campus as well as other material gathered from local farms and processors. The operation and management of the machine will become part of the curriculum.
U Idaho Launches Grad Prgm in Natural Resources & Env'l Science
The University of Idaho has launched a new Professional Science Master’s program in natural resources and environmental science. The PSM, which is designed for completion in 18 months, combines advanced science and math skills with training in areas like project management, communications, ethics and leadership. Students will enroll in one of nine program tracks related to topics like sustainability science, fire ecology, water resources management and climate change. In addition to this focused science curriculum, students will take a series of transferable skills courses, and complete both an internship and research project to gain hands-on experience applying what they have learned.
U Massachusetts Medical School Opens Green Data Center
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has opened its new data center on campus that promises to reduce energy use by 40 percent over the current data center. The 7,400-square-foot facility will house all Medical School servers, plus those used by the University President’s office. Energy savings will come from a range of carbon emission-reducing features, including a high-efficiency cooling system, a clean flywheel backup electricity storage system, and no need for lights inside the center. Energy savings will also come from using “air-side economizing” technology, which brings in outdoor air for cooling the indoor space.
U Massachusetts Medical School Reduces Printers on Campus
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has begun a pilot program to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions attributed to the use of desktop printers. Launched in March, the program has already found a 1:1 ratio between employees and printers in at least two school departments. Since the industry standard calls for one printer for every 10 employees, these early results point to a significant opportunity for increasing efficiency and lowering energy costs across the school. The institution seeks to switch to offering multi-function devices positioned in common areas.
U Massachusetts Medical School Student Invention Wins Grand Prize
Max Fraden, a University of Massachusetts Medical School student, and project partner Charles Ishimwe, a business student at the Adventist University of Central Africa in Rwanda, recently won a global social entrepreneurship competition with their idea to replace dangerous kerosene with human pedal power. Based on advanced hand-crank technology, the Nuru Light uses a pedal generator similar to an incumbent bike to generate electricity, which is then stored in batteries. These batteries can be used to power lights, and eventually small household electronics, such as radios and cell phones. Currently, 90 percent of residents in Rwanda use expensive kerosene fuel to light their homes, exposing them to toxic fumes and other dangers. The two students will take home the $10,000 Grand Prize in the 6th annual Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC). Awarded by the Global Business Center at the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business, the GSEC is a business plan competition in which students from around the world—and across fields of study—develop creative, commercially sustainable solutions to problems of poverty in the developing world.
U Michigan, Harvard U Profs Awarded for Green Business Curriculum
The University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business has awarded its second annual D. Alfred N. and Lynn Manos Page Prize for Sustainability Issues in Business Curricula. The competition is designed to encourage and support efforts to introduce or substantially upgrade sustainability courses and/or associated coursework into the curriculum of business schools, both nationally and internationally. Dr. Andrew J. Hoffman of the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business and Dr. Michael W. Toffel and Dr. Forest L. Reinhardt of the Harvard University Business School were each noted as Grand Prize winners. Hoffman's course syllabus, “Green Construction & Design,” was selected for the innovative way in which it examines sustainability from the perspectives of design, construction, and environment. Toffel's and Reinhardt's graduate-level course, “Business and the Environment,” was selected because it represents an exemplary case-based curriculum for educating future business leaders on the impact of environmental considerations on business strategy.
Unity College Switches to Online Course Evaluations
Unity College (ME) has announced plans to replace its paper course evaluations with an online version starting this spring. The College, which has around 540 students, expects to reduce annual paper use by 8,000 sheets through this measure. In addition to saving paper, online course evaluations are expected to be more comprehensive, more accurate, and more expedient. They’ll also be less time intensive for staff processing, and will take place out of the classroom, giving faculty more instructional time at the end of the semester.
U.S. EPA Awards $1M+ to Colleges for Environmental Innovation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $1 million in grants to 14 college teams across the country who participated in the 6th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Winners of the EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) awards developed sustainable projects and ideas that protect the environment, encourage economic growth, and use natural resources more efficiently. The national P3 award competition encourages college students to create sustainable solutions to worldwide environmental problems through technological innovation. Each P3 award winner receives up to $75,000 to further develop a design, implement it in the field, or move it to the marketplace. Winners of this year’s awards are Harvard University (MA), Clemson University (SC), Texas A&M University, Humboldt State University (CA), Appalachian State University (NC), Clarkson University (NY) (two teams), Cornell University (NY), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Roger Williams University (RI), Virginia Tech, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Drexel University (PA). The EPA has posted Science Works Podcasts with its Sustainable Design Competition Winners.
Washington Post Covers Earth Day on College Campuses
The Washington Post has published an article on how college students celebrated Earth Day this year. The article mentions St Mary's College of Maryland; University of Georgia; American University (DC); Texas State University; University of Denver (CO); Gustavus Adolphus College (MN); Georgetown University (DC); Hamilton College (NY); University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Salisbury University (MD); Susquehanna University (PA); Dickinson College (PA); Harper College (IL); Sewanee: The University of the South (TN); and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Washington U in St. Louis Releases Sustainability Plan
The University of Washington in St. Louis has released its Strategic Plan for Environmentally Sustainable Operations. The Plan details the University’s sustainability achievements, aspirations, and challenges in terms of energy and water use, food sources, recycling, and transportation, among others. Goals included in the plan are: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 without purchasing carbon offsets; to build more sustainably by meeting at least LEED Silver qualifications and pursuing LEED Gold when appropriate; and to decrease solo-occupancy vehicles coming to campus by 10 percent by 2012. The plan was developed by the Sustainable Operations Leadership Council.
