Colorado State U Pueblo Goes 100% Solar-Electric
In mid-August, the university announced that all university buildings were being powered by energy from the sun. This was made possible through a power purchase agreement that included the installation of a 23-acre solar array on the north side of campus and a rechargeable battery system.
Ryerson U to Change Name
The university's board of governors recently accepted 22 recommendations, which include renaming the institution, sharing materials to recognize the legacy of Egerton Ryerson, and providing more opportunities to learn about Indigenous history and Indigenous and colonial relations. The recommendations come from a task force who conducted research into the university's namesake's life and legacy, and the role of commemoration in the community.
Princeton U to Dissociate From Fossil Fuel Companies
The university recently established an administrative process for dissociating from companies engaged in climate disinformation campaigns or that are involved in the thermal coal and tar sands segments of the fossil fuel industry. The university also has committed to reducing the aggregate harmful climate impact of the entirety of the university’s direct and indirect endowment holdings.
Tulane U Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour
In an effort to support income growth and greater equity and economic well-being in the community, the university recently announced an increase in minimum wage for all staff from $10.82 per hour to $15 per hour, effective Oct. 1. The university will also standardize student wages by raising the minimum hourly rate to $10, and is giving special consideration to outside contractors who pay a $15 per hour minimum wage or who have a documented plan within a reasonable timeframe to achieve that rate.
U Virginia to Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Following a state executive order requiring state agencies to stop buying, selling and distributing certain plastics, the university stopped purchasing single-use plastic bags, plastic cutlery, plastic food containers and plastic straws as of July 21. The university will also phase out plastic water bottles and plastic bag liners over the coming year to the extent possible.
Texas A&M U Launches Social Justice Leadership Certificate
The new certificate is designed for nonprofit leaders committed to accelerating racial equity within nonprofit organizations. The online, asynchronous program is a non-credit-bearing professional education opportunity for nonprofit practitioners. It consists of five three-week courses that can be completed in approximately four months.
Two California CCs Shift Toward Open Education Resources
With a goal of increasing access, Compton Community College recently announced a goal of using 85 to 100 percent open educational resources (OER), rather than textbooks, by 2035, while College of the Canyons is aiming for a third of its courses to eliminate textbooks over the next two years.
Pennsylvania State U Approves New $250K Sustainability Fund
With the approval of the university’s budget by the board of trustees last month, a new yearly $250,000 Environmental Sustainability Fund from the University Park Student Fee Board will take effect in the 2021-22 academic year. Establishment of this fund will not increase student fees.
Georgetown U Starts MS in Environment & Sustainability Mgmt
A collaboration among the Georgetown Environment Initiative, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and the McDonough School of Business, the 11-month, STEM-designated program is geared toward those seeking to help organizations reduce their impact on the environment by harnessing the power of business. The program will begin August 2022.
Nine Georgia HEIs Receive $300K for State Climate Consortium
The Ray C. Anderson Foundation has awarded a $300,000 grant to the next phase of the Georgia Climate Project, a state-wide consortium of nine colleges and universities working to strengthen Georgia’s ability to prepare for and respond to a changing climate. With this new grant, the project will engage a diverse network of experts to develop and disseminate knowledge on climate impacts and solutions through webinars, workshops, and an online Georgia climate information portal.
U Southern California Hires Chief Sustainability Officer
Michael “Mick” Dalrymple was recently named USC’s first chief sustainability officer. Dalrymple comes to USC from Arizona State University, where he served as the director of University Sustainability Practices for five years. Dalrymple’s position as USC’s first chief sustainability officer comes with a charge of implementing a forthcoming 2028 sustainability plan that contains such goals as achieving carbon neutrality and zero waste.
