American U Removes Smokestacks
During winter break, two 100-foot smokestacks at American University that were part of the AU campus skyline for more than 60 years were removed. This is the final step in the university’s conversion to a low-temperature hot water heating system that is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 40 percent.
U Albany Adopts Official Land Acknowledgement
The University at Albany, part of the State University of NY system, has adopted an official land acknowledgment that recognizes the homelands of the Kanien’keháka and Muh-he-con-neok people upon which the campus resides.
U Indonesia Publishes GreenMetric World University Rankings
Universitas Indonesia has published the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2021, which are based on 6 dimensions of sustainability: setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation and education. Wageningen University & Research was ranked first among the 956 universities from 80 countries that submitted data.
U Maine Presque Isle to Install 377KW Photovoltaic Array
Currently under construction is a 377-kilowatt, grid-connected solar array that once completed is estimated to save the university about $42,000 in electricity costs per year. A unique aspect of the modules being used is that they are bifacial panels, meaning the back sides of the panels capture reflected sunlight from the ground, which results in about an 8 percent increase in energy generated.
Case Western Reserve U to Divest From Fossil Fuels
In a recent announcement, the president confirmed that the public side of the university's endowment portfolio is completely divested from fossil fuels exposure, and that the fossil fuel investments on the private side could take years to fully divest due to contractual obligations. Additionally, the university will not make any future investments in fossil fuel companies and in funds that include fossil fuel-related investments.
Georgia Tech Hires Inaugural VP for Infrastructure & Sustainability
The university recently announced Maria Cimilluca as the inaugural vice president for Infrastructure and Sustainability (I&S). Under Cimilluca’s leadership, the newly created unit will continue to evolve and improve Georgia Tech’s physical environment, which spans more than 400 acres in midtown Atlanta. This role is responsible for leading the institute’s campus sustainability plans as well as the design, planning and operations of the campus infrastructure.
Ohio State U to Create Path for Debt-Free Bachelor Degree
The university recently announced an initiative to offer students a path to graduate debt-free, through scholarships, work opportunities that allow students to gain experience while earning a paycheck, grant assistance, and coaching on financial education, leadership and work skills.
U Sussex to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics
(U.K.) The university recently committed to eliminating avoidable single-use plastics from catering, stationery, laboratories, residence halls, offices and events by 2025. Where the use of plastics is unavoidable, the university has pledged to encourage the use of recycled plastics, and support manufacturers that make products from locally sourced waste plastics.
