Dartmouth College to Divest From Fossil Fuel Holdings
In a recent announcement about steps to address the climate crisis, the college indicated a strategic investment of endowment funds, which includes investing in energy transitions while reducing all fossil fuel holdings to zero.
U California Irvine Renews STARS Platinum
The university's STARS Platinum rating was first achieved in 2018 and renewed in mid-October 2021. Points of distinction include a campus sustainability engagement strategy during the pandemic, sustainability content in over 48 percent of courses during the 2020-21 academic year, and 21 LEED Platinum and 11 LEED Gold certifications for new construction.
Rutgers U to Establish Office of Climate Action
Toward the end of September, the university's president announced a new Climate Action Plan and the formation of a new Office of Climate Action, which will lead the university's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The office will be housed in the Office of University Strategy, and will work to achieve key milestones, including ensuring that Rutgers removes more greenhouse gases than it emits by its 275th anniversary in 2041.
Virginia Tech Launches Climate Action Living Laboratory
The new Climate Action Living Laboratory seeks to more deeply integrate the university's climate action commitment efforts into the university's educational mission and engage more students in hands-on learning opportunities around sustainability.
AASHE ED Appointed to Times Higher Ed Advisory Board
AASHE's executive director, Meghan Fay Zahniser, is now one of 10 Times Higher Education (THE) advisory board members who were selected to advise THE on how to improve THE's Impact Rankings. The rankings capture higher education institutions' impact on society based on delivery of the SDGs.
Georgetown U Hires Inaugural VP of Sustainability
Meghan Chapple, Georgetown’s first vice president of sustainability, will oversee Georgetown’s Office of Sustainability and lead the university’s strategic sustainability actions. Chapple most recently served as sustainability director and senior advisor on sustainability at The George Washington University.
Columbia U Pledges Fossil Free Buildings
The university announced recently that it will no longer install new fossil fuel connections in any new construction, refresh or renovation projects. To support this transition, the university will evaluate how to fully electrify the campus by replacing the on-site combustion of fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy sources.
Emory U to Establish Civil Rights & Social Justice Center With $7M Donation
The university recently received a grant from Southern Company Foundation to establish the Emory University School of Law Center for Civil Rights and Social Justice and to support other student success and access initiatives. The newly established center will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary scholarship, research, teaching, evidence-based policy reform, and community outreach that improves the lives of individuals who have experienced violations of their civil rights and been impacted by social injustice.
