U Bristol Certifies 990 Labs Through LEAF Program
(U.K.) Each of the 990 laboratories at the university have gained certification through the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) Program, administered by the University College London. The program focuses on the reduction of environmental impact of labs by promoting actions that save water, plastic, energy and other resources through better waste management, equipment efficiency, chemical management and procurement.
Hope College Pilots New Financial Model for Tuition
The college announced recently a new pilot program whereby instead of charging tuition before receiving an education, the college will ask students to give to the college after they graduate, paying-it-forward to future students. Called Hope Forward, the program will welcome a cohort of 22 students this fall whose tuition will be fully funded by an anonymous donor. In the future, the college aims to fully fund tuition for all students.
Virginia State U Clears Account Balances for Pandemic Period
The university recently announced that it will clear all unpaid tuition and fee balances for students enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic impact period of spring, summer, fall and winter 2020, and spring 2021 semesters. The payoff applies only to balances currently owed to the university.
U Virginia Dedicates $50M Toward Environmental Resilience & Sustainability Research
The university’s Great and Good 2030 Plan identifies five priority focus areas for research, one of which is environmental resilience and sustainability. The university recently announced plans to make a commitment of up to $50 million in the 2021-2022 academic year to focus on research opportunities that will have high impact. In early fall 2021, the university will host a conference panel to generate specific areas and projects for investment.
U Washington Releases Finalized Sustainability Action Plan
Covering all three UW campuses, the new Sustainability Action Plan includes five guiding principles and 10 measurable targets along with annual actions to reach those targets. The targets address campus operations, student experience, academic research and equity. The plan’s guiding principles are: ensure students achieve sustainability literacy; choose research conscientiously; keep equity and inclusion at the center; use resources responsibly; and decarbonize.
Dixie State U Changes University Name
The university's board of trustees voted in late June to recommend Utah Tech University as the new institutional name. The board’s recommending vote will go before the Utah Board of Higher Education for their vote and then to the Utah State Legislature.
Positive Impact Rating Releases 2021 Ranking
Recently launched at the U.N. Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Global Forum, the Positive Impact Rating 2021 Report catalogs the social impact levels of 46 business schools from 21 countries. Students assessed their business schools on how they perceive their positive impact for society.
Simon Fraser U Establishes Endowment for Indigenous Students
The university's publishing program has established a new endowment in recognition of its first Indigenous graduate of the Master of Publishing program (MPub). The Greg Younging Publishing Award Endowment aims to create a fully funded opportunity for an Indigenous student to complete the degree.
Lafayette College to Connect 470 KW Solar Electric Array
Installation of a 470-kilowatt photovoltaic array began on June 1 on the roof of the college's Kirby Sports Center. The project will provide experiential learning opportunities for students through integration of the project into courses.
NC A&T State U Launches Free Textbook Program
A new partnership between North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Barnes & Noble College will enable NC A&T to make textbooks available for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years free for all undergraduate students.
Emory U Signs 'Break Free From Plastic' Pledge
The university recently committed to establish a task force on plastics reduction and create a year-by-year single-use plastics reduction strategy in order to eliminate the procurement of unnecessary single-use plastics by 2026.
Georgia Tech Connects 1.4 MW Microgrid
The university and Georgia Power recently celebrated the opening of a 1.4-megawatt microgrid, designed to provide clean power locally while also serving as a living laboratory for Georgia Tech, industry and government researchers. The microgrid will provide Georgia Power with insight into how smart energy management systems can interact with the grid to achieve optimal energy use. The installation includes fuel cells, battery storage, diesel generators and a natural gas generator, and it is adaptive to new and additional distributed energy resources.
Royal Roads U Launches Climate Leadership Masters Degree
Approved June 2021, the new Master of Arts in Climate Action Leadership is a two-year, 36-credit degree program geared toward people who want to create the social, political, environmental and economic changes needed for a low-carbon, resilient future. The program places an emphasis on the intersection of climate science, social science, justice and change leadership.
