Campus Sustainability Planning: A November Update
The University of Maryland has updated its Facilities Master Plan to include a more detailed environmental stewardship and sustainability section. The plan's nine new sustainability targets include carbon neutral building design; energy and water consumption reduction strategies; and an outdoor teaching plan to maximize the use of campus space. The University of California, Berkeley has released its 2011 Sustainability Report. Noteworthy achievements in the last year include a reduction of electricity usage by 14 million kilowatt-hours since 2006; the completion of six LEED-certified buildings; and a student vote to end the sale of bottled water on campus. North Carolina State University's Campus Environmental Sustainability Team has released its 2010-2011 Annual Sustainability Report. Highlights include the completion of an award-winning rain garden designed and installed by students, and the launch of Certified Wolfpack Green, a formal process for recognizing efforts to "green" campus events.
Duke U Acquires 2 New Hybrid Buses
Duke University (NC) has purchased two new hybrid-electric buses to join its transit fleet. Ridership capacity will increase by 30 passengers for each bus.
Duke U Installs Solar Thermal Panels
Duke University (NC) has installed 45 solar thermal panels to heat up to 40 percent of the water at its Bryan Center. Through a partnership with Holocene, the university's only financial commitment to the project is to purchase the solar thermally heated water from the renewable energy company, which will own and operate the installation for seven years. After that, the university will own the solar panels and not have to pay an outside source for hot water.
Fanshawe College to Create Renewable Energy Technician Program
Fanshawe College (ON) has received a $405,000 donation to help kick-start a renewable energies technician program. Students will have an opportunity to receive hands-on training in the renewable energy industry. The program is set to launch in September 2012.
Johns Hopkins U Students to Create Community Garden
Johns Hopkins University’s (MD) student-run group, Real Food Hopkins, will plant a 4,000-square-foot garden this fall to serve as a model for urban gardening and sustainable agriculture. Students, staff and faculty will be able to sign up for individual plots or work with a neighborhood community group beginning next spring. Plot managers can keep what they produce as well as donate a portion of the crops to the university’s Campus Kitchen, which donates surplus food to those who are in need in the Baltimore area.
Louisiana Tech Wins $1.1 M Grant for Green Technology Center
Louisiana Technical University has been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Economic Development Administration to create a Proof of Concept Center for green technologies. The new program, LA_i6, will foster relationships with regional businesses and help expedite the introduction of green technology innovations into regional and national markets. LA_i6 will also work to amplify and promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of green technologies produced through its center.
New Portland CC Building to Seek LEED Platinum
Portland Community College (OR) has opened a new center designed to LEED Platinum standards. Newberg Center's sustainable features include bi-facial solar panels, bicycle racks and showering facilities, low-flow fixtures, and a reflective white roof. The $7.2 million facility is anticipated to become carbon neutral once additional solar panels capable of producing up to 75 kilowatts are installed later this year.
North Carolina CCs Receive Greenforce Initiative Grants
The Greenforce Initiative has awarded grants of $3,000 to five projects organized by community colleges in North Carolina to promote green career pathways while advancing campus sustainability. Haywood Community College will restore and enhance the native plant communities and hydrology of its campus. Nash Community College will construct and house a mobile solar thermal hot water heater for class use. Southeastern Community College will introduce an area on campus to serve as a learning laboratory, emphasizing native plants and water retention methods. Stanly Community College’s Project Green Up-Reach Up effort will support a group of lower-income students to prepare for the national Building Analyst certification. Wake Technical Community College will hire a researcher to identify a local business willing to partner on the development of green technology classes.
North Carolina State U Introduces Online Energy Conservation Tool
North Carolina State University's Sustainability Office has introduced a new web-based tool that allows students to see the energy being consumed in various settings around campus including residence halls, classrooms, kitchens and laboratories. Students can manipulate 360-degree virtual rooms to determine the energy consumption of various appliances and other devices. The project was developed by Springleaf Strategies, a marketing and sustainability consulting firm, as part of a campaign to reduce campus energy consumption by 5 percent.
NSF Awards Lansing CC $727K for Green Building Training
In response to Michigan's expanding green building industry, the National Science Foundation has awarded Lansing Community College (MI) a grant of $727,000 to launch a new program to develop education and training in integrated building science. The program will identify career pathways for building science-related fields, develop curricula with input from industry partners, and increase the number of secondary and post-secondary students receiving education in building science.
Portland CC Debuts Twin Fuel Cell Project
Portland Community College (OR) recently unveiled twin fuel cells at its Sylvania Campus that, by converting natural gas into electricity and heat, are providing power and heat to the campus' Health Technology Building. The U.S. Department of Energy covered the bulk of the $162,037 project, which is estimated to save the college 3 percent of its total annual utility bill.
SMU Research Reveals 3 M MW of Geothermal Resources in U.S.
New research from Southern Methodist University's Geothermal Laboratory (TX) has revealed significant geothermal resources across the U.S. capable of producing more than 3 million megawatts of green power, equal to 10 times the installed capacity of coal power plants today. Funded by a grant from Google.org, the research confirms and refines locations capable of supporting large-scale commercial geothermal energy production under a wide range of geologic conditions.
Syracuse U Student Creates Sustainability Group
After being turned away from the faculty-only Sustainability Division of Syracuse University’s (NY) Energy Systems and Sustainability Management department, a freshman policy studies major recently started her own sustainability student group. Fourteen students from different majors including geography, international relations and civil engineering have signed up to get involved in campus issues like food waste, recycling, consumption and plastic water bottle waste. The group will kick off its efforts with the proposal of one pilot water refill station to test student reaction.
Temple U Highlights Water Conservation through Theater
Temple University's (PA) recent production of "Urinetown" served as a musical platform to incite a campus dialogue about water conservation. Exploring themes of water shortage and over-consumption in society, the musical was chosen to raise awareness and encourage personal responsibility for water usage.
U California Davis Awarded Third LEED Platinum Certification
The University of California, Davis's new Conference Center and Maurice Gallagher Jr. Hall has received the university’s third LEED Platinum certification. The 83,000-square-foot complex was designed to consume 30 percent less energy than a typical office building.
U Calif Santa Barbara Faculty Housing Earns LEED Certification
Created to provide affordable housing for faculty, the first 22 homes of the University of California, Santa Barbara's Ocean Walk faculty housing project have been awarded LEED for Homes certification. Located less than a mile from the beach, extensive steps were taken to maintain a clean environment during construction including erosion controls, water management and mitigation of debris entering waterways. Each home features Energy Star-rated appliances, high-efficiency water fixtures and smart irrigation systems.
U Central Florida Wins EPA's 'Battle of the Buildings'
The University of Central Florida has been named the winner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2011 Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. The university decreased the energy use in a parking garage on its main campus by 63.2 percent. In its second year, the competition featured teams from 245 buildings across the country in a battle to save energy, reduce costs and protect people's health and the environment. Together, competitors cut their energy costs by $5.2 million.
U Colorado Colorado Springs Debuts E-Waste Recycling
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has announced plans to expand its recycling program to include battery and electronic waste. Five-gallon containers will be placed throughout the campus and collected materials will be sent to Blue Star Recyclers of Southern Colorado. A variety of electronics will be accepted including computers, calculators, laptops and microwave ovens.
U Delaware Powers Buses with Biodiesel
The University of Delaware has begun using biodiesel produced by undergraduate engineering students to power its bus fleet. The project was inspired by the donation of a biodiesel processor capable of recycling 130 to 150 gallons of used cooking oil per batch to produce 100 gallons of fuel. Students currently process one partial batch per week, producing 42 gallons of fuel.
U Mass Amherst Debuts Green Public Safety Building
The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s new 27,000-square-foot campus police station has been designed to achieve LEED certification. The $12.5 million facility uses 43 percent less energy than a standard building and at least 90 percent of the construction waste was diverted from landfills. A kiosk in the lobby of the station provides visitors with educational information about the building’s sustainable features and will exhibit live data regarding the building’s energy consumption.
U Michigan Students Place Third in Int'l Solar Car Challenge
A team of engineering students at the University of Michigan took third place in the World Solar Challenge competition with their solar car, Quantum, which was the first American car to the finish line. The 20-member team, which raced across the Australian continent, included a meteorologist whose forecasts, made possible by a satellite link, predicted cloud cover and helped develop strategies for power supply management.
U North Alabama to Roll Out Recycling Program
The University of North Alabama has received a $113,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to strengthen ties between the City of Florence Recycling Center and the university. Part of the grant will be used to help purchase 18-gallon containers for every classroom, 96-gallon rolling carts for every building, aluminum can and plastic bottle receptacles, and a trailer for the Grounds Department to haul recyclables off campus. The grant will also be used for outreach to help increase campus-wide recycling awareness.
U North Texas Debuts Vegan Dining Hall
Emphasizing environmental sustainability and a sustainable lifestyle, the University of North Texas has opened a completely vegan cafeteria. Meals are made from scratch to reduce packaging and the university's main vendor uses local food sources.
U South Florida Announces Student Green Fee Projects
The University of South Florida's Student Green Energy Fund council has allotted $277,000 toward four projects this semester. The projects include a solar installation that will save $4,000 annually; energy-efficient lighting upgrades that will save $1,500 annually; the addition of solar umbrellas to covered picnic table benches that include solar docking stations and USB ports; and an update of a campus electric vehicle charging facility.
U Winnipeg Earns National Recognition for Indigenous Scholarship
A 2011 ranking of institutions by Maclean's magazine has recognized the University of Winnipeg (MB) as one of Canada's most innovative and successful campuses in fostering indigenous scholarship. The university, which saw a 24 percent leap in indigenous student applications from the last academic year, offers a graduate degree in development practice with a focus on indigenous development, and an urban studies program with courses that examine the urban indigenous, immigrant and refugee experience.
Yale U Promotes Sustainable Food Choices
Yale University (CT) recently hosted several events for Sustainable Food Month, a campus-wide campaign to promote healthy and ethical food choices. Events included meet-and-greets with local farmers that supply food to the cafeterias and a fall harvest market.
18 Campuses Complete Climate Action Plans
Eighteen new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAPs) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on June 6, 2011. CAPs illustrate the specific steps that institutions are taking to reach climate neutrality and are the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment, due within two years of signing. The new submissions are, in alphabetical order: Bainbridge Graduate Institute (WA), Carleton College (MN), Chaffey College (CA), Colgate University (NY), Eckerd College (FL), Fairfield University (CT), Hiram College (OH), Illinois College, Messiah College (PA), Northern Kentucky University, Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), St. Lawrence University (NY), State University of New York College at Cortland, State University of New York at Orange, Trident Technical College (SC), University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Community College Green Building Continues Despite Tight Budgets
With community and state support, several community colleges are planning new buildings and energy-efficient renovations despite the downturn in the economy, according to a new Community College Times article. To keep up with increased enrollment, colleges like Onondaga Community College (NY) and Allan Hancock College (CA) are breaking ground on multi-million dollar facilities that will seek LEED certification. Others, like College of DuPage (IL), are undergoing extensive energy-efficient renovations.
Georgia Tech Awarded $3 M for New Energy Science Ph.D.
Georgia Institute of Technology has been awarded a five-year, $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in energy science, technology and policy. The program will focus on the development of new, more efficient materials to address energy challenges during the next several decades.
Indiana U-Purdue U Indianapolis Names Sustainability Director
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis has named Colleen J. McCormick as director of its new Office of Sustainability. McCormick, who previously worked in the university's Department of Environmental Health and Safety, will initially work to create the office's website, develop student internship opportunities and enhance the campus recycling program.
Mercyhurst College Passes Student Green Energy Fee
After collecting 1,000 student signatures, Mercyhurst College (PA) has passed a Student Green Energy Fee that will collect $5 from every student each term to finance sustainable initiatives on campus. Project proposals will be accepted from students, staff and faculty members.
MIT Research Facility Earns LEED Gold
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research has earned LEED Gold certification. The 357,000-square-foot research facility features stormwater filtration, efficient fume hoods and a cascading ventilation system. The building reduces total energy use by more than 30 percent compared to a standard laboratory research facility.
New York State Announces $2.5 M in College Access Grants
New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced $2.5 million in College Access Challenge Grants to programs that will help thousands of low-income students obtain a college degree. The grants were awarded by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation to 15 community-based organizations statewide that provide academic support for students at risk of dropping out; training for high school guidance counselors serving low-income students; and college financing workshops.
NPR Highlights Rise of Campus Food Pantries
Food pantries are becoming more common on campuses as the effects of the recession drag on, reports a recent National Public Radio story. New census data shows that young people under 24 years old are facing some of the highest rates of poverty. The story highlights a student-led food pantry at the University of Georgia, which had more than 200 student visitors in its first few weeks of operation.
NY Times: Competition Hot for New Engineering Graduate School
As part of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's contest to create a new graduate school of engineering, competing universities are going all out to "out-green" one another, reports a recent New York Times article. Cornell University's (NY) proposal, which includes four acres of solar panels and 500 geothermal wells on Roosevelt Island, is emerging as a top contender as is Stanford University's (CA) proposal, which includes a marsh to filter water on the island and recycle water from storm run-off and sinks.
Obama Announces Programs to Ease Student Loan Burden
President Obama announced two new programs last week to lower monthly student loan payments and consolidate at a lower interest rate. The president is using his executive authority to expand the existing income-based repayment program with a "Pay as You Earn" option that would allow graduates to pay 10 percent of their discretionary income after 20 years and have the rest of their federal student loan debt forgiven, says a New York Times article. The announcement follows a petition with more than 30,000 signatures that asked for student debt relief and a Trends in College Pricing Report 2011 that reveals the current severity of the higher education affordability problem.
Philadelphia U Launches Energy Education, Awareness Campaign
Philadelphia University (PA) has partnered with Honeywell to launch Act! Earth, a campus-wide energy education and awareness campaign aimed at promoting sustainable practices among students, faculty and the local community. Honeywell hired a coordinator to manage the campaign and develop educational events and student activities, and promote the university's initiatives through social media. As part of the campaign, an energy dashboard kiosk will be installed in the new Center for Sustainability.
Rider U Creates New Sustainability Studies Minor
Rider University (NJ) has created a new sustainability studies minor that is designed to make sustainability approachable to students from all majors. The program includes a focus on experiential learning through field trips to the Rutgers EcoComplex and Fernwood Farm, a farm that practices community supported agriculture.
Rider U Debuts Solar Energy System
Rider University (NJ) has installed a new .74-megawatt solar farm. The system is comprised of 2,640 ground-mounted panels that are connected directly to the electric grid. The project is part of the Public Service Electric and Gas Company's Solar 4 All program, a solar effort to help New Jersey reach its solar energy goals while fostering economic development.
San Diego Students Pursue LEED Gold for Aquatics Center
The new San Diego State University U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) student chapter is collaborating with University of California, San Diego students to pursue LEED Gold certification for an aquatics center that is jointly owned by the two universities. The center has undergone upgrades including the installation of enough solar photovoltaic panels to support 100 percent of its energy needs. Students are working on an audit of the center's conditions, which they will present to USGBC.
Smith College Launches Energy Dashboard System
By spring 2012, two-thirds of student residences will be on Smith College's (MA) recently launched energy monitoring building dashboard system. The Lucid Design Group interactive display of real-time energy consumption reveals energy data across multiple time scales and unit equivalents. The college hopes that the competitive aspect of the dashboard display will urge students to reduce energy consumption, and that faculty will tap the data for class projects.
St. Mary's U College Bans Bottled Water
St. Mary's University College (AB) has eliminated the sale of bottled water on campus. With the idea that everyone should have access to clean drinking water, the college's Social Justice Committee began working on the ban 18 months ago. The campus has installed water bottle refilling stations that count how many single-use bottles are being saved.
Syracuse U Center of Excellence Awarded LEED Platinum
Syracuse University’s (NY) Center of Excellence has been awarded LEED Platinum certification. Headquartered on a three-acre, EPA-designated brownfield site, the construction process cleared the land of environmental contamination and restored it for sustained use. Sustainable features include a stormwater detention tank, demand-controlled ventilation, waterless urinals and a roof designed for future installation of photovoltaics, building-scale wind turbines and rooftop HVAC units.
Temple U Students Create Sustainability 'Ad Campaign'
A class of advertising majors at Temple University (PA) were recently tasked with creating a university-wide campaign to promote Campus Sustainability Week, held October 24-28. The winning campaign promoted simple ways for students to make small differences.
U California Santa Barbara Pilots Campus-wide Composting
The University of California, Santa Barbara has announced plans to install six compost bins on recycling containers across campus to divert a larger portion of the university's food waste. The Composting Pilot project will retrofit up to 12 compost bins to comply with the a new state law that aims for California to recycle 75 percent of its waste by 2020. The Green Initiative Fund is financing the project as a trial to determine whether campus-wide waste diversion is a feasible project.
U Findlay Students Plan Energy Retrofits for Student Housing
Students living in two University of Findlay (OH) houses are developing and implementing ways to save energy and create less waste. Instruments were installed to measure water, electricity and natural gas use. Grant funds will be used to install either solar or wind power, which will be planned and scheduled by students in the university's environmental, safety, and occupational health program.
U Minnesota Encourages Bike Commuting with New Technology
The University of Minnesota has installed Dero ZAP, a solar-powered, automated radio frequency identification (RFID) system to help manage, monitor and encourage bike commuting. Registered campus participants receive a unique RFID tag for their bicycle, which makes them eligible for commuting incentives and rewards.
U Minnesota Plans 38 kW Solar Panel System
The University of Minnesota will use $230,000 of a $1.35 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security to install solar panels on its Office Plaza Building. The photovoltaic panels will produce an estimated 38.4 kilowatts of electric power, saving 3 to 5 percent of the building's energy consumption. An online interface will also be installed to show a live feed of the energy generated and saved by the solar panels.
U North Texas Football Stadium Achieves LEED Platinum
The University of North Texas has received the first LEED Platinum certification in the nation for a newly constructed collegiate football stadium. Green features of Apogee Stadium include campus bus stops, secured bicycle storage and preferred parking spaces for carpooling; native landscaping; and energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting equipment. With a $2 million grant from the State Energy Conservation Office, the university is currently installing three wind turbines that will help power the stadium.
U Oregon Student Union to Include Full-Service Bike Center
The University of Oregon has announced that the $160 million renovation of its Erb Memorial Student Union will include a 5,000-square-foot Bike Center. The project, modeled after Portland State University's Bike Hub, will include retail and repair services, secure bike parking, showers and locker space. Additionally, the bike program budget will increase from $26,000 a year to $100,000 a year.
