USGBC Releases Inaugural 'Best of Green Schools' List
The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Center for Green Schools has released its first annual Best of Green Schools list, recognizing school administrators and government leaders in 10 categories for their efforts to create sustainable learning environments. The University of Texas at Dallas was named "Higher Ed Innovator" of 2011 for its new LEED Platinum Student Services Building, designed to improve departmental efficiency and interaction, and completed $1.1 million under budget. From K-12 to higher education, recipient schools and regions in the U.S. were recognized for a variety of sustainable, cost-cutting measures including energy conservation, record numbers of LEED-certified buildings and collaborative platforms and policies to green the country's school infrastructure.
U Southern Calif. Game Day Event Diverts 1 Ton+ of Tailgate Waste
The University of Southern California recently diverted more than a ton of waste (415 pounds of compostable material and 2,210 pounds of recyclables) from the landfill during a pre-game tailgate waste diversion event. The university was the first recipient of a new Glad Products Company grant series for AASHE college and university members, designed to help reduce game day waste during football season. With the help of more than 60 volunteers, the university set up 25 recycling and compost stations around campus and stadium for the initiative.
U Texas Arlington to Save $1.1 M Annually with Energy Upgrades
The University of Texas at Arlington has completed a $9.9 million package of efficiency-boosting facility upgrades that will save the university about $1.1 million each year in energy and maintenance costs. Funded through a low-interest loan from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 55 campus buildings received upgrades including heating and air-conditioning system retrofits, roofing repairs and the replacement of two thermal energy plant chillers.
U Utah Trustees Approve Peace Studies Major
The University of Utah’s Board of Trustees has approved a proposal for a new peace and conflicts studies major, which builds on an existing minor. If approved by the state Board of Regents, the major will offer 33 hours of class, ethnicity, race, gender, environment and religion curriculum.
U Vermont Partners with National Lab on Smart Grid Project
The University of Vermont has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories to create the Center for Energy Transformation and Innovation. The center will focus on integrating renewable energy into the power grid; ensuring reliability and security of smart grids and meters; and providing capacity for electric vehicles. The $15 million effort will be funded by the university, U.S. Department of Energy and Vermont state government over three years.
U Washington Installs Rain Garden
The University of Washington has transformed a campus courtyard into a rain garden to manage stormwater runoff. The university has plans for at least three more rain gardens, two of which will be finished by summer 2012.
U Wisconsin Madison Recycles 350 Tons of E-Waste
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has collected and recycled more than 350 tons of electronic waste between July 2010 and June 2011. Sources of the material include university departments, state agencies, Wisconsin municipalities and other campuses. To manage the service, the university's Materials Distribution Services and Division of Information Technology partnered with Universal Recycling Technologies.
Valencia College Wins First $600K Aspen Prize for CC Excellence
In recognition of the strength of its graduation and transfer rates, especially among minority students, Valencia College (FL) has earned $600,000 as the first recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. Announced at the White House Summit on Community Colleges in 2010, the competition recognizes outstanding academic and workforce outcomes on the basis of graduation, retention and equity measures. Runners-up institutions include Lake Area Technical Institute (SD), Miami Dade College (FL), Walla Walla Community College (WA) and West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
Vincennes U Offers Reduced Tuition for Middle-Income Students
Vincennes University (IN) has introduced a new scholarship that will offer a 15 percent reduction in tuition fees for students from middle-income families who do not traditionally qualify for financial aid. The introduction of the Middle-Income Hoosier Scholarship is part of a larger university strategy to help Indiana increase the number of college graduates. To qualify, students cannot be eligible for any state or federal funds, must have an adjusted gross income of less than $75,000, be a full-time student and maintain a grade point average of 2.5.
Antioch U New England Students Spearhead Bottled Water Ban
As part of the national Think Outside the Bottle campaign coordinated by Corporate Accountability International, students at Antioch University New England have spearheaded a pledge to ban the sale of bottled water on campus. Close to 400 faculty, staff and students at the university have signed the pledge. Some departments have agreed not to purchase bottled water for their events and a campus cafe has agreed not to sell bottled water.
Appalachian State U Students Promote Water Conservation with Art
Discovering a lack of public awareness or concern of water conservation issues in their university's town, graphic design students at Appalachian State University (NC) responded with a water conservation poster campaign. Banners that appear on local buses urge town residents to save five gallons of water by cutting their shower time by two minutes. The campaign was funded by a Sustainability Arts Grant from the university's Sustainability Council.
Arizona State U Saves 725 Trees with Duplex Printing
An assessment of Arizona State University's printers during fiscal year 2011 revealed that the university's switch to duplex printing mode across campus saved more than 725 trees, 2.34 million liters of water and reduced carbon emissions by more than 74 metric tons. In the last year, the university took 584 printers offline and increased the number of devices supporting duplex printing to 36 percent; up from 19 percent in 2010.
Ball State U Announces Cost-saving Tuition Incentives
Ball State University (IN) has announced four new cost-saving options designed to encourage students to earn a diploma in four years. New incentives include a $500 "completion scholarship" for in-state seniors on track to graduate within four years; the reduction of summer tuition by an average of 18 percent; the reduction of minimum credit hours to 120 from 126; and new "hybrid schedules" that allow students enrolled in 12 credit hours per semester to take up to six more credit hours, on campus or online, at no cost. The university's president says that the package of incentives will save a typical student $6,000 over four years.
California Students Launch the 'Bucks Start Here' Campaign
In an effort to convince state lawmakers to reinvest in higher education, the California State Student Association (CSSA) has launched the "Bucks Start Here" campaign. Students at all 23 California State University campuses are sending their "bucks" to California Governor Jerry Brown in time for CSSA's advocacy day in March 2012. The mock $650 million bills, which represent this year's cuts to the state university system, each include a student's personal story about how the cuts have impacted their life.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Students Lead 'Turn Em Out' Campaign
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's student Green Campus Program recently led a month-long campaign to reduce campus electricity bills. The "Turn Em Out" campaign urged campus community members to turn off lights and other electric appliances when not in use. In an effort to raise awareness and promote positive sustainable habits on campus, the campaign asked students and faculty to submit photos of themselves creatively switching off lights for a chance to win gift cards, power strips and a pumpkin pie party.
Campus Sustainability Planning: A December Update
The University of Notre Dame (IN) has adopted a new sustainability strategy to reduce campus carbon emissions by 50 percent per square foot by 2030. The strategy outlines goals to divert 67 percent of campus waste from landfills, improve water efficiency and expand sustainability education and outreach both on campus and beyond. Arizona State University has also released a Strategic Plan for Sustainability Practices and Operations with short- and long-term goals toward sustainability through 2035. Encouraging participation among campus community members, the plan serves as a living document that declares the university’s vision to be a leader in sustainable higher education operations. ">Cornell University's (NY) recently released Sustainability Plan outlines university-wide sustainability goals including furthering innovation in research and education, growing a green economy and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In related news, Princeton University (NJ) has released its 2011 Sustainability Report, kicking off accelerated efforts to bridge areas of operations and academics in sustainability problem-solving.
Coastal Carolina U Debuts Campus Garden
Funded by the Jackson Center for Ethics and Values, Coastal Carolina University (SC) has debuted a campus garden for students and faculty to learn the fundamentals of gardening including weeding, composting and fertilizing. The university is also looking into an on-campus farmers market in the future.
Connecticut College Installs Geothermal System
Connecticut College has begun installing a geothermal system that will provide all of the heating and air conditioning needs for its new science center. The geothermal wells, which will be completely hidden underground at the completion of the project, will be located at the center of campus. Scheduled for a spring completion, the college expects to make up the $1 million project cost in reduced energy bills over six to seven years.
Connecticut College Student Gov't Passes Solar Panel Initiative
Connecticut College's Student Government Association has approved the use of the college's Renewable Energy Fund (supported by a $25 increase to the college's comprehensive fee) for the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic panels. Students hope the college will match their contribution to help offset additional costs. Three of the proposed panel installations would generate 0.9 percent of the campus' electricity needs. If the administration approves additional funding, the total energy generated would increase to 3.6 percent, which would save $108,000 per year in electricity costs.
Harvard U Launches 'Greening IT' Case Study Series
Harvard University's (MA) Office for Sustainability has partnered with the university's Green IT committee to launch a "Greening IT" story series, which will chronicle the case studies and best practices being implemented across campus. Upcoming case studies include data centers and networks; endpoint devices; and intelligent building systems and green buildings.
Harvard U Yard Services Collects Leaves for Mulch
Harvard University's (MA) Landscape Services and Facilities Maintenance Operations have collected fallen leaves across campus as part of their organic landscaping initiative. The collected leaves will be transported to the university-owned Arnold Arboretum in Boston, where they will be made into nutrient-rich mulch. Landscape Services will place the resulting mulch, sent back from the arboretum, across the university's grounds.
Jefferson CC Students Help Install Solar Panels
Jefferson Community College (NY) has installed 14 solar panels with the help of students from the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services' New Visions alternative energy course. Before installing the panels, students earned basic electrical wiring and construction skills. The panels will generate electricity for the child care center and are expected to reduce its energy costs by 25 percent. The project was funded by a $14,138 federal Perkins grant.
Obama Administration Issues Guidance on Higher Ed Diversity
The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice have jointly issued guidance stating that diversity is an important educational goal and that colleges should be able to use a variety of methods, including the consideration of race and ethnicity in admissions, to achieve diversity. As reported in a recent Inside Higher Ed article, the guidance represents a reversal from 2008 guidance issued by the Bush administration that stressed the limits on the rights of colleges to consider race in admissions. The guidance outlines the way the Obama administration would consider complaints it receives about admissions policies and addresses various ways that colleges can promote diversity.
Obama Leads Effort to Improve American Indian, Tribal Education
President Obama has issued an executive order establishing an effort to improve educational opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives, as well as to enhance tribal colleges, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. The U.S. Departments of Education and Interior will collaborate on delivering grants to higher education institutions, as well as tribal elementary and secondary schools. The initiative will also develop a national network of organizations to promote ideal education methods for American Indian and Alaska Native education.
Oklahoma State U to Purchase Wind Power
Oklahoma State University has reached a 20-year agreement with Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. to buy wind energy to power its campus. The agreement is part of an overarching sustainability initiative aimed at saving money, reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency. The utility company will partner with NextEra Energy to build a new 60-megawatt wind farm to support the university project.
Saint John's U Commits to No Coal
Saint John's University (MN) has committed to stop burning coal on campus with the use of "cleaner natural gas," at least through 2013. The university, which currently has solar collectors that generate 20 percent of the campus' electrical needs during peak hours, is looking into geothermal, wind energy and energy-efficient building retrofits.
Syracuse U Switches to Paperless Bus Schedules
Syracuse University's (NY) Parking and Transit Services has significantly cut its paper use by mainly offering its bus schedule online, a switch from its previous mass printings. The recent change to paperless schedules will save at least 13,000 printed schedules from being produced each year.
Tennessee Tech Plans Sustainability Studies Degree
Tennessee Technical University has announced plans to offer an undergraduate degree in environmental and sustainability studies in fall 2012. The program will combine disciplines and courses already in existence including economics, engineering, sociology, biology and chemistry. Additional classes in environmental law are in development.
Texas State U San Marcos Named Tree Campus USA
The campus community at Texas State University-San Marcos recently celebrated the university's designation as a Tree Campus USA school by planting 71 trees on campus. The Arbor Day Foundation issues the Tree Campus USA designation to campuses that meet five requirements including convening a tree advisory committee, creating a tree care plan, implementing a tree program, holding an Arbor Day observance and offering a service learning project.
U Colorado Boulder Residence Hall Earns LEED Platinum
The University of Colorado Boulder's newest residence hall has received LEED Platinum certification. The $46.5 million Williams Village North building, with 131,246 gross square feet, is projected to be nearly 40 percent more energy- and water-efficient than modern buildings of the same size. Sustainable features include on-site solar panels, information kiosks, a water bottle filling station, low-flow plumbing, passive solar design and an advanced heat-recovery system.
Update: Obama Meets with College Leaders to Address Affordability
Reports from the private meeting with President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan last week with college and university leaders say that there was "good discussion" about driving down tuition and what the role of the federal government should be, reports The New York Times. As additional financing for education will be scarce in the coming years, higher education leaders were challenged to help improve affordability and graduation rates by questioning strongly held assumptions and encouraging faculty to think differently about teaching. The meeting also included a discussion about what the federal government can do to support innovation with incentive money and increase accountability in student aid.
U.S. Institutions Embark on $4 Billion Energy Efficiency Program
With the hope that it will be a major job generator in the construction sector, the White House has announced that a variety of college and university buildings will be part of a $4 billion program to improve energy efficiency over the next two years, reports a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article. Institutions include Allegheny College (PA), which plans to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent in 1.3 million square feet of space by 2020, and the University of California, Irvine, which has committed to cutting energy consumption by nearly 9 percent in seven million square feet of space. Government agencies will contribute $2 billion to the initiative and institutions, cities, private companies and other entities will collectively contribute the other $2 billion.
U Tennessee Chattanooga to Sponsor Sustainability Garden Program
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Environmental Task Force has approved funding for a sustainability garden program starting in spring 2012. Twelve multidisciplinary students will be selected to sustain two raised bed vegetable gardens as well as attend workshops offered by local organic farmers. The university hopes to become part of the emerging local food movement in Chattanooga.
U Wyoming Debuts Online Green Building Resources
The University of Wyoming's Environment and Natural Resources website has posted "lessons learned" from the construction of the university's Bim Kendall House, designed to achieve LEED certification. The website serves as a resource for members of the campus and broader community who want more information on sustainable building products including the building's current LEED scorecard, building materials and furniture. Visitors can also use the site to track renewable energy production from the building's photovoltaic panels. An online green building tour will be available in the spring.
Vanderbilt U Debuts Car Sharing Program
Vanderbilt University (TN) has started offering a second car sharing program on campus. Enterprise's WeCar program will now be offered with the current Zipcar program. Students, faculty and staff will have the ability to enroll in both programs.
Western Kentucky U Earns First LEED Certification
Western Kentucky University's 120,000-square-foot Gary A. Ransdell Hall has received the first LEED certification for the campus. Sustainable features of the LEED Gold-certified building include energy-efficient lighting, highly insulated walls, an efficient heating and cooling system and a reflective roof. Recycled, local materials were used during construction.
William Peace U Lowers Tuition
William Peace University (NC) trustees have voted to decrease tuition by 7.73 percent for the 2012-13 academic year. The university's president said that colleges have to become more cost-effective to continue to keep the doors open to families hurt by the economy. The lowered tuition is part of an overall strategy to increase enrollment.
Broome CC to Teach with Solar Panels
With the aim of providing students with hands-on alternative energy experience, Broome Community College (NY) has announced plans to install 16 solar panels on its Applied Technology building. The $20,000 project was funded through the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority.
Carnegie Mellon U Centers Achieve LEED Gold
Carnegie Mellon University (PA) has earned LEED Gold certification for both its Gates Center for Computer Science and Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies. Sustainable features of both buildings include green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and locally sourced and recycled construction materials.
Central Michigan U Earns National Green Cleaning Recognition
Central Michigan University has received the "Grand Award" in the higher education category of the 2011 Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities, sponsored by American School & University magazine, the Green Cleaning Network and Healthy Schools Campaign. The award recognizes educational institutions that have exemplary green cleaning programs and practices among custodial staff. Over a five-year period, the university has reduced its chemical inventories throughout campus buildings by more than half.
Danville Area CC Receives $416K for Hybrid Wind Training
Danville Area Community College (IL) has received a $416,404 grant to develop a hybrid wind energy technician program in partnership with Highland Community College (IL). The funding is part of a $19.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Initiative, distributed among 17 Illinois Green Energy Network hub colleges that will work cooperatively to develop certificate and degree programs for green economy workforce training.
Drexel U Introduces Car Sharing Program
Drexel University (PA) has partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to launch a campus car sharing program for students, faculty and staff. The university will initially offer eight Zipcars.
Education Secretary Urges Action to Contain College Costs
“As Occupy movement protests helped push spiraling college costs into the national spotlight,” reports a recent New York Times article, Education Secretary Arne Duncan has called for urgent action to contain costs and reduce student debt. Duncan outlined three department initiatives including plans to replace the expiring Perkins loan program with campus-based, low-cost student loans; incentive grants rewarding changes that increase completion rates and close achievement gaps; and a fund to support programs that use innovation to accelerate learning and hold down tuition. The article references the Occupy Student Debt Campaign, which spawned recently from Occupy Wall Street and asks for zero interest on student debt, federally financed public higher education, and the forgiveness of all existing debt.
Green Mountain College Appoints New Sustainability Coordinator
Green Mountain College (VT) has named Bethany Clarke as its new sustainability coordinator. Clarke has worked for the past four years in the sustainable energy industry. As an associate project manager for General Electric, she led a cross-functional team during the delivery, installation and commissioning of 336 wind turbines.
Harvard U Kennedy School Auditorium Awarded LEED Gold
The renovation of the auditorium at Harvard University's (MA) Kennedy School has earned LEED Gold certification. One hundred percent of the furniture was reused in the renovation and 88 percent of the construction waste recycled and reused. Additional sustainable features include a highly efficient HVAC system and low-flow plumbing fixtures.
Living Wage Campaign Succeeds at Vanderbilt U
A Living Wage campaign organized by unions and social justice groups has resulted in increased wages at Vanderbilt University (TN). The university has increased its starting wage to nearly $11 an hour.
Marshall U Hires First Environmental Specialist
Marshall University (WV) has appointed Travis Bailey as its first environmental specialist. Bailey will work to incorporate better construction practices and green infrastructure into the university's pre-planned $100 million projects including bio retention sites, rain gardens and green roofs.
Mid-South CC Debuts Renewable Energy Center
Mid-South Community College (AR) has opened a $9 million renewable energy facility for green jobs training. The 35,000-square-foot center also houses a biofuel production facility.
Protesters Rally Against CUNY Tuition Increase
About a thousand students, faculty members and sympathetic supporters recently marched in opposition to a tuition increase that the City University of New York's Board of Trustees has approved. A Chronicle of Higher Education article reports that some protestors came in order to address the university's response to confrontation between campus security officers and protesters, which ended in 15 arrests. Other protestors said they understood the financial complexities behind the increase, but believed the student movement deserved their support. The long-term tuition plan will increase costs by $300 annually for five years, with the first year's increase already in effect.
San Diego Miramar College Police Station to Seek LEED Platinum
San Diego Miramar College (CA) has opened its new Police Station and parking structure. The station will pursue LEED Platinum certification with sustainability elements that include a green roof and green screen, reclaimed water for flushing toilets and all irrigation needs, and a tower that serves as a solar chimney and creates a flow of natural ventilation.
