Likely End to Year-Round Pell Grants Leaves Students in Limbo
The likely elimination of the year-round Pell Grant program has left thousands of students who had hoped to receive a second grant this year in limbo, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. Under the federal budget deal, students would no longer be able to take out a second Pell Grant to pay for classes starting July 1, saving the federal government $8 billion through the remainder of the current fiscal year and in 2012, and about $49 billion over the next decade. Advocates worry that many low-income, nontraditional students will make slower progress toward their degrees without the additional aid or be forced to drop out of college.
Mercer County CC to Debut 50-Acre Solar Farm
With funding and planning help from the Mercer County Improvement Authority, Mercer County Community College (NJ) has announced plans to build a 50-acre solar farm that will provide the campus with 70 percent of its electrical power. The college also plans to use the solar farm as a hands-on educational tool for students to learn more about renewable energy.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Debuts Green Roof
Thanks to seed money provided by the class of 2010 and the efforts of the Student Sustainability Task Force, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY) has debuted a green roof atop its Rensselaer Union bookstore. The university held a Green Roof Groundmaking Celebration on Earth day, where student volunteers planted thousands of green plant plugs. The project will include a multicolor array of sedum plants and sensors that will compare temperatures between a standard roof and a green roof. To date, 285 individuals including students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and several organizations have donated funds to support the project, surpassing its goal of $55,000.
Rochester Community Tech Students Raise Recycling Awareness
Students at Rochester Community and Technical College (MN) recently organized two campus-wide Waste Sort events to raise awareness and provide information on the school's waste and recycling streams. Olmsted County staff and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency partnered for the event, part of a statewide commitment to significantly increase recycling rates and reduce the state's generation of waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Syracuse U Appoints VP of Sustainability Initiatives
Syracuse University (NY) has appointed Sherburne Abbott as vice president for sustainability initiatives and university professor of sustainability science and policy. In her current position as associate director for environment in the Executive Office of the President, Abbott manages a portfolio of science and technology policy that ranges from energy and climate change to environmental quality and sustainability. Her appointment will be effective in July.
Texas A&M U Launches First Solar Energy System
Texas A&M University has begun working on a $200,000 project to install solar panels that will provide 30 kilowatts of power to its campus. For its first solar energy system, the university chose the roof of the Netum Steed Laboratory for maximum visibility. Crowds in attendance at the football stadium will be able to look down from the bleachers and see the panels. The project will test different types of panels to optimize which technology performs best at the site’s location.
U Calgary Assists with Green IT Research
Researchers from the University of Calgary's (AB) Grid Research Centre are assisting with a Cybera-led research project that aims to establish an emissions reduction protocol for international information and communication technology. Part of the GreenStar Network initiative, the project's first test case is Cybera's GeoChronos environmental monitoring web portal, which made the switch from a coal-powered computer center to a hydro-run center at the end of January 2011.
U California Merced Campus Plan Wins National Award
The Society for College and University Planning has announced that the University of California, Merced has earned an Excellence in Planning for an Established Campus honor award for its Long-Range Development Plan. The plan will be used to guide the campus’ physical growth, development and land-use priorities. Included within the plan is a “Triple Zero Commitment” that aims to produce as much energy from renewable sources as is used, eliminate landfill waste and produce zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
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Posted Apr 24, 2011
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Other News
U Colorado at Boulder Named Tree Campus USA
The University of Colorado at Boulder has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA for its excellence in tree management, as well as student and community involvement. Senior Grounds Specialist Alan Nelson credits the stone construction, size and positioning of many campus buildings for helping to create microclimates conducive to a variety of trees that would not typically grow in Colorado. 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.
Udall Scholars Announced
The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation has announced the 2011 Udall Scholars. Eighty students from 61 colleges and universities will receive up to $5000 and assemble in August to meet policymakers and community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care and governance. An independent review committee selected this year's group, which includes Native American/Alaska Native Scholars who intend to pursue careers in tribal public policy and health care.
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Posted Apr 24, 2011
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Other News
U Houston Plans First Solar Array and Solar Energy Internship
The University of Houston (TX) has received $140,000 from Green Mountain Energy Company for the installation of its first solar array and the two will partner for the university's first solar energy internship program. The 88-panel solar array will be mounted on the roof of the university's Central Utility Plant, saving an estimated $300,000 in annual electricity costs. The university will use this savings to fund the solar energy internship program. One student intern will be paid $1,000 per academic semester starting in fall 2011. The student will keep track of the solar array's performance, update the solar array webpage and execute one on-campus educational event per semester.
U Notre Dame to Offer 2 New Sustainability Minors
The University of Notre Dame (IN) has announced plans to offer two new sustainability minors in fall 2011. The interdisciplinary minors, sustainability and energy studies, will be available to students in any major and will offer technical and non-technical course focuses to appeal to the greatest percentage of students as possible.
U of California Riverside Offers Vanpooling Option
In an effort to make commuting to campus more affordable and sustainable, the University of California, Riverside's Transportation and Parking Services has created a vanpooling program. The university hopes the program will reduce traffic congestion and provide another alternative for students, faculty and staff in their commuting options.
U South Florida Hosts First Farmers Market
Members of the Food Activists Revolutionizing Meals (FARM) at the University of South Florida held the university’s first farmers market after five years of planning. The launch received nearly 400 Facebook RSVP’s to the event and students lined up to purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables. Members of FARM include student organizations, the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement and the Office of Sustainability. Beginning this summer, the Student Community Gardens group will plant a campus garden to harvest produce to be sold at the market.
U Wisconsin-Milwaukee Embarks on Extensive Energy Upgrades
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has partnered with Honeywell International for three 20-year performance contracts to improve the energy efficiency of its campus buildings. The three 20-year performance contracts will allow the university to pay for the upgrades using the savings they generate. The university has completed the initial energy audit phase, which included individual building energy analysis and initial “low-hanging fruit” fixes such as retrofitting light fixtures, improving weatherization and installing updated, energy-efficient plumbing fixtures that conserve water. The Energy Matters program is expected to reduce energy and operating expenses by $30.8 million over the next two decades and decrease annual carbon dioxide emissions by an anticipated 31 million pounds.
U Wyoming Awarded $5 Mil Grant for Community Food Project
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grant program, a University of Wyoming professor will lead a $5 million, multi-state "Food Dignity: Action Research on Engaging Food Insecure Communities and Universities in Building Sustainable Community Food Systems" project. The project's extension portion includes five community food initiatives. Each will create a local steering committee to disperse small grants that invest in citizen solutions to their own food system issues. The research will focus on developing case studies of what each community has already done and during the next five years will make clear what factors influence their successes and failures as they work to create sustainable community food systems that provide ample and appropriate food for all. An education component aims to create new cross-disciplinary undergraduate minors in sustainable food systems to prepare University of Wyoming and Cornell University (NY) graduate students to engage in this work. In addition to Wyoming, participating states include California and New York.
Virginia Tech Approves Solar Array
Virginia Tech has approved a plan to install 480 solar panels atop a new parking garage on campus. The photovoltaic array will generate about 136,415 kilowatts per hour annually, accounting for 13 percent of the garage’s energy. The funding for the $1.3 million project is coming from federal stimulus money and also from Virginia state grants.
Yale U Health Center Awarded LEED Gold
Yale University's (CT) new Health Center, opened in August 2010 and serving 36,000 students, faculty, staff and retirees, has received LEED Gold certification. The 147,006-square-foot building features a large atrium, ample natural light, rooftop gardens and sustainably sourced materials.
American U Advances Composting Program
American University (DC) has expanded its composting program to include paper towels. This change is the result of an audit conducted by the student sustainability group, Green Eagles, which revealed that paper towels in the residence halls accounted for 150 pounds of daily garbage. Biodegradable green bags have been installed in all campus bathrooms to mitigate the waste.
Arizona State U Creates Employee Sustainability Literacy Program
Arizona State University has announced a new sustainability literacy program for campus employees. The Sustainability Literacy Education interactive online program educates employees about current and future sustainability initiatives happening on campus and suggestions for how to get involved. The educational component includes photo slideshows, videos and audio recordings to help arm employees with the necessary facts to fulfill the sustainability requirement of their annual work performance evaluations.
Arizona State U Engineer Earns NSF Award for Fuel Efficiency Work
An engineer from Arizona State University has earned a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his advances in the use of liquids and gases toward fuel efficiency. Marcus Herrmann has made strides in understanding how gases and liquids behave when used together to spark various mechanical and chemical processes. Better prediction and control of such processes will help advances toward the next generations of fuel and energy-conversion technologies, including fuel-injection systems, as well as environmental protection and management methods. The award includes a grant of $400,000 over five years for the research.
Bowling Green State U Set to Unveil Green Dining Hall
Bowling Green State University (OH) is months away from the completion of a new dining hall that will seek LEED Silver certification. The materials used in the construction of the new building are harvested within 500 miles and much of the wood salvaged from old barns throughout the countryside. Rainwater run-off will be stored for flushing toilets and meals will be served without trays.
Cornell U Researcher Publishes Study on Natural Gas Impacts
A new study by an ecology and environmental biology professor at Cornell University (NY) suggests that the greenhouse gas footprint of unconventional natural gas development is worse than a traditional coal plant, says a recent New York Times Green blog post. The professor concluded in an analysis published in the peer-reviewed journal, Climatic Change Letters, that 3.6 percent to 7.9 percent of methane, the chief component of natural gas, is leaking into the atmosphere at various points along the shale gas production life cycle. This would make unconventional natural gas production associated with the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, worse than coal for the climate. This study joins the current media scrutiny surrounding natural gas as many institutions make the switch to natural gas from coal. Environmental advocates, according to this blog post, say that the first step in getting beyond the coal vs. natural gas debate is for the industry to stop refusing to take detailed measure of its methane leakage rates, to make that information public, and to submit to rules requiring them to capture it.
Duke U Initiative Inducted into Int'l Green Industry Hall of Fame
Duke University's (NC) Home Depot Smart Home Program was recently inducted into the inaugural class of the International Green Industry Hall of Fame. The university's dorm, research and educational program that emphasizes energy-efficient and sustainable living was one of six inductees including people and organizations honored by the Fresno, Calif.-based organization. The selection criteria for inductees included analysis of environmental benefits, innovation and widespread applicability.
Duke U to Offer New Sustainable Systems Analysis Certificate
Duke University (NC) has announced a new two-year sustainable systems analysis certificate program. Beginning fall 2011, the certificate is designed to give students in-depth working knowledge of the economic, environmental, technological and social forces driving sustainability in the global marketplace today. The program will be open to students pursuing degrees in environmental management, engineering management, public policy and business administration.
Fleming College Frost Campus to Phase Out Bottled Water
Fleming College's (ON) Frost campus has announced plans to be bottled water free by this time next year. A joint initiative developed by students and supported by faculty, staff and administration, the plan to eliminate the sale of bottled water on campus includes the immediate identification of "Bottled Water Free Zones" on campus, an audit of access to public water on campus and a plan to upgrade the availability of public drinking water.
Indiana U Students Successfully Petition for Sustainability Fund
Thanks to the signatures of 11,266 students, Indiana University Bloomington's Student Sustainability Council has helped establish a sustainability fund that will finance campus sustainability projects. The council, with support from the Indiana University Student Association, pioneered the use of an online petition to collect signatures from students in favor of the $5 fee. The money collected during each registration period will be used for projects such as recycling, lighting retrofits, solar panel installations and transportation updates.
MIT Research Expands Solar Energy Potential
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered a way to use the sun's energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases to be later recombined in fuel cells. This process imitates the process of plant photosynthesis. The result gives solar power the potential to provide a consistent energy source without inefficient losses during the storage process. Ernst Chain Professor of Biochemistry James Barber at Imperial College London called the breakthrough a "giant leap" toward meeting and exceeding the world’s energy requirements in a carbon neutral way.
Portland CC Raises Plastic Pollution Awareness with Art
Portland Community College (OR) has scheduled an art installation called “Washed Ashore,” to raise awareness of the pollution caused by plastic waste. The exhibit features giant sculptures of sea creatures that are made from discarded plastics that were gathered by hundreds of volunteers and grade-school children from the Oregon beaches.
RecycleMania Announces 2011 Final Results
Continuing its six-year streak, California State University, San Marcos earned Grand Champion status of the 2011 RecycleMania competition. More than 600 colleges and universities participated in RecyleMania this year, recycling or composting 91 million pounds of material during the course of the eight-week competition. Union College (NY) won both the Per Capita Classic and Cardboard awards; North Lake College (TX) retained the Waste Minimization title; Brandeis University (MA) won the top spot in the Food Waste Organics category; and Stetson University (FL) earned first place in the Paper category. Rounding out the list, Rutgers University (NJ) earned the Gorilla Prize and Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (MA) won the Cans and Bottles category. The University of Virginia's "True Love" video won the inaugural RecycleMania video contest, selected out of eight finalists offered up to a popular vote through the RecycleMania Facebook page.
Southern Illinois U Edwardsville Installs Wind Turbine
Southern Illinois University has installed a wind turbine at the Environmental Resources Training Center on its Edwardsville campus. The turbine will be used in coordination with recently installed solar panels to produce 40 percent of the center's power. The $100,000 turbine is being funded with two state-based grants.
Southern Methodist U Students Build 'Living Village'
Engineering students at Southern Methodist University (TX) have built a “Living Village” on campus to learn lessons in engineering, humanity and sustainability. They compacted plastic recyclables on campus to make “bricks” that were then used as the insulation for a hut that was sealed with mud and grass. Twenty engineering students will live in this mock refugee camp for 20 days, and the public will be invited to tour the village.
Students Install Solar Panels at Fleming College
Students in a "Solar Installation and Maintenance" course at Fleming College (ON) recently completed the installation of 25 solar panels on the college's Alderville Band buildings. The six-month course also includes 350 hours of classroom training.
SUNY System Works Toward Clean Energy Economy
State University of New York (SUNY) is moving into the final phase of its Energy-Smart New York strategic plan, which aims to position the 64-campus system as a key developer of green technologies and train a New York-based workforce for the clean energy economy. The plan includes numerous green energy improvements on its campuses throughout the state. Albany’s NanoCollege has received a $57.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to create a photovoltaic manufacturing consortium. SUNY Ulster is scheduled to install two pole-mounted photovoltaic systems in the spring with help from students. Hudson Valley Community College recently opened the Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies.
Texas Wesleyan U Athletes, Actors Initiate Recycling Program
The gymnastics team and theatre troupe at Texas Wesleyan University have joined together to start a recycling program. There was no recycling available on campus before the two teams contacted the Facilities Services director about implementing their plan. Once approved, the students began the first phase by installing aluminum recycling bins in every building on campus. As the program raises money, they plan to install recycling bins for more products in years to come.
U Arizona Researchers Study Compressed Air Energy
University of Arizona researchers are investigating a Compressed Air Energy Storage program that has the potential to power green technology when the university's power source is unavailable. The program is working to cheaply store compressed air for energy in man-made structures or in natural underground reservoirs. The stored air, created by compressors powered by another energy source, would power turbines when released and provide energy to homes and buildings when other sources of energy, such as solar power, aren't available. Storing large volumes of compressed air could be a potential problem, for it would take roughly two swimming pools worth to power the average house in Tucson, Ariz., but the researchers are also investigating the feasibility of saturating porous volcanic rocks beneath the neighboring Tucson Mountains with compressed air.
U California Davis Pilots National Lab 'Freezer Challenge'
The University of California, Davis is one of several institutions piloting the "Freezer Challenge," a friendly national competition among higher education laboratories to save energy and promote best practices for cold storage and sample management. The competition, which also includes pilot institutions University of Pennsylvania; the University of California, Santa Barbara; the University of Colorado at Boulder; and Harvard University (MA), will allow competing campuses to gain points by undertaking various best practices including cleaning out freezers, retiring old freezers/refrigerators and saving energy. The challenge runs from April 1 to May 14, 2011.
U California Santa Barbara Students Start Campus Food Bank
Spurred by tight student budgets, Associated Students (AS) leaders at the University of California, Santa Barbara are launching a campus food bank. The governing student body's president says that the effort is closely tied to the budgetary circumstances with the University of California and the state. Amid increased student fees and budget cuts, hundreds of students responded in a recent AS survey that they skipped meals on a daily basis to afford school expenses. Starting this month, undergraduate and graduate students will be able to pick up nonperishable food and other items at the University Center. The pantry has garnered donations through the placement of collection bins at high-traffic areas around campus and the university will apply to be a member of the Santa Barbara Food Bank, which gathers food from various grocery outlets around Santa Barbara.
U Denver Experiments with Environmentally Friendly Landscaping
In place of a recently razed science building, the University of Denver (CO) is experimenting with native plants that are well-adapted to the regional climate. Working with Facilities Management, the university architect and arborist will plant a variety of grasses to see which species require the least water while still holding up under foot traffic.
U Nebraska Researches Wind, Solar to Power Traffic Lights
Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are investigating the potential of wind and solar to power municipal traffic lights. Funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Energy Plus Roadways project seeks to find ways for renewable energy sources to meet the demand of city transportation infrastructures while potentially producing additional power to be sold back to the municipalities.
U Texas El Paso Awarded $1 Mil Solar Grant
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $1 million grant for a solar canopy system for its Facilities Services parking lot. The grant is from the Distributed Renewable Energy Technology Program of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office in an effort to increase the amount of installed renewable energy in Texas.
Yale Health Donates Medical Equipment to Haiti
Yale University's (CT) Health Center diverted nearly 38 tons of medical equipment from the waste stream by donating it to a hospital in Haiti that is being rebuilt after it was severely damaged in the 2010 earthquake. The university partnered with International Medical Equipment Collaborative, a non-profit that provides medical equipment to rebuild hospitals and clinics in impoverished areas worldwide, for the effort. The eight-truckload donation will take care of 20 percent of the equipment needed by the hospital.
ACUPCC Report Reveals Significant Campus GHG Emissions Reductions
Colleges and universities in the U.S. reported significant reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, according to an annual report just released by the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The report provides an overview of ACUPCC signatory schools that are creating and implementing comprehensive plans to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from their campus operations. Also integral to these plans are activities that promote education, research and community engagement. For the first time a significant number of schools - more than 250 - have submitted updates to their original greenhouse gas inventories, revealing whether emissions have increased or declined since climate action efforts began in earnest. This group accounted for a net reduction of more than 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. As of December 31, 2010, the ACUPCC network had 676 active members representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Baker College of Owosso Produces Biofuel
Baker College of Owosso (MI) has begun processing its own biofuel using recently purchased processing equipment. The processor can produce 40 gallons of diesel fuel in one 12-hour batch. The college is using waste oil and grease produced by its cafeteria, and is teaching other college and high school instructors how to convert their own cafeterias into diesel producing kitchens.
Bennington College Conducts Carbon Sequestration Analysis
Bennington College (VT) has announced a plan to conduct a carbon sequestration analysis of the forests and woodlands on its 400-acre campus to better understand and more accurately measure its institutional carbon budget. The university hopes that its effort to take into account the role of natural and managed vegetation and associated soils in the carbon cycle in its institutional carbon budget will help to establish methods and standards that can be broadly applied by other institutions. Data analysis will begin this coming summer and continue through spring 2012.
Berkshire CC to Establish Sustainable Energy Training Center
Berkshire Community College (MA) has received a $201,067 grant from the Northeast Utilities Foundation to convert its Ralph Hoffmann Environmental Center into the Sustainable Energy Resource Training Center. This new center will provide certification programs for workers interested in joining the renewable energy workforce. Programs will provide training in the development and installation of solar heating, wind and photovoltaic systems, as well as for energy auditors and for technicians trained in weatherization.
College of Marin Begins Organic Farm Apprenticeship Program
The College of Marin's (CA) Indian Valley campus is collaborating with the Fresh Run Farm to offer an apprenticeship program for aspiring organic farmers. The program will provide classroom instruction as well as paid farming positions. There will be 1,800 hours of experiential training and 11 courses for students enrolled in the apprenticeship.
Concordia U Plans for Bottled Water Bans
Concordia University (QC) has announced a three-year plan to upgrade drinking fountains in most campus buildings to accommodate reusable drink containers and remove bottled water for sale in vending machines. The university will launch an education and communication campaign to promote the use of refill stations on campus.
Emory U Implements Campus-Wide Set Temperature Policy
Emory University (GA) has announced a new plan to manage temperature settings in its office spaces and public and common areas in most campus buildings starting in July. The joint effort, led by Campus Services and the Office of Sustainability Initiatives, will implement a set temperature policy that calls for 76 degrees during the cooling season and 68 degrees during the heating season.
Emory U Works to Consolidate Office Supply Orders
In an effort to shrink the campus carbon footprint generated by vendors who make deliveries by truck to campus, Emory University's (GA) Office of Sustainability, in collaboration with its procurement office, is working to consolidate office orders to a minimum of $50 per order. The university found in a 2010 analysis that it placed nearly 5,000 orders under $50. Had all orders under $50 been eliminated, the reduction could have saved about 15 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
