NY Times Features U Oregon Sustainable Cities Project
Roughly 600 University of Oregon students will devote 80,000 hours this school year to making Salem, Ore. more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, reports The New York Times. Part of the university's Sustainable Cities Initiative, the project will enlist students in the architecture, planning, law, journalism and business classes to explore how Salem can nurture green business clusters, reuse industrial byproducts, connect parks with bicycle paths and design energy-efficient municipal buildings. The city of Salem will contribute about $345,000 for the university collaboration, dubbed the Sustainable City Year.
Pennsylvania Institutions Receive Energy Research Grants
The Energy Commercialization Institute has awarded a total of $510,000 to university-based research projects in Pennsylvania. Researchers at Temple University’s College of Engineering will collaborate with researchers from Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University. The grant will support the development of new technologies that will build Southeastern Pennsylvania’s alternative energy infrastructure. Temple University and Drexel University will collaborate to develop methods for the efficient and large-scale production of hydrogen. Temple will also work with researchers from the other universities on the large-scale fabrication of printable hybrid solar cells.
Pepperdine U Students Start Community Garden
Pepperdine University’s (CA) Green Team, a student organization, has constructed a campus community garden. Twelve elevated, large box planters were filled with organic compost from a local distributor of bio-dynamic soil. Forty-eight separate plots within the planters will be rented out to individuals or organizations that want to support the Green Team while growing their own produce. Any funds raised from renting plots will go to upkeep and perpetuation of the garden.
Richland College Garland Campus Receives LEED Gold Certification
Richland College's Garland Campus has received LEED Gold certification. The building was designed to operate with minimal impact to the environment. The college hopes the building will teach students and the community how buildings can function in ways that are friendly, carbon neutral and environmentally sustainable.
Saginaw Valley State U Dedicates Native Planting Site
Saginaw Valley State University (MI) has dedicated a 40-acre native planting site on campus. The Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network, which provided a $40,000 grant to support the new site, is composed of 10 area foundations that work to protect and preserve the region’s natural resources. The plants are low-maintenance and thrive without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. The native habitat will also reduce erosion, water pollution and provide a natural habitat for wildlife.
State U of New York Canton Students Install Solar Heat Collectors
Alternative and renewable energy systems students at the State University of New York at Canton have installed two rooftop heat collectors at a college alumni house as part the university's solar thermal systems curriculum. The roof-mounted collectors utilize solar energy to warm antifreeze, which in turn warms water for showers, cooking and laundry. Students will continue to maintain the system and use it as a learning tool.
Swarthmore College Students Convert Cooking Oil to Biodiesel Fuel
Swarthmore College (PA) students have launched a project to convert used cooking oil from the college's dining hall into biodiesel fuel that will be used in college facilities or vehicles. The first stage of the project consists of converting small batches of unused cooking oil into biodiesel in order to receive estimates on how much biodiesel fuel will be produced from the used cooking oil. The goal of the second stage is to find the exact measurements of how much biodiesel is produced and the amount of emissions created by the combustion of biodiesel.
U California Santa Barbara Installs Sustainable Water System
The University of California, Santa Barbara has installed a portable sustainable water system. The system converts humidity into fresh water. The portable machine captures moisture from the air, then condenses, filters and stores the byproduct. Campus sustainability coordinators anticipate that the machine can significantly reduce the university’s carbon footprint over time.
U Missouri Serves Local Prawns
The University of Missouri's dining services department has begun serving locally harvested prawns at campus dining halls. The shellfish are grown and raised at the Bradford Research and Extension Center, part of the university-owned Agriculture Experiment Stations. The initiative is part of department's goal to increase the amount of local food served on campus which is currently at 11 percent including dairy and meat.
U New England Receives Grants for Energy Improvements
The University of New England (ME) has received three grants totaling more than $238,000 in funding for energy improvements. The grants include $154,160 for building automation and energy management upgrades for greenhouse gas reductions, $50,000 for a solar hot water system and performance monitoring display, and $37,347 for parking lot LED lights to reduce energy consumption. The university’s sustainability office applied for the grants, which will be administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commissions Energy Programs Division.
Universities Compete in Campus Conservation Nationals 2010
The Alliance to Save Energy, in partnership with Lucid Design Group and the National Wildlife Federation, has announced the debut of Campus Conservation Nationals 2010, a nationwide electricity and water use reduction competition. Forty colleges and universities will compete to achieve the greatest reductions in their residence halls over a three-week period beginning Nov. 1, 2010. Participating schools have installed Lucid's energy dashboard system, allowing them to compare energy performance and track standings. Winning campuses and residence halls will receive a prize package from the U.S. Green Building Council and Study Like a Champion.
U North Texas Launches Campus Energy Savings Project
The University of North Texas started a three-year campus-wide energy savings project this fall. Aimed at improving energy efficiency, operations, reliability and comfort across campus, the university has partnered with Schneider Electric to improve its current energy and water systems. A previous partnership with the energy management company yielded a savings of $1.2 million a year in energy costs. The university hopes that this project, which will include the replacement of existing chilled water distribution systems and the implementation of a real-time, online energy tracking system, will increase savings to $3.2 million a year.
Wright State U Installs Solar Array
Wright State University (OH) has installed a new solar array atop the student union to heat an indoor swimming pool. The solar array could reduce the natural gas heating costs by 20 percent. The university expects to pay off the $140,000 installation in energy savings within a decade. The array will also function as a teaching tool for students within the newly launched master’s degree in renewable and clean energy.
Lehigh U Opens Environmentally Friendly Facility
Lehigh University (PA) has opened a 135,000-square-foot building with teaching and research areas designed to facilitate collaborative learning and eliminate boundaries between the classroom and the lab. The $62.1 million facility will seek LEED Gold certification with features including bike storage, shade gardens, passive solar design, occupancy sensors, low-flow plumbing fixtures, Energy Star roof membrane, a green roof, air quality monitoring system and the preservation of a large portion of the site's original green lawn space. A large percentage of construction materials was recycled and diverted from the landfills.
Arizona State U Market Offers Local and Fair Trade Options
To meet the demand of students looking for fresh, healthy and quick dining options, Arizona State University's Sun Devil Dining has announced the opening of its convenience store concept, Provisions on Demand Market. Designed to engage students with the foods they eat, the market offers information about the food's place of origin and nutritional value. Product cues clearly identify food items as vegan, organic, kosher, locally-grown, gluten-free and fair trade.
Brevard CC Launches New Alternative Energies Program
Brevard Community College (FL) has introduced a new alternative energies program to prepare its students for the green workforce. Brevard County officials, in conjunction with the University of Central Florida, is pursuing a $50 million federal grant with the goal of making the county a major center for solar research in the U.S.
Case Western Reserve U Plans Wind Energy Research Center
Case Western Reserve University (OH) is set to complete the installation of one of three planned wind turbines on campus. The first turbine is expected to be operational during the fall 2010 semester, providing 18.5 percent of the annual electricity for the university's Veale Athletic Center. The university was awarded $3 million from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission Wright Projects Program in support of an Ohio Wind Energy Research and Commercialization Center dedicated to wind turbine innovation and education. In addition to research, the planned turbines will offer opportunities for local companies to create, test and commercialize wind energy related technologies.
Chatham U Revives Campus Root Cellar
In addition to providing Chatham University (PA) students with a place to hold their apple orchard and organic garden bounty, the recent restoration of the Eden Hall Root Cellar is part of an ongoing research project that will include the concept in a sustainable, affordable model kitchen design. Chatham professors in the interior architecture department believe that as energy costs rise, root cellars should make a comeback as a low-cost way to keep produce through the winter. Apples, potatoes, beets, celeriac root, horseradish, Belgian endive, cabbage, carrots and winter squash will keep for up to six months in a root cellar. The research is looking at ways to incorporate old and new technologies like an insulated root vegetable storage drawer that is vented to maintain the outside room temperature. Students will help document temperature and humidity levels in the cellar and feed the results into a software program that will determine an optimum environment.
Chronicle of Higher Ed Releases '2010 Diversity in Academe'
Admissions officers are devoting more attention to increasing the numbers of low-income students, says The Chronicle of Higher Education's new report, "2010 Diversity in Academe." According to the report, there is also heightened interest in making the professoriate more socioeconomically diverse and interest in diversity abroad is on the rise.
Colorado State U to Install 3.3 MW Solar Expansion
Colorado State University is set to install a 3.3 megawatt expansion of a photovoltaic power system at the university’s Foothills Campus. The new panels will increase the solar power system to a total of 5.3 megawatts on 30 acres. The expanded system will provide enough energy to meet more than one-third of the electricity demand at the campus. The university expects to save $6 million in electricity costs over 20 years.
Dalhousie U Debuts New Green Building
Dalhousie University (NS) has debuted the Mona Campbell Building, the new home for its College of Sustainability. Designed to meet LEED Gold standards, sustainable features include bike racks, a cistern to collect non potable water, organic food selections, 85 heat pumps to re-circulate heat, low-flow plumbing, energy-efficient lighting, a green roof and a solar wall to preheat ventilation air.
Green Information Technology on the Rise at Canadian Institutions
The desire for more eco-friendly technology has inspired university IT departments and researchers, reports a recent story in Canada's University Affairs magazine. As e-mail, teleconferencing and electronic thermostats replace driving, flying and air conditioners, Canadian institutions are paying attention to how much energy the energy-saving devices use themselves. On-campus groups like the University of Alberta's Green Computing Initiative, for example, runs a Web page with stats on campus IT energy use and a list of energy-reduction tips. York University's (ON) sustainability organization promotes Unplug, a program that encourages university faculty and staff to turn off their computers at night and posts for the campus community how much energy the campus has saved through improved computer habits. IT departments are also investing in energy-efficient hardware like LCD monitors and amalgamating energy-sucking server rooms.
John Carroll U Partners with Coke for Campus Recycling Efforts
John Carroll University (OH) has signed a beverage agreement with Coca-Cola. New campus vending machines conserve energy by turning off at night and Coca-Cola pledged to give the university $10,000 worth of new recycling containers in support of its recycling and sustainability initiatives.
John Carroll U Revamps Dining Options with Fair Trade
John Carroll University (OH) has revamped its Dining Services with more environmentally friendly options. In addition to providing local produce options to students, the Student Center Barista now offers fair trade products. The college hopes to expand fair trade products to the other dining areas around campus.
National Wildlife Federation Rolls Out Greenforce Initiative
The National Wildlife Federation, in partnership with Jobs for the Future, is promoting community college green job education and training through the Greenforce Initiative: Advancing Greener Careers and Campuses. Funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the two-year project aims to strengthen the capacity of community colleges in the U.S. to implement green career programs in response to the rapidly growing clean energy job sector.
New York U Green Grantee Collects $5,000 Worth of E-Waste
New York University's student-led “TERRE: Technical Education Reusing and Repurposing E-Waste” project diverted electronic waste from three buildings on campus and used it as raw material to run two electronic construction workshops. The student project, funded by a New York University Sustainability Task Force Green Grant, collected at least 2,061 individual electronic components, 25 devices and more than 100 feet of wire. The value of the items collected was estimated at more than $5,000. The waste stream audit suggests that the flow of surplus electronics is enough to sustain an expanded science, technology, engineering and math education program.
North Carolina State U Launches Composting Program
North Carolina State University has implemented a composting program. To reduce the possibility of contaminating the compost material, University Dining has removed all plastic utensils and trash cans in serving and seating areas of the dining halls. In kitchen areas, trash cans have been replaced with bins for trash, compost and recycling. The compost will be shipped to a nearby facility to convert the collected food waste to soil. The initiative will help the university reach its goal of diverting 65 percent of its waste from the landfill by 2015.
Northern College Installs Green Roof
Northern College (ON) has installed a new green roof. The college is experimenting with a modular roofing system that covers the surface with soil and drought tolerant vegetation to capture stormwater, reduce energy and extend the lifespan of the roofing membrane. The college used perennial plants including nine different varieties of sedums and mountain chives. The vegetative surface should improve insulation and reduce the fluctuations in the building’s temperature.
Ohio State U Holds Zero-Waste Event
The Ohio State University hosted its first zero-waste event. The Scarlet, Gray and Green Buckeye Bash was organized by The Ohio State University Alumni Association, in partnership with Green Columbus and Ohio State’s Department of Facilities Operations and Development. The goals were to eliminate waste, use local food and beverages, incorporate alternative energy and educate guests. The university was able to divert 96 percent of the event's waste from the landfill.
Palm Beach State College Receives Grant for Solar Panels
Palm Beach State College (FL) has received a grant from Palm Beach County's Economic Development Office to purchase and install solar panels on the newly-constructed Technical Education Center. The 34,000-square-foot center has already received LEED Gold certification and will receive solar panels specially designed for the building’s breezeway. Students will have the opportunity to assist in the installation process.
Paul Smith’s College Building Earns LEED Silver
Paul Smith’s College (NY) has earned LEED Silver certification for its 5,800-square-foot Countess Alicia Spaulding-Paolozzi Environmental Science and Education Center. The center, which opened in January 2010, features geothermal heat loops, ductless fume hoods, environmentally friendly building materials and low-wattage light bulbs.
Rice U Installs Recycling Kiosk
Rice University (TX) has installed a recycling kiosk as part of a pilot project by the Greenopolis Group at Waste Management, a national company that handles the university's solid waste. The Greenopolis Group is the division of Waste Management focused on developing technologies to increase recycling levels. The kiosk is a one-year trial at the university. It is capable of storing up to 9,000 aluminum cans and 1,700 bottles. Users are able to register on the Greenopolis website to receive points that can be redeemed for rewards as an incentive for using the recycling kiosk.
Rio Salado College Opens Sustainable Cafe
Rio Salado College (AZ) has opened the doors of Cafe @ Rio, a sustainable campus cafe featuring energy-efficient appliances, trayless dining, and compostable and recyclable food and beverage containers. Featuring food harvested from farms in the community, the cafe will also serve as a sustainable teaching kitchen for students in the Sustainable Food Systems program. The students will study the real food movement and how food is produced and purchased. Vegetables grown as part of the program's Organic Gardening class will be served in the cafe.
San Diego State U Opens Bike/Skate Lane
San Diego State University (CA) has opened a new bike and skate lane on campus. The lane is the result of a campaign by the Associated Students group, who commissioned a landscape architecture firm to study the possibility of bike lanes on campus. After the lane's one-year trial period, the university will consider a more extensive, permanent inner-campus route of several lanes in spring/summer 2011. The installation of campus-wide bike lanes will help mitigate traffic and increase accessibility to alternate transportation.
St. Joseph College Installs Solar Panels
St. Joseph College (CT) has installed solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems. The thermal panels deliver electricity through a series of pipes under the ground to help heat the college's six-lane swimming pool and to supply hot water for the showers and sinks. The college's addition of two solar electric arrays provides enough energy to offset nearly 9 percent of the electricity for the pumps needed for the thermal system. One of the 1.2-kilowatt solar arrays is fixed and the other is a tracking array that allows the college to compare the electric output from each. The solar installations will also be used for teaching purposes.
Study: Habit, Availability Spurs New York U Bottled Water Use
A study by a New York University Ph.D. student found that habit, campus availability and aesthetics (taste and clarity) motivates bottled water consumption at the university. The qualitative research study, funded by the university's Green Grant program, concluded that the university consumes the equivalent of one million bottles of water a month. The research was conducted to provide an academic foundation and basis for the culture of water consumption and quality of water on campus.
Susquehanna U Launches Bike Share Program
Susquehanna University (PA) has launched a bike share program that enables students to borrow university-owned bicycles. The university has purchased 30 bikes including vintage-inspired cruisers, multi-speeds and scooters. The fee for a year-long membership is $20 and students will receive a universal key for all the bike locks. Participants will receive $10 back when they return the bike lock key at the end of the year. The university plans to hold a contest where students will have the opportunity to name the bikes.
Syracuse U Labs Start Recycling Plastic Foam
Laboratories at Syracuse University (NY) have launched a plastic foam recycling initiative. The student-initiated program collects cold-shipping polystyrene boxes from campus labs and the university's Physical Plant department delivers them to a local company for recycling. Since the start of the initiative this year, more than 141 boxes have been recycled.
Syracuse U Receives Plug-In Hybrids for Demonstration Programs
Syracuse University (NY) has received two Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids as part of Toyota Motor Sales, Inc.'s U.S. plug-in demonstration program. As the vehicles gather miles, data such as fuel economy, miles driven and charging times will be viewable online. Demonstration partners will share data and compare usage and performance of the vehicles. The university’s participation in the program will allow students to determine the benefits of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Texas Southern U Installs Solar Demonstration Project
Texas Southern University has completed the first phase of its photovoltaic demonstration project. The university has partnered with Evolution Solar to install eight AmpleSun thin-film photovoltaic panels on the campus that are intended to serve as a cornerstone of the new Texas Southern University Green Technology Center. During the second phase, engineering students will receive course credit to assist in assembling the array’s rack-mount system.
Texas State U Students Initiate Sustainability Tour
Texas State University students organized a Sustainability Exploration event to promote environmental awareness both on and off campus. The tour highlighted sustainable projects on campus including the Bike Cave, compost bins, rainwater collection tanks and the recreation center's Calories for Kilowatts program. Participants also learned how to make a solar oven out of pizza boxes and met with community organizations like the Edible San Marcos Community Garden and the San Marcos Greenbelt Community Alliance.
Tufts U Hosts Local Farmers Market
Tufts University’s (MA) Dining Services has partnered with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project to host an on-campus farmers market. The collaboration will help those who are economically disadvantaged to get a fresh start through commercial farming and allow students access to local food. The range of produce available includes corn, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, cherries, apples and cantaloupe. The market also sells flowers, honey, baked goods and gelato.
U Akron Offers Green Housing for Students
The University of Akron (OH) has announced the creation of a green-minded student living environment. Known as the EnVision Apartments, the development will consist of 111 two and three-bedroom units equipped with Energy Star appliances, tank-less hot water systems and secured indoor bicycle storage. The apartments will house about 300 residents within its five buildings.
U Albany Partners with Hertz for Student Car Rentals
The University at Albany (NY) has partnered with Hertz to offer students 18 years and older the use of a rental car. Four cars are available to students and faculty at an eight dollar per hour charge that includes a gas card and liability insurance. Also new this year is an extended number of buses that students are able to ride for free with a student ID, a carpooling service, a ride share program and a bike share program.
U California Los Angeles Publishes Green Guide to Campus Living
The University of California, Los Angeles has published the “Green Guide to Sustainable Living at UCLA.” The booklet contains information about the environmental impacts of food, transportation, waste, electricity use and purchasing power tailored to student life at the university. All students moving into on-campus housing will find the Green Guide in their rooms. The guide, which also tells students how to get involved with sustainability efforts, will be offered at resource fairs and other events. Education for Sustainable Living Program students collaborated with UCLA Housing and Hospitality Services and the Office of Residential Life to publish the guide.
U Colorado at Boulder Starts Car Share Program
The University of Colorado at Boulder has launched the eGo CarShare program. Sponsored by Parking and Transportation Services, the program provides a new way for students, faculty and Boulder residents to be a part of alternative transportation. The program allows a car rental for use in the Boulder-Denver area as an alternative for those who generally commute by bike or bus. Members must be at least 18 years of age to participate and a credit card is located inside the vehicle to pay for gas.
U Colorado at Colorado Springs Events Center Earns LEED Gold
The Gallogly Events Center at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs has earned LEED Gold certification. Environmentally friendly features of the building include natural light, reserved parking spaces for high-efficiency vehicles and an energy-efficient heating, air conditioning and ventilation system.
U Colorado Boulder Installs Additional Solar Panels
The University of Colorado at Boulder has installed an additional 370 solar panels to its existing array, which will generate enough energy to power 20 medium-sized houses. Located on the roof of the university's Center for Innovation and Creativity, the building now generates about 10 percent of its total electrical needs from solar resources. The university also intends to install another 100 kilowatts of solar panels on its new residence hall next year.
U Maryland Reduces Campus Stormwater Runoff Pollution
The University of Maryland has begun efforts to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff pollution on campus. The stormwater that runs through the university ultimately makes its way to a nearby river. To help the problem, the university has built a brick pad at the most-used bus stop with pavers far enough apart that water can trickle through instead of running off. Funded by Prince George’s County and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the university also plans to build three stormwater treatment facilities on campus as part of a larger project for nutrient and sediment removal from stormwater.
U Massachusetts Dartmouth Offers Sustainability Studies
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has launched a sustainability studies program that features a sustainability minor and a sustainability studies certificate. The interdisciplinary program focuses on the impact of humanity on environmental, economic and social systems, and how best to recognize the current state of the world for a more sustainable future. The university is also planning to develop an undergraduate sustainability degree, a master's in sustainable development and a graduate-level sustainable development certificate.
