U Alabama Eliminates Trays on Campus
The University of Alabama has eliminated lunch trays from its buffet-style dining halls. The initiative seeks to conserve water and energy and decrease food waste on campus. Since the initiative began, UA has observed a 25 percent decrease in electricity use and in food waste. Trays are still available, however, upon request.
U Chicago Launches New Sustainability Website
The University of Chicago (IL) has launched a new sustainability website that aims to provide an overview of sustainable practices on campus and help raise environmental awareness. The new website serves as a portal to the University of Chicago's sustainability activities, initiatives, and programs, and lists resources to help students, faculty, and staff develop new ideas and enhance green initiatives on campus.
U Cincinnati Study on Community Partnerships Features Sustainability
The University of Cincinnati (OH) has completed "Community Interactions and Collaborations: Peer Institutional Study," a report commissioned by UC to help the University gauge the effectiveness of its own partnerships with local communities, the city, and other large employers to stem decline in the neighborhoods surrounding the University. The areas of measurement included environment and sustainability, impacts on wider metro region, social capital development, avoiding use of eminent domain, and partner
UC San Diego Students Help University Cool Buildings
A group of University of California, San Diego undergraduate students have designed, built, and deployed a network of five weather-monitoring stations as a key step toward helping the University use ocean breezes to cool buildings, identify the sunniest rooftops to expand its solar-electric system, and use water more efficiently in irrigation and in other ways. The network, which will be expanded to 20 stations in 2008, includes stations on San Diego-area schools and businesses.
U Florida Football Goes Carbon Neutral
The University of Florida has announced that the 2008 Florida Gators home football season will be carbon neutral. The initiative, named Neutral Gator, aims to offset carbon emissions produced from game day activities including automobile travel, flights, hotel stays, and stadium energy usage. UFL will be the first college to host a carbon neutral football season. Neutral Gator has also partnered with a local utility company to provide compact fluorescent light-blubs to low income neighborhoods and is working to install solar panels on the UFL campus. Neutral Gator is a result of a partnership between the UFL Office of Sustainability, the University Athletic Association, and the Florida based non-profit Earth Givers Inc.
U Illinois Urbana-Champaign Hires Natural Resource Sustainability Dir.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has hired William W. Shilts as the Executive Director of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability. Since joining the Institute, Shilts has made the environmentally preferable development of Illinois’ energy resources a priority. The Institute comprises the four state scientific surveys that recently became part of the Urbana campus: the Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.
U Illinois Urbana-Champaign Opens Green Business Building
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has opened its Business Instructional Facility, a building that features solar panels, a green roof, and an energy-efficient heating and cooling system. The University is seeking LEED Platinum or Gold certification.
U Maryland College Park GHG Report
The University of Maryland, College Park has released its inaugural inventory of campus greenhouse gas emissions. In Fiscal Year 2007, the University emitted 352,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. The major sources of campus emissions were from the electricity and steam produced by the campus co-generation plant (38%), purchased electricity (25%), and transportation including the daily commuting of the campus community (19%), air travel (13%), and the University fleet including the campus shuttle bus system (2%). Total emissions during the 2002-2007 study period decreased slightly, despite campus growth, due to the installation of a combined heat and power plant, which began operating in FY 2004, and greater on- and near-campus student housing. Work will soon begin on the FY 2008 GHG inventory.
U Maryland to Recycle at Home Football Games
The University of Maryland College Park has launched "Feed the Turtle," a new recycling program for home football games that is part of a campus-wide initiative to green the University. The program will recycle bottles, cans, and cardboard, and compost food waste and biodegradable packaging. In all, more than 50 tons of material is expected to be diverted from landfills. If successful, the program will be rolled out to other Athletic Department venues on campus.
U Montana Purchases Bio-diesel Bus
The University of Montana has purchased a new bio-diesel bus for its campus bus service. The new bus is the second in a series of four buses that the University plans to purchase, and was funded through a federal grant and the student transportation fee. The remaining two buses will be purchased through equal funding from the student transportation fee, the Office of Administration and Finance, and the campus' federal transportation grant.
U New Hampshire Launches EcoGastronomy Program
The University of New Hampshire has launched an EcoGastronomy program that takes students to the field, the kitchen, the lab, and Italy to study the complexities of sustainable food systems. The program links the fields of sustainable agriculture, hospitality, and nutrition. As a dual major, EcoGastronomy must be taken alongside a declared primary major. The program is a partnership of UNH’s College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and Whittemore School of Business and Economics, in collaboration with the University Office of Sustainability. It includes two courses specific to EcoGastronomy as well as existing courses food and beverage management, and food and society and sustainable food production. The program also requires a semester abroad at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy, and language proficiency in Italian.
U Southern Miss to Create Bike-Share Program
The University of Southern Mississippi has announced plans to create a campus bike-share program. The President’s Office, together with the Student Government Association, is heading up the initiative that is tentatively named Eagle Bikes. The aim of the effort is to provide bicycles for faculty, staff, and students to use, then leave them behind for the next rider. The bicycles will be painted the same, bright color for easy identification.
UW Oshkosh Becomes Fair Trade University
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh has become a "Fair Trade University." To achieve this distinction, UW Oshkosh’s four governing bodies endorsed a resolution outlining its commitment to: selling Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, and chocolate in dining establishments, at catered functions, and in department offices whenever feasible and within the confines of its food service contract; offering Fair Trade Certified food products and handicrafts at university stores whenever possible; and identifying and ack
Vanderbilt U Expands U-Pass Program
Vanderbilt University (TN) has expanded its Free Ride program to include graduate and professional school students, allowing them to commute to and from campus for free using the local bus system. The program has been offered to Vanderbilt employees since July 2004.
Villanova U Announces Year of Sustainability, Sustainability Eng. Prgm
Villanova University (PA) has announced that its 2008-2009 academic year has been designated as the "Year of Sustainability." As part of this theme, VU has also developed an interdisciplinary Master's of Science in Sustainable Engineering, available for enrollment in 2009. Open to engineers from all different fields, this program introduces students to the broader issues of sustainability through a series of core courses and then allows them to pursue one of three specialty tracks: alternative energy, sus
Website Lists Top 5 Green Colleges
Planet Green has published a list of the top 5 green colleges. The list includes Pitzer College (CA), College of the Atlantic (ME), Evergreen State College (WA), Oberlin College (OH), and Harvard University (MA).
Western Kentucky U Hires Sustainability Coordinator
Western Kentucky University has appointed Christian Ryan-Downing as the University's first Sustainability Coordinator. Ryan-Downing will help identify and develop opportunities for reducing the University’s environmental footprint and operational costs through campus initiatives that reduce waste and use energy, water, and other resources more efficiently. She will work with students, faculty, and staff at WKU to integrate sustainability principles and practices into the University’s operations and culture. Ryan-Downing graduated from WKU in December 2007 with a Master's of Science degree; her graduate research focused on sustainability at WKU. As a student, she was a co-founder and president of GreenToppers Students for Campus Sustainability.
Western Michigan U Greens Form Submission System
Western Michigan University has created a system that allows campus members to submit Temporary Appointment Forms and Incidental Payment Forms online. The change from paper to electronic forms took place in late July.
Yale U Pilots Composting Program
Yale University (CT) has started a pilot program to compost waste from three dining halls on campus. The initiative, which is being led by Yale's recycling coordinator, works with a local waste management company who picks up food waste from the three halls and hauls it to a composting facility nearby. The food takes about 90 days to turn into soil.
Yale U Student Builds Sustainable House
Yale University (CT) graduate student, Elizabeth Turnbull, with the help of family and friends, has designed and constructed a sustainable house to live in while attending graduate school. The 144 square feet Tiny House, as she calls it, features a composting toilet, solar panels, and recycled sailboat sails for ceilings. Turnbull decided to build the house after she realized that building the structure would actually save her money on housing and greatly reduce her carbon footprint while at Yale.
York U Creates Sustainability Council, Adopts Fair Labor Policy
York University (ON) has created a new Sustainability Council with broad representation from across campus, including students. The council, which will report to York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, will provide input on ways to better address issues of sustainability on a pan-University level. Additionally, York University has adopted a workplace code of conduct for its trademark licensees and has joined the Fair Labor Association and the Workers’ Rights Consortium. The code outlines the conditions that must be met when licensed goods bearing York’s names and marks are manufactured.
Associated Press Covers Increasing Need for Wind Turbine Technicians
The Associated Press has published an article on the rapidly increasing need for wind energy technicians and the corresponding launch of several renewable energy technician programs at community colleges across the U.S. The article notes that a new program at Iowa Lakes Community College has experience a class size increase from 15 to approximately 90 students from last year to this year.
Associated Press, USA Today Publish Articles on Campus Bicycling
The Associated Press has published an article on the increasing number of bicycle programs on college campuses across the U.S. The article mentions bike-sharing and bike giveaway programs at Emory University (GA), Ripon College (WI), Duke University (NC), Northern Illinois University, Illinois State University, and the University of Washington. The USA Today has also published an article on campus bicycling. Its story mentions current bike programs at Ripon College and Auburn University (AL), and a proposed bike path at the State University of New York at Albany.
ASU Offers Sustainability Specialization in Undergrad Business Prgm
Arizona State University will offer a new Bachelor of Arts degree program in business this fall that allows freshman to specialize in sustainability, tourism management, communication or urban policy. ASU's School of Sustainability will provide many of the classes required for the new sustainability specialization.
Bowdoin College to Ban Cars for First-Year Students
Bowdoin College (ME) has announced plans to ban cars for first-year students starting in the fall of 2008. The move is part of the College's ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. It is also intended to foster an even greater sense of community and involvement by first-year students during first year of college.
College of the Atlantic Offers Green Business Undergraduate Prgm
The College of the Atlantic (ME) has begun offering an undergraduate program in Green and Socially Responsible Business. The program aims to teach students to learn how to do well financially by doing good ecologically and socially. The new program will be led by Jay Friedlander, who will also hold the Sharpe/McNally Chair in Green and Socially Responsible Business.
Green Mountain College to Hold Green Freshman Orientation
Green Mountain College (VT) has announced plans to hold an environmentally friendly freshman orientation this year. As part of the initiative, GMC reduced the amount of paper to be used during the event and will hold several workshops and public campaigns aimed at teaching students how to reduce their carbon footprint. The College has also encouraged students to bring their own utensils and travel mugs to orientation and will offer a locally produced breakfast one day during the event.
Ithaca College Opens Academic Year with Green Picnic
Ithaca College's (NY) annual zero-waste convocation ceremony and community picnic featured for the first time local seasonal foods, examples of solar- and bicycle-powered activities, and the distribution of reusable mugs made from 100% recycled plastic. Additionally, participants were asked to sign a “commitment to change” pledge to make more sustainable choices.
Ithaca College Receives $500,000 Sustainability Education Grant
Ithaca College (NY) has received a three-year $500,000 grant from HSBC Bank USA to support sustainability education on campus. Programs funded by the grant will include scholarships to attract incoming students from diverse backgrounds with a passion for social and environmental change; a fellowship program to recognize and reward students engaged in exemplary environmental or sustainability projects while in college; an internship and research fund for supplies and materials, student and faculty stipends, and conference expenses to deliver presentations on successful projects; and a scholar-in-residence program bringing in a series of exceptional speakers for two–day to two–week visits in order to provide students and faculty with diverse perspectives and ongoing inspiration to act on behalf of the environment.
J. Sargeant Reynolds CC Pilots 1-Day School Week
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (VA) has launched "Smart Fridays," a pilot class schedule that allows students to drive to campus only one day a week and still earn a full load of credits for the semester. The College has calculated that a student could potentially save over $1,080 dollars per semester in vehicle operating costs by participating in the new program.
Kaplan Releases Green Schools & Green Careers Guide
Kaplan Publishing has released its "College Guide 2009," which, for the first time, focuses on environmentally responsible schools and green careers. The guide features 25 green private and public colleges from across the nation. The section provides students with a look inside the classroom, around campus, and at student life, while shining a spotlight on what's good for the globe at each college. The Guide also profiles 10 hot green careers -- from environmental engineering to geothermal development -- a
Maryville College Holds Green Freshman Move-in Day
Maryville College (TN) held a green move-in day for freshman. The event, entitled Green Grand Opening, featured cardboard recycling and green goodie bags containing compact fluorescent bulbs, eco-pencils, and reusable shopping bags.
Missouri S&T Opens First Hydrogen Fueling Station
The Missouri University of Science and Technology has opened E3 (E-cubed), its first fueling station for hydrogen vehicles. Two Missouri S&T hydrogen buses that provide shuttle service in Rolla and back and forth to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. were on display during the ribbon cutting ceremony along with a coast-to-coast tour of hydrogen vehicles sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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Posted Aug 28, 2008
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Other News
Mount Mercy College Partners to Increase Energy Efficiency
Mount Mercy College (IA) has announced plans to install a campus-wide energy management system. The new system is expected to save an estimated 1.3 million kWh annually, which is about 20 percent of the campus' current annual electric usage. Installation will commence this fall and will be operational for the 2009-2010 academic year. Interstate Power and Light Company will install the new system.
Net Impact Announces Winners to 2008 Green Challenge
Net Impact has announced the student winners of this year's Green Challenge. RJ Panda and Jake Berlin Jeff of New York University have been awarded first place for their Green Roof Proposal. The team planned a 6,500 square-foot expansive garden on top of the main Stern School of Business campus building, the Kaufman Management Center. Through extensive outreach, the Proposal will be partially funded by the Legacy Gift of the MBA Class of 2008. Second place was awarded to Charlie Coggeshall and Jeff Malcolm of the University of Denver (CO), and third place was awarded to Katherine Macrostie, Barbara Beaudoin, Alison Haight, and Erin McFee of Simmons College (MA).
NWF Releases 2008 Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Ed
The National Wildlife Federation has released its 2008 Report Card, "Campus Environment 2008: A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education, Trends and New Developments in Leadership, Academics, and Operations." The 2008 Report Card, based on a survey conducted in partnership with Princeton Survey Research Associates International, reviews programs at 1,068 institutions. The study recognizes colleges and universities for exemplary performance and awards academic letter grades (A through D)
Pennsylvania Campuses to Receive Solar Power Education Funding
PPL Electric Utilities has announced that it will provide $250,000 to support Solar Scholars, a program run by a Pennsylvania non-profit. Specifically, the donation will help fund solar power education and the installation of 12 solar power systems at Pennsylvania colleges and universities. Participants will be invited to apply for grants in the fall to install a photovoltaic system on their campus that generates a minimum of 3 kilowatts.
Pomona College Hires Sustainability Coordinator
Pomona College (CA) has hired Bowen Patterson as its first Sustainability Coordinator. Patterson is tasked with helping students with sustainability projects and helping the College to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. The new Sustainability Coordinator will also help Pomona with a sustainability strategic plan. Patterson graduated from Pomona and went on to earn a Masters of Urban Planning and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Cities at the University of Southern California.
Portland State U President Promotes Alternative Transportation
Newly hired Portland State University (OR) President Wim Wiewel rode his bike to report for his first day of work in an effort to promote sustainable modes of transportation. The new PSU President rode with the school Provost, a City Commissioner, and Major-elect of Portland. A small reception awaited him and his colleagues following the morning ride. The University, this fall, plans to expand its bike co-op, install 125 new bike racks, and build an indoor bike parking garage that will provide storage for a total of 100 bicycles.
Sierra Club Names 2008 Top Ten Green Campuses
An article in the Sierra Club's September/October 2008 issue of Sierra Magazine names the top ten green campuses in the U.S. They include, Middlebury College (VT), University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Vermont at Burlington, Warren Wilson College (NC), Evergreen State College (WA), Arizona State University at Tempe, University of Florida at Gainesville, Oberlin College (OH), University of Washington at Seattle, and Tufts University (MA). The top schools earned points in ten categories: policies for building, energy, food, investment, procurement, and transportation; curriculum; environmental activism; waste management; and overall commitment to sustainability.
Surveys Show Increasing Student Commitment to Green Companies
Experience, Inc. has completed a survey of 2,500 college students and recent graduates. The survey found that 81 percent of responders saw significance in working for an environmentally aware company. The same poll found that 79 percent would probably accept a job at an eco-friendly company over a conventional one. Another survey completed by Alloy Media + Marketing found that 41 percent of the incoming college class of 2012 prefers socially responsible brands, compared to 37 percent from last year's incoming freshman class.
U Connecticut to Go Trayless
The University of Connecticut has announced plans to go trayless this fall. The project, which will be implemented in 7 of 8 dining halls, aims to reduce the amount of wasted food and water, which is used to wash the trays. During a weeklong trial last semester in two dining halls, UConn saved about 760 pounds of food and more than 913 gallons of water just by going tray-less at dinnertime.
U Florida Challenges Community to Use Green Transportation
The University of Florida is challenging students, faculty, and staff to give up their cars and use alternative transportation on October 17, 2008 and as often as possible, with the hope that it becomes a habit. In meeting the challenge, campus members will pledge to commute by an alternative to single-occupancy vehicle travel on One Less Car Day and as often as possible throughout the fall semester. In addition to individual commitments, each department or organization on campus can sign up to pledge as a team.
U Miami Sign Agreement with Zipcar, Bans Freshman Cars
The University of Miami (FL) has announced an agreement with Zipcar, a car-sharing program that allows members to reserve cars online or via phone or mobile device for an hourly rate. The new program was launched in conjunction with the University's recent ban on freshman cars.
U New Hampshire Distributes Free CFLs
The University of New Hampshire has announced plans to pass out 1,720 free compact fluorescent light bulbs to students living in UNH residents halls this fall. The CFLs are estimated to save the university $17,250 in energy costs. The CFLs for students will be divided among UNH's 23 residence halls and distributed door-to-door by hall directors in the first few weeks of the fall semester. All students who receive a CFL will also get an informational postcard outlining other ways to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption on campus and describing safety procedures for disposing of broken or burnt-out CFL or incandescent bulbs.
U New Mexico-Taos Constructing 500 kW Photovoltaic System
The University of New Mexico-Taos recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 500 kW photovoltaic solar panel system installation. The UNM solar array is part of a 1.1 MW photovoltaic system distributed among several sites in New Mexico. The project has an expected completion date of January 2009.
U Oregon Installs Solar Awnings
The University of Oregon has begun installing solar awnings on its Eugene campus. If the pilot program is successful, the awnings, which function to provide solar energy, passive cooling and daylighting, will be installed on other Oregon University System campuses as well.
USA Today Covers Green Campus Move-in Initiatives
The USA Today has published an article on green move-in initiatives on campuses in the U.S. The story discusses George Washington University's (DC) Green Move-in initiative, which focuses on recycling boxes, using less paper, and encouraging students to use re-usable moving containers, and the University of California, San Diego's newly renovated green residence hall. The article also mentions a green residence program that George Washington University will pilot this year.
U Tennessee Chattanooga Launches Recycling Program
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has launched a new recycling program on campus. The University partnered with a local recycling center to provide bins for the students, faculty, and staff to recycled plastic, paper, and aluminum cans.
