Higher Ed Endowments Lagging in Sustainable Investments
Once a leader in adopting environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria in their investments, higher education endowments in the U.S. are now lagging behind mainstream institutional investors, reports a recent GreenBiz.com article. Informed by a new, joint report from the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute and Tellus Institute, the article says one indicator of the failure of college and university endowments to keep up is the absence of these institutions as signatories to key institutional networks like the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Investment and the Council of Institutional Investors. U.S. college and university endowments control more than $400 billion in combined assets.
U Texas El Paso to Develop Green Energy Manufacturing Courses
A $2.5 million U.S. Department of Education grant will fund a five-year collaboration between the university's Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering and Drexel University that will integrate green energy manufacturing courses into the curriculum at both universities. The courses will incorporate technology-based and real-world problem solving.
Concordia U Receives $1.6 M for Renewable Energy Research
The university’s Institute in Energy, Water and Sustainability has received a $1,643,700 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to train approximately 20 students a year in research areas including the production of renewable energy and the optimization of water usage in industry.
SUNY Canton Receives $6.6 M for Wind Turbine Project
Funded by the New York Power Authority, the university will design and, if approved, construct a 2.8-megawatt wind turbine. The project is expected to provide up to one-third of the electricity needed to power the campus and provide educational opportunities for students.
Cornell U Announces Funding for Sustainable Projects
Provided by the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future’s academic venture fund, the university has announced $735,000 in awards for 10 cross-disciplinary sustainability science research projects. Winning proposals include the sustainable production of green vegetable crops in sub-Saharan Africa; improving energy costs and scalability of algal biofuels; developing species-specific and environmentally friendly insect control; energy harvesting from high-density, small-scale turbines in urban areas; assessing mycotoxin exposure in pregnant Zimbabwean women; and climate protection as a driver for job creation for New York state.
Duke U Adopts Investment Guidelines on Conflict Minerals
A student-led effort to tie the university’s investment guidelines to the issue of conflict minerals has received the backing of the Board of Trustees. A resolution was approved that authorizes the university’s investment arm to adopt a proxy voting guideline for investments in which the university has direct ownership. The guideline stipulates that the university will vote in favor of "well-written and reasonable shareholder resolutions that ask companies for reports on their policies and efforts regarding their avoidance of conflict minerals and conflict mineral derivatives."
Energy Department Announces $56 M toward Solar Research
Spanning 13 states for a total of $56 million over three years, the research projects will be conducted in partnership with universities, private industry and national laboratories. The awards support the department's SunShot Initiative, a collaborative national effort to make solar power cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by the end of the decade.
Report Calls for Sustained Investment in Higher Education
In the face of major challenges including decreased state funding, a recent National Research Council report argues that a larger commitment is needed from state and federal governments in public and private universities. Including policy principles like revitalizing and redefining the partnership between the federal government, state governments, research universities, and businesses, "Research Universities and the Future of America: Ten Breakthrough Actions Vital to Our Nation’s Prosperity and Security" calls for a larger commitment from state and federal governments in exchange for greater efficiency and more openness to collaboration with businesses on the part of universities.
6 Students Awarded Community Sustainability Fellowships
Furman University (South Carolina), Duke University (North Carolina) and Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) will share a $75,000 grant from the Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation to support student fellowships in community sustainability, research and service. Two undergraduate Duke fellows will work with the Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative to install energy efficiency upgrades in 15 local homes; two Furman fellows will help implement a Sustainability Action Plan for the City of Greenville and work with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities to advance sustainable forestry; and two Vanderbilt fellows will provide research and recommendations for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in the Office of Sustainable Practices, and work with the Green Initiatives division of TDEC to create a Governor’s Sustainability Statement.
Texas A&M Announces Green Fee Projects
(U.S.): The university has announced $335,000 in awards for campus sustainability projects including the installation of bike racks, high-tech recycling bins and more water-bottle filling stations; the creation of an educational organic agriculture facility that will use solar and rainwater technologies; and a project to recapture and preserve open green spaces. The funding comes from a $3 per semester student green fee.
U Plymouth Receives Funding to Start Local Food-Growing Network
(U.K.): The National Union of Students has received more than £260,000 in funding from Local Food, a £57.5 million program supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which provides funding for projects working to make local food more accessible and affordable to communities. The money will be spent on creating a network of 18 new local food-growing projects on campuses across the country.
Indiana U-Purdue U Indianapolis Awards 2012 Green Grants
The university’s Office of Sustainability has awarded a total of $46,000 in Greening IUPUI grants. The nine projects, including native and urban gardens, increasing sustainability-related educational opportunities and developing sustainable best practices, will begin this spring.
Slippery Rock U Receives $15K for Energy Dashboards
The West Penn Power Sustainability Fund grant will enable the university to purchase six energy dashboard touch screens to track energy consumption in residence halls and act as an energy conservation education and awareness tool. If successful in meeting a 3 percent energy usage savings projection, the university could save an estimated $1.5 million over 10 years.
Southern Alberta Institute of Tech to Debut Green Design Lab
With an $800,000 grant from the federal College-Industry Innovation Fund, the institute will construct a new lab from reclaimed shipping containers for environmentally friendly construction research. The lab will include solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, a green roof and rainwater collection basin.
NSF Provides $3.3 M for Solar Energy Research, Curriculum
(U.S.): The National Science Foundation has given $3.3 million to the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Texas at El Paso to establish a materials science and engineering program that will focus on solar energy research. The partnership will give students the opportunity to pursue photovoltaic materials research at either campus.
U California Berkeley Announces 2012 TGIF Awards
Twenty-two projects will receive a total of $308,630 from The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) this year, the most funding awarded in one grant year. TGIF provides funding for projects that reduce the university's negative impact on the environment and make the campus more sustainable. This year’s amount puts TGIF over the million dollar mark in total grant funding awarded over five years.
Slippery Rock U Announces Latest Round of Green Grant Funds
Four new Green Fund grants totaling $39,590 will go toward the purchase of energy monitors for residence halls; the installation of an electric meter to measure the effectiveness of energy initiatives in campus buildings; and fund two projects titled “Harnessing Human Energy” and "2012 Campus Conversation on Climate Change and Regional Policy: An Exercise in Deliberative Democracy."
U Pennsylvania Announces Green Fund Award Recipients
Ranging from a comprehensive recycling center within the School of Engineering and Applied Science to a behavior change project focusing on water conservation, the university's Green Campus Partnership has named five sustainability projects that will receive spring funding.
U Michigan Planet Blue Announces Student Project Grants
Out of 22 concept proposals submitted for consideration, four student-led sustainability projects have received financial support from the university’s Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund. Selected projects include a reusable containers program, bicycle repair station, sustainable food kiosk and a student-run campus farm.
Udall Foundation Announces 2012 Scholars
(U.S.): Eighty students from 70 colleges and universities will receive up to $5,000 each and assemble in August to meet policymakers and community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care and governance. Sixty-eight of this year's scholars intend to pursue careers related to the environment and 12 Native American/Alaska Native scholars intend to pursue careers in tribal public policy and health care.
U Queensland Awarded $10 M for Sustainability Research Center
(Australia): Funded through a Dow Chemical Company contribution worth $10 million over the next six years, the university will establish the Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation. The center will pursue research and collaborations aimed at confronting large-scale sustainability challenges.
U South Florida Announces Green Energy Fund Awards
The university's Student Green Energy Fund Council has awarded a total of $269,510 to five approved proposals for energy-conserving projects around campus. Projects include the installation of lighting controls; software that will put computers in sleep mode when not in use; and upgrades to a campus building's heating, ventilation and cooling system.
Arizona State U Receives $27.5 M for Sustainability Efforts
The university’s Global Institute for Sustainability will use the gift from the Rob and Melani Walton Fund to develop and deploy solutions to sustainability challenges including energy, water, environment, climate, urbanization, social transformation and decision-making in local, national and global contexts. The fund will support sustainability efforts, which also include educating future leaders in sustainability, over the next five years.
U California Santa Barbara Announces Green Grant Awards
Thirteen projects were selected to receive awards totaling $172,932 including four solar power array installations, a website that will allow the campus community to track energy use, hydration stations and a Green Gateway procurement program.
U Florida Student Senate Passes Green Energy Fund
The unanimously passed fund will be used for student-proposed projects to lower energy consumption and electricity costs on campus. The $6 per semester fee is expected to generate $600,000 annually.
Arizona State U Announces Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund
Individuals or departments at Arizona State University can submit proposals for its new Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund. The funds will be invested in campus projects like community gardens, motion-detecting lighting systems, energy metering projects and thermal insulations for cooling and heating pipes.
U Michigan Receives $10 M for New Sustainability Fellowship
(U.S.): The university plans to host 300 sustainability scholars over the next six years to study sustainability as it relates to energy, climate change, water, food, housing, transportation and health. The Dow Chemical Company gift will help launch one- and two-year fellowships for master's, doctoral and postdoctoral students, and support a lecture series focused on sharing sustainability research and best practices.
U Iowa Receives Grant to Explore Biofuels for Campus Power Plant
A $25,000 grant from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture will help the University of Iowa locate and procure sources of biomass fuel to replace coal at the main power plant. Several working groups will study different types of renewable biofuels including invasive plants, switchgrass and miscanthus grass.
U Maryland College Park Announces Sustainability Fund Awards
The University of Maryland College Park has announced $130,000 in Sustainability Fund awards. Supported by a student sustainability fee, the fund will aid composting, wind, green roof, food recovery and aquaponics research this year, among other projects.
Florida A&M U Passes Student Green Energy Fund
Florida A&M University has passed a new Student Green Energy Fund. Between 25 cents and $1 per credit hour will be paid by each student toward energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on campus. The fund is sponsored by the university’s Green Coalition, which works with campus officials to create a more sustainable campus.
Ohio State U Announces Student Sustainability Grant Winners
The Ohio State University's Office of Student Life has announced the winners of its Student Sustainability Grant. Funded through a partnership with Coca-Cola, the grant provides seed funding to undergraduate, graduate and professional students for projects that directly contribute to reducing environmental impacts on campus. Winning projects include a campus garden that will provide local, sustainably grown fare to the campus cafe; a mobile bike repair station; and a project to examine savings from the use of smart power strips.
Georgetown U Broadens Socially Responsible Investing
Georgetown University (DC) has expanded the scope of its Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility to consider investment proposals written by members of the university community. It also plans to broaden the constituency of the committee by the fall to foster open dialogue and diverse perspectives.
Portland State U Announces 'Solutions Generator' Student Projects
Portland State University (OR) has announced the 13 projects selected for funding through its Solutions Generator student award program. Initiatives include a testing ground for processing compost; treating wastewater with a living wetland; and feasibility studies for a universal transit pass to encourage students to take mass transportation and a new bicycle route to campus.
Luther College Receives $384K for Sustainability Education
Luther College (IA) has received a $383,612 grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation toward sustainability education including student internships, environmental education outreach programs and a new staff coordinator to oversee these efforts. The college is also launching the Luther Sustainability Grant Fund, which will award $3,500 per year to student projects.
Northwest Technical College Gets $250K for Green Job Training
Northwest Technical College (MN) has received a $250,000 Minnesota State Energy Sector Partnership Grant to teach students about new green energy products and services. The college will partner with the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program and other local organizations to provide training in the installation and maintenance of solar panels, wind turbines and energy-efficient heating units.
Obama Seeks $8 B for Community College Job Training Programs
In his budget for the 2013 fiscal year, President Obama has proposed $10 billion for job training programs including an $8 billion "Community College to Career Fund," reports a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article. The fund would provide money to community colleges and states to form partnerships with businesses to train an estimated two million workers in high-growth and in-demand areas. The budget would also raise the maximum Pell Grant by $85, double the number of work-study jobs and reward colleges and states that slow their tuition growth and sustain their higher-education budgets.
Seattle U Awarded $100K to Create Urban Farm
Seattle University (WA) has received $100,000 from Wells Fargo Bank to transform an unused wastewater treatment site into an urban farm. Biosolids compost and reclaimed water recovered from the wastewater treatment process will be used to nourish the soil and vegetables. The produce harvested at the farm will go to local food banks.
Sault College Awarded $1.8 M for Renewable Energy Education
Sault College (ON) has received $1.79 million to establish programs that will provide aboriginal students with employment skills in renewable energy. Through partnerships with First Nations communities, participants will receive accreditation and certification through a selection of green training initiatives.
U Vermont Commits $13 M to Billion Dollar Green Challenge
The University of Vermont has announced a $13 million commitment to the Sustainable Endowment Institute's Billion Dollar Green Challenge, bringing the to-date total of the challenge to nearly $80 million. Launched in October 2011, the program invites colleges to invest a total of one billion dollars in energy efficiency upgrades delivered through self-managed revolving funds. Potential projects at the university include the installation of demand-controlled ventilation systems in buildings and the upgrade of external lighting across campus with energy-efficient LED fixtures.
New York U Announces 2012 Green Grant Winners
New York University's Sustainability Task Force has announced eight 2012 Green Grant projects proposed by students, faculty and staff. Projects include seed funding for a student food co-op; student-led composting collection for academic spaces and events; a LEED evaluation study for the university's existing building stock; a "meatless Mondays" campaign exploring relationships between food and climate change; and a series of solar-powered kinetic sculptures that resemble flowers and biomimetically open and close their petals. Since its establishment in 2007, the Green Grant program has awarded nearly $400,000 to a total of 61 projects.
Southern Illinois U Carbondale Announces Green Fee Projects
Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Sustainability Council has announced nearly $29,000 in awards for campus sustainability projects including the creation of a climate action plan; the compilation of sustainability curriculum and research; recycled art workshops; and an environmental ambassador award. The funding comes from a $10 per semester student green fee.
U Georgia Students Awarded $20K for Sustainability Projects
Funded by a $3 student green fee, the University of Georgia’s Office of Sustainability has awarded $20,000 to six student projects. Winning initiatives include a recycling program at a satellite campus and a demonstration project illustrating how construction waste from landfills can be refigured into projects that benefit the community.
U Pennsylvania Announces Latest Round of Green Fund Awards
The University of Pennsylvania has announced the award of eight new Green Fund grants for sustainable campus projects. Projects include a water density system at the university ice rink; a campus chemical inventory and waste management system; a new sustainability journal in the Earth and Environmental Science department; a bike-sharing pilot program; and Franklin Farmers, a network of local gardeners who will aim to raise awareness of health issues in the community.
U South Carolina Introduces Student Sustainability Fund
The University of South Carolina has unveiled a new Student Sustainability Fund, which will allow the campus community to submit proposals for sustainable projects. While $25,000 in seed money has been allocated to the fund, an optional student fee will add to it in the future. A committee of 14 students and five faculty members are in the process of accepting and reviewing proposals.
Kalamazoo College Awarded $23 M toward Social Justice Efforts
Kalamazoo College (MI) has received a $23 million grant for its Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. The largest grant in the college's history will endow scholarships and internships for students, fellowships and professorships for faculty members, lectures and conferences, local and global partnerships, and residencies for social justice scholars and activists. The grant is from the same foundation that established the center three years ago.
U Illinois Chicago Approves Student Sustainability Fee
The University of Illinois at Chicago has approved a refundable $4.00 per semester sustainability fee for students. The fee was proposed by students to assist the university in aligning its operations and academics with the principles of sustainability. A student-led committee, supported by faculty and staff, will decide which student-driven initiatives receive funding through the initiative.
