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.
Cornell U Students Design Sustainable Housing for Nicaragua
After conducting a site analysis and speaking with community members, 14 students have provided recommendations for sustainable housing in San Diego, Nicaragua, a village of 99 households. An interdisciplinary team of more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students are part of Sustainable Neighborhood Nicaragua (SSN), an international project developed by Cornell University Sustainable Design. This summer, the SNN team will work on the design phase of the project that includes a mock-up drawing and digital design of a model house, estimating materials and cost, and raising funds. The students will also offer recommendations for neighborhood designs, with the hope that their model will provide plans for other communities on how to build sustainable housing that serves local needs.
Emory U Conference Center Hotel Earns LEED Silver
The Emory Conference Center Hotel features a single-stream recycling program, turns food waste into gray water and converts waste oils into biodiesel for the university’s transportation fleet. The hotel also received the Achievement Award for Good Earthkeeping from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
EPA Announces Youth Sustainability Challenge Winners
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the winners of the Youth Sustainability Challenge, a project that challenged American youth to submit a video that shared what they are doing to encourage sustainability in their communities. Georgetown University (DC) students' "A Generation of Energy" won the Best Overall Video category.
Grand Valley State U Acquire Bees to Help Teach Sustainability
The new apiary is home to thousands of honeybees and is designed to align with the university’s commitment to sustainability, as well as promote the importance of the honeybees through education and awareness. The two hives will provide opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and research by students and faculty. The project received funding from a Sustainability Reinvestment Grant from the GVSU Sustainable Community Development Initiative.
Hamline U Installs Green Roof
Installed atop the university’s new Anderson Center, the 1,800-square-foot LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof system will help achieve energy savings, sound insulation and stormwater run-off reduction.
Luther College Debuts 280 kW Solar Energy Field
The college's recently installed $1.2 million solar energy field is expected to go online by the end of July. Located on a two-acre site, the 280-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system features 1,250 solar panels mounted in six rows. The solar field will provide electricity used by Baker Village, an all-electric student housing facility that uses geothermal energy for heating and cooling.
Mercer County CC Solar Project to Meet 70% of Electricity Needs
The upcoming 8-megawatt solar installation on campus, funded by the Mercer County Improvement Authority, is expected to meet 70 percent of the college’s electricity needs. This will yield an approximate savings of $1 million per year in electricity costs.
Michigan State U Plans Urban Agriculture Research Campus
The university has partnered with the City of Detroit to pursue an urban agriculture research campus within the city that may include a large working farm and innovative research techniques, such as transforming empty buildings into multi-tiered farms. The university has agreed to spend $500,000 a year for three years to explore the creation of what would be called the Metropolitan Food Plus Innovation Cluster. The agreement states that the university and the city would approach businesses, nonprofits and government sources for funds to pay for the center.
New Mexico State U Housing Achieves LEED Gold
The university’s new Chamisa II multi-family home structure features a water collection system that takes water from the roof of each building and drains it into storage ponds for use in irrigation systems. Additional sustainable features include drought-resistant landscaping, recycled insulation, low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient appliances.
U California Berkeley Plans First CO2 Sensor Network in Oakland
The university's upcoming urban sensor network installation will provide real-time, neighborhood-by-neighborhood measurements of carbon dioxide. The prototype network will employ 40 sensors spread over a 27-square-mile grid, most of them mounted atop schools to engage students in the project. The information the network will provide could be used to monitor local carbon dioxide emissions to check on the effectiveness of carbon reduction strategies now mandated by the state.
U Colorado Students Introduce Green Energy Curriculum in Haiti
Five engineering students introduced a green energy vocational training program after an initial visit to Haiti in January to assess specific energy needs and employment opportunities for those who are trained in the field. Last month, the students returned for three weeks to train six local instructors on the essential knowledge and skills they need to pass on to their students. The 250-hour curriculum covers the installation, operation and maintenance of solar, wind and hydropower renewable energy systems. Beginning this fall, the program will be taught to local students in the 11th grade and beyond. The Neges Foundation, a relief and development organization, is supporting the instructors.
U Louisville to Launch Car Sharing Program
The university has partnered with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to offer an on-campus car-sharing program for faculty, staff and students beginning this fall. Rental costs for the WeCar by Enterprise program range from $8 per hour to $56 per day including fuel, 200 free miles, insurance for basic physical damage to the vehicle, and state-required liability protection.
U Massachusetts Lowell Increases Recycling Rate by Nearly 17%
With 54.5 percent of on-campus solid waste recycled in fiscal year 2011, the university has announced a 16.7 percent increase in campus recycling efforts over the previous year. The university attributes the improvement to a campus-wide campaign to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that includes a Zero-Sort program.
U Washington Introduces Outdoor Waste Collection Kiosks
The university has installed automated kiosks to replace existing garbage and recycling cans as part of a pilot program. Powered by the sun, the kiosks consist of three containers for sorting waste – composting, recycling and garbage – each of which is equipped with a sensor that regularly measures the mass of material inside. In the first month of use, the total volume of waste collected was 42 percent compostable. The remaining volume was 38 percent recyclable and only 20 percent actual garbage. Due to the success of the pilot project, additional kiosks will be installed this fall.
2 California State U Schools Earn Top LGBT-Friendly Marks
Humboldt State University and San Diego State University have ranked among the top friendliest schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students by national nonprofit Campus Pride. The LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index aims to set a national standard of LGBT inclusive policies, programs and practices, and offer an ongoing measurement tool to improve the quality of life for LGBT people on campuses.
Arkansas State U Pilots Biodiesel Blend in Campus Trucks
The Renewable Energy Technology program has increased the production of biodiesel to compare its emissions levels with vehicles that run entirely on petroleum diesel. If the biodiesel proves more economically and environmentally friendly, students in the program will advocate for producing enough biodiesel for all campus trucks.
Bill Could Expand Drilling on Pennsylvania College Campuses
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted 131 to 68 to approve a bill that could expand oil and gas drilling on public-university campuses in the state. The legislation, which awaits a final vote in the State Senate, would allow colleges to keep 40 percent of any royalties; 15 percent of which would have to be devoted to reducing tuition costs.
Calgary Students Work on Solar-Powered Emergency Response
Students at the School of Information and Communications Technologies are working on a solar-powered communications system that will supply phone and internet connectivity for emergency response, geological survey and remote residential applications. The students are working with prototyping lab Calgary Protospace, a local incubator for innovative technology ideas, and renewable energy consultants Think Energy, on the project.
Columbia College Chicago Creates Sustainable Events Program
The college's Columbia Recycling Program has initiated a program to integrate sustainability in the events planning process for on-campus events. Using criteria defined by the Green Seal Event Checklist (points are allocated among promotion, catering and education), event planners are awarded a "green seal" designation.
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.
Hartwick College Launches Watershed Curriculum Workshop
The college’s Pine Lake Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Studies has announced a professional development workshop that brings together area teachers, faculty, education majors, and regional and national watershed experts in a project called Think, Act, Protect the Upper Susquehanna River watershed (TAP-US). TAP-US will help area teachers develop and offer hands-on, inquiry-based lesson plans to increase environmental literacy and engage students in activities to protect and maintain the ecology of rivers, streams and wetlands.
Harvard U Goes Campus-wide with Styrofoam Recycling
After a successful plastic foam recycling pilot program in the campus research laboratories, the university has announced plans to expand plastic foam recycling to the entire campus. The university is working with its recycling vendor to recycle plastic foam waste containers into new products like picture frames and architectural molding.
Indiana U-Purdue U Indianapolis Announces Sustainability Programs
Starting in fall 2012, the university will offer a new Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in urban sustainability and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs in sustainable management and policy. At the undergraduate level, students will learn the principles of sustainability, sustainable management, environmental justice and green technologies. At the graduate level, students will take courses in areas including urban sustainability, environmental conflict resolution, cost-benefit analysis, and natural resource management.
Mills College Students Spearhead New Campus Bike Co-op
Students recently partnered with the Mills College Sustainability Center and local, community bicycle shops to launch the cooperative. Aiming to make bicycles accessible for everyone and support sustainable transportation and exploration, the co-op's grand opening included the promotion of a Bike to School Day and a fix-it-yourself workshop led by local mechanics. The student-run space provides tools and open hours with volunteer student mechanics to assist in maintenance and repairs throughout the academic year.
NACUBO, Second Nature Call on Gov't for Help with Sustainability
A recent report released by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, (NACUBO), Second Nature and the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) calls on the federal government to make it easier for colleges and universities to finance big sustainability projects on their campuses, reports the Chronicle of Higher Education. The report includes several policy proposals to create incentives for colleges to pursue large-scale energy-efficiency projects like retrofitting laboratories and developing renewable energy sources to power their campuses.
Northwestern U Wins National Clean Energy Biz Plan Competition
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that NuMat Technologies from Northwestern University (IL) won the first-ever DOE National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition. Part of the Obama Administration's Startup America Initiative, the competition aims to inspire university teams across the country and promote entrepreneurship in clean energy technologies that will boost American competitiveness. NuMat Technologies presented a plan to commercialize a nanomaterial that stores gases at lower pressure, reducing infrastructure costs and increasing design flexibility.
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.
Rice U Opens Energy, Sustainability Administrative Center
The university's new Administrative Center for Sustainability and Energy Management pulls together administration, staff, faculty and students from different parts of campus to tackle the future of energy and sustainability at Rice. Coming up, the center - also known as the "think-and-do-tank" - will create a holistic plan to guide future energy investments and decisions.
Stanford U Receives $1.6 M Energy Rebate
After retrofitting four campus buildings for greater energy efficiency, the university has earned $1.64 million in cash rebates from Pacific Gas & Electric through the utility's incentive programs. Upgrades to heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical and water systems over the last two years are expected to save more than $1.8 million annually in energy costs.
Stockton College to Tackle Issues of Access, Affordability
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has announced plans to lead an effort to address issues of public college access and affordability. The Center for Higher Education Strategic Information and Governance will form a pioneering Policy Steering Council in an effort to determine who will have the chance to attend college and how they will pay for it. The council will identify working priorities, implementation strategies, partners and funding sources, and concrete recommendations for engagement during the 2012-2013 school year.
Syracuse U Installs Energy-Efficient Upgrades to Steam Station
Two recently installed air compressors will cut the steam plant's water use by three million gallons a year and save electricity. The university estimates that the new equipment will lower the steam station’s compressed-air costs by as much as 57 percent per year.
Temple U Collaborates to Make Philadelphia More Bike-Friendly
After a ThinkBike Workshop with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, students and staff at the university worked with City of Philadelphia transportation planners and cyclists from around the region to develop specific bike-friendly proposals for each neighborhood. Proposals include a two-way bike route, increased covered and secured bike parking and storage capacity, and additional bike lanes.
U Buffalo Introduces New Fleet of Eco-Friendly Buses
To meet the demand of increased ridership among the campus community, the university has purchased a new fleet of environmentally friendly buses that use cleaner fuel with a mixture of biodiesel. The buses are equipped with bike racks, and riders will be able to track the fleet using a mobile app and website.
U California Davis Unveils Outdoor 'Smart' Lighting System
Part of the university's Smart Lighting Initiative, the nearly-completed $1 million network of "smart" lights can coordinate with each other and adapt to their environment. The system senses occupants and can be scheduled and adjusted for increased or decreased levels of activity. The new outdoor lights are expected to save the university $100,000 a year in electricity costs and offset the equivalent annual greenhouse gas emissions of 135 cars and trucks. Later this year, the university will begin the installation of adaptive, networked lighting on the inside of campus buildings.
U Findlay Debuts Wind Turbine, Solar Array
The university has announced the completion of a wind turbine and solar panel array that will be used to power student housing facilities. The installations will also serve as a learning tool for students in the environmental, safety and health management fields.
U Iowa IT Facility Earns LEED Platinum
The university's first LEED Platinum building features a bio-retention cell to retain and absorb water run-off, serving as a natural filter and providing erosion control. Additional sustainable features include low-emitting and green building materials, bicycle storage and shower facilities, efficient fixtures and a white roof to reduce the heat island effect.
U Iowa Students Develop Tool to Identify Energy Opportunities
Graduate students in the university’s School of Urban and Regional Planning have developed a new tool to help the City of Dubuque identify untapped renewable energy sources. The interactive, web-based map can be used by residents and businesses to pinpoint their property’s renewable energy potential, including solar, wind and geothermal power. The map application is expected to be implemented on the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation’s website for public use.
U Louisville School of Dentistry Renovation Awarded LEED Silver
Green renovations including more efficient HVAC systems and lighting occupancy sensors are expected to increase energy efficiency by 7 percent and reduce annual water usage by 534,455 gallons. The project includes more than 30 percent recycled and regional materials.
U Oregon Students Start Campus Shoe Recycling Program
A group of students from the Lundquist College of Business’ Center for Sustainable Business Practices and the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center have launched a shoe recycling drive program that debuted during the Olympic Trials taking place on campus. "A Step in the Right Direction" sorts selected shoes based on their condition; intact shoes are donated to those in need while worn-out shoes are sent to the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program where they are used in sports equipment, playground floors and other materials. After the trials, collection boxes will remain on campus indefinitely.
2 Langara College Buildings Earn LEED Gold
The college's Student’s Union/Building C complex features a thermal energy exchange system that produces zero greenhouse gas emissions from heating and cooling. The college's Library/Classroom Building has received additional accolades including the Canadian Architecture Award of Excellence and the Sustainable Architecture & Building Award.
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.
Ball State U Earns Int'l Recognition for Sustainability Efforts
The university has received the first Excellence in Integration Award from the International Sustainable Campus Network for its institution-wide efforts at environmental stewardship including its Council on the Environment; minor in sustainability; STARS Silver rating; transportation program that features hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles; commitment to green building; and innovative geothermal heating and cooling system.
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Posted Jun 26, 2012
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Other News
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Awards Grants Focused on Access
The foundation has awarded $9 million in grants for "breakthrough learning models" in higher education with a focus on accessibility and completion. Awards include $1 million to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop and offer a new, free prototype computer science online course targeting low-income young adults; $1 million to the Research Foundation of the City University of New York (CUNY) to support the launch of the New Community College at CUNY; and $450,000 to the League for Innovation in the Community College to develop and pilot a national consortium of online two- and four-year colleges that will support more low-income young adults in attaining a postsecondary credential.
Coastal Carolina U Hosts Campus Salvage Sale
The university’s annual yard sale, organized by the Community and Campus Sustainability Initiative, has raised $2,173 for its Student Green Fee. Items that were not sold were donated to local nonprofits.
Cornell U Launches New Sustainability Major
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ new environmental science and sustainability major will debut in fall 2013. The curriculum will integrate physical, chemical, biological and social sciences with humanities with proposed concentration areas including environmental biology and applied ecology; environmental policy and governance; biogeochemical sciences; and environmental economics.
Drake State Tech College Debuts Renewable Energy Teaching Lab
Financed by a $458,000 Department of Labor grant, the new lab serves as a training facility for the installation of geothermal heating and cooling units. The facility includes a 60-gallon solar thermal water heater, 12 solar panels and an electric car charging station. With funding from a federal grant, renewable energy training at the college is offered at no cost to participants.
Georgia Tech Installs Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures
In an effort to conserve water and reduce utility costs, the institute’s Energy Conservation team has completed a urinal replacement project. With 308 automatic, low-flow urinals now in several older buildings on campus, the institute expects to save up to 5,300 gallons of water per day and savings of up to $54,000 annually.
