AASHE Bulletin A weekly service of AASHE - www.aashe.org Contents for 03.02.06: NEWS 1. Napa Valley College Dedicates 1.2 MW Solar Electric System 2. Ithaca College Signs Talloires Declaration 3. Brown Votes to Divest from Sudan in Response to Genocide 4. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Dedicates New Fuel Cell 5. Springfield Technical Community College Installs Solar Panels 6. Janitors at University of Miami Vote to Authorize Strike 7. New Sustainability Coordinator Starts at Berea College 8. University at Buffalo Saves Money with Energy Star Vending Machines 9. University at Buffalo Using Biodiesel in Non-Essential Vehicles 10. University of Tennessee at Martin to Use Biodiesel in Power Plant 11. Penn State Behrend Receives Grant to Establish Energy Research Center 12. Indiana State University Launches Energy Conservation Initiative NEW RESOURCES 13. Presidents Support Sustainability in Winter Issue of ACE's Presidency Magazine 14. Strategic Planning for Sustainability 15. Green Residence Halls JOBS & INTERNSHIPS 16. Chairperson, Environmental Studies, Antioch New England Graduate School 17. Environmental Center Coordinator, Westminster College 18. Director of the Center for Responsible Leadership, Alma College EVENTS 19. Sustainable Foodservice Operations Workshop 20. Best Workplaces for Commuters Campus Challenge Conference Calls 21. "Climate Change and You" Online Discussion 22. Summer Course on Sustainable Design and Construction in the U.S. Virgin Islands ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Save the Date: AASHE 2006 Conference - Oct. 5-7, 2006 - Arizona State University ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- News 1. Napa Valley College Dedicates 1.2 MW Solar Electric System Napa Valley College recently unveiled a 1.2 MW solar photovoltaic system that is expected to provide 40% of the campus’ electricity needs. The solar power system’s prime energy output coincides with periods of highest electric demand, enabling the College to substantially reduce utility peak period energy charges. Over the 30-year life of the photovoltaic system, the solar generated electricity is anticipated to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 13,800 tons - equivalent to planting over 130 acres of trees, removing 2,700 cars from California’s highways, or not driving 35 million miles. Press Release http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2006/02/23/news/local/iq_3313657.txt Listing of over 85 campus solar installations (AASHE Members-only): http://www.aashe.org/resources/solar_campus.php 2. Ithaca College Signs Talloires Declaration Ithaca College joined the more than 300 institutions from around the world on February 28th when President Peggy R. Williams formally signed the Talloires Declaration. In doing so, she committed the College to a 10-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations, and outreach. "By signing the declaration, the College will continue to explore opportunities to support the global effort to build a sustainable future, develop and share relevant information, and educate our students to meet the challenges that will face them in the coming years," said Williams. http://www.ithaca.edu/news/article.php?id=1896 3. Brown Votes to Divest from Sudan in Response to Genocide The Brown Corporation, Brown University’s governing board, voted at its Feb. 25, 2006, meeting to divest from companies whose business activities can be shown to be supporting and facilitating the Sudanese government in its continuing sponsorship of genocidal actions and human rights violations in Darfur. The University will exclude from its direct investments – and require the University’s separate account managers to exclude from their direct investments – any such companies. In addition, the Investment Office will share with all investment managers the University’s desire to adhere to this investment philosophy. http://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2005-06/05-084.html 4. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Dedicates New Fuel Cell The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry recently installed a high-efficiency 250kW carbonate fuel cell. The fuel cell is expected to supply around 17 percent of the electricity used on campus and will also provide residual heat for hot water and heating on campus. The fuel cell is currently powered with natural gas, but the University plans to install a gasifier to convert biomass into biogas for use in the fuel cell. http://www.fuelcellsworks.com/Supppage4622.html http://www.esf.edu/newspubs/news/2002/06.20.fuelcell.htm http://www.esf.edu/newspubs/news/2004/12.16.fuelcell.htm http://www.esf.edu/energycenter/fuelcell/default.htm 5. Springfield Technical Community College Installs Solar Panels Springfield Technical Community College has installed a 30kW photovoltaic solar array on the roof of a building in the College’s Technology Park. Officials believe that the project, which is expected to save $5,800 annually, is the largest solar array in western Massachusetts. They also intend for the project to stimulate growth of the region’s renewable energy industry. The panels will be incorporated into the College’s academic offerings. Mass Live article 6. Janitors at University of Miami Vote to Authorize Strike Janitors at the University of Miami recently voted to authorize a strike over what union organizers described as unfair labor practices committed by UNICCO, the company hired by the University to provide janitorial services. Janitors at the campus earn as little as $6.40 and hour and are not provided with health insurance. Last week, the University announced the formation of an internal work group to study compensation and benefits of outside contract workers. SEIU Press Release University Statement http://www.yeswecane.org/ 7. New Sustainability Coordinator Starts at Berea College Tammy Clemons is Berea College’s new sustainability coordinator, a two-year grant supported position funded by the Jesse Ball duPont Fund. Clemons comes to the position from the Berea College President’s Office, where she has been Executive Assistant to President Larry Shinn since 2001. She had been employed half-time at each position since December before moving into her new role full-time this month. Among Clemons’ first projects is creating “A Guide to Sustainability at Berea College,” an annotated directory of sustainability programs already going on or planned. http://www.berea.edu/publicrelations/newsreleases/2006/2006-2-22-newcoordinator.asp Sustainability Professionals Directory (AASHE Members-only): http://www.aashe.org/resources/ftdirectory.php 8. University at Buffalo Saves Money with Energy Star Vending Machines Replacing older beverage vending machines with more efficient Energy Star models is expected to cut energy consumption by the machines in half, and save the University at Buffalo $21,000 annually. The University was able to make the switch by specifically including reference to the more efficient models in the RFP for the University’s beverage contract. The University experienced no appreciable increase in costs to get the new machines. http://www.buffalo.edu/news/fast-execute.cgi/article-page.html?article=77790009 9. University at Buffalo Using Biodiesel in Non-Essential Vehicles University at Buffalo has begun a pilot project using a biodiesel blend in nonessential diesel vehicles like dump trucks, garbage packers, and lawn mowers. If the project goes successfully, campus officials intend to use biodiesel in the University’s entire fleet of vehicles. http://www.buffalo.edu/reporter/vol37/vol37n22/articles/Biodiesel.html 10. University of Tennessee at Martin to Use Biodiesel in Power Plant The University of Tennessee at Martin has announced plans to use biodiesel in its new on-campus power plant. Though biodiesel costs more than conventional diesel, campus officials say the benefits of reduced dependence on petroleum and lower pollution outweigh the costs. http://pacer.utm.edu/2980.htm 11. Penn State Behrend Receives Grant to Establish Energy Research Center Penn State Behrend has received a $231,000 grant to establish a new Applied Energy Research Center. The Center will work to develop advanced manufacturing products that will improve energy efficiency in the industrial, power generation, and transportation business sectors. http://www.pserie.psu.edu/neWscal/news2006/jan-kizenergycenter.htm 12. Indiana State University Launches Energy Conservation Initiative Indiana State University has launched an initiative, "Be Energy Aware," to monitor and conserve utility consumption and cost on campus. The initiative focuses on educating students and employees on how to decrease energy consumption. The goal is to save 10 percent in utility costs. News article New Resources 13. Presidents Support Sustainability in Winter Issue of ACE's Presidency Magazine The Winter 2006 issue of the American Council on Education’s Presidency magazine includes a series of articles about the importance of sustainability in higher education by the presidents of Georgia Institute of Technology, Oakland Community College, Furman University, Grand Rapids Community College and University of Vermont. Special thanks to ACE for generously allowing AASHE to post the articles on the AASHE website. http://www.aashe.org/resources/pdf/W06Presidency_sustainability.pdf 14. Strategic Planning for Sustainability AASHE has collected more than 25 college and university strategic plans that incorporate sustainability and environmental stewardship. http://www.aashe.org/resources/strategic_plans.php (AASHE Members-only) 15. Green Residence Halls AASHE has developed an annotated listing of green residence halls including 30 completed buildings and another 15 in progress. http://www.aashe.org/resources/residence_halls1.php (AASHE Members-only) Jobs & Internships 16. Chairperson, Environmental Studies, Antioch New England Graduate School The Department of Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School (NH) invites applications for a new Chairperson. Candidates should be knowledgeable in the area of environmental education practice and research with expertise in one or more of the following areas: international environmental education, urban environmental education, place-based environmental education, sustainability studies, environmental identity, or pro-environmental behavior. This position will start when filled but could be as early as August 2006. Review of applications will begin 15 March. http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000449290-01&pg=s&cc= 17. Environmental Center Coordinator, Westminster College Westminster College seeks a full-time Environmental Center Coordinator to develop and direct Westminster's new Environmental Center. The Environmental Center is one of the central initiatives of the college’s strategic plan, and of the college's commitment to environmental values. The Coordinator will work with the Utah environmental community, the Westminster student body and the Environmental Studies faculty to promote environmental education at Westminster College. The ideal candidate will possess a graduate degree in some aspect of Environmental Studies. Review of applications begins April 3, 2006, and the new Coordinator will start between July 1 and September 1 of 2006. http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000449713-01&pg=s&cc= 18. Director of the Center for Responsible Leadership, Alma College Alma College is seeking applications for the position of Director of the newly created Center for Responsible Leadership. The director will be instrumental in launching new programming, maintaining the momentum of existing programming, and integrating the Center for Responsible Leadership into the College as a whole. This is a 12-month administrative position reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. http://www.alma.edu/community/offices/personnel/jobs/archives/2006/01/26/DirectorCRL Events 19. Sustainable Foodservice Operations Workshop May 12, 2006; Portland, OR Participants in this workshop will examine the basics of sustainability in the foodservice operation including purchasing and using local food, waste reduction and diversion strategies, natural resource conservation, the effects of food and foodservice on health and communities, food safety, food security and the future of food. Major emphasis will be placed on learning and implementing practical steps to improve an organization’s current and future sustainability performance. A case study of a sustainable foodservice operation project will be covered from planning through implementation and reporting. The workshop is part of University of Oregon’s Sustainability Leadership Program. Tuition for this workshop is $200, or $175 earlybird. http://center.uoregon.edu/sustainability/ 20. Best Workplaces for Commuters Campus Challenge Conference Calls A growing number of colleges and universities offer an excellent package of commuter benefits to encourage faculty and staff to get to work by ways other than driving alone. EPA recognizes these innovative employers on its national list of Best Workplaces for Commuters. Two upcoming phone conferences will discuss the value of providing campus commuter benefits: "Why Your College or University Should Achieve the Best Workplaces for Commuters Designation." One call is on Thursday, March 16 and the other one will be Wednesday, March 29. There is no charge for the calls, however registration is necessary. http://www.bwc.gov/employ/universities.htm 21. "Climate Change and You" Online Discussion The Education for Sustainability Course at London South Bank University has launched new online discussion on Climate Change which will run from now until April 12th. The website discussion is linked to the EFS Programme conference this year which is on the theme of "Climate Change and the Challenge for Education". This conference will be held at London South Bank University on Thursday 4 May 2006. http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/efs/climatechange/index.shtml 22. Summer Course on Sustainable Design and Construction in the U.S. Virgin Islands May 17-26, 2006; Maho Bay, US Virgin Islands For the 8th summer, Colorado State University’s Institute for the Built Environment will be teaching a sustainable building course on St. John, US Virgin Islands as guests of the award-winning eco-tourist resort of Maho Bay. The course is offered to students and practitioners in interior design, construction management, landscape architecture, architecture, engineering, and related disciplines. The tuition, which includes meals and lodging, is $1,650. http://www.cm.cahs.colostate.edu/offsite_courses.stm Production of AASHE Bulletin is made possible with funding from our members. If you enjoy AASHE Bulletin and your school is not currently a member of AASHE, please encourage your school to join. Membership dues support AASHE’s core activities and enable us to provide vital benefits and services like AASHE Bulletin. Membership information is available at http://www.aashe.org/membership/description.php _______________________________________________ Send items for inclusion in the next posting to: julian [AT] aashe.org AASHE-Bulletin Archives: http://www.aashe.org/archives/bulletin.php Calendar of events related to campus sustainability: http://www.ulsf.org/resources_events.html Partner Lists: http://www.aashe.org/lists/lists.php _______________________________________________ -- Julian Dautremont-Smith Associate Director Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (971) 544-1755 julian [AT] aashe.org www.aashe.org |