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AASHE Bulletin
A weekly service of AASHE - www.aashe.org
Contents for 03.23.06
NEWS
1. Univ. of California to Divest from Companies with Business Ties to
Sudan Government
2. CU Boulder Launches Renewable and Sustainable Energy Initiative
3. University of Miami to Raise Wages for Contract Workers
4. Rio Hondo College Announces Program to Increase Bus Ridership
5. Stanford University to Cover Tuition for Low-Income Students
6. The College of New Jersey Cuts Computer Lab Printing By 41 Percent
7. Cal State Fullerton Halts Solar Project
8. UW Madison, Utah State Win Clean Snowmobile Challenge
9. Students Campaign for Fair Trade Products at Jazzman's Cafes
10. LaGrange College Brings Together Regional Leaders for
Sustainability Symposium
11.
New Program Changing Environmental Culture on Duke's Campus
NEW RESOURCES
12. Green Library Buildings on Campus
13. Undergraduate Education, Environmental Attitudes and the Design
Professions
OPPORTUNITIES
14. 20/20 Vision's PowerShift Regional Directors Program
15. Creating Sustainable Communities: The Ecological Dimension
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
16. Ex. Dir., Inst. for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, U.
Tennessee, Knoxville
17. Director of Center for Sustainable Agriculture, University of
Vermont
EVENTS
18. Campus Progress 2006 National Student Conference
19. UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference
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Save the Date: AASHE 2006 Conference - Oct. 5-7, 2006 - Arizona State
University
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News
1. University of California to Divest from Companies with Business Ties
to Sudan Government
In response to concerns about genocide in Darfur, the University of
California Board of Regents has voted unanimously to divest all UC
shares, including those combined in index funds, from nine companies
whose business activities provide revenue to the Sudanese government.
University of California is the first major public university in the US
to take such action. To protect the Regents’ fiduciary obligations to
the health of the UC investments, as a result of making this decision
on non-financial criteria, the implementation of the divestment plan is
conditioned upon passage of legislation to indemnify individual Regents
and the University as a whole for all costs and defense of any claim
arising from the decision to divest. Divestment would be completed
within an 18-month period, commencing once indemnification legislation
has been enacted.
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2006/mar16.html
http://insidehighered.com/news/2006/03/17/intl
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0316/p02s02-legn.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/17/SUDAN.TMP
2. CU Boulder Launches Renewable and Sustainable Energy Initiative
The University of Colorado at Boulder has launched a Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Initiative to coordinate the university's campus
resources devoted to energy coursework and research, and mobilize
resources to develop leadership in energy innovation. The goals of the
energy initiative are to: Create a center that will bring researchers
from all fields together to address innovation, entrepreneurship, and
transformation in energy development and use; Establish partnerships
and consolidate resources with nearby federal labs, including the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, as well as other universities and
departments of state government; Strengthen ties with entrepreneurs,
businesses, and utilities; Develop an interdisciplinary research and
graduate program to train future leaders and innovators; Develop
courses and learning experiences that will engage broad participation
of undergraduates; Foster community engagement and outreach that
applies knowledge, technologies, and best practices to unmet needs. Carl Koval, a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is the acting
faculty director for the initiative.
http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2006/104.html
http://www.colorado.edu/insidecu/archives/2006/2-28/chancellor.html
3. University of Miami to Raise Wages for Contract Workers
In response to student, faculty and community pressure, the University
of Miami has agreed to provide healthcare for contracted workers and
raise their pay by at least 25 percent. Before the wage increase, UM's
wages to contract workers were among the lowest of major U.S.
universities. UM janitors and other contract workers of Unicco
Services Co. are seeking union representation with the Service
Employees International Union (SEIU) and have been on partial strike
for over three weeks. Union supporters praised UM's move but said that
the struggle for union representation would continue. They also
expressed disappointment that UM has not acknowledged the janitors'
right to form a union and has not addressed alleged labor law
violations by Unicco.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14118887.htm
http://www.yeswecane.org/
http://www.uniccotruth.com
4. Rio Hondo College Announces Program to Increase Bus Ridership
Rio Hondo College has launched the Pilot Program to Increase Bus
Ridership, a partnership between the College and the Foothill Transit,
MTA, Montebello, and Norwalk bus lines. The goal of the program is to
expand access to the college by lowering transportation costs, finding
more cost-effective ways to improve parking on campus and reduce the
environmental impact of traffic to the campus. The two year pilot
program will make free bus passes available to full-time students. In
addition, the college will improve bus shelters and tram service to
off-campus bus stops to make bus transportation more convenient for
students. The college hopes that the increased use of public transit
will result in improved bus service to campus. Currently, only about
2% of Rio Hondo students use public transportation to get to campus.
http://www.riohondo.edu/news/newsArticle/2006/march/032806_3.htm
http://www.riohondo.edu/news/newsArticle/2006/march/032806.htm
5. Stanford University to Cover Tuition for Low-Income Students
In an effort to increase the economic diversity of its student body,
Stanford University has announced that families with annual incomes of
less than $45,000 will not be expected to contribute to the cost of
tuition at Stanford University, and the requirements for middle-income
families will be cut in half. The change applies to both new and
continuing undergraduate students and will go into effect with the new
academic year in September. The program is anticipated to cost the
university $3 million in the first year.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2006/march15/tuition-031506.html
6. The College of New Jersey Cuts Computer Lab Printing By 41 Percent
In an attempt to cut paper, ink, and printer maintenance costs as well
as to reduce its environmental impact, the College of New Jersey worked
with Equitrac Express to implement a print management program called
PrintSense. Under the program, each student is allocated 600 pages per
semester. If the 600 page allocation is exceeded, the student will be
charged 5 cents for each additional page. Since the launch of the
program in fall 2005, computer lab printing has decreased by 41%. In
addition, 93% of the student body printed within their allocation of
600 pages.
http://www.tcnj.edu/~printing/index.php
7. Cal State Fullerton Halts Solar Project
CSU Fullerton recently halted a 250kw solar canopy that would have
shaded the upper level of a parking structure. The project was halted
due to concerns about the temporary loss of parking spaces during the
installation of the panels. The University may pursue the project at a
later date, but will miss out certain financial incentives that are
available now. Student advocates, who mounted an unsuccessful effort
to get the University to go ahead with the project, expressed
disappointment about the decision to halt the project, which would have
been among the largest campus solar installations.
Daily Titan article
Listing of over 85 campus solar installations (AASHE Members-only):
http://www.aashe.org/resources/solar_campus.php
8. UW Madison, Utah State Win Clean Snowmobile Challenge
The University of Wisconsin at Madison has won the Society of
Automotive Engineers 2006 Clean Snowmobile Challenge. The Clean
Snowmobile Challenge is a collegiate design competition in which teams
of engineering students from participating schools take a stock
snowmobile and reengineer it to reduce emissions and noise while
maintaining or improving performance. UW Madison's four-stroke Polaris
placed first in one category, receiving the Lotus Engineering and
Horiba Instruments Award for Lowest Emissions, and was competitive
enough in all the other events to earn top honors. Utah State
University's electric sled won in the Challenge's zero-emissions
division.
http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/458/
9. Students Campaign for Fair Trade Products at Jazzman's Cafes
United Students for Fair Trade has launched the Justice at Jazzman’s
campaign to challenge officials of Jazzman’s Cafes to provide products
that are environmentally sensitive and improve the working conditions
of overseas laborers. The students are calling for Jazzman's to serve
and promote 100% Fair Trade Certified coffee, teas, cocoa, chocolate,
and sugar at their cafes. Jazzman's operates over 120 campus cafes and
has been growing rapidly.
http://www.usft.org/index.php?p=/ActionCenter/Jazzmans/
10. LaGrange College Brings Together Regional Leaders for
Sustainability Symposium
The president of the Georgia Conservancy was joined by business, higher
education, ethics and architectural leaders for a sustainability
symposium hosted by LaGrange College’s Leadership Council. The
event—held at Callaway Gardens LEED-certified Southern Pine Conference
Center—featured a keynote address by Jim Stokes, Georgia Conservancy
President, followed by a series of breakout sessions and a closing
panel discussion. The sessions offered insight into the industry
approach to sustainability (featuring the success story of Interface
Inc.), what other colleges are doing from a practical and ethical
perspective, and the Callaway Gardens approach to green issues.
http://www.lagrange.edu/primary.cfm?linkid=1723
11. New Program Changing Environmental Culture on Duke's Campus
A new program is out to make Duke's culture more embracing of environmentally friendly behavior. The Students for Sustainable Living team (SSL) have been busy creating a buzz by engaging campus community members one-on-one. The program was started by Duke's sustainability coordinator but the students have taken the lead, promoting everything from sustainable dining to vanpooling.
http://www.duke.edu/sustainability/2006-03-20ssl.html
New Resources
11. Green Library Buildings on Campus
AASHE has posted a new annotated listing of green library buildings on
campus. Emory University, Middlebury College and University of
California, Merced are among the schools with green library buildings.
http://www.aashe.org/resources/libraries.php
(AASHE Members-only)
12. Undergraduate Education, Environmental Attitudes and the Design
Professions
This study, a Masters thesis by Traci R. Rider, examines the influence
of undergraduate education on designers’ interest in sustainable
design. Self-proclaimed practitioners in the green building industry
were surveyed with the help of the US Green Building Council. Contrary
to the main hypothesis of the study, undergraduate education was not
seen by subjects to be a fundamental force in the decision to
concentrate on sustainability. The study recommends specific aspects
of environmental education that seem more likely to produce graduates
that engage in sustainable design.
http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/2118/1/Rider_Thesis2.pdf
Opportunities
13. 20/20 Vision's PowerShift Regional Directors Program
As part of its PowerShift campaign to raise awareness about the dangers
of oil dependency, 20/20 Vision is creating a student-led Regional
Director's Council made up of 10-15 energetic participants from
colleges and universities across the US. These students will come to
Washington, D.C. in July of 2006 free of charge for an intensive week
of hands-on training in non-profit advocacy and field organizing.
During the next school-year, participants will serve as points of
contact for a non-partisan debate on energy security policy and related
issues on their campus. 20/20 Vision is accepting applications until
May 15th.
http://www.power-shift.org/regional.html
14. Creating Sustainable Communities: The Ecological Dimension
July 8-15 2006; EcoVillage at Ithaca, NY
This weeklong workshop offers an introduction to the ecological
foundations of designing and living in more life-enhancing ways.
Participants will learn from hands-on involvement with EcoVillage at
Ithaca, an award-winning, internationally recognized example of
sustainable community development. The workshop will include brief
presentations of core concepts and information, skill building practice
sessions and hands-on projects, and field trips. The cost of
participation is on a sliding scale $875-$1050 and includes room and
board.
http://www.ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us/EcoVillagePrograms/training.htm
Jobs & Internships
15. Ex. Dir., Inst. for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, U.
Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a full-time Executive
Director for its newly created Institute for a Secure and Sustainable
Environment (ISSE). ISSE is charged with the mission of developing
multidisciplinary research programs crossing traditional college and
departmental lines. Applicants should hold a doctoral or terminal
degree in a discipline related to the mission of ISSE and possess the
qualifications of a senior researcher in an academic department or
equivalent, knowledge of potential funding sources, demonstrated
success in securing research funding, and successful experience
managing interdisciplinary efforts. This appointment will become
available on July 1, 2006. Review of applications will begin April 1,
2006.
http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000452154-01&pg=s&cc=
16. Director of Center for Sustainable Agriculture, University of
Vermont
The University of Vermont is seeking a Ph.D. with experience in
sustainable agriculture to provide vision and leadership for programs
of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Applicants should have five
years experience in organizational leadership, including managing
personnel, programs, budgets, and boards. Review of applications will
begin April 14, 2006 and will continue until the position is filled.
http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000451793-01&pg=s&cc=
Events
17. Campus Progress 2006 National Student Conference
July 12, 2006; Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC.
Campus Progress is bringing together progressive student leaders from
across the US for a one-day event featuring: remarks by leading
politicians, activists, journalists, and policy experts; issue
discussions; training sessions on communications, media, and other
skills; networking opportunities; hands-on activism to take back to
campus; and breakfast, lunch, and an evening reception. The Conference
is free for attendees, but space is limited. Those who will be
returning to school in the fall as undergraduate or
graduate/professional students are invited to apply. Applications will
be accepted on a rolling basis until June 15.
Conference website
18. UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference
June 25-28, 2006; University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara campus is hosting the 5th
annual statewide UC/CSU/CCC sustainability conference, entitled Turning
the Tide: Implementing Sustainable Strategies. The conference will
feature sessions on: Green Building, Energy, Waste Management,
Sustainable Transportation, Institutionalizing Sustainability, Water,
Food Systems and Procurement. In addition, there will be pre and post
conference trainings on LEED for Existing Buildings and on greening
laboratory design and operations. Keynote speakers include Rick
Fedrizzi, the CEO of the US Green Building Council, David Oakey of
David Oakey Designs, and James Timberlake of Kieran Timberlake. The
deadline for early bird registration prices is May 15th.
http://www.sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference/
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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
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