AASHE Bulletin AASHE Bulletin will be taking a two week break for the holidays. We'll be back in January with new functionality and a new look. Happy holidays! Contents for 12.14.06 NEWS 1. Harvard Undergraduates Vote In Favor of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions 2. Students at SUNY Plattsburgh Approve Optional Fee for Renewable Energy 3. Cal Poly Dedicates 175kW Solar Energy System 4. CU Boulder Facility Receives LEED Gold Certification 5. Duke, Cambridge, Climate Group Launch 'Climate Academy' for Business Executives 6. Princeton Pull-the-Plug Campaign Underway 7. UNH Saves Money with Fall Sustainability Initiatives 8. Mesa Community College Launches Sustainable Building Remodel Program 9. Connecticut College Holds "Concert from Conservation" Competition 10. Algonquin College Contracts with Energy Management Firm 11. University of Western Ontario Plans Green Building for Sustainability Research 12. SUNY Cobleskill Receives Grant for Bio-Energy Facility 13. Oberlin, Utah State University Investigate On-Site Wind Energy Generation 14. New Mexico Tech Drills for Geothermal Energy OPPORTUNITIES 15. Convenient Truths: A Green Video Contest 16. Holiday Giving to the Campus Climate Challenge JOBS & INTERNSHIPS 17. Director of Sustainability, University of Calgary 18. Sustainability / Environmental Health & Safety Officer, Massachusetts College of Art 19. Sustainability Coordinator, University of Idaho 20. Visiting Assistant Professor Environmental Studies, Williams College EVENTS 21. CFP: 2nd Annual Smart and Sustainable Campus Conference 22. CFP: Greening of the Campus VII 23. UBC Sustainability Coordinator Program Workshop 24. Campus Climate Challenge Climate Neutrality Summit 25. National Conference on Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education 26. Nature and Human Nature: Changing Perspectives Conference News 1. Harvard Undergraduates Vote In Favor of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions In a recent election, Harvard undergraduates overwhelmingly supported a referendum calling on the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to a level 11% below total emissions in 1990 by the year 2020. The referendum also commits students to do their part to help achieve this level of emissions reductions. http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/831 http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=516289 http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/%7Eeac/?s=vote http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=516203 2. Students at SUNY Plattsburgh Approve Optional Fee for Renewable Energy Students at State University of New York College at Plattsburgh overwhelmingly voted in favor of a Green Energy Initiative in a recent election. The initiative would create an optional $3 student fee per semester, which would go towards purchasing increased renewable energy. The optional fee is expect to raise about $20,000 per year. The proposal now goes to the student government for approval. Campus newspaper article http://www.votegreenenergy.org/ http://web.plattsburgh.edu/news/index.php?wl_mode=more&wl_eid=680 3. Cal Poly Dedicates 175kW Solar Energy System California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) has dedicated a new 175kW solar photovoltaic energy system. The Cal Poly solar panel system, which is expected to generate 230,000 kilowatt hours per year, was installed in September at no cost to the university. The system was built and is owned, operated and maintained by SunEdison, a solar energy services provider, who sells the electricity back to the University at a fixed price. The system will reduce a portion of Cal Poly’s energy costs by delivering predictable electrical energy pricing for the university for the next 20 years. http://calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2006/December/solar_dedication.html Listing of campus solar installations: http://www.aashe.org/resources/solar_campus.php 4. CU Boulder Facility Receives LEED Gold Certification University of Colorado at Boulder's new technology learning center, ATLAS (Alliance for Technology, Learning and Society), has become the first facility in the CU system to achieve LEED Gold certification. The building is 20 percent to 30 percent more water and energy efficient than an equivalent conventional building and incorporates a variety of green furnishings and finishing materials. http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2006/432.html 5. Duke, Cambridge, Climate Group Launch 'Climate Academy' for Business Executives Duke University, the University of Cambridge, and an international non-profit organization The Climate Group are launching the “Climate Academy” to educate business executives on how to seize the business advantage inherent in addressing global climate change. The academy will feature a Climate Leadership Program that will combine the universities’ knowledge of climate science and policy with The Climate Group’s insight into business leadership to provide participants with a vision for how to succeed in a world moving toward a low-carbon economy. http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2006/12/climate_academy.html 6. Princeton Pull-the-Plug Campaign Underway Students at Princeton are leading a Pull-the-Plug educational campaign to encourage students to unplug appliances, switch off lights, shut windows and turn down thermostats before they leave for winter break. During the break, student volunteers will enter dorms accompanied by a housing representative to test the effectiveness of the campaign, and also to close windows, turn down thermostats, and unplug appliances. A similar effort over Thanksgiving break showed that many students were leaving their windows open and their appliances plugged in. http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2006/12/12/news/16968.shtml 7. UNH Saves Money with Fall Sustainability Initiatives University of New Hampshire faculty, staff, and students saved over 159,000 kWh of energy, $22,721 dollars in energy and water costs, and over 50 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions through the University’s first ever Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge and its annual Thanksgiving “powerdown” initiative. The Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge rewards the top three residence halls or apartment complexes that reduce their per capita energy and water consumption by the largest percentage compared to their building’s average usage from the past three years during the same time period. In total, all UNH residence halls and apartments saved a combined 125,203 kwh and 286,802 gallons of water during the four-week fall Challenge, saving nearly $18,000. Turning off computers, lights, office equipment, and electronics over the Thanksgiving break saved an additional 34,000 kwh and $4,721 in energy costs. http://www.unh.edu/news/cj_nr/2006/dec/bp07energy.cfm 8. Mesa Community College Launches Sustainable Building Remodel Program Mesa Community College recently launched a sustainable building remodel program. All office and classroom remodels now adhere to an environmentally-preferable standard set of finishes and procedures. For example, all interior paint will be zero-VOC and new carpet tiles will be designed for cradle-to-cradle recycling. The College will also participate in a carpet recycling program for existing carpet. In addition, MCC will be using linoleum produced from renewable resources. This sustainable building remodel program was an outcome of Interior Design students working with the Maintenance and Operation Department. http://keeptool.mc.maricopa.edu/html/snapshot.php?id=87640254560523 9. Connecticut College Holds "Concert from Conservation" Competition Students at Connecticut College have initiated a "Concert from Conservation" competition between residence halls to reduce the consumption of heating fuel and electricity on campus. The incentive is a concert funded by a percentage of the money saved from conservation, and perhaps backstage passes for the residence hall that reduces its energy consumption the most. Twenty-five percent of the dollars saved through conservation in the residence halls this winter, compared to energy usage from last winter, will go toward funding a band performance on campus this spring. The Renewable Energy Club is planning an extensive awareness and educational campaign on campus in support of the effort. http://aspen.conncoll.edu/camelweb/index.cfm?fuseaction=ccnews&id=3026 10. Algonquin College Contracts with Energy Management Firm Algonquin College will be working with Direct Energy to reduce its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years. Direct Energy has conducted an energy audit of the Algonquin College facilities and is working with Algonquin College to develop and execute an energy-management strategy that is expected to provide more than $6 million in energy cost-savings. http://mediarelations.directenergy.td01.com/MediaRelationsPressRelease//Article.aspx?enc=pakbdd 11. University of Western Ontario Plans Green Building for Sustainability Research The University of Western Ontario is planning an $18-million building and research enterprise that will create the first green structure on campus and act as an incubator for development of environmental sustainability. The facility will house research on environmental technologies, with a focus on clean energy. The design of the building will include many green technology features including solar panel collectors and green space on the roof. Construction on the the 10,000-square-foot building will begin in summer of 2007 with completion expected by the end of 2008. http://communications.uwo.ca/western_news/story.html?listing_id=22411 12. SUNY Cobleskill Receives Grant for Bio-Energy Facility The State University College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill has received a $1 million grant from the Department of Defense to assist in the development of a research and demonstration facility that will to create fuel from animal and food wastes. The facility would produce a biogas to be used for electricity generation, and liquid fuel for use in vehicles. Construction is expected to begin in 12-15 months. http://www.thedailystar.com/news/stories/2006/12/11/jpmanure12102.html 13. Oberlin, Utah State University Investigate On-Site Wind Energy Generation Utah State University Facilities has contracted with Chevron Energy Solutions to install a 50 meter anemometer tower and conduct a wind power feasibility study. The study will include wind data collection, wind turbine site recommendation, conceptual design, construction cost estimate and economic feasibility. Meanwhile, Oberlin College is also monitoring on-site wind conditions and is displaying the results online. http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=11748 http://hjnews.townnews.com/articles/2006/12/08/news/news03.txt http://www.oberlin.edu/stupub/ocreview/2006/12/08/features/Students_on_Campus_Work_fo.html http://wind.oberlin.edu/wind/index.htm Listing of campus wind installations: http://www.aashe.org/resources/wind_campus.php 14. New Mexico Tech Drills for Geothermal Energy The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is drilling near campus in search of hot water for geothermal energy. The Institute hopes to use the energy for space heating and, if the water is boiling, for electricity production. The project, which is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, could yield up to $1.2 million in annual savings. http://www.stpns.net/view_article.html?articleId=21246523219782639 Opportunities 15. Convenient Truths: A Green Video Contest Seventh Generation and TreeHugger.com present Convenient Truths are holding Convenient Truths, a green video contest. They invite submission of 1-2 minute videos that demonstrate practical, easy and inspired ways to reduce your carbon emissions. Winning videos will broadcast on various outlets including weather.com 's climate change site One Degree and the Top 10 videos will be packaged on a DVD and distributed by Ironweed Films. In addition, $25,000 worth of prizes – including an all-expense paid trip for two to Alaska, Patagonia gear, solar bikes & backpacks, and a Zipcar membership – will be awarded to the makes of the top entries. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2007. www.truths.treehugger.com 16. Holiday Giving to the Campus Climate Challenge Google has chosen The Campus Climate Challenge (of which AASHE is a part) as one of 8 charities they are encouraging people to support this holiday season. They have also set up a matching donation program, so for every donation of $30 or more to the Challenge made during December Google will give an additional $10 donation. The Challenge is the largest coordinated youth response to global warming in the U.S. and Canada and it is making great progress. http://www.google.com/checkout/holiday/charity/ccc.html Jobs & Internships 17. Director of Sustainability, University of Calgary University of Calgary Campus Planning is seeks a full-time limited-term (2 years) Director of Sustainability. The Office of Sustainability manages the development of sustainability initiatives in planning, development and operations of the lands and facilities of the University as well as the development of sustainability initiatives in the area of academia and research. Applicants should have ten or more years of progressive experience and leadership related to sustainability. The application deadline is December 21th, 2006. (webpage no longer available) 18. Sustainability / Environmental Health & Safety Officer, Massachusetts College of Art Massachusetts College of Art seeks a Sustainability / Environmental Health & Safety Officer to take administrative and supervisory responsibility for the operation and coordination of the College's Sustainability and energy management efforts, and to work with the State Office of Sustainability, students, faculty and staff to improve the College's sustainability profile and with staff to improve energy efficiencies. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of relevant practical experience. To be considered for this position, applications must be received by 12pm on Friday December 22, 2006. http://www.higheredjobs.com/search/details.cfm?JobCode=175217287 19. Sustainability Coordinator, University of Idaho The University of Idaho is seeking an enterprising and energetic individual to provide leadership in a newly created Sustainability Coordinator position. The Sustainability Coordinator will lead efforts to create and implement an institution-wide sustainability plan for the University of Idaho, and will work collaboratively with administrators, faculty, staff and students to advance sustainability initiatives that will be effectual in transforming curriculum, research, operations and outreach activities at the UI. Primary goals of this position are to educate the campus about sustainability issues, help the university prepare future leaders who are knowledgeable about sustainability, and assist the university to conduct its affairs in a sustainable manner. The Coordinator will also collaborate on sustainability issues with the local communities, and liaise with sustainability leaders at other institutions. The position is fully funded for two years, and partially funded for three subsequent years. Its continuation is contingent on securing additional future funding. Oversight for this position will be shared by the College of Graduate Studies and Facilities. A bachelor's degree and at least 3 years progressively responsible experience in a related field are required. The first review of applications will begin no sooner than January 9, 2007. Job Announcement 20. Visiting Assistant Professor Environmental Studies, Williams College The Program in Environmental Studies at Williams College invites applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, beginning July 1, 2007. Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong interdisciplinary graduate training in environmental studies, with an emphasis either in the social sciences or humanities. Teaching experience and Ph.D. by the time of appointment will be greatly preferred. Teaching responsibilities will include two courses each semester, one of which will be an introduction to environmental studies, and a three-week Winter Study course offered in January. To ensure full consideration, applications must arrive by January 31, 2007. http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000486821-01&pg=s&cc= Events 21. CFP: 2nd Annual Smart and Sustainable Campus Conference April 18-19, 2007; University of Maryland, College Park, MD A call for presentations has been issued for the 2nd Annual Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference. Conference participants will discuss a wide range of innovations and solutions associated with achieving smart and sustainable campuses. Proposals related to the following four topics are sought: Smart Growth and Campus, Engaging Your Campus in Sustainability, Facility Construction and Operation, and Assessment and Measurement. Presentation proposals are due by January 10, 2007. The conference organizers are: AASHE, APPA, C2E2: Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence, CSHEMA: Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association, NACUBO: National Association of College and University Business Officers, SCUP: Society for College and University Planning, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and University of Maryland, College Park. http://www.nacubo.org/x8528.xml 22. CFP: Greening of the Campus VII September 6 - 8, 2007; Ball State University, Muncie, IN A call for papers has been issued for Greening of the Campus VII - Partnering for Sustainablity: Enabling a Diverse Future. The conference is the seventh in a series dating from 1996. Organizers invite proposals for presentations that illustrate the important role colleges and universities play in cultivating the awareness, understanding, and ability of students, faculty, professional staff, and their many public constituencies to enhance the health, integrity, and long-term sustainability of the places where they live and work. Abstracts for papers, posters, and workshops are sought in the following categories: Education, Research, Service, and Operations. Abstracts are due by February 12, 2007. http://www.bsu.edu/provost/ceres/greening/#call 23. UBC Sustainability Coordinator Program Workshop March 19 and 20, 2007; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC University of British Columbia's Sustainability Office is holding this two-day workshop show participants how their organization can become more sustainable and save money with a Sustainability Coordinator Program. UBC's Sustainability Coordinator program consists of 145 faculty and staff who work 2-4 hours per month to encourage sustainable practices within their departments. The program saves $75,000 worth of electricity annually, and inspires positive changes in waste generation and transportation use. An early registration discount of $895+tax is available for participants who register before January 31, 2007. http://www.sustain.ubc.ca/scworkshop.html 24. Campus Climate Challenge Climate Neutrality Summit January 19-21, 2007; Middlebury College, VT This summit, hosted by the Sierra Student Coalition and Middlebury’s student climate neutrality campaign, will be an opportunity for students to share strategies, plans and ideas, unify efforts, and discuss how climate neutrality victories on campuses can create demand for climate protection policies in broader society. The summit will be in a retreat-type format and will be primarily "open source." The summit will be free and lodging and food will be provided. http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/822 25. National Conference on Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education July 11-14, 2007; Cornell University, Ithaca, NY The goals if this conference are to: Promote and support sustainable agriculture education; Share curricula, teaching experiences & hands-on learning approaches; Exchange educational approaches & materials; Learn how to start & sustain sustainable agriculture education programs; Celebrate & further develop the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association; and Discuss opportunities and create strategies to work together. The conference will draw a diverse gathering of faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, administrators, extension educators, farmers and food system practitioners who are active or interested in sustainable agriculture education at institutions of post-secondary learning. http://www.hort.cornell.edu/SustAgEd/ 26. Nature and Human Nature: Changing Perspectives Conference March 16-18, 2007; Santa Barbara, CA This conference will explore how the sciences and the humanities can work in tandem to achieve a shift in consciousness with respect to humanity's current environmental ethos. The Conference goals are to understand how to change current perspectives and attitudes about environmental issues and discover what the human community can do to address these issues. The conference is organized by the Foundation for Mythological Studies. http://www.mythology.org/conference.php AASHE Bulletin is a weekly service of AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. 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. 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