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Table of Contents for 4/5/09:
NEWS
Buildings
1. Drexel U Building to Features Living Biofilter
Campus Sustainability in the Media
2. LA Times Covers Increase of Students Pursing Clean Energy Careers
Climate
3. U California Berkeley Releases 2009 Climate Action Plan
Co-Curricular Education
4. Elizabethtown College Starts Community Garden
5. Indiana U Res Hall & Greek Students Compete to Reduce Energy
Curriculum
6. St. Petersburg College Announces 2 New Green Degrees
7. U Washington Offers 4 New Certificates on Sustainability Topics
8. U Iowa to Offer Certificate in Sustainability
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
9. Kentucky CCs Offer Tuition Discounts to Unemployed Workers
Energy
10. Arizona State U Dedicates 5 Solar Installations
11. Lakeland CC Signs Energy Efficiency Contract
Sustainability Institutionalization
12. U Wisconsin-Eau Claire Launches Sustainability Column
13. Saint Xavier U Building to Receive USGBC Natural Leader Award
Transportation
14. Macalester Colleges Brings Car Share Program to Campus
Waste
15. Westfield State College to Begin Single Stream Recycling
Other News
16. Survey Shows Businesses' Need for Students Educated in Green Issues
NEW RESOURCES
17. AASHE Launches Campus Climate Action Planning Wiki
18. Campus Climate Neutrality: Yes We Can!
OPPORTUNITIES
19. RFP: Excellence in Green Building Education Awards
20. Wild Rockies Summer Semester
21. Sustainable Agriculture Semester – Summer 2009
22. Environmental Ethics Institute
23. Member Discount: Occupancy-Based Energy Management System
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
24. Climate Training Coordinator, AASHE
25. Assistant Director, Center for Sustainability, Furman U
26. Assist Prof, Geography & Env'l Studies, U Alaska Anchorage
27. Lecturer, Environmental Lit & Writing, Santa Clara U
28. Visiting Instructor, Environmental Studies, Naropa U
29. Membership Intern, AASHE
EVENTS
30. Sowing Seeds Humane Education Workshop
31. Webinar: 7 Steps to Developing a Campus Climate Action Plan
32. CFP: Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change
33. Greening Higher Education Conference
34. International Conference on Ecology and Professional Helping
35. Pre-Conf Workshop: Greening Education Abroad
36. Sustainable Energy Conference
News
Buildings
1. Drexel U Building to Features Living Biofilter
Drexel University (PA) has announced plans to include a living biofilter in its new Sciences Building. The multi-story plant wall is intended to improve indoor air quality and reduce the temperature of the air in summer through the plants' natural respiratory properties. The installation will also function as a humidifier during the winter months. Drexel believes the bio wall to be the first in a United States university. The new science building is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.
Campus Sustainability in the Media
2. LA Times Covers Increase of Students Pursing Clean Energy Careers
The Los Angeles Times has published an article on the rapidly increasing number of undergraduate and graduate level college students who are taking courses towards a degree in renewable energies. Higher education institutions highlighted include the University of California, Los Angeles, Arizona State University, Indiana University, the University of Colorado, the University of South Carolina, Lehigh University (PA), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Climate
3. U California Berkeley Releases 2009 Climate Action Plan
The University of California, Berkeley has released its 2009 Climate Action Plan (CAP), which documents how the campus plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by one-third and eventually achieve climate neutrality. The Plan, which will be updated annually by the Office of Sustainability, examines how far the campus has come in the last two years to meet it emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2014.
See also: UC Berkeley CAP (pdf)
See also: List of Campus Climate Action Plans
Co-Curricular Education
4. Elizabethtown College Starts Community Garden
Elizabethtown College (PA) has announced plans to begin its first organic community garden. The new garden will offer plots to the campus community.
5. Indiana U Res Hall & Greek Students Compete to Reduce Energy
Students at Indiana University have begun a month-long competition to reduce energy use and conserve water on campus. The competition between residence halls and between houses in the Greek community challenges each living community to reduce their energy and water consumption against a baseline of their house's or dorm's average per capita electricity and water consumption over a three-year average. Students are able to track their community's progress on the IU Energy Challenge website.
See also: IU Energy Challenge website
See also: Dorm vs Dorm Sustainability Competition Best Practices Website
Curriculum
6. St. Petersburg College Announces 2 New Green Degrees
St. Petersburg College (FL) has announced two new degree programs, an Associate of Science in Environmental Science Technology and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainability Management. Both will be available in the fall 2009 semester. The Environmental Science Technology degree includes three sub-plans: Water Resource Management, Environmental Resources/Energy Management and Sustainability. The Sustainability Management degree focuses on sustainable business and communication strategies, energy and resource management, legal aspects of sustainability, and sustainability in built and natural environments.
See also: List of Bachelor's Degree Programs In Sustainability
7. U Washington Offers 4 New Certificates on Sustainability Topics
The University of Washington Extension has begun offering four new sustainability-focused certificates. "Decision Making for Climate Change" and "Sustainable Transportation" are offered online, and "Low Impact Development" and "The Practice and Policy of Composting, Recycling, and Waste Prevention" can be obtained through on-campus courses.
8. U Iowa to Offer Certificate in Sustainability
The University of Iowa has announced plans to offer a Certificate in Sustainability starting in the fall of 2009. The program will allow students to augment their majors and minors with a certificate that promotes an integrated understanding of human and environmental systems and the complex interactions between them. To meet the certificate's requirements, students must complete 24 semester hours of course work that includes three introductory core courses, four electives from a designated list, and one project course. The required projects will address advanced problems in design, sustainability and education, and multimedia writing on the topic of a green economy.
See also: List of Certificate Programs in Sustainability
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
9. Kentucky CCs Offer Tuition Discounts to Unemployed Workers
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System and Governor Steve Beshear have announced the KCTCS Career Transitions program, an initiative through which recently unemployed workers can receive a 50 percent discount on tuition for up to 6 credit hours per term. The program also offers personalized assistance in navigating the college admissions process. The year-long initiative is offered at 16 community colleges across the state. Kentucky residents who have become unemployed and have filed for unemployment benefits since Oct. 1, 2008 are eligible for the program.
Energy
10. Arizona State U Dedicates 5 Solar Installations (link no longer available)
Arizona State University has completed 5 solar installations totaling 1.88 MW. The five installations complete phase one of ASU solar project, which will add a total of 12 MW of solar power to the campus.
See also: List of Campus Solar Installations
11. Lakeland CC Signs Energy Efficiency Contract
Lakeland Community College (IL) has signed an agreement with Siemens Building Technologies to improve energy efficiency on its campus. As a result of the contract, LCC expects to reduce its annual energy costs by more than $500,000. Siemens also plans to help the College establish a facility energy management course curriculum that will help students prepare for a segment of the green job market.
Sustainability Institutionalization
12. U Wisconsin-Eau Claire Launches Sustainability Column
The University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire has launched the Sustainability University column in its student newspaper. The new column is designed to provide ideas, tips and information on sustainable practices to help individuals make small changes in behavior that have a major and lasting impact on the environment and world. Students are able to send in questions for the editor of the column, which dedicated its first month to introducing the University Center's Green Team and Earth Month awareness events.
13. Saint Xavier U Building to Receive USGBC Natural Leader Award
The U.S. Green Building Council has announced that it will award Saint Xavier University (IL) with its 2009 Natural Leader Award. Saint Xavier will be recognized with the SMALL feet/large FEAT award for excellence in organizational change. The award recognizes Saint Xavier’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.
Transportation
14. Macalester Colleges Brings Car Share Program to Campus
Macalester College (MN) has signed an agreement with Zipride, a car share program. The program's website allows users to post rides offered, whether one time or habitual commutes, as well as rides wanted. Current Macalester students, faculty, staff, and alumni can participate in the program.
See also: Macalester Zipride website
See also: List of Campus Car Share Programs (AASHE members only)
Waste
15. Westfield State College to Begin Single Stream Recycling
Westfield State College (MA) has announced plans to switch the campus to 100 percent single-stream recycling on campus. WSC piloted the successful program in one dormitory in November and has decided to expand single-stream recycling to all dorms this spring.
Other News
16. Survey Shows Businesses' Need for Students Educated in Green Issues
In a recent survey completed by National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), 65 percent of business surveyed said they value environmental and sustainability knowledge in job candidates and 78 percent said that that value will appreciate as a hiring factor in the next five years. NEEF surveyed 1,354 people from businesses in 20 industry sectors, from NGOs, and from government organizations as part of the project. The findings have been released in a report titled, "The Engaged Organization, Corporate Employee Environmental Education Survey and Case Study Findings."
See also: The Engaged Organization (pdf)
New Resources
17. AASHE Launches Campus Climate Action Planning Wiki
AASHE has launched the Campus Climate Action Planning Guide Wiki. The intent of this wiki is to serve as a comprehensive and "how-to" oriented guide to campus climate planning. The initial text was provided by Walter Simpson, CEM, LEED AP, a retired Energy Officer from the University at Buffalo (NY) and the former Director of UB Green. Anyone can contribute to the wiki by creating an account on the AASHE website.
See also: AASHE Blog Post
18. Campus Climate Neutrality: Yes We Can!
Walter Simpson, the former energy officer at the University at Buffalo (NY), has released, "Campus Climate Neutrality: Yes We Can!" in APPA's March/April 2009 issue of Facilities Magazine. The 8 page guide gives an overview of how to create a plan to reach campus climate neutrality.
See also: Chronicle of Higher Ed Blog Post
Opportunities
19. RFP: Excellence in Green Building Education Awards
The U.S. Green Building Council Excellence in Green Building Education Awards Program recognizes outstanding curriculum and teaching methods that incorporate the built environment to teach sustainability. Through recognition awards and incentive grants, the awards program aims to celebrate and disseminate replicable, innovative curricular activities in formal education settings. Model programs are recognized in three categories: pre-K to 12, community and technical colleges, and colleges and universities, for their efforts in advancing green building education. One $10,000 incentive grant will be awarded to each education level category. Recognition awards honor existing educational programs and curricula for their innovative efforts to bring green building education to a broad spectrum of educational levels and content areas. Up to 15 recognition awards will be selected to receive a $1,000 honorarium. Incentive Grant proposals and Recognition Award submissions are due June 25, 2009.
See also: USGBC Incentive Grant Details
See also: USGBC Recognition Awards Details
20. Wild Rockies Summer Semester
The Wild Rockies Field Institute invites participants to attend its Wild Rockies Summer Semester program, June 19 – August 19, 2009. Students will examine conservation from a broad regional perspective, a Native American perspective, and a local landscape perspective while exploring the Yellowstone to Yukon bioregion. Subjects addressed will include conservation biology, community-based conservation, regional environmental policy, restoration ecology, and traditional ecological knowledge. The enrollment deadline is April 20, 2009.
21. Sustainable Agriculture Semester – Summer 2009
Sterling College (VT) will offer a summer-long Sustainable Agriculture Semester. Classroom instruction, hands-on training, and work on the farm are combined to teach sustainable practices and to foster discussion about agricultural issues. Classes are taught in an integrated fashion through lecture, reading, and discussion, student projects and research, work on the Sterling farm, and field trips to local farms and the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Summer Conference. The 12-15 credit program is designed for college students, academically advanced high school students, and adult learners with an interest in exploring ecological management of plants, animals, and land. The deadline for applications is Mary 1, 2009.
22. Environmental Ethics Institute
The Center for Ethics at the University of Montana invites participants to its 4th annual Environmental Ethics Institute. The three weeks of online study and six day workshop will focus on fire, restoration, and wilderness in an age of climate change and is open to students, faculty, and interested professionals. The workshop is particularly suitable for educators seeking a foundation in environmental ethics and its most pressing challenges today. The course begins online Mary 18, 2009 and the six day workshop begins June 8, 2009. Early registration ends April 15, 2009. Regular registration ends May 14, 2009.
23. Member Discount: Occupancy-Based Energy Management System
Telkonet is offering AASHE members a free installation of its in-room energy management system in a room (classroom or dorm room) for 2 weeks, along with a free energy savings analysis quantifying the actual cost savings. Telkonet’s system self-calibrates based on environmental and HVAC characteristics, maximizing energy savings at a specified comfort level.
Jobs & Internships
24. Climate Training Coordinator, AASHE
AASHE seeks a Climate Training Coordinator to support education and outreach activities for the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and AASHE's Climate Program. This new position will be responsible for expanding training provided to institutions of higher education on all topics related to climate action planning, including greenhouse gas inventories, climate mitigation strategies, curriculum development, funding opportunities, policy developments, etc. A Bachelor's degree in an environmental or sustainability related discipline is desired, as is five years of professional experience promoting climate protection and the reduction of greenhouse gases. Review of applications will begin on April 3, 2009 and will continue until the position is filled. Anticipated starting date is May 1, 2009.
25. Assistant Director, Center for Sustainability, Furman U
Furman University (SC) seeks candidates for a full-time Assistant Director position in its new interdisciplinary Center for Sustainability. The individual will assist the Center for Sustainability (CFS) staff in launching, managing, and assessing programs and events. The primary responsibility of the successful candidate will be to organize CFS outreach efforts across the campus and in the community. The position will begin on July 1, 2009. A Bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, public policy or a related sustainability field is required. A Master's degree and 2-3 years of experience in a related field are preferred. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled but priority will be given to applications received by May 4, 2009.
26. Assist Prof, Geography & Env'l Studies, U Alaska Anchorage
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the resilience and adaptation of human-environment systems. Specific program focus areas include: 1) human use of ecosystem services on a community scale; 2) social networks and human mobility; 3) effectiveness of institutions for promoting regional resilience. Desired skills include methods of analyzing or modeling human-environment systems. The successful candidate will teach both introductory and upper division undergraduate courses in the Geography and Environmental Studies program. An awarded doctorate at the time of commencement of employment is required in a social science discipline or interdisciplinary program appropriate to the study of resilience and adaptation in human-environment systems. The position is open until filled.
27. Lecturer, Environmental Lit & Writing, Santa Clara U
The Environmental Studies Institute at Santa Clara University (CA) invites applications for a full-time renewable lecturer position. The appointment is to teach seven courses a year. Lower division courses to be taught include two sequenced classes in the Critical Thinking and Writing core requirement with the theme of Analyzing Green Rhetoric and two sequenced classes in Culture and Ideas core requirement with the theme of Nature and the Imagination. Upper division classes to be taught include Environmental and Nature Writing in Baja (a class with a one week trip to Baja, Mexico) and Environmental Thought. Additionally, the person in this position may be asked to perform related service duties including directing the Penstemon project, a SCU initiative for sustainability across the curriculum. An advanced degree in literature, creative writing, or a related discipline with a focus on environmental and nature writing is required. The application deadline has been extended to April 10, 2009.
28. Visiting Instructor, Environmental Studies, Naropa U
Naropa University (CO) seeks candidates for a .66 FTE visiting faculty position for appointment to the Department of Environmental Studies. This is a one-year appointment. NU seeks scholar-teacher-practitioners with competencies in the areas of sustainability, applied leadership, new science, and geography, with a possible inclusion of other areas. The successful candidate will teach 12 credit hours during the 2009-2010 academic year. A Master's degree in Environmental Studies, Ecopsychology, Sustainability, or a related field is required. A Ph.D. is preferred. The review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.
29. Membership Intern, AASHE
AASHE seeks a summer intern for 30-40 hour per week who can assist with membership renewals and recruitment of new members. Candidates should be extremely detail-oriented and capable of meeting deadlines and deliverables without a great deal of supervision. Prior office experience and data management skills are also highly desired, including proficiency with Access and Excel. The job will be in the main AASHE office in Lexington, Kentucky. The review of applications will begin on April 11, 2009 and will continue until the position is filled.
Events
30. Sowing Seeds Humane Education Workshop
April 11, 2009; Boston, MA
The Institute for Humane Education will host "Sowing Seeds," a workshop that aims to train educators how to offer effective and transformative humane education programs in schools or the community. Participants will learn new activities that teach critical thinking about relevant issues of human rights, animal protection, environmental preservation, the media, and consumerism. The workshop will also connect attendees with more like-minded educators, classroom teachers, advocates, and activists. Participants will also receive a copy of The Power and Promise of Humane Education by Zoe Weil. The workshop is available to the AASHE community at a reduced rate of $75.
31. Webinar: 7 Steps to Developing a Campus Climate Action Plan
April 16, 2009; 1-2:30pm EST
EH&E invites participants to a webinar entitled, "Seven Steps to Developing a Campus Climate Action Plan." The webinar will provide a seven-step approach for crafting an institution’s path to achieving climate neutrality. The presentation will include an overview of the tools and techniques necessary to develop a climate neutrality program that can be tailored to an individual institution. The webinar will also review the Climate Action Plan requirements of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The event is intended for signatories of the ACUPCC, Chief Financial Officers and Chief Operating Officers, Directors of Facilities and Energy Management, Environmental Health & Safety Directors, and Sustainability Directors.
32. CFP: Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change
September 20 -23; 2009; Indianapolis, IN
Ball State University (IN), in partnership with AASHE, announces a Call for Papers for Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change. Abstracts for conference papers, posters, workshops, panels, forums, special activities, and pre- or post-conference events are invited. Topics may range from the practical day-to-day management of the physical plant to green curriculum development and green utilization of campus resources. The deadline for submissions has been extended to April 24, 2009.
33. Greening Higher Education Conference
May 4, 2009; Boston, MA
The New England Board of Higher Education will host, "Greening Higher Education: Saving the Planet and Saving Money," a conference intended for thought leaders in sustainability in the areas of academia, business, and government located in the New England area. Attendees will discuss environmental challenges facing New England higher education and creative solutions to conserve and replenish resources. Speakers will include Anthony J. Cortese, President of Second Nature, Jennifer Andrews, the Campus Program Manager for Clean Air-Cool Planet; David Barclay, the Executive Director of Northeast Sustainability Energy Association; John Cusack, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability; Congressman Edward J. Markey; Presidents of the College of the Atlantic (ME), Southern New Hampshire University, Eastern Connecticut State University, and Cape Cod Community College (MA); Directors of the Office of Sustainability from Harvard University (MA) and the University of New Hampshire; and more.
34. International Conference on Ecology and Professional Helping
May 7-9, 2009; U Calgary; Alberta, CA
The University of Calgary will host the "International Conference on Ecology and Professional Helping," during which participants will have the chance to share research and effective practices and strategies; enable inspiring and creative dialogues, and foster new partnerships. Sessions topics will include "Helping Students Become Better Environmental Citizens," "Food Policy Councils as a Collaborative Model for Education, Communication, and Strategic Action for Sustainable Development," " Helping Educators Consider some of the Environmental Messages of School Learning Environments," "Sustaining Higher Education: On the Role that Contemplative Practice Pedagogy can play in Creating Sustainable Learning Environments," and " A New Paradigm for Sustainability and Social Justice." Keynote speakers will include David Orr, Joanna Macy, Nettie Wiebe, Karsten Heuer, and Dorothy Golding Rosenberg.
35. Pre-Conf Workshop: Greening Education Abroad
May 26, 2009; Los Angeles, CA; 8am – 12pm
The Association of International Educators International (NAFSA) will hold a half day preconference workshop titled, "Greening Education Abroad," in which participants will learn to measure and reduce environmental impacts and better educate students, faculty, and staff on their personal and global responsibility. The workshop will be held before the NAFSA 2009 Annual Conference and Expo.
36. Sustainable Energy Conference
July 27- Aug 1, 2009; Lafayette College; Easton, PA
The Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) invites participants to its "Sustainable Energy Conference." SEF's mission is to promote the adoption and integration of renewable energy concepts and technologies into the curriculum of colleges and universities. The Sustainable Energy Conference is designed to bring students, educators, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and capital together to advance sustainable energy for today’s green economy. The conference, for the first time, is open to participants from outside of Pennsylvania.
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