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Table of Contents for 6/1/09:
NEWS
Buildings
1. San Diego CCD Opens Green Campus
Campus Sustainability in the Media
2. NY Times Covers Increasing Number of Organic Farm Internships
Co-Curricular Education
3. WSU Reinstates "The Omnivore's Dilemma' as Common-Reading Book
4. Appalachian State U Students Test Green Construction Methods
Curriculum
5. U Mass Online Announces 3 Sustainability-Related Academic Prgms
6. Students Campaign for Econ Textbooks to Address Sustainability Issues
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
7. Drexel U Announces Public Service Fellowships
Energy
8. U Northern British Columbia Announces Biomass Gasification Project
9. Butte College Unveils Solar Arrays on Parking Structure
10. Western State College Installs 3 Solar Arrays
11. Rockingham CC Students Install Solar Arrays
Funding
12. Florida Legislators Deny Student Green Fee
Public Engagement
13. John Brown U Partners to Help Community Measure Wind Potential
14. California State U San Marcos, U Minnesota Host Farmers' Markets
15. Yavapai College, Habitat for Humanity Partner to Build Eco-House
Purchasing
16. Green Purchasing Survey Reveals Growing Role of Sustainability Prgms
Sustainability Institutionalization
17. Manchester College Launches Sustainability Website
Sustainability Staffing
18. U Texas Arlington Names First Sustainability Director
Other News
19. Wayne County CCD Announces Green Efforts as Part of Budget Strategy
NEW RESOURCES
20. New Resource on Campus Renewable Energy Research Centers
OPPORTUNITIES
21. RFQ: Roadmap to a Green Campus
22. AASHE Campus Sustainability Leadership Award
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
23. Sustainability Coordinator, U Victoria
24. Project Mgr/Sustainability Coord, Ramapo College of New Jersey
25. Communications Associate, Second Nature
26. Development Associate, Second Nature
27. Adjunct Instructor, Environmental Science, Everest U
28. Regional Field Organizers, Real Food Challenge
29. Student Climate Reporting Intern, UC Merced
EVENTS
30. Conference Call on Funds for Green Job Training Programs
31. Webinar on the 2009 NAEP Green Purchasing Study Results
32. ACPA Institute on Sustainability
33. Green School & University Virtual Conference and Expo
34. Green Building at Financially Strained Institutions Pre-Conf Workshop
35. Local Carbon Offsets 101 Webcast
36. Webcast: Measuring the Real Cost of Parking & Alternative Transportation Options
News
Buildings
1. San Diego CCD Opens Green Campus
San Diego Community College District has opened its West City Campus, the newest site for its Continuing Education program. The structure, which is registered for LEED Silver certification, features low E-rated windows and solar tubes that help maximize natural daylighting; sensors that automatically dim lights in response to available lighting; low-flow and waterless plumbing fixtures; low-VOC paint, adhesives, and carpeting; and a high percentage of recycled construction materials.
Campus Sustainability in the Media
2. NY Times Covers Increasing Number of Organic Farm Internships
The New York Times has published an article on the increasing number of liberal arts students who are opting to intern at organic farms during the summer. The article mentions Barnard College (NY), Kenyon College (OH), Washington State University, and New York University.
Co-Curricular Education
3. WSU Reinstates 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' as Common-Reading Book
Washington State University has decided to reinstate the original plan for distribution of its Common Reading book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, as a result of a private contribution to support the program. Earlier this year, WSU administrators made the decision not to distribute the book, which examines industrial agriculture and the American diet, and not to bring author Michael Pollan to campus, for either budget or political concerns, depending on different points of view. Some people believed that the University, which had already purchased 4,000 copies of the book and has a prominent agriculture college, bowed to pressure from agribusiness interests, but the University affirms that the decision was due to budget difficulties.
See also: Chronicle of Higher Education Blog Post on the Controversy
4. Appalachian State U Students Test Green Construction Methods
Students in the Building Science and Appropriate Technology Program at Appalachian State University (NC) have constructed a 500 square-foot model house to test innovative technologies and building practices. The structure is designed to be a self-sufficient and adaptable disaster relief dwelling. The building’s energy-efficient features include use of structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the building’s exterior walls and roof; solar panels, which will generate energy needs for the occupants, a system to collect rainwater from the roof, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The structure can accommodate up to five occupants.
Curriculum
5. U Mass Online Announces 3 Sustainability-Related Academic Prgms
The University of Massachusetts Online has announced three new programs: a concentration in Sustainable Entrepreneurship, a graduate certificate Environmental Public Policy, and the Green Building Professional Development Series. The concentration in Sustainable Entrepreneurship will include courses on holistic health, sustainable food and farming, geothermal energy conservation, and green building. The Environmental Public Policy graduate certificate comprises two required and two elective courses, all of which are entirely online. The required courses are: Public Institutions and the Policy Process and Environmental Policy. Electives include Environmental Consequences of Globalization, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, and Ocean Policy and Law. Credits earned through the graduate certificate program will be transferable into the University's Master's degree in Public Policy anticipated for calendar year 2010. The Green Building Professional Development Series includes courses in Sustainable Building and LEED Certification, Energy Efficient Housing, The Built Environment, Green Building and Indoor Environmental Quality, and Sustainable Sites for Green Building.
See also: Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program Homepage
See also: Env'l Public Policy Program Homepage
See also: Green Building Series Program Homepage
See also: List of Certificate Programs in Sustainability
6. Students Campaign for Econ Textbooks to Address Sustainability Issues
Students have begun a campaign, called Toxic Textbooks, to support and coordinate protests against college and university economics textbooks that do not consider social and environmental externalities. The group desires a textbook that instead focuses on human well-being and quality of life and teaches students to distinguish between poverty in terms of low quality of life and in terms of low monetary income.
See also: Toxic Textbooks Website
See also: Toxic Textbook Facebook Group
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
7. Drexel U Announces Public Service Fellowships
Drexel University (PA) has announced the establishment of the Constantine Papadakis Public Service Fellowships, an academic tuition award available for any public service worker who enrolls in any of the 11 programs being offered at the University's Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento, CA. The Fellowships will reduce tuition by 15 percent for any individual working at least 20 hours per week in a qualified public service job, including a not-for-profit organization, any governmental or quasi-governmental agency, or any other public service employer.
Energy
8. U Northern British Columbia Announces Biomass Gasification Project
The University of Northern British Columbia has selected Nexterra Energy Corp. to supply and install a turnkey biomass gasification system to heat the Prince George campus and to anchor its new Northern Bioenergy Innovation Centre. The gasification system will convert locally-sourced wood residue into clean-burning renewable synthetic gas that will displace up to 85 percent of the natural gas currently used to heat the campus. The project, which is jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, is expected to begin in June 2009. It will be complete by mid 2010.
9. Butte College Unveils Solar Arrays on Parking Structure
Butte College (CA) has installed a solar array on one of its campus parking lots. The new array, which also provides shade for cars, will generate energy for seven buildings and four greenhouses. The College expects to save $8 million over the life of the array. This installation is the fifth solar project the College has embarked on in the last four years. Overall, 45 percent of the College's electricity needs are now met with solar power.
See also: List of Campus Solar Installations
10. Western State College Installs 3 Solar Arrays
Western State College of Colorado has installed three solar systems on Kelley Hall, a building that houses the Environmental Studies and Behavioral and Social Sciences programs. The system, which is primarily meant to provide a solar laboratory for student research, includes two solar electric systems that will offset a portion of the structure's electricity usage and a solar thermal system that will provide heat for domestic water for hand-washing in the restrooms and some space heating for the building.
11. Rockingham CC Students Install Solar Arrays
Students at Rockingham Community College (NC) have installed 17 photovoltaic panels on the northwest side of a 1,000 square-foot home built on campus. The array will meet all electricity needs for the structure. Students have also installed a solar panel for the house's hot water heater. Professors plan to use the arrays as teaching tools in the future.
Funding
12. Florida Legislators Deny Student Green Fee
Florida state legislators did not pass a proposal to allow public colleges and universities in Florida to institute green fees for on-campus renewable energy projects. Such fees had been approved in student referendums at several of Florida's public institutions. Students plan to continue the campaign through next year's legislative session.
Public Engagement
13. John Brown U Partners to Help Community Measure Wind Potential
The John Brown University Renewable Energy Department and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Energy Office have partnered to develop an anemometer loan program designed to allow land owners in Arkansas to measure wind energy potential and to help promote wind energy throughout the state. Through the program, selected participants will borrow wind measurement instrumentation to conduct a one-year measurement study on their site. Faculty and students from JBU will install the equipment and monitor the data from campus. They will also develop a wind resource analysis for each participant at the end of the measurement period. Once the one-year measurement period is completed and the data is collected, the equipment will be relocated to other selected participants.
14. California State U San Marcos, U Minnesota Host Farmers' Markets
California State University, San Marcos has begun a new farmers' market on campus. The weekly market is a joint project of CSUSM and the San Diego County Farm Bureau. The University of Minnesota has also begun hosting its community farmers' market. The weekly event features produce from the students organic farm, meat and cheese from the University's laboratories, and food from local vendors.
See also: U Minnesota Story
15. Yavapai College, Habitat for Humanity Partner to Build Eco-House
Yavapai College (AZ) has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to construct a grid-tied house that generates all of the power it needs on-site. The 1,200 square-foot house features an insulated concrete slab, solar panels, an airtight frame, balanced fresh-air ventilation, a solar-power hot water heater, and Energy Star appliances.
Purchasing
16. Green Purchasing Survey Reveals Growing Role of Sustainability Programs
The National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) and SciQuest, a procurement automation company, have announced the findings of "The Current State of Green Procurement Trends within Higher Education" survey. The survey, which garnered responses from procurement professionals at more than 100 colleges and universities in the U.S., found that: nearly half of respondents plan to institute a green purchasing policy in the next year; more than 62 percent of colleges and universities have a sustainability plan in place, but only 24 percent have green procurement policies in place to support them; more than 85 percent of respondents believe the call to "do the right thing" is the most important reason for implementing sustainability initiatives; only 30 percent of respondents have the ability to promote green certified suppliers; and more than 60 percent have no way to determine how much is spent on environmentally friendly products. The survey is intended to provide a benchmark from which the profession can gauge the growing role of procurement within sustainability efforts.
Sustainability Institutionalization
17. Manchester College Launches Sustainability Website
The Manchester College (IN) Green Campus Initiative has launched a new website. The site provides green tips, lists current campus sustainability projects, and posts the College's sustainability policy. The site also has an on-line meter of electric and gas usage on the campus and links for activism opportunities and green jobs.
See also: Manchester Green Campus Initiative Website
See also: List of Campus Sustainability Websites (AASHE Members Only)
Sustainability Staffing
18. U Texas Arlington Names First Sustainability Director
The University of Texas at Arlington has named environmental lawyer Kathryn C. Poulos, a commissioner for the Environmental and Energy Advisory Commission in Oak Park, Ill., as the University’s first Sustainability Director. Poulos, who will begin her new job on August 1, 2009, earned her law degree along with a certificate in environmental law from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1993.
See also: Directory of Campus Sustainability Officers (AASHE Members Only)
Other News
19. Wayne County CCD Announces Green Efforts as Part of Budget Strategy
Wayne County Community College District (MI) has announced that it will, among other strategies, reduce energy costs through environmental sustainability initiatives in an effort to decrease spending in the 2009 fiscal year budget. The District decided to implement the fiscal strategies due to a decrease in revenue from local property taxes and state aid. WCCCD has also announced plans to launch the "Workforce Education and Green Careers Initiative" through which the Eastern Campus will become a model green campus. The District's new workforce education model will also include an "Open Door Equity Initiative" designed to assure that those individuals who experience barriers to career and academic success due to low income and limited literacy skills will have access to support services such as career counseling, financial aid, and literacy, and basic job skills education.
New Resources
20. New Resource on Campus Renewable Energy Research Centers
AASHE has released a list of campus renewable energy research centers. The new resource is only available to AASHE members.
Opportunities
21. RFQ: Roadmap to a Green Campus
The U.S. Green Building Council is seeking a consultant to support the development of a Roadmap to a Green Campus as part of a resource for the higher education sector. This new resource will support the USGBC Green Campus Campaign mission: green colleges and universities for all within a generation. By working in partnership with students, faculty and administrators to strengthen campus sustainability efforts, USGBC aims to increase educational facilities’ ability to use LEED, green the planning and development of campuses, support student leadership and advocacy efforts, and provide opportunities for building in-house expertise. Proposals are due June 19, 2009.
22. AASHE Campus Sustainability Leadership Award
AASHE is now accepting applications for its 2009 Sustainability Leadership Awards, to be presented the Greening of the Campus VIII Conference (Sept. 20-23 in Indianapolis, IN). Four Campus Sustainability Leadership Awards will be presented. The Campus Sustainability Leadership Award recognizes the institutions that have made the greatest overall commitment to sustainability as demonstrated in their governance, curriculum and research, operations, campus culture, and community outreach. Applications are due July 1, 2009.
Jobs & Internships
23. Sustainability Coordinator, U Victoria
The University of Victoria (BC) invites applications for its Sustainability Coordinator position. Reporting to the Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability, the position will serve as a facilitator and resource person in developing programs, activities, and practices that assist in advancing the University's sustainability initiatives. Extensive liaison is required with operational departments, on campus student groups, personnel from other universities, and the research and teaching units of the University and the broader community. Duties include researching sustainability topics, best practices, and innovations; preparing communication materials; developing sustainability indicators and reporting systems; reviewing project proposals and plans with a sustainability lens; developing funding and recognition proposals; supervising student staff; participating in special events, committees, or forums; and providing advice and recommendations on issues related to sustainability at the University. The successful candidate will have a university degree in a science or social science discipline, along with two or more years of work experience in an area related to sustainability. Applications are due June 17, 2009.
24. Project Mgr/Sustainability Coord, Ramapo College of New Jersey
Ramapo College of New Jersey seeks a Project Manager/Sustainability Coordinator to assist the Associate VP/Contracting Officer and appropriate college clients in planning and supervising capital projects and to further the College's sustainability goals, objectives, and initiatives. The successful candidate will also plan, direct, and coordinate construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. An advanced degree in architecture, engineering, or other construction related disciplines is required, as is 7 years of related work experience.
25. Communications Associate, Second Nature
Second Nature seeks a Communications Associate to communicate the organization's mission and activities to a wide audience. Focus areas will include web content creation and management, newsletter production, email outreach to constituents, media outreach, mailing and email list management, desktop publishing, graphic design, and other forms of communication. The Associate will manage and update the content on the Second Nature, American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, and Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium websites. A Bachelor's degree in Communications or a related field is required, as is knowledge regarding environmental, sustainability, and business issues. The position is open until filed.
26. Development Associate, Second Nature
Second Nature seeks a Development Associate to manage fundraising activities, grant proposal writing and reporting, membership dues, and fundraising files and records. The successful candidate will also research foundation and individual fundraising prospects, communicate with foundations and individual donors, and acknowledge foundation and individual giving. A Bachelor's or graduate degree is required and knowledge of environmental, sustainability, and education-related issues is preferred. The position is open until filled.
27. Adjunct Instructor, Environmental Science, Everest U
Everest University (FL) is seeking an Adjunct Instructor of Environmental Science. The successful candidate will plan course instruction; design, administer, and grade examinations; and actively work to maintain retention in all classes taught. A Master's degree is Environmental Science is required. The position is open until filled.
28. Regional Field Organizers, Real Food Challenge
The Real Food Challenge seeks Regional Field Organizers in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northwest, and California. RFOs will be responsible for supporting local student leaders and RFC campaigns, increasing RFC visibility and student participation, building key relationships with regional partners, and planning annual regional summits. Organizers will also provide direct support to student organizing efforts, extending the network to additional campuses, and planning regional events. RFOs are volunteer positions with a stipend of $500-$1,000. Applications are due July 1, 2009.
29. Student Climate Reporting Intern, UC Merced
The University of California, Merced invites applications for a Student Climate Reporting Intern position. Primary duties will include serving as primary point of contact to collect and report UC Merced greenhouse gas emissions to the California Climate Action Registry, the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and the California Air Resources Board; tracking utility use for university facilities; summarizing and presenting climate data for the campus community, and coordinating with the Office of the President to implement a system-wide utility tracking system. Applications are due June 6, 2009.
Events
30. Conference Call on Funds for Green Job Training Programs
June 4, 2009; 2 – 3pm Eastern
Green For All will host a conference call entitled, "Green Pathways out of Poverty through Partnerships and Recovery." Participants will learn what "green pathways out of poverty" means; get an overview of the Department of Labor's green job training grants; find out why partnerships are key to qualifying for these grants; and hear from two green job training programs that demonstrate successful partnerships between community, higher education, labor, and businesses. The Department of Labor will begin administering the grants in June.
31. Webinar on the 2009 NAEP Green Purchasing Study Results
June 4, 2009; 2 – 3pm Eastern; Online
The National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) will host a webinar on benchmarking institutions with its 2009 Green Purchasing Study Results. The Survey was fielded during February 2009 via e-mail to 4,177 individuals who work at 1,246 NAEP Member institutions and aims to help campuses compare their green purchasing policies to other schools throughout the nation.
32. ACPA Institute on Sustainability
June 11-13, 2009; Harvard U; Cambridge, MA
The second annual ACPA Institute on Sustainability will again bring together students, staff, and faculty from colleges and universities across the country who are committed to sustainability. The goal of the institute is to provide individuals and institution teams with a plethora of knowledge about sustainability so that they can return to their campuses prepared to contribute to the development of sustainable policies and practices and the education of campus community members. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from some of the leading sustainability scholars and practitioners; explore promising practices from campuses across the country; and develop a framework and actionable goals that can be taken back to campus and integrated into the core of the institution. Topics will include renewable energies technologies, and funding; creating regional consortiums; green building and renovation; integrating sustainability into the fabric of campus; assessing student learning; and sustainability and student activism. Regular registration ends June 4, 2009.
33. Green School & University Virtual Conference and Expo
June 24, 2009; 10:30am – 6pm Eastern; Online
American School & University invite participants to "Green School & University: A Virtual Conference & Expo," a free event dedicated to green/sustainable practices in education institutions. Participants will learn about green design and planning, green buildings, and green cleaning and operation.
34. Green Building at Financially Strained Institutions Pre-Conf Workshop
June 27, 2009; 1 - 5pm Eastern; Boston, MA
Second Nature and the Kresge Foundation will hold a pre-conference workshop entitled, "Green Building at Financially Strained Institutions: Models and Resources" at NACUBO's 2009 Annual Meeting. The workshop will offer insights into the financial mechanisms and strategies that colleges and universities are turning to for assistance with their green building projects in the current economic time. Attendees of this pre-conference session will hear from under-resourced schools that are building green and learn about some resources available to support campus green building projects. Attendees may register for the workshop with our without registering for the NACUBO conference.
35. Local Carbon Offsets 101 Webcast
June 30, 2009; 1 -2:30pm Eastern; Online
Academic Impressions will host "Local Carbon Offsets 101," a webcast that will teach participants how to evaluate the quality of local offsets, find and use local offsets, expand the benefits of local offsets for maximum added value, and integrate local offsets into a broader campus sustainability initiative. The instructor, Dave Newport, is the Director of the Environmental Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Early bird registration ends June 12, 2009.
36. Webcast: Measuring the Real Cost of Parking & Alternative Transportation Options
July 28, 2009; 1-3pm Eastern; Online
Academic Impressions will host "Measuring the Real Cost of Parking and Alternative Transportation Options." The webcast will include lessons on assessing current parking demand and transportation behaviors; measuring the impact of transportation demand management; determining future parking demand and costs of new parking; assessing the most cost-effective mix of investments in parking, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities; gathering ideas for how to accommodate future growth on campus; and gathering ideas for multiple sources of revenue to finance transportation program. The webcast is designed for professionals from parking and transportation, campus security/public safety, campus planning, sustainability coordinators and advocates, and facilities management.
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