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Table of Contents for 7/13/09:
NEWS
Buildings
1. Utah State U Wetland Discovery Point Receives LEED Platinum
2. 2 U Arkansas Buildings Receive Green Globes Recognition
3. Army Logistics U Opens with Green Building
4. Wake Technical CC Wins Green Building Award
Co-Curricular Education
5. U Virginia Showcase Dorms Feature Green Products
Curriculum
6. CC of Allegheny Council to Launch Green Institute
7. U Nevada Reno Announces New Energy Management Certificate
8. Association of Intl Educators Creates Sustainability Group
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
9. Dept of Education Announces Student Loan Reduction Plan
Energy
10. Union College Pilots Fuel Cell Technology
11. Shasta College to Install Solar Panels at Campus Farm
12. Smith College Reduces Emissions 31 Percent
13. U Kansas Generates Energy from Student Workouts
Funding
14. Arizona State U Receives $60K Grant for Sustainable Cities
Public Engagement
15. New York Colleges Form County Climate Protection Group
16. U Mass Dartmouth Partners to Form Regional Sustainability Group
17. Michigan State U Helps Developing Farmers Grow Foods Sustainably
18. New Mexico State U Installs 2 Community Gardens
Research
19. Caltech Announces $90 M Sustainability Institute
20. Western Illinois U Partners to Protect National Resources
21. Carnegie Mellon U Prof Receives EPA Green Chemistry Award
Sustainability Institutionalization
22. U Illinois Chicago Releases Sustainability Report
Sustainability Staffing
23. Portland State U Hires Sustainability Leadership & Outreach Coord
Transportation
24. Dickinson College Partners with City for Bike Lanes
25. Princeton U to Introduce Electric Fleet
Waste
26. Georgia Tech Begins Waste Reduction Initiative
27. Saint Louis U Introduces Single Stream Recycling
28. U Guam Launches Recycling Initiative
OPPORTUNITIES
29. USGBC Young Leader Awards
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
30. Climate Program Coordinator, SustainUS
31. Dir, Sustainable Systems MA Prgm, Saybrook Graduate School
32. Director, Sierra Student Coalition
33. Graduate Associate Faculty, Env'l Studies, Prescott College
34. Instructor, Environmental Science, Everest College
35. Teaching Fellowship, National Wildlife Federation
EVENTS
36. Webinar on Solar Power Purchase Agreements
37. Webcast: Measuring the Real Cost of Parking & Alternative Transportation Options
38. AASHE/NWF Student Summit at Greening of the Campus Conference
39. Registration Open - Greening of the Campus VIII
40. Registration Open - Conference on Sustainable Laboratories
News
Buildings
1. Utah State U Wetland Discovery Point Receives LEED Platinum
Utah State University's Wetland Discovery Point, a space that is used to teach about the importance of conservation and wetland ecosystems, has received LEED Platinum certification. The roof of the new structure functions as both a rainwater collector and a tool to provide shade or allow winter sunlight into the building. Harvested precipitation is stored in a cistern and used to irrigate part of the landscape and to flush low-flow toilets. Much of the power used in the building will be solar-generated, and solar-heated water flows through the building’s heating system.
2. 2 U Arkansas Buildings Receive Green Globes Recognition
The Duncan Avenue Apartments and the Duncan Avenue Community Center at the University of Arkansas have achieved Green Globes designations for sustainable design and construction. The three-story apartment building was noted for having water-efficient equipment, high indoor air quality, effective lighting, thermal comfort, and suitable acoustic conditions. The Community Center, which received 2 Green Globes, was recognized for energy-efficient lighting fixtures and lamps and the improvement of storm-water runoff. Both buildings opened in fall 2008.
See also: List of Green Residence Halls (AASHE Members Only)
3. Army Logistics U Opens with Green Building
The Army Logistics University and Simulation Training Center (VA) has officially opened with a new green building. Approximately 83 percent of the construction waste for the 348,511 square-foot structure was recycled and the building was designed to meet LEED Silver standards.
4. Wake Technical CC Wins Green Building Award
Wake Technical Community College (NC) has received a 2009 “Green Building of America” Award from Construction Communications. Building D, on Wake Tech’s Northern Wake Campus, was chosen for the award from more than 2,500 entries. The building will be featured in a special edition of Real Estate & Construction Review, a publication for policy makers and leaders in finance and economic development. At just under 75,000 square feet, the building features occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting - a system that detects the amount of light coming in from outside and automatically dims the inside lights accordingly to save energy. The structure also has a white roof to reflect the sun; sun-blocking louvers and roof overhang on the south side of the building; and high-efficiency condensing boilers, fan, and pump motors.
Co-Curricular Education
5. U Virginia Showcase Dorms Feature Green Products (link no longer available)
The University of Virginia Bookstore and Housing Division have outfitted its showcase dorm rooms with environmentally friendly products in an effort to encourage students to do the same. The green products featured include binders, notebooks, and paper towels made from recycled products, green cleaning supplies, and energy efficient computers refrigerators, and microwaves.
Curriculum
6. CC of Allegheny Council to Launch Green Institute
The Community College of Allegheny County (PA) has announced the establishment of the Green Institute, which will launch this fall with a broad range of topics related to both green technology and energy conservation. The college will offer three free informational classes in alternative energy and energy conservation this summer as a preview of the institute’s fall programs. The courses offered in the fall include: "Go Green at Home with Safer Products," "Green Building Operators Certification," "Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance Certification," and "Energy Losses and Conservation of Energy in Buildings."
7. U Nevada Reno Announces New Energy Management Certificate
The University of Nevada, Reno has announced that it will launch an Energy Management Certificate program in the fall of 2009. The new 10-session, 30-hour certificate program, which will be offered by Extended Studies, will explore the essentials of building-energy management and examine methods for increasing efficiency and return on investment. The program was developed for building managers, facility/operations managers, construction planners, engineers, maintenance personnel, small business owners, entrepreneurs and others interested in energy resources.
8. Association of Intl Educators Creates Sustainability Group
NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, has created a Special Interest Group (SIG) for Sustainability in International Education. The new Group will function as a forum for international education professionals to discuss, learn about, and address the environmental impacts inherent in the development and management of international programs. The SIG also hopes to help educators by sharing opportunities to educate students on issues related to the global environment.
See also: Sustainability SIG Homepage
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
9. Dept of Education Announces Student Loan Reduction Plan
The New York Times has published an article on the Department of Education's new student loan repayment plan that allows borrowers to reduce their monthly payments based on their income. The 'income-based repayment' program limits what borrowers have to pay to 15 percent of the difference between their gross income and 150 percent of the federal poverty line. After 25 years of continuous payments, the remaining balance will be forgiven. To participate, borrowers have to move their loans into the federal Direct Loan program. Loan forgiveness is only available to those with loans that are not through banks or other loan companies.
Energy
10. Union College Pilots Fuel Cell Technology
Union College (NY) has been selected as the host site of a new residential fuel cell. As part of the project, a 5 kilowatt combined heat and power (CHP) unit will convert natural gas into electricity and heat for the Beuth House residence hall. The companies running the unit will use the data collected to determine system refinements for incorporation into the next-generation system design.
See also: List of Campus Installations of Stationary Fuel Cells (AASHE Members Only)
11. Shasta College to Install Solar Panels at Campus Farm
Shasta College (CA) has signed a contract to fill a 250 yard by 100 yard rectangle with solar panels, and the campus farm has been selected as the preferred site. Shasta estimates that the new installation could reduce its electricity costs by as much as 40 percent.
See also: List of Campus Solar Installations
12. Smith College Reduces Emisisons 31 Percent
Smith College (MA) has announced that it reduced its emissions by 31 percent between 2004 and 2008. The College has attributed the decrease to ongoing efficiency upgrades to campus buildings and infrastructure and to its conversion from burning mostly oil to natural gas in the central heating plant.
13. U Kansas Generates Energy from Student Workouts
The University of Kansas has retrofitted 15 elliptical machines with devices that draw on kinetic energy created by people's workouts and reroute that energy back into the building's electric grid. The energy produced from the workout machines will be used to help power the David A. Ambler Student Recreation Center.
Funding
14. Arizona State U Receives $60K Grant for Sustainable Cities
Arizona State University has received a $60,000 grant for its Sustainable Cities Network. The contribution is a market grant, with money pooled from 13 Sam’s Club stores in the Phoenix-Tucson-Prescott area. The Sustainable Cities Network is designed to be a bridge between ASU’s research and technical capabilities in sustainability and the front-line challenges facing cities.
Public Engagement
15. New York Colleges Form County Climate Protection Group
Cornell University, Ithaca College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca, and others have partnered to establish the Tomkins County Climate Protection Initiative (TCCPI). The group of New York Institutions and organizations aims to leverage the climate action commitments made by the local higher education institutions to mobilize a county-wide energy efficiency effort focused primarily on the retrofitting of buildings.
See also: TCCPI Homepage
16. U Mass Dartmouth Partners to Form Regional Sustainability Group
The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth has partnered with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District to form the Massachusetts Council on Sustainability. The purpose of the Council is to provide education, advice, and assistance on the broad issue of sustainability in Southeastern Massachusetts and to coordinate efforts among different entities in the region. The group currently has five subcommittees focused on: food and agriculture, economic development, energy, natural resources, and transportation. The Council plans to meet quarterly with the subcommittees meeting more frequently in the interim.
17. Michigan State U Helps Developing Farmers Grow Foods Sustainably
Michigan State University scientists are combining sustainable forest production with emerging carbon markets in an effort to help some of the world's poorest people grow trees that will boost their standards of living and slow climate change. Called Carbon2Markets, the program includes collaborative projects with farmers, researchers, and government agencies in five developing Asian and African countries. MSU researchers help the farmer groups integrate high-value forest crops into the crops they are currently growing using methods that are smart and sustainable. Then the farmers use standards created by MSU experts to accurately measure and record the carbon stored in the soil by the trees. In addition to earning money on the global carbon market for storing the carbon, the farmers also use and sell the forest products they grow.
18. New Mexico State U Installs 2 Community Gardens
New Mexico State University’s Housing and Residential Life has constructed two community gardens at family housing areas. The gardens were installed by NMSU faculty and staff, and a local gardening club plans to provide lessons to family housing residents about maintaining their garden. Plots are rented at no cost and only require filling out a form.
Research
19. Caltech Announces $90 M Sustainability Institute
California Institute of Technology has announced plans for a $90 million Resnick Sustainability Institute. The vision of the new Institute is to provide a path to sustainability by focusing on innovative science and engineering developments required for groundbreaking energy technologies. Caltech has already received $30 million and has plans to obtain additional funding over the next year.
20. Western Illinois U Partners to Protect National Resources
Western Illinois University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the shared goals of protecting natural resources and enhancing environmental sustainability in the region. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will work closely with Western's Institute for Environmental Studies to conduct environmental research and data gathering and to provide environmental education opportunities surrounding large river natural resources.
21. Carnegie Mellon U Prof Receives EPA Green Chemistry Award
Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, the J.C. Warner Professor of the Natural Sciences and University Professor at Carnegie Mellon University (PA), received the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Matyjaszewski, the second Carnegie Mellon professor to receive the award, was recognized in the academic category for the development of an environmentally low-impact form of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization, a widely used method for preparation of functional polymers. The EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge promotes research and development of less-hazardous alternatives to existing technologies in an effort to reduce or eliminate waste, particularly hazardous waste, in industrial production.
Sustainability Institutionalization
22. U Illinois Chicago Releases Sustainability Report
The University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Sustainability has published its first annual report on the sustainability of the campus as a whole. The report utilizes indicators from AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) and is intended as a frank assessment of UIC's strengths in the area of sustainability, to provide some metrics to track the progress towards is sustainability goals, and to identify areas that need more attention and action. UIC collected data as one of nearly 70 pilot institutions for the AASHE STARS program.
See also: UIC STARS Annual Report 2009
Sustainability Staffing
23. Portland State U Hires Sustainability Leadership & Outreach Coord
Portland State University (OR) has hired Heather Spalding as its new Sustainability Leadership and Outreach Coordinator. In her new position, Spalding will work with faculty, students, student leaders, and group to improve their sustainability practices and leadership opportunities. Spalding graduated from PSU and is a former employee of the PSU Office of Sustainability.
See also: Directory of Campus Sustainability Officers (AASHE Members Only)
Transportation
24. Dickinson College Partners with City for Bike Lanes
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the hometown of Dickinson College, has received full funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for a $2.8 million road project that will reduce the number of lanes from four to two and add a 5 foot wide bike lane on each side of two roads that run through a portion of the Dickinson campus. Dickinson contributed more than $50,000 toward traffic surveys of the High Street corridor.
25. Princeton U to Introduce Electric Fleet
Princeton University (NJ) has announced plans to launch a new electric fleet. The new four-wheel vehicles travel up to 25 mph and will replace several gas-powered automobiles that are currently in use.
Waste
26. Georgia Tech Begins Waste Reduction Initiative
Georgia Tech has begun a waste reduction initiative on campus. Brittain Dining Hall has been stocked with only biodegradable and reusable items. The facility will also collect organic waste for composting, which, once fully decomposed, will be used as a soil conditioner in campus landscaping. Georgia Tech plans to expand the new waste reduction program to other dining facilities in the coming months. Additionally, in the fall, students will receive a discount for using a reusable cups at all dining halls on campus.
See also: List of Campus Composting Programs (AASHE Members Only)
27. Saint Louis U Introduces Single Stream Recycling
Saint Louis University (MO) has begun allowing campus members to recycle plastics and aluminum in the paper recycling bins. The change will affect personal office bins as well as large recycling containers located in public spaces.
28. U Guam Launches Recycling Initiative (link no longer available)
The University of Guam has launched the "Green Initiative," a campus-wide program that aims to collect recyclable aluminum, plastic, cardboard, and shredded paper. The University plans to expand the program to include glass, newspaper, food waste, and used office paper in the future.
Opportunities
29. USGBC Young Leader Awards
The U.S. Green Building Council is now accepting applications for the USGBC Young Leader Awards. The award recognizes individuals between the ages of 13 and 25 who have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and effected change in their schools, communities, and beyond. Honorees will enjoy an all-expense-paid trip to Phoenix, Arizona for the Greenbuild Conference and Expo, November 11-13, 2009. Additionally, honorees will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the Speak Green Festival in April 2010, where they, along with poets from the Youth Speaks Green Team, will take the stage at the Kennedy Center to be celebrated for the work they are doing to transform their communities toward a more sustainable future. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2009.
Jobs & Internships
30. Climate Program Coordinator, SustainUS
SustainUS is now accepting applications for a Climate Program Coordinator to support the climate change-related activities of its Agents of Change program and liaise with activities of the Energy Action Coalition. The Coordinator will work with the Agents of Change Program Coordinators and other volunteer organizers to ensure that project goals are met. In December 2009, SustainUS will send an Agents of Change delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations, Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Climate Program Coordinator is responsible for the delegation's preparation including managing logistics, training, outreach, and collaboration with other groups, both domestic and international. This is a one-year, full time position with the possibility of extension. The deadline to apply is July 16, 2009.
31. Dir, Sustainable Systems MA Prgm, Saybrook Graduate School
Saybrook Graduate School (CA) invites applications for a 50 percent faculty position as Director of the MA in Leadership of Sustainable Systems. Responsibilities will include orienting and mentoring students; facilitating a student learning community; developing course curriculum; and assessing learning outcomes. In addition to providing stewardship of the MA program, there will be opportunities to teach and direct research at the MA and PhD level. A Ph.D. is required. The position is open until filled.
32. Director, Sierra Student Coalition
The Sierra Student Coalition seeks a Director to plan, organize, and implement the education and mobilization of the organization. The successful candidate will also work with SSC student volunteers to organize support for grassroots campaigns, events, and skills training and to generate turnout for campaign visibility events. Requirements include a current and basic knowledge of environmental issues; 1-2 years of related experience, and strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Candidates should be able to travel up to 40 percent of the time.
33. Graduate Associate Faculty, Env'l Studies, Prescott College
Prescott College (AZ) invites applicants for part time, 12 month Adjunct Graduate Associate Faculty positions in the Master of Arts Program in Environmental Studies. Primary responsibilities will include supporting and evaluating student learning; advising graduate students; guiding and evaluating student program development and learning outcomes; assigning graduate advisors; supervising programs of study; delivering hybrid online core curricula; participating in residential curricular activities; and cultivating relationships with mentors, advisors, and organizations. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
34. Instructor, Environmental Science, Everest College
Everest College (CA) is seeking an instructor of Environmental Science. General duties will include maintaining a teaching assignment for class; planning course instruction based upon the approved syllabus/outline; and designing, administering, and grading examinations to assess achievement of course objectives as identified in the syllabus. A Master's degree in 18 hours of credits in Environmental Science is required. The position is open until filled.
35. Teaching Fellowship, National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation seeks applicants for a teaching fellowship. The successful applicant will be the instructor for an online course that teaches basic climate literacy and action to college students and adults earning professional development credit. During the year-long assignment, instructors will typically have 3 cohorts, unless demand is less than expected for a certain semester. Applicants should be graduate students enrolled in a U.S. college or university. Each instructor works with NWF for about one year, or 11-12 months. The average amount of time spent is about 5-7 hours weekly or 25 hours monthly. The application deadline is July 30, 2009.
Events
36. Webinar on Solar Power Purchase Agreements
July 28, 2009; 1 – 2:30pm Eastern; Online
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership will host a webinar on solar power purchase agreements (SPPA), a financial arrangement in which a third-party developer owns, operates, and maintains a photovoltaic system and a host customer agrees to site the system on its roof or elsewhere on its property and purchase the system’s electric output for a pre-determined period. Participants will learn the benefit and challenges of an SPPA to the host customer, how an SPPA can overcome many of the traditional barriers to solar adoption, and the steps necessary for a successful SPPA. As nonprofits, campuses cannot take advantage of the tax incentives for installing solar. Working with a private contractor through a SPPA can enable the developers of campus projects to get wind energy credits.
37. 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.
38. AASHE/NWF Student Summit at Greening of the Campus Conference
September 20, 2009; 1 – 5:30pm Eastern; Indianapolis, IN
AASHE and the NWF Campus Ecology Program invite college and university students from the United States and Canada to attend the 2009 Student Summit. The goal of the summit is to allow students to collaborate on projects taking place on their campuses, to share best practices, to learn about new and innovative initiatives, and to give students an opportunity to develop solutions to climate change on their campuses and in their regions. The event will offer several "how to" workshops, networking time, and a free-for-all breakout session where students will break off into groups to discuss topics of their choice. The Summit will be held as a pre-conference workshop before the Greening of Campus Conference. The cost is free to students attending the GOC Conference and $15 for students who are not attending the conference.
39. Registration Open - Greening of the Campus VIII
September 20-23, 2009; Indianapolis, IN
Ball State University and AASHE invite registration for Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change. Keynote speakers will include Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet; Geoff Chase, Dean of Undergraduate Studies at San Diego State University (CA); and Jerome Ringo, President of the Apollo Alliance. Other conference features will include pre-, post-, and in-conference workshops; a two-day tradeshow focused on promoting environmentally sustainable and socially responsible products and services; panels, forums, and posters; and a networking reception with the Labs 21 conference. Early registration ends August 1, 2009. Discounts are available for students and AASHE members.
40. Registration Open - Conference on Sustainable Laboratories
September 22-24, 2009; Indianapolis, IN
The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories has opened registration for its Labs21 2009 Annual Conference. The event will include a parallel reception with Ball State University's and AASHE's "Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change" conference; keynote speaker John C. Lechleiter, CEO of Eli Lilly; open discussion, and presentations on laboratory operations and maintenance, research and development campuses' sustainability efforts and the need for investors/developers, laboratory security, and combined heat and power. A discounted registration is available for those attending Greening of the Campus VIII. Early registration ends July 20, 2009.
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