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Table of Contents for 9/28/09:
NEWS
Buildings
1. Macalester College Building Receives LEED Platinum Certification
2. U Minnesota Football Stadium Receives LEED Silver
3. West Virginia U Receives LEED Certification for Renovation
4. Concordia U Builds New Green Business Building
5. Butte College Builds New Energy Efficient Arts Center
Campus Sustainability in the Media
6. Grist Releases Campus Sustainability Video
Climate
7. ACUPCC Signatories Submit Public Climate Action Plans
Co-Curricular Education
8. U California Berkeley Assigns Green Summer Reading
9. U Oregon Completes Green Orientation Program
Curriculum
10. Northern Arizona U Establishes New Sustainability-Focused School
Dining Services
11. Study Finds Organic Coffee Market is Strongly Supported by Campuses
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
12. Five Institutions Receive $2.6 M Grant for Minority Education
Energy
13. U Mississippi to Post Real-Time Energy Use on Facebook, Twitter
14. Santa Clara U Doubles Renewable Energy Purchases
15. Arizona State U Retrofits Lighting
16. Smith College Replaces Lighting in Indoor Sports Facility
17. Texas State Technical College Installs Solar Array
Public Engagement
18. Clemson U, Montana State U Open Farmers' Markets on Campus
19. Portland State U Receives Sustainability Leadership Award
20. Colorado State U Professor Receives Village Earth Award
Research
21. Portland State U Opens Green Building Research Lab
22. U Wyoming Receives Climate Change Research Grant
Sustainability Institutionalization
23. The King's U College Launches Sustainability Committee
Sustainability Staffing
24. Kansas State U’s Ctr for Sustainable Energy Hires 14 Grad Assistants
Transportation
25. Campuses Add, Expand Car-Share Programs
26. Elon U Establishes Ride-Share Prgm for Faculty, Staff, & Students
Waste
27. Temple U Receives EPA's Env'l Achievement Award
Water
28. U Texas Athletics Bump Up Water Conservation Efforts
NEW RESOURCES
29. Student Research on Campus Sustainability Database
30. Handbook of Sustainability Literacy
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
31. Director of Sustainability, Southwestern Illinois College
32. Dir, Environmental Sustainability, Empire State College
33. Project Coordinator, Sustainability, U Colorado Denver
34. Asst Prof, Sustainability in Urban & Regional Planning, U Buffalo
35. Asst Prof, Green Business, Stony Brook U
36. Asst/Assoc Prof, Renewable Energy, Illinois State U
37. Asst Prof, Environmental Policy, Colby College
EVENTS
38. AASHE Sustainability Across the Curriculum Leadership Workshop
News
Buildings
1. Macalester College Building Receives LEED Platinum Certification
Macalester College (MN) has received LEED Platinum certification for Markim Hall. The $7.5 million, 17,000 square foot facility houses the Institute for Global Citizenship, civic engagement, study abroad and international programs, faculty and staff offices, meeting rooms, and an open atrium for campus events. Green features include native landscaping, storm water management, and triple-glazed and low-e glass in windows which have been treated to prevent transmission of heat. Energy simulation models predict that Markim Hall will use about 80 percent less energy than a standard building in Macalester’s climate. The Platinum level certification is the first LEED certification received by the College.
See also: Press Release for Markim Hall Opening
See also: Markim Hall Photo Album
2. U Minnesota Football Stadium Receives LEED Silver
The University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium has been awarded LEED Silver certification. Green design features of the 50,805-seat football facility include a storm water management system that allows rain water to be captured into an underground filtering system outside the stadium where it is harvested, filtered, and drained into the Mississippi River; 90 percent recycled steel; a reflective roof to reduce heat island effect; and low VOC paint, carpet, sealants, and adhesives. Construction of the stadium began in July 2007 and was completed July 2009.
3. West Virginia U Receives LEED Certification for Renovation
West Virginia University’s Oglebay Hall has received LEED certification. The building, which was built in 1917, underwent a five-year renovation that included the installation of water-saving fixtures, a synthetic slate roof made of recycled rubber, and a more sustainable heating and cooling units. The structure, which now incorporates greater use of natural daylighting, reopened in 2007.
4. Concordia U Builds New Green Business Building
Concordia University (QC) has opened a new building that houses its John Molson School of Business. Green features include low-flow plumbing, use of grey water, and a roof top garden. The facility also contains a solar wall that can generate up to 25 kW of electricity and 75 kilowatts of heat. The school is registered for LEED Silver certification.
5. Butte College Builds New Energy Efficient Arts Center
Butte College (CA) has completed its new 77,000-square-foot Arts Center. The facility's energy use is 35 percent above the California Energy Code requirements and its water consumption is 48.5 percent less than traditional buildings of the same type. Green features include low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, a solar array, and an electric vehicle refueling station.
Campus Sustainability in the Media
6. Grist Releases Campus Sustainability Video
Grist, an online environmental news network, has posted a video on campus sustainability. The video discusses green campus initiatives at the College of the Atlantic (ME).
Climate
7. ACUPCC Signatories Submit Public Climate Action Plans
Several U.S. campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAP) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. September 15, 2009 was the first deadline for the Commitment's original members. The submitted plans can be viewed through the ACUPCC Reporting System.
See also: ACUPCC Reporting System
See also: Chronicle of Higher Education Blog Post
See also: Inside Higher Ed News Story
See also: ABC News Story
Co-Curricular Education
8. U California Berkeley Assigns Green Summer Reading
The University of California, Berkeley College of Letters and Science has completed its summer reading project, the On the Same Page program, in which first-year students were asked to read The Omnivore's Dilemma, written by UC Berkeley Professor Michael Pollan. Each year, the program selects a work or works by a leading thinker or artist for incoming students to read and reflect on, and for L&S faculty to teach to in seminars as well as their regular courses.
See also: On the Same Page Program Homepage
9. U Oregon Completes Green Orientation Program
The University of Oregon has completed its first green orientation program, Project Tomato. The program enabled ten first-year students to embark on a four-day trip exploring UO dining services and its connections to local agriculture. The students biked to and camped at local farms, worked with farm staff to harvest about 1,000 pounds of tomatoes, and made pizza sauce to use in the dining hall. Participants also learned about permaculture, agriculture that relies on renewable resources and a self-sustaining eco-system. Project Tomato is managed by the OU Office of Sustainability.
Curriculum
10. Northern Arizona U Establishes New Sustainability-Focused School
Northern Arizona University has combined the Department of Geology with the Center for Sustainable Environments to create the new School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability. The new department combines educational programs and outreach in environmental sciences, environmental studies and geology, and graduate programs in environmental sciences and policy and geology. The University hopes that by bringing these two departments together students will have more opportunities for hands on experience with federal agencies such as the National Parks Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
Dining Services
11. Study Finds Organic Coffee Market is Strongly Supported by Campuses
A new report from the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association, has found that organic coffee is more available than ever on college and university campuses as a result of student and faculty demand. A variety of organic coffee companies around the country have seen sales go up. Institutions cited in the article for purchasing more organic coffee include University of Utah; Utah State University; the City College of San Francisco (CA); University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University (NY); University of Arizona; Wesleyan University (CT); Indiana University; University of Massachusetts; and the University of Vermont.
Diversity, Access, and Affordability
12. Five Institutions Receive $2.6 M Grant for Minority Education
The University of Washington, Boise State University, Oregon State University, Portland State University, and Washington State University have received the Pacific Northwest Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a $2.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation that aims to increase the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to minorities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Currently, the four-year partners award about 350 degrees to underrepresented minorities in the STEM fields; the five-year goal is to increase this number to 700. Students will be provided with financial, academic, social and professional support in a coordinated effort to help them succeed.
Energy
13. U Mississippi to Post Real-Time Energy Use on Facebook, Twitter
The University of Mississippi is partnering with SmartSynch Inc., a smart grid infrastructure company, to set up smart meters in campus buildings that will track power usage in real time. The University plans to publish the real-time results for the general public on Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds. UM to identify a detailed pattern of electricity usage at its buildings and, using the smart meter data, determine methods to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. The program is part of the University's "Red, Blue and Green" campaign.
14. Santa Clara U Doubles Renewable Energy Purchases
Santa Clara University (CA) has committed to doubling its annual use of renewable energy to 22,512 MW. Seventy-five percent of the University’s electricity is now purchased through renewable energy certificates which guarantee clean energy is being used.
15. Arizona State U Retrofits Lighting
Arizona State University has begun a project to retrofit over 10,000 lighting fixtures in and around 13 buildings. The project, which is schedule for completion in December 2009, is expected to save $100,000 annually on utility bills.
16. Smith College Replaces Lighting in Indoor Sports Facility
Smith College (MA) has completed a full light replacement in its Indoor Track and Tennis facility. The project replaced 120 metal halide light fixtures, each of which used 1,000 watts, with 144 fixtures that use 600 watts per unit. Smith expects the lighting project to save $38,000 per year. The College plans to install motion sensors to automatically shut off the lights when not use.
17. Texas State Technical College Installs Solar Array
Texas State Technical College has received an $88,000 grant from Green Mountain Energy Company to install a 60-panel solar array that will produce 13,000 kilowatt hours per year. The installation is expected to save the College approximately $300,000 in electric bills over the next 30 years.
See also: List of Campus Solar Installations
Public Engagement
18. Clemson U, Montana State U Open Farmers' Markets on Campus
Clemson University (SC) and Montana State University have launched fall farmers' markets on campus. At Clemson, students have established a monthly fall market that will offer food from Clemson's organic farm and from local growers. The market, which was pioneered by sophomore Angela Nixon, received a one-time $10,000 grant from the state Agricultural Department. At MSU, students have begun a fall market at which they sell vegetables that were grown on the University’s horticulture farm to faculty, staff, students, and the community.
See also: MSU Press Release
19. Portland State U Receives Sustainability Leadership Award
Portland State University (OR) has received the Cecil D. Andrus Leadership Award for Sustainability and Conservation from Sustainable Northwest, a nonprofit that works to promote solutions to land management challenges. PSU received the award for its partnership with the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation. The Cecil D. Andrus Leadership Awards for Sustainability and Conservation are bestowed annually to individuals, nonprofit organizations, or collaborative community-based efforts that demonstrate a commitment to conservation of the environment, outreach and service to community, adaptability and innovation, and leadership of others to pursue similar sustainable paths.
20. Colorado State U Professor Receives Village Earth Award
Professor Bryan Wilson of Colorado State University has received the Maurice L. Albertson Medal in Sustainable Development from Village Earth, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable community-based development around the world. Professor Wilson has been a part of CSU’s Engines and Energy Conservation Lab for the past 18 years where he has helped to develop two-stroke engine retrofit technology. This technology is used to retrofit dirty engines mostly located in Asia. In 2006, Wilson co-founded Solix Biofuels to commercialize technology to produce oil from algae and turn it into biodiesel. He is now the director of CSU’s Clean Energy Super Cluster, which works to maximize the impact of energy solutions developed in laboratories across campus.
Research
21. Portland State U Opens Green Building Research Lab
Portland State University (OR) has opened its new Green Building Research Laboratory. The lab, which will also serve as a teaching tool for students, provides a place for university researchers to work in close collaboration with industry partners to help solve the fundamental and applied research needs of the green building industry.
See also: Green Building Research Lab Homepage
22. U Wyoming Receives Climate Change Research Grant
The University of Wyoming has received a total of $2 million in federal stimulus funds through the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health. The seven grants will fund research in climate change, astronomy, geology, insect cells, and neuroscience. The largest of the grants, $586,581, went to the Department of Atmospheric Science to research aspects of climate change.
Sustainability Institutionalization
23. The King's U College Launches Sustainability Committee
The King's University College (AB) has launched a new sustainability committee. The Campus Sustainability Coalition, which seeks to advance sustainability throughout the campus, is made up of twelve members that include students, staff, faculty, and the president. Coalition members have divided into three task forces that focus on researching the most effective methods to conduct annual environmental audits, integrating campus sustainability into all aspects of the University’s strategic plan, and seeking out external funding opportunities.
Sustainability Staffing
24. Kansas State U’s Ctr for Sustainable Energy Hires 14 Grad Assistants
Fourteen Kansas State University graduate students representing six departments and three colleges have been awarded assistantships to conduct research in sustainable energy for the 2009-10 academic year. K-State's Center for Sustainable Energy requests proposals annually from eligible K-State faculty in support of the assistantships for projects related to enhancing research on renewable energy topics. The assistantships are intended to expand the current research base at K-State and encourage new research clusters addressing issues related to renewable energy. Proposals included bioenergy research topics in plant genetics, biomass production, conversion processes and utilization, as well as wind, solar, and economic issues related to renewable energy.
Transportation
25. Campuses Add, Expand Car-Share Programs
Carleton College (MN); Winona State University (MN); California State University, Chico; and Vermont Law School have established new car-share programs on their campuses. The institutions implemented the new programs to help reduce parking congestion and to offer alternative transportation to students, faculty, and staff. The University of Florida has expanded its current car-share program to include students and staff and has increased its car-sharing fleet to include 3 new vehicles.
See also: Winona State Press Release
See also: CSU Chico Press Release
See also: Vermont Law School Press Release
See also: U Florida Press Release
See also: List of Campus Car-share Programs (AASHE Members Only)
26. Elon U Establishes Ride-Share Prgm for Faculty, Staff, & Students
Elon University (NC) has established a new ride-share program to encourage faculty, staff, and students to car-pool. The program allows those interested in car-pooling to register through an online database. The database consists of two sections – one for normal commuting and one for special destinations.
Waste
27. Temple U Receives EPA's Env'l Achievement Award
The Temple University (PA) Computer Recycling Center has received one of the 2009 Environmental Achievement Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region. The Center has recycled and rehabbed more than 27,000 computers, monitors, printers, and scanners since its inception in 2003. The Center is funded through income from a Temple policy that requires all Temple faculty and staff to pay a $50 recycling fee every time they purchase a computer through the University.
Water
28. U Texas Athletics Bump Up Water Conservation Efforts
University of Texas Athletics has begun an initiative to participate in the City of Austin's effort to conserve water. The department has chosen to only water athletic fields twice a week, and the new artificial football field has reduced water usage by 80 percent. UT has also turned off several landmark water fountains across campus.
New Resources
29. Student Research on Campus Sustainability Database
AASHE has launched a database for student research on campus sustainability. The new resource allows users to search research projects by keyword, discipline, administrative department, publication date, paper type, and/or search term. The database is only available to AASHE members.
30. Handbook of Sustainability Literacy
Green Books has published The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy: Skills for a changing world. The 224-page book, edited by Arran Stibbe, provides a reflection on the skills people need to survive and thrive in the challenging conditions of the 21st century. The book covers a wide range of skills and attributes from technology appraisal to ecological intelligence, and includes active learning exercises to help develop those skills. The publication is available online and in paperback.
Jobs & Internships
31. Director of Sustainability, Southwestern Illinois College
Southwestern Illinois College is accepting applications for a full-time, grant-funded administrative position of Director of Sustainability. The Director of Sustainability will provide leadership in the delivery of programs and services for the College's Sustainability Center. The Director will work in collaboration with SWIC faculty and staff, local government agencies, not-for-profits, and other agencies and organizations engaged in energy efficiency and conservation efforts. The Director will also supervise and provide direct services to residents, businesses, students and others seeking information, resources, and training in the areas of sustainability and "green jobs." A Bachelor's degree in environmental studies or a related field is required. Applications are due October 12, 2009.
32. Dir, Environmental Sustainability, Empire State College
Empire State College (NY) seeks a Director of Environmental Sustainability to coordinate all of the College's activities related to responsible environmental programs including recycling, education, communication, programming, procurement, and policies. The successful candidate will report to the president and be guided by the Environmental Sustainability Committee. A master's degree in environmental science, public administration and policy, urban planning, or a related field is required. The application deadline is October 23, 2009.
33. Project Coordinator, Sustainability, U Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado, Denver has announced its initial recruitment for a six-month appointment of a Project Coordinator for Sustainability Outreach in Colorado, with the potential option to extend as the program develops. The Project Coordinator will use UC Denver's water and energy footprinting tools to help Colorado communities and entities in developing sustainability baselines and evaluate costs and benefits of various sustainability actions for the future. Candidates should have good quantitative skills; knowledge of carbon accounting and energy analysis; the ability to oversee student interns; the ability to conduct outreach with Colorado communities and entities; and skills in GIS, transportation planning and database development. Minimum Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Architecture and Planning, or a related field with a specific concentration/focus in Building Sciences, Sustainable Energy, and/or Carbon Accounting. Review of applications will begin October 9, 2009 and continue until the position is filled.
34. Asst Prof, Sustainability in Urban & Regional Planning, U Buffalo
The University at Buffalo (NY) Department of Urban and Regional Planning seeks applicants whose research and teaching interest focus on sustainable development in any combination of the following emphasis areas: urban design, land use, urban form, natural environment systems, ecosystem restoration, public health and wellness, sustainable transportation, and environmental issues in central-city regeneration. A Ph.D. in urban and regional planning or a related field is required. The position is open until filled.
35. Asst Prof, Green Business, Stony Brook U
Stony Brook University Southampton (NY) seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Business to teach the issues of sustainability and sustainable development. Qualifications include a doctorate in business economics and/or finance or a related discipline and teaching experience at the college level. The initial review of applications will begin Fall 2009 and will continue until the position is filled.
36. Asst/Assoc Prof, Renewable Energy, Illinois State U
Illinois State University Department of Technology is seeking a tenure-track faculty to provide leadership to ISU's new renewable energy program. Duties will include coordinating the renewable energy program including activities such as marketing and recruitment, curriculum, and course scheduling; working closely with the Renewable Energy Center's staff to develop relationships with industry and external funding for program initiatives; and teaching courses in renewable energy and related fields. The application deadline is October 23, 2009.
37. Asst Prof, Environmental Policy, Colby College
The Colby College (ME) Environmental Studies Program invites applications for a tenure-track position in International Environmental Policy at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin September 1, 2010. Candidates should be broadly trained in environmental studies with expertise in international environmental policy. Applicants whose policy backgrounds include international environmental politics, environmental institutions, law, justice, or sustainability are encouraged to apply. Candidates should have a Ph.D. and a strong commitment to undergraduate education. Teaching responsibilities will include a senior capstone course in international environmental policy, intermediate-level courses in the candidate's area of specialty including a course in international environmental policy/law, and participation in the team-taught introductory ES course. Application review will begin November 13, 2009, and will continue until the position is filled.
Events
38. AASHE Sustainability Across the Curriculum Leadership Workshop
January 7-8, 2010; Emory University; Atlanta, GA
AASHE's Sustainability Across the Curriculum Leadership workshops are for faculty leaders of all disciplines who wish to develop curriculum change programs around sustainability on their campuses. Through an intensive two days of presentations, exercises, discussions, reflection, and planning, participants will become familiar with the philosophy of change in higher education developed through the Ponderosa Project at Northern Arizona University and adapted at Emory in the Piedmont Project. Participants will also experience a range of workshop strategies, hear local experts, enjoy outdoor place-based activities, and dialogue with faculty from around the country as they gain help in adapting this model to their own campus. The workshop leaders, Peggy Barlett and Geoffrey Chase, are editors of Sustainability on Campus: Stories and Strategies for Change and have helped more than 250 faculty revise courses in a wide array of disciplines. Workshop tuition is $420 for AASHE members and $485 for non-members. Applications to participate are due October 30, 2009.
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