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Table of Contents for 02/21/2011:
NEWS
Buildings
1. U California Berkeley Earns Fifth LEED Certification
2. U California San Francisco Unveils Medical Center Green Roof
Co-Curricular Education
3. Duke U Preps New Student-Initiated Campus Farm
Coordination and Planning
4. U.S. Dept of Labor Kicks Off Community College Summits
5. Dickinson College Names New Sustainability Chairs
Curriculum
6. U New Hampshire Debuts Sustainable Agriculture Program
7. U Virginia Launches Global Sustainability Minor
Diversity and Affordability
8. Obama's Budget Proposes Cuts to Career and Technical Education
9. Michigan College Students Face Food Aid Halt
Energy
10. Zero Net Energy Plans for U California Santa Barbara Rec Center
11. U Maryland College Park Announces 631KW Solar Project
12. Lynchburg College Slashes Energy and Water Consumption
13. Sam Houston State U Undertakes Energy Conservation Program
14. U Northern Iowa Installs Solar-Wind Hybrid Station
15. U Mass Medical School Adds Natural Gas Turbine to Power Plant
16. Agnes Scott College Installs Touch Screen Energy Monitors
17. Pomona College Wins Claremont Colleges Power Down Challenge
Funding
18. Seattle Central CC Awarded $2 Mil Conservation Grant
19. Dalhousie U Receives $1.4 Mil for Natural Gas Conversion
20. U Guelph Significantly Reduces Emissions with Student Green Fees
21. North Central Missouri College to Build New Campus with USDA Loan
22. U Chicago Receives $50K Grant for Green Roof
Purchasing
23. Duke U Graduation Gowns to be Made of Recycled Plastic Bottles
Research
24. U Central Florida Builds Weather Station for Research
Transportation
25. Zipcar Grows Network of Campus Car Share Programs
Waste
26. Syracuse U Cancels Bulk Delivery of Phone Books
27. U Mass Medical School Reduces Campus Paper Usage
Water
28. California State U Sacramento Signs Water Consulting Contract
29. Montana State U Saves 40,000 Gallons of Water in a Week
NEW RESOURCES
30. New AASHE Guest Blog Series: Sustainable Study Abroad
31. Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
32. EPA Renewable Energy Cost Database
OPPORTUNITIES
33. Call for Abstracts: AASHE 2011 Conference
34. Climate Change Education Partnership Program Funding
35. Colorado State U Sustainable Design Summer Program
36. U Vermont Campus Sustainability Leadership Program
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
37. President, Unity College
38. Higher Education Associate, Center for Green Schools, USGBC
39. Coordinator, Energy Services, Keene State College
EVENTS
40. UMACS/AASHE Faculty Leadership in Sustainability Workshop
41. 'Proxy Preview 2011' Webinar
42. NWF Campus Ecology Webinar: Geothermal on Campus
43. Innovations 2011: International Community College Convention
44. National Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference
45. United Students for Fair Trade National Convergence
46. AASCU Regional Stewardship Communications Conference
CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION FORUMS HIGHLIGHTS
47. Starting a Large-Scale Composting System: Please Help
48. Verification of Data Collected (STARS)
Correction: In the 2/14/2011 issue of the AASHE Bulletin, the ACUPCC workshop, "GHG Reduction Strategies," was incorrectly identified as an online webinar. Please note that this is not an online event, and takes place in College Park, Maryland.
News
Buildings
1. U California Berkeley Earns Fifth LEED Certification
With the recent LEED Silver certification of Durant Hall, the University of California, Berkeley received its fifth LEED building certification. Completed last summer, the renovation lets a high degree of daylighting into the work spaces and features new mechanical and electrical systems that exceed California's mandated energy efficiency standards by 17 percent. Eighty-eight percent of the construction waste was diverted from landfills.
2. U California San Francisco Unveils Medical Center Green Roof
The University of California, San Francisco has opened the doors of its Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building, which features a terraced green roof. The $123 million building was paid for with grants and donations. The university has $12 million left to raise. Co-Curricular Education
3. Duke U Preps New Student-Initiated Campus Farm
Duke University (NC) has erected a greenhouse as the first phase of a planned campus farm. An idea that grew from an undergraduate environmental studies class last spring, the pilot project will grow one acre per year until the donated 12-acre land from Duke Forest is filled. The aim of the farm is to provide campus dining halls with fresh seasonal food and allow students the opportunity for engagement with food studies.
See also: List of Campus Supported Agriculture and Farms (AASHE Members Only) Coordination and Planning
4. U.S. Dept of Labor Kicks Off Community College Summits
As a follow-up to the White House Community College Summit last fall, the U.S. Department of Education will hold a series of regional community college summits. The last meeting in April will be a virtual symposium that will present findings on issues discussed at the regional summits. Bringing together representatives from community colleges, students, business and industry, philanthropy, labor, and state and local government, these summits are intended to further the conversation regarding community colleges' role in workforce development and student success, in particular President Barack Obama's goal of an additional five million Americans earning a college credential by 2020.
5. Dickinson College Names New Sustainability Chairs
During a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Dickinson College (PA) honored two new Distinguished Chairs in Sustainability Studies. The tenured faculty are Ashton Nichols, professor of english, and Candie Wilderman, professor of environmental studies. Curriculum
6. U New Hampshire Debuts Sustainable Agriculture Program
The University of New Hampshire has launched a new major that reflects the region's agricultural landscape and growing appetite for local, sustainable food, products and services. The sustainable agriculture and food systems curriculum combines plant, animal and environmental sciences with related topics like nutrition, forestry, aquaculture, and business disciplines such as entrepreneurship and marketing. The major offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees.
See also: List of Sustainability in Agriculture Education Offerings
7. U Virginia Launches Global Sustainability Minor
The University of Virginia's Office of the Provost has approved a new interdisciplinary minor in global sustainability, open to undergraduates in any discipline. Requirements include one foundation course, "Global Sustainability," and options within the three categories of environment, equity and economy. The creation of the minor was a student initiative.
See also: List of Minors in Sustainability Diversity and Affordability
8. Obama's Budget Proposes Cuts to Career and Technical Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that President Barack Obama's recent proposed budget would make millions of dollars in cuts to student aid to preserve the Pell Grant program, the primary college financial aid program for low-income students. Under the president the maximum award was increased to $5,550. To maintain a maximum Pell award of $5,550, the president's fiscal 2012 budget would eliminate the in-school interest subsidy on loans to graduate students and end a policy that allows students to receive two Pell Grants in a single year. Some 9.6 million students are expected to receive the awards next year, up from six million in 2008. The budget also calls for a 20 percent cut in funding for career and technical education, threatening to undermine the president's goals of reducing unemployment and graduating five million more Americans with certificates and degrees by 2020.
See also: Coverage of Higher Education's Response
9. Michigan College Students Face Food Aid Halt
Perhaps another push toward the increasing trend of campus food pantries, as many as 20,000 college students in Michigan who now receive food stamps could lose their eligibility in April. According to a new state policy that will go into effect this spring, college students won't qualify for the federally funded Food Assistance Program without particular circumstances like caring for young children or working at least 20 hours a week. Spurred by state Republican lawmakers who have raised concerns about food stamp fraud, the policy changes the way the state has administered its food program for about two decades. Poverty experts say they have yet to see evidence of rampant card abuse among students and worry that the policy change will cut off families who financially depend on the help.
Energy
10. Zero Net Energy Plans for U California Santa Barbara Rec Center
The University of California, Santa Barbara's Recreation Center has been chosen by Southern California Edison as a "Zero Net Energy Demonstration Showcase." The electric utility company will perform an energy efficiency analysis of the center and provide recommendations for achieving zero net energy performance within the facility. With assistance from the utility company's incentive and rebate programs, the university will purchase and install the recommended solutions. The university hopes to make all of its facilities energy independent by the 2015-2016 academic year.
11. U Maryland College Park Announces 631KW Solar Project
After receiving a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration Project Sunburst Initiative, the University of Maryland, College Park is scheduled to install more than 2,600 solar panels on the roof of its Severn Building. Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. will finance a portion of the project in return for the university’s agreement of a 20-year purchasing contract. The result of this project amounts to one of the largest solar power systems in Maryland. It will produce 792 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, reducing the university’s carbon footprint by more than 600 tons a year.
See also: List of Solar Installations on Campus
12. Lynchburg College Slashes Energy and Water Consumption
Lynchburg College (VA) has saved 4.5 million gallons of water in the first semester of a $4.65 million campus conservation project. The college achieved its goal of saving 30 percent of its water usage by installing low-flow toilets, faucets and showerheads throughout campus. The college's electricity consumption dropped by 8 percent due to the installation of solar panels and energy-efficient light bulbs in buildings. New meters have been installed in dormitories to track water and electricity consumption. The project is expected to pay for itself by reducing the college’s utility bill by about one third.
13. Sam Houston State U Undertakes Energy Conservation Program
Sam Houston State University (TX) has announced a new 20-year contract with Schneider Electric Buildings Americas, Inc. to renovate campus buildings to reduce energy and water consumption. Slated projects include the installation of water-efficient appliances, campus-wide lighting retrofits, laundry machine upgrades and energy monitor installation in the 117 facilities on campus. These projects will save the university an estimated $33 million over a 20-year period.
14. U Northern Iowa Installs Solar-Wind Hybrid Station
The University of Northern Iowa's new solar-wind hybrid power station recently celebrated its first day of power. The station, which will help to power the campus grid, is funded by a grant from the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development, state and local funds, educational institutions and the private sector. In the works since March 2010, students, faculty and contractors worked together to implement the 12-kilowatt station.
15. U Mass Medical School Adds Natural Gas Turbine to Power Plant
The University of Massachusetts Medical School is expanding its power plant to accommodate a new 7.5-megawatt gas-fired combustion turbine that will boost the plant's capacity to generate steam, electricity and chilled water. Fueled by natural gas, the new turbine will replace a 35-year-old gas and oil-fired boiler. The turbine will also feature a catalytic reduction system to remove pollutants before the exhaust gasses are discharged through the existing smokestack.
16. Agnes Scott College Installs Touch Screen Energy Monitors
Students in two first-year residence halls at Agnes Scott College (GA) will compete for the title of "greenest residence hall" with the help of new touch screen displays that will tell them how much electricity their building is using in real-time, and how much it has used in the past. The displays also reveal how much power the building is using compared to its rival residence hall. The college is planning to add displays in several other campus buildings over time but has chose the two first-year residence halls as the initial sites. The data for the displays is generated by the college's energy dashboard, which tracks electricity in seven buildings on campus. Natural gas and water tracking will be added to the displays and energy dashboard in the near future.
See also: List of Campus Building Energy Dashboards (AASHE Members Only)
17. Pomona College Wins Claremont Colleges Power Down Challenge
With an overall reduction of 10.5 percent in dorm electricity use, Pomona College (CA) won the Claremont Colleges Power Down Challenge that took place in November 2010. The residence hall that with the largest energy savings on campus, the Oldenborg Center at 23.4 percent, will decide which campus sustainability project they will fund with $6,000 provided through the college's President's Office and Office of Facilities and Campus Services. Contenders include the expansion of the campus compost program and the installation of a hydration station for filling reusable water bottles. Funding
18. Seattle Central CC Awarded $2 Mil Conservation Grant
Seattle Central Community College (WA) has received a $2 million conservation grant from the State Jobs Act for Public K-12 and Higher Education Institutions. The grant money will be directed towards an energy efficiency project that will upgrade the Energy Management System in many of the campus’ buildings and be used for retrofitting energy appliances.
19. Dalhousie U Receives $1.4 Mil for Natural Gas Conversion
Dalhousie University (NS) has received a $1.4 million grant from the Nova Scotia government to help finance its conversion from heating oil to natural gas. The total project will cost $1.8 million and the conversion will not only help reduce the university’s greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also expand the natural gas distribution infrastructure in Nova Scotia.
20. U Guelph Significantly Reduces Emissions with Student Green Fees
The just-released Community Energy Plan report for the University of Guelph (ON) shows that the university saved $734,000 and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,363 tons in the 2009/2010 school year with energy and water conservation programs. Funded by a $10 per semester fee for students, the programs focused on developing a greenhouse gas tracking inventory, renovating outdated windows in residence halls, installing retrofit lighting and a heat-recovery system, and implementing a water conservation project in its Aqualab.
See also: List of Student Fees for Sustainability
21. North Central Missouri College to Build New Campus with USDA Loan
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a variety of projects that will be funded through its Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. A new agricultural and natural resources campus for North Central Missouri College will be constructed with the help of Grundy Electric Cooperative, who received a $740,000 loan for the project.
22. U Chicago Receives $50K Grant for Green Roof
With the assistance of a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the University of Chicago (IL) will help fund a 5,000-square-foot green roof atop the new Chicago Theological Seminary building. By providing a rooftop lawn, the building will reduce the heat island effect and reduce stormwater runoff. The grant was made available through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The building is a construction partnership between the university and the Chicago Theological Seminary. Purchasing
23. Duke U Graduation Gowns to be Made of Recycled Plastic Bottles
Commencement apparel for Duke University (NC) graduates this May will be made of material produced from recycled plastic bottles. Made of fabric spun from molten plastic pellets, each cap and gown will keep 23 used plastic bottles from winding up in landfills. The caps and gowns from Salem, Va.-based Oak Hall Cap & Gown Company will be shipped in boxes made of recycled cardboard and in storage bags made from recycled plastic.
Research
24. U Central Florida Builds Weather Station for Research
The University of Central Florida has built a weather station atop a green roof on the Physical Sciences buildings on its East Orlando campus. The weather station is updated hourly and can be viewed online. The hourly updates include temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed and precipitation. This tool will allow researchers to study the various cooling potentials of native plants. Transportation
25. Zipcar Grows Network of Campus Car Share Programs
With its latest partnerships with the University of Texas at Austin, Michigan State University, the University of Richmond (VA), Christopher Newport University (VA), Hampshire College (MA), Seton Hall University (NJ), Meredith College (NC) and North Carolina State University, Zipcar, Inc. has a presence on more than 225 college campuses. The car sharing program allows students, faculty and staff to rent a car only when they need it, providing a cost-effective alternative to car ownership. Within this network of campus programs, 1.7 million students, faculty and staff are now within a short walk of a Zipcar.
See also: List of Car Sharing on Campus (AASHE Members Only) Waste
26. Syracuse U Cancels Bulk Delivery of Phone Books
Verizon telephone directories will be delivered to Syracuse University (NY) based on pre-orders from individual departments rather than a bulk delivery to buildings and departments for the second year in a row. Initiated last year, the university ordered 1,490 copies in 2010 versus the approximately 7,000 phone books that were distributed across campus in 2009.
27. U Mass Medical School Reduces Campus Paper Usage
As a result of urging the campus community to think about their use of paper over the last two years, the amount of paper used by the University of Massachusetts Medical School dropped in fiscal year 2010. Of the paper used, significantly more of it was made from recycled content. In fiscal year 2009, the university purchased 7,224 case of paper, of which 13 percent were made with recycled content. In fiscal year 2010, the total amount of paper bought dropped to 7,096 cases, with 27 percent recycled paper.
Water
28. California State U Sacramento Signs Water Consulting Contract
California State University, Sacramento has signed a $300,000 consulting contract with California’s Department of Water Resources to troubleshoot difficulties with the state’s water delivery and conservation measures. The contract stipulates that the university is responsible for providing consulting, research, education and training services to the water resources department.
29. Montana State U Saves 40,000 Gallons of Water in a Week
A weeklong campaign at Montana State University increased water conservation on campus and produced a savings of 40,000 gallons of water. The events during the campaign included documentaries, presentations and community meetings. The Water Conservation Week focused on four individual consumption habits: shaving a minute off your showers, turning the water off while you brush your teeth, doing larger loads of laundry and not buying bottled water.
See also: List of Campus Water Conservation Efforts (AASHE Members Only)
New Resources
30. New AASHE Guest Blog Series: Sustainable Study Abroad
Studying abroad can promote sustainability if programs adhere to higher standards of sustainable practices, says Living Routes Director Daniel Greenberg. In a mini-series that AASHE will publish in four installments over the next month, Greenberg uses Living Routes as a case study to flesh out four identified strategies for sustainable study abroad including program design and management, student learning, staff training and office management, and promotion. The first installment of this series examines the program design and management of a study abroad program.
See also: List of Study Abroad Programs & Organizations in Sustainability (AASHE Members Only)
31. Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
The Professional Certificate in Sustainability Leadership from Ithaca College (NY), offered in partnership with AASHE, is for practitioners who want to apply best practices in leading sustainability initiatives. The certificate catalog features 12, two-week seminars delivered online - anytime, anywhere - with open enrollment. The program currently has two upcoming seminars that will take place March 24 - April 9, 2011. "A Systems Approach to Sustainability" will cover awareness of sustainability as a multidimensional, dynamic interaction between interrelated and interdependent elements in an organization. "How Green is Your Organization? Sustainable Infrastructure" will help sustainability coordinators apply rating tools and environmental scans to assess an organization's level of achievement with industry standards in infrastructure. The registration deadline for both is March 24, 2011, and discounts are available for AASHE members.
32. EPA Renewable Energy Cost Database
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has compiled a database of existing cost data for wind, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and geothermal energy technologies, including historical costs and projected costs for each. Despite the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector, there are few publicly available compilations of the data on renewable energy costs. This database is an attempt to fill this void of renewable energy - specifically for electricity generation - cost information.
Opportunities
33. Call for Abstracts: AASHE 2011 Conference
AASHE invites abstracts from the campus sustainability community for its 2011 conference, "Creating Sustainable Campuses and Communities." The AASHE conference offers a platform to present innovations, design frameworks, learning outcomes or leadership initiatives to university, college, business and governmental partners focusing on campus sustainability through cross-sector collaboration. The online submission process will remain open through March 16, 2011.
34. Climate Change Education Partnership Program Funding
The Climate Change Education Partnership (CCEP) program is seeking proposals for the development of Phase I Partnerships as part of its efforts to establish a coordinated national network of regionally- or thematically-based partnerships devoted to increasing the adoption of effective, high-quality education programs and resources related to the science of climate change and its impact. Grantees will receive up to two years of funding to support synthesis, network building and strategic planning activities. The proposal deadline is March 15, 2011.
35. Colorado State U Sustainable Design Summer Program
The Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University is offering a summer study program in Maho Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands. Open to students and young professionals wishing to further their knowledge in the sustainable design field, Sustainable Construction and Design will take place May 18 - 28, 2011. Applications are due March 31, 2011.
36. U Vermont Campus Sustainability Leadership Program
The University of Vermont Continuing Education is offering a five-day Campus Sustainability Leadership Program this summer. This program will focus on the institution's role in the transformation to a sustainable future with opportunities to expand the professional network of participants and learn from leaders in the field. The program will be led by Debra Rowe, president of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development, Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium advisor, AASHE senior advisor, Second Nature senior fellow and professor of sustainable energies and behavioral sciences at Oakland Community College and the Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology. The program can be taken as a professional certificate program or for three college credits.
Jobs & Internships
37. President, Unity College
The Unity College (ME) Board of Trustees invites nominations and applications for the position of president. The college is looking for applicants who can offer strong leadership in the areas of environmental education and sustainability. The president will be responsible for promoting the college to external audiences, increasing financial support and helping the college become more widely known for its teaching and learning practices and environmental programming. The president should value both conservation and preservation approaches to environmental concerns. The search committee will review candidates in early spring 2011 and continue until an appointment is made. The new president’s term of office is scheduled to commence on July 1, 2011 or at a mutually agreed upon time thereafter.
38. Higher Education Associate, Center for Green Schools, USGBC
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council invites applications for a higher education associate. This individual will work as an integral member of the Center for Green Schools with a focus on leading the development, implementation and management of a program that supports sustainability and green building initiatives at under-resourced institutions and reaches students, faculty and staff in under-served communities. Primary responsibilities of the position will include day-to-day program management, maintaining and building relationships with collaborating organizations, creating or adapting tools and resources to meet the needs of a diverse community and serving as the point of contact for under-resourced schools, including community colleges and minority-serving institutions. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree and a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience working on sustainability initiatives in higher education and/or with under-resourced institutions.
39. Coordinator, Energy Services, Keene State College
Keene State College (NH) has reopened its search for a coordinator of energy services, reporting to the Physical Plant director. This position will help the college with policy development; tracking, analyzing and reporting energy and utility use; strategic planning related to energy and energy efficiency efforts and current building technologies. Candidates should have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, public administration or a related field and three plus years of experience in a similar capacity.
Events
40. UMACS/AASHE Faculty Leadership in Sustainability Workshop
March 23–24, 2011; River Falls, WI
Modeled after AASHE's Sustainability Across the Curriculum Leadership Workshops, this workshop will focus on training faculty leaders from all disciplines to develop curriculum change programs around sustainability on their campuses. Hosted by the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, this two-day event of presentations, exercises, discussion, reflection and planning is geared toward Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (UMACS) and Upper Midwest schools. Registration is open until March 15, 2011 for a limit of 40 slots on a first come, first serve basis. Tuition is $325 for AASHE members and $375 for non-members.
41. 'Proxy Preview 2011' Webinar
February 23, 2011; 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern; Online
Attendees to this webinar will get a first look at "Proxy Preview 2011," the report with coverage of upcoming votes on environmental and social shareholder resolutions, including new advocacy sections for prominent issues of 2011 and case studies of past successes. The Proxy Preview is a collaboration between As You Sow, an environmental and social advocacy organization and publisher of the report since 2005, the Sustainable Investments Institute and Proxy Impact, a new proxy voting service for foundations and socially responsible investors. The Proxy Preview's team of issue experts will highlight key issues that investors will vote on at annual meetings in spring 2011. Many subjects directly relate to the missions of foundations and endowments, including climate change, political spending, sexual orientation non-discrimination, board diversity, financial risks of coal, fracking, toxic products, water scarcity, human rights, electronic waste and animal welfare.
42. NWF Campus Ecology Webinar: Geothermal on Campus
February 24, 2011; 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern; Online
As part of its Greener Campus Conference series, National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology will host "Geothermal on Campus." The series invites leading practitioners to speak on conservation and other sustainability topics, with a forum for questions and discussion. Each webinar features three to four speakers.
43. Innovations 2011: International Community College Convention
February 27 - March 2, 2011; San Diego, CA
Green job programs will be a focus of Innovations 2011, an international conference for community college educators. Sponsored by the League of Innovation in the Community College, the event will feature more than 400 presentations on topics including workforce preparation and development, sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
44. National Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference
March 8-10, 2011; Saratoga, NY
Sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and organized by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the 4th National Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference will look at the most current information on instructional strategies, curricula development, credentialing and best practices for training in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. The conference will present some of the best approaches and teaching models underway at community colleges, technical high schools, skill centers, the trades, industry and other training centers and organizations across the country.
45. United Students for Fair Trade National Convergence
March 18-20, 2011; Bowling Green, KY
Themed "Igniting a Movement: Fair Trade Universities," the United Students for Fair Trade will host its 7th Annual National Convergence at Western Kentucky University. The three-day conference brings together the nation's top student leaders working on fair trade for an event of expert panels and workshops focused on fair trade and student activism. The deadline to register is Feb. 25, 2011.
46. AASCU Regional Stewardship Communications Conference
March 21-22, 2011; Washington, D.C.
Hosted by American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), "Leveraging Place, Engaging People" is designed for senior public relations and marketing professionals at AASCU member institutions. Presentations will include Winona State University's (MN) "Expanding Our Community of Learners to Improve the World," a look at the university's "WSU Goes Green" initiative as a case study in how communications connects university resources and community needs.
Campus Sustainability Discussion Forums Highlights Click on the titles below to view the full discussion thread.
47. Starting a Large-Scale Composting System: Please Help
At Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY, approx. 2,500 students), we are in the process of starting a compost system to recycle food waste from the dining hall, manure from the horse stables, yard waste and leaf litter. We have started a small-scale composting system for the on-campus upperclassmen apartments as a pilot project, are conducting a food waste audit for a week in our dining hall, and are in the process of researching and reaching out to people who can help us write our proposal for the large-scale composting system that will hopefully be installed soon.
We are looking for resources with examples of other successful composting systems, cost-benefit analyses, and education/outreach. If you are someone, or know someone, with experience in large-scale composting, especially at the college level, please contact us! We have tons of questions and need lots of support so every little bit helps! Thank you!
-Team Compost at Skidmore
48. Verification of Data Collected (STARS)
At Haywood Community College (NC) we are wrapping up the final data request as we look toward to the submission date of April 7, 2011. To ensure valid data and no confusion we have utilized the Sustainability Committee here on campus to go over data collected over the past year. We have divided categories to ensure efficient data review and not to overburden any specific facet of campus. This method is proving highly valuable as we already have seen some minor data issues. This may very well be the way we can all do some sort of third party verification as we await STARS 2.0.
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