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Table of Contents for 7/12/2011:

NEWS
Buildings 1. St. Louis CC Earns Second LEED Gold Certification
2. U California Santa Barbara Hall Receives LEED Silver
3. Calhoun CC Renewable Energy Center to Seek LEED Gold
Co-Curricular Education 4. Harvard U Freshman Pilot Vermiculture Project
Coordination and Planning 5. Campus Sustainability Planning: A July Update
Curriculum 6. Mercyhurst College Launches New Sustainability Programs
7. U North Texas Debuts Sustainable Tourism Graduate Program
8. Macomb CC, Dept. of Energy Partner for Electric Vehicle Training
Diversity and Affordability 9. Students Urge Senate to Pass DREAM Act
Energy 10. Yuba CC District Plans 2.7 MW Solar Power Project
11. Texas A&M Signs Performance Contract to Reduce Energy Consumption
12. Iowa State U Designated EPA Green Power Partner
13. Harvard U Generates Energy with Spinning Competition
Funding 14. NSF Solicits CC Feedback about Grant Application Challenges
15. Southern Illinois U Carbondale Selects Green Fund Projects
Grounds 16. U Texas San Antonio Installs Eco-Friendly Turf
Public Engagement 17. U Maryland College Park Program to Certify Green Communities
18. Solar Decathlon Home Preserved as Affordable Housing
19. U Mississippi Donates Computers to Tornado Ravaged School
Research 20. Arizona State U Engineers Work to Advance Solar Power
Transportation 21. Louisiana State U Installs Electric Vehicle Chargers
22. Blackburn College Purchases Biodiesel Processor
Water 23. U Georgia to Revive Buried Waterways
24. U Louisville Tapped for Water-Efficient Landscaping Renovations
25. U South Florida Installs Water Refilling Stations
26. Raritan Valley CC Designated 'River-Friendly'

NEW RESOURCES
27. NACUBO Article: Campus 'Power Potential'
28. Second Nature Climate Change Briefing Paper

OPPORTUNITIES
29. Real Food Challenge to Host National Campus Food Day

JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
30. Greenhouse Gas Specialist, U North Carolina at Chapel Hill
31. Lab Manager, Environmental Studies, Southwestern U
32. Environmental Education Assistant, Eastern Kentucky U
33. Fellowship, Sustainability Project Assistant, Princeton U

EVENTS
34. STARS Webinar: 'STARS & Sustainable Purchasing'
35. 'Why Reducing Waste is a No Brainer for Higher Ed' Webinar
36. Community Colleges Sustainability Web Conference

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION FORUMS HIGHLIGHTS
37. Reducing Toner Usage
38. Sustainability Education; A Holistic Philosophy

This Issue's Sponsors:

wm Image

As North America’s leading environmental solutions company, Waste Management helps educational institutions implement zero-waste solutions, increase diversion through proper materials management, reduce their carbon footprint and weave sustainable practices into the very fabric of their operations. To learn more about sustainability solutions for colleges and universities, visit www.wm.com/campus or call Paul Pistono at 1-888-558-6390.

marylhurst Image

Marylhurst University is a private, Catholic, liberal arts institution which was founded in 1893 near Portland, Ore. As a leader in online learning, it has cultivated the largest MBA program in Oregon (Portland Business Journal, 2010), with a unique MBA in sustainable business. Learn more about the accelerated online Green MBA.


News

Buildings

1. St. Louis CC Earns Second LEED Gold Certification
St. Louis Community College (MO) has received its first LEED Gold certification with the recent rating of its William J. Harrison Education Center. Environmentally friendly features of the 31,000 square-foot facility include lighting controllability, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, indoor chemical and pollutant source control, and the use of recycled materials in the construction.

2. U California Santa Barbara Hall Receives LEED Silver
The University of California, Santa Barbara’s Kohn Hall has been awarded LEED Silver certification. Sustainable features include passive solar design, natural ventilation and efficient cooling provided by the campus chilled water loop. The hall is also one of 15 university buildings to have piloted the campus’ commingled recycling program. Kohn Hall is the sixth campus building to be certified through the LEED Existing Building Portfolio Program.

3. Calhoun CC Renewable Energy Center to Seek LEED Gold
Calhoun Community College (AL) has opened the doors of its new Alabama Center of Excellence in Clean Energy Technology. The center will train energy conservation practitioners in energy assessment techniques and energy-efficient installation. Training will be focused toward dislocated and unemployed workers for jobs in the growing renewable energy sector. Design elements of the building include energy-efficient windows, canopies and a heat pump system designed to reduce energy consumption by 50 percent. Funding for the center was made possible by a $3.47 million grant from the Department of Labor.
See also: AASHE Resource: Campus Renewable Energy Research Centers (AASHE Members Only)

Co-Curricular Education

4. Harvard U Freshman Pilot Vermiculture Project
Harvard University (MA) freshman group Green 14' recently debuted a vermiculture project in the Thayer Hall dorm. The students placed vermiculture bins, which use the natural composting abilities of earthworms, on each floor. To raise awareness, the group brought food like strawberries, grapes, bananas, celery, peanuts in the shell, bread and peanut butter to study breaks to show which foods could be composted.

Coordination and Planning

5. Campus Sustainability Planning: A July Update
Ball State University (IN) has published its first sustainability report, which is featured on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) website. Prepared by an interdisciplinary team of six students and a faculty mentor, the report combines the frameworks of the GRI and AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) in a single report. Among the sustainability practices and achievements underway are the current installation of a geothermal based district heating and cooling system; the continuing series of biennial Greening of the Campus Conferences; many academic programs in sustainability; and the construction of LEED-certified buildings throughout campus.

In related news, Ohio University President Roderick J. McDavis has approved the university’s first Sustainability Plan. The plan will guide and support the university’s leadership in campus and community sustainability through a commitment to ecological citizenship, stewardship and justice. The approved Sustainability Plan includes 18 objectives, 35 benchmarks and approximately 100 strategies in the areas of transportation, procurement, energy infrastructure, building and grounds, academics and research, fundraising and endowment, dining, and low- and no-cost energy conservation.

In more related news, Medical College of Wisconsin President and CEO John R. Raymond, Sr., MD has signed an Environmental Sustainability Statement of Support that highlights the specific ways in which it will support environmental sustainability. The college’s Campus Operations has also developed a report, "Environmental Sustainability @ MCW," which highlights the college’s sustainability accomplishments to date including reduced energy use per square foot by 19 percent since 2008 and 35 tons of paper recycled in 2010.

Curriculum

6. Mercyhurst College Launches New Sustainability Programs
Mercyhurst College (PA) has announced the launch of a new Bachelor of Arts degree and post-baccalaureate certificate in sustainability studies. Since 2006, the college has offered a sustainability studies minor and a concentration in sustainability studies within the chemistry and biology departments. Interest among students prompted the college’s decision to convert it to a new major with its own requirements.
See also: AASHE Resource: Bachelor's Degree Programs in Sustainability
See also: AASHE Resource: Certificate Programs in Sustainability

7. U North Texas Debuts Sustainable Tourism Graduate Program
The University of North Texas' School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management has partnered with CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) in Costa Rica for a joint master's degree program in international sustainable tourism. The degree offers students an interdisciplinary perspective on sustainability and tourism with one year of study in each country. It is designed to prepare students for management and leadership positions in ecotourism and sustainable tourism, balancing environmental, economic and socio-cultural benefits and concerns.
See also: AASHE Resource: Graduate Degree Programs in Sustainability

8. Macomb CC, Dept. of Energy Partner for Electric Vehicle Training
As a complement to the Obama Administration's recent launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, Macomb Community College (MI) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a series of new manufacturing job training partnerships. The college will use the National Training and Education Resource, an open-source integration platform that brings together information technologies to support education, training and workforce development, to enhance several of its electric vehicle oriented courses.

Diversity and Affordability

9. Students Urge Senate to Pass DREAM Act
Hundreds of students came from around the country to show their support for the DREAM Act at a Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security hearing in June. The act would create a path toward citizenship for undocumented immigrants who complete an associate degree, two years toward a bachelor’s degree or two years of military service. A key provision of the bill gives states the option to make in-state tuition for higher education available to undocumented youths.

Energy

10. Yuba CC District Plans 2.7 MW Solar Power Project
Yuba Community College District (CA) has announced plans to construct a multi-campus solar power project. The 2.7-megawatt project is expected to generate two-thirds of the power needed for the campuses. The district sought performance-based incentives of about $3 million from the California Solar Initiative and $4.5 million in federal subsidies to help pay for the project. The district expects to save $155,000 annually during a financing term of 16 years. After the financing period, the district projects savings of $1.5 million per year.

11. Texas A&M Signs Performance Contract to Reduce Energy Consumption
Texas A&M University has signed performance contracts with Siemens Industry, Inc. totaling $15.1 million. The agreement is designed to reduce the overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on campus, improve building occupant comfort and support campus sustainability. Performance contracting will allow a facility to complete energy-saving improvements within an existing budget by financing them through guaranteed annual energy savings.

12. Iowa State U Designated EPA Green Power Partner
Iowa State University has been recognized as a Green Power Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its "significant purchase" of wind energy and support of sustainable technologies. For an organization to qualify as a partner, it must purchase at least 3 percent of its annual electricity use through green power. Eligible resources include solar photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, eligible biomass, fuel cells, biodiesel-fueled generators and certain types of hydropower. The university is now buying enough wind power to supply more than 7 percent of its electricity needs and is striving for a goal of 10 percent.

13. Harvard U Generates Energy with Spinning Competition
Harvard Business School (MA) hosted its first ever "Green Living Spinning Competition" recently. The event was organized by the HBS Student Association Cup, an athletics contest between the sections at HBS, with support from the Green Living Program and HBS Operations. Sixty-three competitors raced on spin bikes supplied by the Green Revolution, an organization dedicated to connecting health and fitness with the creation of clean renewable energy. An average person's workout on these machines will produce enough to power four compact fluorescent bulbs for an hour. The fastest-pedaling participant generated enough to power his laptop for almost three hours.

Funding

14. NSF Solicits CC Feedback about Grant Application Challenges
To broaden its impact among two-year colleges, the National Science Foundation (NSF) recently asked community college educators to explain the challenges they face when applying for grants and to suggest emerging issues that NSF should consider funding. NSF convened a meeting in June of about 300 community college educators in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges. Connecting community college technician education programs with university transfer programs and improving students' college readiness were among the key science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) issues that participants suggested for additional NSF support.

15. Southern Illinois U Carbondale Selects Green Fund Projects
Southern Illinois University Carbondale has selected 10 projects to receive a total of $59,201 from its Green Fund this summer. The fund is a student-led initiative that assesses students a $10 green fee each semester toward projects that promote energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and campus sustainability. The projects selected include installing recycling bins and rechargeable door openers, enhancing sustainability research and outreach efforts, and encouraging the use of locally grown foods.
See also: AASHE Resource: Student Fees for Sustainability

Grounds

16. U Texas San Antonio Installs Eco-Friendly Turf
The University of Texas San Antonio has begun installing synthetic grass turf made of recycled tires on its recreational fields to conserve water and maintenance costs. The university expects to save approximately 4.7 million gallons of water per year.

Public Engagement

17. U Maryland College Park Program to Certify Green Communities
The University of Maryland, College Park has launched Sustainable Maryland Certified, a program developed at the university's Environmental Finance Center to help steer public and private funding to communities that win sustainable certification by adopting green policies. Funded by federal and private grants, the free program will offer sustainability certification to communities that amass a total of 150 points, earned by setting up initiatives that address global warming, energy, pollution, land use, air and water quality, health equity, support for local businesses, sustainable agriculture, green buildings and transportation.

18. Solar Decathlon Home Preserved as Affordable Housing
A solar-powered house that students are currently assembling for the 2011 Solar Decathlon on the Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) campus will be placed permanently in northeast Washington to serve as affordable housing. The institute partnered with Parsons the New School for Design (NY); Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy at the New School (NY); and Washington's Habitat for Humanity affiliate to break ground in the middle- to low-income neighborhood of Deanwood. Traditionally, the affordable solar-powered homes designed and constructed by college teams for the competition return to their respective institutions, where many are dismantled. In addition to the house drafted and built by "Empowerhouse," Habitat for Humanity will build a second passive house at the same site. The 2011 Solar Decathlon, an international green technology contest staged every two years by the U.S. Department of Energy, will hold its opening ceremony on Sept. 22, 2011.

19. U Mississippi Donates Computers to Tornado Ravaged School
The University of Mississippi's Technology Recycling to Enhance Education (TREE) program recently delivered 24 computers to the Monroe County School District office for the Smithville School campus. The K-12 school was heavily damaged in an April tornado and students will attend classes in 43 mobile trailers when school resumes in August. The computers were collected from across the university's campus and cleaned and refurbished for distribution to public K-12 schools. TREE is a joint effort among the university's Association for Computing Machinery chapter, computer and information science faculty, and the Office of Information Technology to reduce the waste of usable electronic equipment.
See also: AASHE Resource: E-Waste Programs, Policies and Events (AASHE Members Only)

Research

20. Arizona State U Engineers Work to Advance Solar Power
From predicting the performance of various kinds of photovoltaic cells to testing ideas for a solar thermal collector, engineers at Arizona State University are conducting material, electrical and mechanical engineering research to develop prototypes for the next generations of high-efficiency photovoltaic technologies. The university is also delving into the economic, regulatory, manufacturing, public policy and public utility aspects of solar power including educating students to become the future entrepreneurs, business leaders and policy experts of alternative energy systems.

Transportation

21. Louisiana State U Installs Electric Vehicle Chargers
Louisiana State University has partnered with Entergy Corp. to install two new electric vehicle chargers on campus. The chargers will provide free power to students, faculty and staff who use electric vehicles. In exchange, Entergy Corp. will collect usage data for their research. The free electrical charges will be available beginning in the fall.

22. Blackburn College Purchases Biodiesel Processor
Blackburn College (IL) has purchased a biodiesel processor that will convert fats and oils into biodiesel fuel. The processor will be used to introduce students to “good” chemistry and to create fuel for college vehicles and machinery. Students will also use cooking oil from the college’s cafeteria to make methyl biodiesel. The processor was purchased with money leftover from a U.S. Department of Energy grant.

Water

23. U Georgia to Revive Buried Waterways
The University of Georgia has planned to revive buried waterways on campus after two centuries of construction turned the waterways into part of a 53-mile network of underground drain pipes. University planners have begun working to partially restore the creeks and improve the purity of the water in the streams. The university is also developing projects designed to reduce pollution flowing into the stream system.

24. U Louisville Tapped for Water-Efficient Landscaping Renovations
As part of its green infrastructure program to reduce sewage overflows from sewers, Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) has announced a $1.5 million campus landscaping renovation at the University of Louisville (KY). Renovations will include vegetated roofs, parking lots renovated to funnel water into gravel-filled pits, a rain garden and porous brick surfacing. The projects are intended to prevent millions of dollars in flood damage and serve as an example for similar projects across the city.

25. U South Florida Installs Water Refilling Stations
In an effort to discourage the use and disposal of plastic water bottles, the University of South Florida has installed water bottle refilling stations connected to water fountains on campus. The university has currently installed 15 stations across campus but expects to install more in the fall. A counter is keeping track of the plastic bottles saved as each re-usable container is filled.

26. Raritan Valley CC Designated 'River-Friendly'
Raritan Valley Community College (NJ) has been awarded the River-Friendly certification by New Jersey Water Supply Authority for its efforts to improve local water resource quality through water quality management, water conservation, protection of wildlife habitat and outreach. The college committed to pursuing River-Friendly certification as part of its environmental stewardship agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The college has made numerous environmental improvements on campus to achieve River-Friendly certification including the installation of rain gardens, implementing an integrated pest management policy, reducing the campus’ mowed lawn area by 24 percent, training students to conduct assessments on the campus streams, and creating inventories of the campus' 289 species of flora and fauna.

New Resources

27. NACUBO Article: Campus 'Power Potential'
"Pairing local renewable energy resources with smart technologies can ensure reliable, efficient, and cost-effective power supplies," says a recent article in the National Association of College and University Business Officers' (NACUBO) Business Officer magazine. Using examples from the University of Minnesota, Morris; Santa Clara University (CA); University of California, Irvine; and Oregon Institute of Technology, the article details specific case studies of successful energy cost savings and emissions reductions on campuses.

28. Second Nature Climate Change Briefing Paper
Second Nature has published No. 3 in its Briefing Paper Series, "The Ultimate Stakes: Climate Change and the Fate of Civilization." We are living in a "truly extraordinary time in the Earth's volatile history," says author and environmental journalist Dianne Dumanoski in the report. "The world as we know it - with agriculture, civilization, and dense human numbers - has only been possible because of a rare interlude of climatic grace. A long summer." Detailing what the climate changes ahead may mean to human societies in areas including agriculture and public health, Dumanoski writes, "If the world's economy continues on its current trajectory of exponential growth driven by fossil fuels, today's college students will live in a perilous time...they will almost certainly witness a dramatic and dangerous jump in global temperatures in their lifetime; see the demise of coral reefs and other marine life as excess carbon dioxide makes the world's oceans increasingly acidic; endure severe climate disruption; and possibly even confront outright catastrophe from abrupt shifts in the Earth's climate system."

Opportunities

29. Real Food Challenge to Host National Campus Food Day
The Real Food Challenge (RFC) is partnering with the Center for Science in the Public Interest to plan the first-ever Food Day across campuses nationwide on October 24, 2011. The event aims to bring attention to the issues of obesity, supporting sustainable farming and making real food available to everyone. On Food Day, RFC will launch its GET REAL! Campaign, an effort to get every school in the nation to sign its "Real Food Campus Commitment." The commitment will work to ensure healthy food, fair working conditions, transparency and a $1 billion dollar shift of existing campus food budgets to fair, local and sustainable farms and food businesses. RFC is seeking students, staff and faculty members to be campus coordinators for the event. Coordinators will receive support, help and advice from the RFC office and each individual campus event will be recognized during Food Day.

Jobs & Internships

30. Greenhouse Gas Specialist, U North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a greenhouse gas specialist with strong quantitative analysis, communication and presentation skills; ability to work with multiple campus departments to gather and track data; experience with data management and analysis; and familiarity with climate change and the technologies, behaviors and business practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Successful candidates will have a four-year degree with a preference for a related major in a physical science, biological science, environmental science/engineering, occupational safety, industrial technology or closely related science. Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2011.

31. Lab Manager, Environmental Studies, Southwestern U
Southwestern University (TX) is seeking to fill a full-time, 12-month lab manager position for its environmental studies and geographic information systems (GIS) programs. The manager will oversee and maintain the lab, instruct one to two courses, and provide support for faculty in developing and implementing GIS content. The position will also manage the environmental studies program budget, pursue additional grants and coordinate programs and student opportunities. The successful candidate should have a master’s degree in a related field and prior experience developing GIS applications and labs.

32. Environmental Education Assistant, Eastern Kentucky U
Eastern Kentucky University is seeking an environmental education assistant to plan and implement environmental education experiences for a variety of audiences. The assistant will work with in-service and pre-service teachers, university students, faculty and K-12 students as designated by the grant from the Kentucky Environmental Education Council. Other responsibilities include outreach projects, research and grant writing. The successful candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

33. Fellowship, Sustainability Project Assistant, Princeton U
Princeton University (NJ) seeks a one-year, full-time fellowship as the sustainability project assistant. The position will engage young professionals in sustainability problem solving and communications prior to graduate school or other endeavors. The fellow will work as part of the Facilities Organization energy management team, implementing a $45 million Energy Master Plan. The successful candidate should be a recent Princeton University graduate with an interest in pursuing a career in energy management.

Events

34. STARS Webinar: 'STARS & Sustainable Purchasing'
July 18, 2011; 2:00 p.m. Eastern; Online
STARS recognizes institutions that are using their purchasing power to help build a sustainable economy. In addition to an overview of the STARS Purchasing subcategory, this webinar will include an overview of why sustainable purchasing is important; approaches to the STARS Purchasing credits, and perspectives on the implementation of sustainable purchasing.

35. 'Why Reducing Waste is a No Brainer for Higher Ed' Webinar
July 19, 2011; 1:00 p.m. Eastern; Online
Sponsored by Waste Management, "Why Reducing Waste is a No Brainer for Higher Ed" will look at the waste stream as a "materials stream" and discuss how to maximize the value (and diversion rates) while minimizing costs. Featuring Rutgers University's (NJ) Associate Director of Environmental Services David DeHart and Florida International University's Assistant Director of the Office of Sustainability Carrie Kashar, this webinar will also discuss best practices for handling the consumables (materials and resources) at universities, the importance of student engagement and the development of green teams to accelerate programs, and how data tracking and transparency aid in both student engagement and sustaining programs.

36. Community Colleges Sustainability Web Conference
July 20, 2011; 1:00 p.m. Eastern; Online
Jim Elder from the Campaign for Environmental Literacy will discuss the current state of sustainability issues on Capitol Hill and how community colleges can help drive policy in this monthly installment of the Community Colleges Sustainability Web Conference. General questions and answers will follow.

Campus Sustainability Discussion Forums Highlights

Click on the titles below to view the full discussion thread.

37. Reducing Toner Usage
Recently, I've been exploring creative ways to cut toner usage on the University of Oklahoma campus...I want to post this here as a potential best practice for others to emulate. Please reply with either anything wrong with this approach that you can think of, or ways to make it even better.

38. Sustainability Education; A Holistic Philosophy
I've posted a new blog about sustainability curriculum.

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