Let's Talk "Green" on your college campus
August 29, 2008 7:15 AM
Filed Under: Green College Ambassador Program
What is your university's "Green" score?
The goal of the “Green College Ambassador Program” is to create an information highway on our website, for the exchange of “green”
ideas and current initiatives on college campuses throughout the United
States and the world. We want to hear from students, professors, the
administration, and companies who support and are involved in “green” endeavors at their college.
Please tell us how serious your college is about going green, what initiatives has your college taken. We want to hear about the success stories as well as the obstacles your college has faced in going green. Paradigm Group is here to support and advise you in your green path...
Posted by Blossom Lalehzari at August 29, 2008 7:15 AM
Comments
Joseph Maddalone email - matrix.scranton.edu/sustainability/done-plant.shtml
The University of Scranton has replaced approximately 2,800 incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps in all facilities and uses energy efficient lighting in all outdoor fixtures. The use of florescent lamps will save over $160,000 in electricity over the life of the lamps. For example, LED lamps installed in campus exit signs use only 10% the electrical power of regular exit sign lamps and new lighting in the Long Center reduced energy usage by about 55%
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Ralph email -
Baruch College has taken several initiatives to not only implement green and sustainable practices on campus, but to educate the student body and faculty as well. Aside from using green food service products in the cafeteria, my school utilizes its business strengths in holding seminars on corporate sustainability and practices. These programs are held as a part of the Zicklin School of business and serve to help students as well as faculty implement what they learn here into the corporate world.
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Joan Falcone email - www.stjohns.edu/campuses/enhancements/stjsi
In February 2008 St. John's became the first university in NYC to present a plan to meet and exceed the Mayoral Challenge to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent for all campuses.
In March 2008 the Office of Facilities Services hired its first group of student workers as Sustainability Coordinators.
Achievements of the STJSI will always be a work in progress. Measurable efforts... how well we can lower the impact on the environment and most importantly, educating individuals who will take leadership in making the world a more sustainable place.
In short, the STJSI employs the standard 3-Rs: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle and adds one more, Responsibility.
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Joan email -
Your recent post on "The Bottled Water Controversy" on college campuses is very timely. From the Middlebury College February 2008 Facilities Newsletter...
“16,391 lbs of our recycled materials were #1 PETE bottles. Imaging how little a plastic bottle weighs?” That equates to about 8.2 tons of plastic bottles recycled on Middlebury's campus in 2007.
Advice to all on campus: “Twist off those caps before recycling your plastic bottles. The caps cannot be run through the balers.”
Just think what would be saved in time and energy if we all removed those caps from our water bottles and other bottles we recycle...
Do you have any other advice for us about recycling plastic bottles?
Nick Brown email -
The University of Arkansas printed a correction to the September 10 article about bottled water on September 24 (http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/13445.htm). The most important point that was modified was removal of the statement that we aim for the eventual elimination of bottled water use on campus. While some of us may think that this would be a good result from energy and environmental standpoints, we also recognize that campus buyers should ultimately maintain the right to decide for themselves whether or not to purchase bottled water. In northwest Arkansas our tap water is as safe or safer than bottled water.
The objectives of our bottled water project are to 1) recommend to deans and program managers that University-sponsored events not serve bottled water 2) implement a public education effort urging the use of refillable bottles with our safe tap water, and 3) improve access to and the availability of filtered water across campus for those who are still uncomfortable with drinking tap water.
Joan Falcone email - www.stjohns.edu
St. John's University is proactive in the "greening" of its campuses. Some of the initiatives include:
1- Recycling bins located in strategic places in every building and residence hall on campus. There are bins for plastic bottles, aluminum & tin cans & glass, and separate containers for paper. All recyclables are counted, measured, and carted away properly.
2- A number of hybrid vehicles were purchased for Public Safety.
3- Their "Clean Plate for Dining" program reduces food waste scraps by including trans-fat-free cooking oil and oil recycling.
4- Their "Procuring Green" program includes recycling printer toner cartrides and purchaseing Energy star efficient PCs.
These are just some of their ongoing projects...
What are you and your college doing on your campus to "go green"?
Joan Falcone email - www.stjohns.edu
St. John's University is proactive in the "greening" of its campuses. Some of the initiatives include:
1- Recycling bins located in strategic places in every building and residence hall on campus. There are bins for plastic bottles, aluminum & tin cans & glass, and separate containers for paper. All recyclables are counted, measured, and carted away properly.
2- A number of hybrid vehicles were purchased for Public Safety.
3- Their "Clean Plate for Dining" program reduces food waste scraps by including trans-fat-free cooking oil and oil recycling.
4- Their "Procuring Green" program includes recycling printer toner cartrides and purchaseing Energy star efficient PCs.
These are just some of their ongoing projects...
What are you and your college doing on your campus to "go green"?
Brendan McCrea email -
The College of the Holy Cross has been making strides towards a green and more energy efficient campus. In order to cut costs and save the environment, we are testing wide strengths and paths in order to one day become energy independent. Also, the newest program which will be put into effect in january is eliminating food trays from our main dining hall. This will cut utility costs and save alot of money.
Craig Staub email -
Even though I have only been at Gettysburg College for three months, the desire to become a more Eco-Friendly community is very apparent. Even at orientation the administration handed out Nalgene water bottles to discourage the use of disposable water bottles around campus. Also, there are recycling posts throughout campus which are easily accessible. As for the conservation of energy on campus, the dorms use all florescent lighting and lights in the bathrooms and hallways dim after a certain time at night. Gettysburg college is only on the brink of becoming more "Green," however the desire to go green in quite evident throughout campus.
Chris email -
Bentley University has made some effective decisions regarding their impact on the environment. This year they have gotten rid of the trays in the cafeteria, causing millions of gallons of water to be saved during the cleaning process. They have also implemented programs such as battle of the bulbs, where each building is tested and competes to see who can conserve the most energy by being eco-aware of energy usage. Even the common trash barrel has gotten an environmental upgrade, by including sensors in the liner that recognizes a full load and compresses the contents, effectively making more room for more garbage and less bags used.
Matt email -
Brown University has taken huge measures to convert its campus to a much more environmentally friendly place. The university employs two full-time sustainability professionals. The Community Carbon Use Reduction at Brown program funds various student and faculty carbon-reduction projects. The Community Harvest program is the centerpiece of Brown's commitment to local food. Trays have been eliminated. All new construction must meet LEED Silver specifications. Several departments utilize hybrid and biodiesel- or natural-gas-fueled vehicles.
Matt P. email -
The University of Scranton has set up a Task Force to see how our campus can become more green. The Task Force decided to approach this important issue from three vantage points: academics, physical plant and community education.
Academics: finding ways to infuse an emphasis on sustainability into the curriculum so as to provide students with a different prism through which to view issues of justice and decision-making.
Physical Plant: demonstrating in tangible ways that the University is prepared to "practice what it preaches." This also provides the ancillary benefit of reducing costs throughout our organization by using sustainable approaches in campus systems.
Community Education: informing constituents both on- and off-campus of the importance of this issue for the world as a whole, as well as for the local community.
Joan email -
To Matt...
Scranton's approach to "green initiatives" on campus sounds really good. Have you noticed any new "green" projects emerging on campus... like more recycling containers, or anything different in the dorms... also, are there any posters around campus encouraging students and others on campus about "going green"?
Joan email -
St. Michael's College outside of Burlington, VT is actively going green in a number of ways. In their dining hall, they no longer use food trays that need to be washed. Thereby, they are saving alot of water. They are using paper trays from recycled and biodegradable materials. Alot of students walk around with the Nalgene bottles too.