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Table of Contents for 4/10/08:
NEWS
1. AASHE Releases Draft of Campus Sustainability Rating System
2. UC San Diego To Install 7.4 MW of Renewable Energy
3. Cornell U Hires Sustainability Professor
4. Arizona State U Offers 'Edible Campus' Internships
5. U California Merced Building Receives LEED Gold
6. Eckerd College Switches to Reusable To-Go Containers
7. Presidio School Partners to Advance Sustainability in the Curriculum
8. U Connecticut 5K Race Benefits Campus Green Fund
9. Borough of Manhattan CC Increases Energy Efficiency
10. U.S. Colleges Receive Energy Grants
11. UT Arlington Volunteers Install Campus Green Roof
12. U Wisconsin Superior Breaks Ground for Green Student Center
13. Georgia Tech Receives National Recycling Award
14. Suffolk U Wins City of Boston Green Business Award
NEW RESOURCES
15. Campus Environmental Resource Center
16. Appropedia – Website for Solutions in Sustainability
17. Facilities Manager Magazine: Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
OPPORTUNITIES
18. AASHE Student Research on Campus Sustainability Award
19. Campus Sustainability Whitepaper Series: 10% off for AASHE Members
JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
20. Web Application Developer, AASHE
21. Manager, Transportation Demand Management, Princeton U
22. Faculty, Env. Science & Conservation Biology, Intl. Honors Prgm
23. Lecturer, Environmental Studies, U Southern California
EVENTS
24. CFP, Regist. Open - AASHE 2008: Working Together for Sustainability
25. Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming Broadcast
26. Creating a Culture of Sustainability Conference
27. Planning Beyond Sustainability SCUP Southern Regional Conf.
28. Planning for a Sustainable Campus SCUP Conference
29. Creating a Sustainable Campus Through Integrated Planning Workshop
News
1. AASHE Releases Draft of Campus Sustainability Rating System
AASHE has released the next draft of its rating system for sustainability in higher education called STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System). The release of STARS version 0.5 opens a public comment period that will last until May 9, 2008. STARS is designed to: help gauge the progress of colleges and universities toward sustainability in all sectors, from governance and operations to academics and community engagement; enable meaningful comparisons across institutions as well as benchmarking within institutions; create incentives for continual improvement toward sustainability; facilitate information sharing about sustainability practices and performance in higher education; and build a stronger, more diverse campus sustainability community. Over 90 colleges and universities are pilot testing STARS. They will provide feedback to AASHE throughout 2008 and inform the development of STARS version 1.0, planned for release in spring 2009.
See also: STARS 0.5 Document (pdf)
See also: AASHE Staff Blog on STARS 0.5 Release
2. UC San Diego To Install 7.4 MW of Renewable Energy
The University of California San Diego recently announced plans to build a 1 MW photovoltaic array on campus, to purchase up to 3 MW of electric power produced by Southern California wind farms, and to produce 2.4 MW from fuel cells powered by methane captured from a sewage treatment plant. The University also hopes to install an additional 1 MW photovoltaic array within the next year. The arrays will be built atop campus buildings and parking structures. Once complete, the 7.4 MW of renewable energy are expected to meet 10 - 15 percent of the campus's annual electrical needs. The projects are part of UCSD's effort to become the "Greenest University in the Nation."
3. Cornell U Hires Sustainability Professor
Cornell University recently hired Jefferson Tester Ph.D. as the first Croll Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems in the College of Engineering. Tester is expected to play a leadership role in the Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future, which is bringing together experts in education and research from across campus to work toward common sustainability goals.
See also: Cornell Press Release
4. Arizona State U Offers 'Edible Campus' Internships
Arizona State University recently began offering a plant biology internship, "The Edible Campus," which charges interns with harvesting ASU's fruit and nut trees, maintaining their individual organic garden plots, and marketing the harvested products. The internship program, which meets regularly as a class, aims to connect students to their campus landscape and help students understand the reasoning behind composting and eating locally.
5. U California Merced Building Receives LEED Gold
The University of California, Merced Classroom and Office Building has received LEED Gold certification. The building, which is one of the primary classroom buildings, is the third on campus to receive LEED Gold certification.
6. Eckerd College Switches to Reusable To-Go Containers
Eckerd College (FL) recently switched to using the EcoClamshell, a reusable to-go cafeteria container made out of a dishwasher-safe plastic material. Students can sign up for an EcoClamshell in the cafeteria during any meal. The student's account is charged five dollars, covering the student's four years at Eckerd, unless the container is lost or destroyed. The student checks out an EcoClamshell, fills it with food and exits the cafeteria. Upon returning to the cafeteria, the student checks the container back in and places it on the dishwasher conveyor, where it is sanitized and put out for reuse. The initiative is the result of a $32,000 grant from the Environmental Research and Education Foundation.
7. Presidio School Partners to Advance Sustainability in the Curriculum
The Presidio School of Management (CA) recently formed a partnership with ClimateCHECK, a firm that provides greenhouse gas management services and solutions. The partnership, which integrates environmental, social and financial sustainability in all Presidio courses, will enable ClimateCHECK to better train the next generation of environmental and business leaders on issues surrounding climate change and the management of greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the agreement, ClimateCHECK will provide learning opportunities to students through internships and Presidio’s project oriented learning program, which will offer students the chance to work with the company on climate change-related projects as part of their coursework.
8. U Connecticut 5K Race Benefits Campus Green Fund
The University of Connecticut recently held the third annual EcoHusky5000, a 5 kilometer race that benefits UConn's Green Campus Fund. Students and the public paid $5 and $15 respectively to enter the race, and Willimantic Waste Paper Co. promised to make a matching donation of up to $2,000. The event also served to collect old sneakers to donate to EcoHusky's sneaker recycling project. All participants received free water bottles made out of recycled materials.
9. Borough of Manhattan CC Increases Energy Efficiency
The Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York and the Green Buildings Collaborative of state agencies recently announced a joint effort to help increase green and energy efficiency measures at a BMCC’s building in Lower Manhattan. The effort includes a feasibility assessment for potential green and energy efficiency upgrades to the 450,000-square foot, eight-story building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems as well as its facade. It also provides assistance in exploring potential alternative energy generation such as solar panel arrays and wind turbines.
10. U.S. Colleges Receive Energy Grants
The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants to Morrisville State College (NY), Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Rend Lake College (IL), Central Piedmont Community College (NC), Columbia Gorge Community College (OR), and Navarro College (TX) for projects such as creating a renewable energy training center and other programs that are intended to serve as a workforce and economic development catalysts in each region. The grant initiative is designed to improve the ability of colleges to provide their regions’ workers with the skills needed to enter growing industries in their hometowns.
See also: Morrisville State College Press Release
11. UT Arlington Volunteers Install Campus Green Roof
The University of Texas at Arlington recently installed a 1000 square feet experimental green roof with the help of volunteers. The project included the installation of the roofing systems, irrigation, plants and about 30,000 pounds of soil.
See also: UT Austin Sustianability Homepage Press Release
12. U Wisconsin Superior Breaks Ground for Green Student Center
The University of Wisconsin Superior recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new student center building which will feature energy efficient design, a green roof, and rainwater collection. The University hopes that the building will achieve LEED certification. The building will house student dining services, the campus bookstore, offices for student organizations and university staff, an art gallery, meeting areas and lounges. It is expected to be complete by August 2009.
13. Georgia Tech Receives National Recycling Award
The Georgia Institute of Technology recently received the 2008 American Forest and Paper Association College and University Recycling Award. AF&PA chose to recognize Georgia Tech for their innovative and creative recycling program. Since the recycling program began at Georgia Tech in 1996, recycling has been successfully integrated into virtually all components of campus life. Last year, the school recovered more than 376 tons of paper products for recycling. AF&PA’s awards program recognizes outstanding school, business, and community recycling efforts.
See also: Georgia Tech Recycling Homepage and Award Video
14. Suffolk U Wins City of Boston Green Business Award
Suffolk University (MA) was recently selected as the recipient of the City of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino Green Business Award. The award recognizes businesses located in the city of Boston that demonstrate extraordinary environmental practices in the areas of water conservation, wastewater management, solid waste reduction, alternative transit, energy conservation, on-site renewable energy production, and the purchase of renewable energy credits. Suffolk was named the winner of the category for Academic, Cultural, and Healthcare Institutions.
New Resources
15. Campus Environmental Resource Center
In collaborations with several other high education associations, the National Association of College and University Business Officers recently launched an online environmental resource center called CampusERC. The site is designed as a multifaceted library of resources for college and university environmental officers to keep up with the latest news and information on environmental issues, study best practices in environmental management, view case studies, and better understand what institutions must do to comply with environmental regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.
See also: CampusERC Website
16. Appropedia – Website for Solutions in Sustainability
Humboldt State University's Campus Center for Appropriate Technology recently partnered with Appropedia, a website for collaborative, free, open-source solutions in sustainability, to host the methods and lessons of the Center's sustainability projects. Appropedia uses the same format was Wikipedia to allow user to share and gain knowledge of appropriate technologies and sustainable living solutions. The site offers projects and information in water conservation, organic gardening, community organizing, and more.
See also: Appropedia Website
17. Facilities Manager Magazine: Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
APPA's Facilities Manager Magazine dedicated their March/April 2008 issue to "Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship." The issue includes articles on AASHE's STARS: Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System for Colleges and Universities, green building, climate change, and reducing your carbon footprint.
Opportunities
18. AASHE Student Research on Campus Sustainability Award
AASHE invites undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at U.S. or Canadian institutions of higher education to submit research papers of any length on campus sustainability that have not been previously published, are written in English, and were completed after August 1, 2007. A version of the winning paper will be published in Sustainability: The Journal of Record (subject to editorial review). Longer papers will be edited to meet the Journal's length standards. Papers are due August 1, 2008.
19. Campus Sustainability Whitepaper Series: 10% off for AASHE Members
PaperClip Communications is offering a 10 percent discount to AASHE members on their recently released Campus Sustainability Whitepaper Series. The series is comprised of 6 whitepapers: Greening Your Events: How to Plan and Implement Sustainable Campus Events; Sustainable Campus Food Service Programs: From Little Changes to Large Initiatives That Change the Environmental Balance; Going Green in Residence Life: Putting Your Operation in Line with Sustainable Practices; Sustainable Campus Practices: Green Campus Facilities, Purchasing and Business Practices; Sustainable Student Initiatives: What's Working on Our Campuses; and Hosting a Campus Sustainability Day: 40 Campus Examples, How-to Tips & Resources. The whitepapers offer ideas, strategies, and best practices for moving toward sustainability.
Jobs & Internships
20. Web Application Developer, AASHE
AASHE invites applications for a Web Application Developer. The successful applicant will work as part of the IT Team to develop web applications requested by AASHE staff, members, and partners. Duties will include leading the development of data intensive and user friendly web applications that help colleges and universities share information and measure their progress toward meeting sustainability goals, indentifying programming paradigms and design patterns most suitable for AASHE’s application needs, and developing creative solutions to complex programming problems. Experience developing web applications in a LAMP environment is highly desired. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Sciences or similar curriculum with software development emphasis is required. The position is open until filled.
See also: AASHE Blog Post
21. Manager, Transportation Demand Management, Princeton U
Princeton University (NJ) is hiring a Transportation Demand Management Manager to implement a sustainable TDM program. The TDM manager is required to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate programs and initiatives that result in significant shifts in transportation mode shares within the University. One example would be shifting trips from single-occupant-vehicles to walking, cycling, transit and carpooling. The position requires a bachelor's degree and two to three years of professional experience managing a TDM program, related transportation/transit planning or operations agency or the equivalent combination of education and experience. The position is open until filled.
22. Faculty, Env. Science & Conservation Biology, Intl. Honors Prgm
The International Honors Program seeks a Ph.D.-level faculty or Ph.D. candidate to participate as a travelling faculty on the program, "Rethinking Globalization: Nature, Culture, Justice". Rethinking Globalization is an 8-month program of study and travel around the world from September 2008 to May 2009. The itinerary will include Washington DC, Tanzania, India, New Zealand, and Mexico. The IHP is seeking a traveling faculty for late November to early May to teach the course, Ecology and Comparative Conservation Practices. The ideal candidate would have a background in ecology, environmental studies/policy, conservation biology, and globalization studies. Expertise and/or field experience in one or more of the countries on the itinerary is preferred, but not essential. Preference will be given to candidates with experience leading or teaching on field-based courses, and those who have traveled and/or lived in another culture for an extended period. The position is open until filled.
23. Lecturer, Environmental Studies, U Southern California
The University of Southern California Environmental Studies Program in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking applicants for a non-tenure-track lecturer position on the policy side of environmental studies. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in the ENST program as well as graduate courses in a developing progressive MA degree program. The requirements include a Ph.D. in a field related to environmental policy and planning such as political science, international relations, or economics.
Events
24. CFP, Regist. Open - AASHE 2008: Working Together for Sustainability
Nov 9-11, 2008; Raleigh, NC
AASHE is inviting submissions of abstracts for AASHE 2008: Working Together for Sustainability - On Campus and Beyond. Over 1,000 participants are expected from every sector of the higher education community, including sustainability officers, administrators from academics and operations, facilities officers, operations and finance staff, design consultants, and faculty and students from a variety of disciplines. Keynote speakers include Van Jones, Peter Senge, Lester Brown, and Vandana Shiva. Presentation proposals are due by May 1. Early registration ends June 17, 2008. Discounts are available for students and AASHE members.
25. Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming Broadcast
April 16, 2008; 7pm EST; Webcast
The National Wildlife Federation will host Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming, a live webcast featuring practical solutions to global warming being implemented by higher education campuses around the country. Campuses who host the webcast on their campus will be recognized on NWF's website and in broadcast credits.
26. Creating a Culture of Sustainability Conference
May 28-30, 2008; Denver, CO
Academic Impressions will host "Creating a Culture of Sustainability," a conference that will offer sustainability coordinators and those charged with organizing sustainability efforts across campus the skills to create a roadmap for promoting a culture of sustainability on campus. The conference will teach participants how to develop and increase sustainability efforts, think and plan strategically for carbon neutrality, develop creative financing strategies for sustainability initiatives, implement innovative strategies for engaging students, faculty, and staff, and track the progress of sustainability efforts on campus.
27. Planning Beyond Sustainability SCUP Southern Regional Conf.
November 5 – 7, 2008; New Orleans, LA
The Society for College and University Planning is pleased to invite registration for the 2008 Southern Regional Conference, Regeneration: Planning Beyond Sustainability. The conference will examine the concept of the regenerative and restorative roles institutions of higher education can play to better their communities and environment. The conference also plans to address how institutions deal with lost funding in the face of a needed capital project, find alternative funding sources, or build and/plan for sustainability.
28. Planning for a Sustainable Campus SCUP Conference
April 24, 2008; Southern Methodist University; Dallas, TX
The Society for College and University Planning is pleased to invite participants in the 2008 Southern Metro Mini, Planning for a Sustainable Campus. The conference will address such topics as cost versus benefit of going green, new projects and renovations, and projects that make campuses more sustainable. Early registration deadline is April 20, 2008.
29. Creating a Sustainable Campus Through Integrated Planning Workshop
July 19, 2008, Montreal, QC
The Society for Campus and University Planning is inviting participants for the Creating a Sustainable Campus Through Integrated Planning preconference workshop. The workshop will discuss creating sustainable practices that bring inter- and intra-campus communities together, developing integrated strategies that tie sustainability to its core mission, and merging the planning efforts of academic, student life, resource, and facilities professionals on campus. This workshop is for any campus planner, organizer or administrator who beginning to develop and integrate sustainability as a core value into their campus planning process.
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