Ramapo College of New Jersey
Contact Information
Education and Research:
Ramapo College was founded in 1969, and since the early years we have had active environmental programs. Currently there are two undergraduate programs: Environmental Science (BS) and Environmental Studies (BA). There are minors associated with each program, and some courses are available to students in both programs. We are awaiting final approval from the State on a new MA program in Sustainability Studies which is planned to open its doors for Fall 2010.
Whilst there is currently no all-college sustainability requirement in the General Education program, there are several General Education categories with sustainability-themed options, including Science and First Year Seminar. In addition, the ‘Social Issues’ course (required of all students except Business majors) has a sustainability component. The School of Social Science and Human Services, in which approximately 25% of our undergraduates are located, has a sustainability requirement for all students in the school; students choose from several offerings from the Environmental Studies program.
The Environmental Studies major requires its students to undertake either a co-operative education or internship experience; as a result, between the faculty in the major and the staff of the Cahill Center for Experiential Learning, we have access to a large number of co-op and intern positions. Students from outside the Environmental Studies major (primarily including Environmental Science and Biology students) also engage in these opportunities. Students planning on a career in K-12 education have a number of positions open to them, including several co-op positions and a one-year post-baccalaureate position at the Meadowlands Environment Center (Lyndhurst NJ), and summer positions (with a one-year tuition scholarship) at the Weis Audubon Center (Ringwood NJ).
The Environmental Studies major culminates in a capstone ‘Environmental Assessment’ course, in which the class acts as a consulting group and undertakes an assessment project. This opportunity quite often ties to both faculty scholarship, and/or the opportunity to present the findings at regional and national conferences (including AASHE). Faculty in both of the environmental programs engage in sustainability research, including field and lab research with undergraduate students, the results of which have been presented at regional and national ecological and geological conferences. Examples of research studies include: small-scale fuel cells (for the developing world); forest ecology and forest health in both the northeastern US/tri-state area and the Amazon; environmental justice in northern NJ; herbicide use in tri-state lakes; and pesticide use in NW US forests.
Campus Operations:
Ramapo’s President signed the ACUPCC in November 2007, providing impetus for increasing and enhancing our sustainability efforts on campus. Our Greenhouse Gas Inventory has been completed; we are awaiting an energy audit; and are in the process of developing our carbon-neutrality plan. Several new policies and programs have been implemented; some of these are highlighted here.
Buildings: all new construction and renovation projects must meet LEED Silver standards; major projects undergo commissioning. A major roofing project in the pipeline will be a ‘green’ roof with enhanced insulation, and it will be PV-ready. The newest academic building includes efficient lighting (and lighting sensors/timers in all offices and classrooms). In Summer 2009 we implemented a classroom-usage optimization project to minimize energy usage.
Dining services: in Fall 2008 our three dining facilities went ‘trayless’ one day per week as a pilot; in Fall 2009 we will be completely trayless. We have reusable mugs (with discounted coffee/tea refills). Vending machines have been upgraded to energy-savings models. The convenience store (operated by a dining contractor) is ‘bagless’ (reusable bags are available for purchase).
Grounds: We have a rigorous storm-water management system in place. All new plantings are native species.
Purchasing: we have a preference (but not a requirement) for ‘green’ office products. The State mandates use of ‘green’ cleaning products on campus. All new appliances are required to be EnergyStar products.
Transportation: As a suburban campus with 60% of our students living on campus, commuting by students and employees accounts for approximately one third of our carbon footprint. We have recently adopted a ride-share program to encourage car-pooling. We have a shuttle in the afternoons/evenings serving local malls and train stations; the schedule has been adjusted to better fit the new train schedules, and we are hoping to increase the shuttle to operate in the mornings. We have also worked with the local bus company which operates routes to NYC, adding service between the college and NYC in the early morning, and late afternoon and evening, to facilitate employee commuting.
Waste: We have historically had a problem with recycling compliance. To that end a new recycling program will be unveiled in Summer 2009, with additional recycling/waste stations in common areas, and blue bins (for paper) provided to each office and classroom. Existing receptacles are currently haphazardly labeled, and systematic re-labeling is underway. The new program provides easier identification of receptacles and easier access to receptacles, which should divert more recyclables from the waste stream.
Administration and Finance:
Sustainability is a key component of the College’s mission (and is included in our Mission Statement). The most recent Strategic Plan (2007-2012) added Sustainability as a Guiding Principle for all the Plan’s Goals. The College President signed the ACUPCC in November 2007, committing the College to carbon neutrality.
In 2008, a faculty member was appointed Director of the Sharp Sustainability Education Center (a part-time position, with course release time). The SSEC is a small classroom facility demonstrating green design and construction. The building and surrounding gardens will be used for both regular academic courses as well as outreach programs.
In July 2009 a new position in Facilities will combine project management and sustainability. This position will play a key role in promoting sustainability projects within Facilities and Capital Planning, as well as overseeing much of the technical side of our ACUPCC work.
AASHE Bulletin
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