University of Cincinnati
Contact Information
Education and Research:
Co-Curricular Education
Student Leadership
The undergraduate student government President ran on a platform of sustainability, supported continuation of the subsidized regional transit program of and created a committee comprised of leaders from all of UC's sustainability-related groups for better visibility of sustainability.
Students led a research project to assess the University's food systems and to make recommendations, based on student feedback. Students exhibited their projects and participated in their second annual Energy and Technology Expo in May 2009 at which professionals and experts spoke on issues related to sustainable energy production and climate change. Engineering and architecture students have continued their research into the systems of the Solar Decathlon house submission from 2007.
Educational Programming
The committee of students and their respective organizations helped plan and implement educational events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. These included participation in national events such as Power Shift, Focus the Nation and National Campus Sustainability Day; annual recycling and conservation efforts such as the Housing Conservation Challenge, Operation Move-In Recycle, Friday Night Lights Out, Tailgate Recycling and the Re*Use Market; off-campus volunteer events like the Great American Cleanup, Green-Up Day and Trees for Tomorrow; as well as unique environmental programming during Earth Week, Homecoming and throughout the year including a lecture by a UC alum eco-architect, workshops by an eco-artist, the first on- campus Farmers Market and an outdoor "walk-in" movie.
Co-operative Education
Students in UC's signature co-op program have worked in hundreds of jobs in which they helped make a positive impact on the environment - from designing reusable bags for JC Penney and hybrid vehicles for GM to helping the local utility company convert a power plant from coal to natural gas or working at William McDonough & Partners and other firms which specialize in eco-friendly design.
Curriculum
Academics
Dozens of courses were offered within departments across the University related to sustainability, including a studio where students made recommendations for ways in which the University could achieve carbon neutrality. A minor was created in Civil Engineering called “Sustaining the Urban Environment. “ The University system of Ohio required Centers of Excellence and one of the University’s is “Sustaining the Urban Environment” (SUE), a cross departmental program.
To raise awareness of the need to integrate sustainability in all academic areas a presentation created by PACES was given to each college and department on campus by the President’s Advisory Council on Environment and Sustainability.
Research
Faculty
In a recent survey, at least 26 professors were conducting specialized research in the environmental fields. Various centers at UC focus on sustainability-related research including Sustainable Urban Engineering, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the new UC Center for Field Studies where students and faculty are able to conduct on-site research in the natural environment. Cutting-edge research at UC includes investigation into algae as a bio-fuel, geologic record of past environmental changes, geochemistry and natural hazards.
Campus Operations:
UC continues to address campus operations by crossing traditional departmental boundaries, looking for new ideas and working together. Selected Examples of recent initiatives:
Energy
In March 2009, UC became the first university in Ohio to implement a pioneering agreement to reuse “waste” methane gas produced by a landfill as a power-generation source. This will save the university $2.7 million over three years’ time. UC’s carbon footprint will decrease by 10 percent. In the last four years, UC has reduced energy consumption by 13 percent through building operations and student energy challenge programs, avoiding an estimated $10 million in costs.
Waste
The University currently uses a local recycling center for our recyclables. Our solid waste stream was reduced by 35.5% from 2000 - 2005 and an additional 33% from 2005 - 2008. The change was 6,478 tons to 3,187 tons annually.
Transportation
The University offers subsidized transportation for the city bus system to all faculty, staff and students in order to encourage use of public transportation and supports a shuttle bus for transportation around campus. A “Bike Share” program and will be placing the first bicycles in a residence hall and an administrative building as a test and more bicycle racks have been placed on campus.
Buildings
New construction will be a minimum of LEED silver. UC has four LEED certified buildings and two under review. The Universities climate action plan is underway and includes performance requirements for new buildings and opportunities for changes to the systems in our existing buildings for more efficient operation including behavior changes in the occupants. The team is cross departmental.
Dining Services
Dining Services successfully implemented tray-less dining in the 2008-09 school year, decreasing the amount of water that needs to be heated for dishwashing and reducing food waste by 35%. Whenever possible, products are purchased from local and regional farms. The majority of our seafood choices, like Pollock and Albacore tuna have been farmed in a sustainable manner. Energy Star appliances are purchased routinely.
Water and Food
Capturing rainwater from roofs now irrigates the landscape. A partnership exists with a Green Learning Station in the community to explore opportunities to decrease storm water runoff to the city’s combined sewer system. UC has leased one of nine inaugural urban farm sites offered by the City of Cincinnati as part of a pilot Urban Farm program. The farm is a 1.25 acre site located five miles from campus. The opportunity provides the following:
- knowledge and agricultural expertise to urban gardeners and the public;
- informal educational programming to students and the general public about the benefits of and practice of urban agriculture;
- opportunities for research and academic inquiry about urban agriculture and other aspects of urban sustainability;
- an example of economically viable urban agriculture; a place where neighbors from diverse backgrounds can meet and form relationships while participating in gardening activities;
- an opportunity to direct fresh produce to the campus dining halls.
Administration and Finance:
Sustainability initiatives at the University of Cincinnati take place in all parts of the university. The clearinghouse for initiatives is The President’s Advisory Council on Environment and Sustainability (PACES) made up of students, staff and faculty. PACES an unfunded initiative, and the work is done through dedicated people who meet regularly and take on projects in addition to their daily workload. PACES is one of only 19 all University Committees formed when the President of UC signed the President’s Climate Commitment
Public Engagement
- PACES created a Climate 101 lecture series open to public and share with another local catholic university – topics diverse as energy produced from coal versus nuclear power; man’s view of himself in early 20th century paintings, from algae to fuel. Faculty, staff and students are involved
- The Green Partnership of Greater Cincinnati, started by a faculty member at UC includes five of the largest employers and landholders in the area. Members are the Cincinnati public schools, Duke Energy, University of Cincinnati, City of Cincinnati, and Hamilton County. The GPGC is devoted to creating and sharing sustainability initiatives
Investment
- Significant investments through the endowment were made in the surrounding neighborhood with development loans and endowment investment managers consider sustainability factors in their decision making
Planning
- Planning chairs and coordinates PACES, directs the sustainability self directed work team for buildings and created and regularly updates a website that serves as a clearinghouse for sustainable events, projects, news and links.
- Preserving the campus and using our existing space well are over riding themes in the updates to the campus plan
- Graduate students in architecture and planning support the departments sustainability efforts.
Access and affordability
- Six colleges, over 2500 students, in 37 countries and all states for 21,900 credit hours used distance learning at UC in 2008; making education affordable and accessible to many.
- Graduate enrollment at the University of Cincinnati provides a significant source for research and exposure to cultural diversity. The new Graduate School Information Portal provides faculty and staff with a one-stop secure means of accessing tools and information necessary to administer graduate programs, including admissions applications , test scores, and the ability to customize admissions applications by academic program
- The University of Cincinnati Libraries provide web-based access to and information about the 3,000,000+ volumes in UC's libraries and access to online databases, e-journals, e-books, videos, films, images, and more as well as the University’s library affiliates
- An associate professor of Computer Science has produced an online text for courses. The eTextbooks are comprehensive, well-organized and student friendly in their layout, writing and illustrations
Human Resources
- Staff are permitted flex time to reduce the number of days they travel to work; Web based training is provided through Human Resources; the campus phone directory is electronic, paychecks and benefits are paperless
Diversity
- The University of Cincinnati has a Diversity Council to promote the recruitment and retention of minority students
AASHE Bulletin
For the latest campus sustainability news, resources, opportunities, and events: Subscribe to AASHE Bulletin