Humboldt State University 2008 Campus Sustainability Leadership Award Application

Category

Four-year and Graduate Institutions 1,000 - 7,500 Student FTE

Environmental Resource Engineering graduate students, along with Professor Arne Jacobson, test the performance of different photovoltaic panels on top of a campus science building. Professor Jacobson is applying his research in Kenya and Sub-Sahara Africa Photographer: Kellie Jo Brown

Contact

Frank Whitlatch
Associate Vice President
Marketing & Communications
Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA
(707) 826-3309
frank@humboldt.edu

Governance & Administration

Humboldt State University’s (HSU) Strategic Plan states: "Individuals must be environmentally, economically and socially responsible in the quest for viable and sustainable communities."

Associated Students pledges to purchase environmentally and socially responsible products.

Students encouraged HSU’s administration to hire a sustainability coordinator, and despite the current budget crisis, President Rollin Richmond agreed. In 2007, HSU hired Tall Chief Comet as our Sustainability Coordinator. Mr. Comet works in Plant Operations. Mr. Comet is the advisor for both the Campus Recycling Program and the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT). He meets frequently with students and campus organizations to stay abreast of all things sustainable. In the coming academic year Mr. Comet will:

• Integrate sustainability concepts into all aspects of the administrative and academic functions of the campus.
• Establish a campus sustainability committee.
• Coordinate information on sustainable projects/activities/functions to make it accessible to the campus and community.
• Create an information system to educate incoming students on how to recycle on campus.
• Create an information pamphlet for staff/faculty on how recycling is currently done on campus.

HSU is a member of AASHE.

HSU is a public university and is a part of the statewide California State University (CSU) system.  The CSU provides guidance to each of its campuses. The CSU crafted Executive Order 987, “Sustainability Policy,” that established green building, energy efficiency and conservation, on-site generation, and renewable energy requirements with which HSU complies.  The CSU’s Sustainability Policy requires that all new buildings must be built to LEED Silver equivalency standards.

The CSU is registered with the California Climate Action Registry. As a member, the CSU voluntarily measures, verifies and publicly reports its Green House Gas emissions for each campus with the assistance of the California Climate Action Registry.

Current law requires that all state facilities purchase at least 25 percent of all printing and writing paper containing at least 30 percent post-consumer content fiber. In 2006, HSU converted its office paper usage to 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. This policy won an award from the Higher Education Energy Efficiency Partnership for Best Practices in Sustainable Operations. HSU was able to extend the paper purchasing contract to the other 22 CSU campuses, making 100 percent recycled paper both an economically and environmentally responsible decision for CSU campuses.

Humboldt State’s 100 percent recycled paper policy was one of the first in the nation and orchestrated as a joint effort of the departments of Graphic Services, Plant Operations, Distribution Services, and Campus Recycling.

HSU departments, on average, purchase a combined 2,900 cases of letter size copier paper a year. When considering the previous mix of virgin and 30 percent PCW purchasing on campus, converting the University's paper usage to 100 percent PCW results in the direct annual savings of:

• Over 1,200 trees
• 349,000 gallons of water
• 3,000 lbs. air pollution
• 104,485 lbs. greenhouse gases
• 215 cu. yards of landfill space
• 204,000 kilowatt hours of electricity

Operations

Buildings/Energy: Committed to constructing all future buildings to at least LEED Silver standards; in 2008, Behavioral and Social Sciences Building will receive LEED Gold Certification.

The California State University system, of which Humboldt State University (HSU) is a member, purchases nine percent, or 66 million kilowatt-hours, of its electricity from renewable sources. The EPA ranked the CSU as the nation's 5th largest College/University purchaser of renewable energy.

Humboldt State will install a 300 kW photovoltaic system on its Library within the coming year.

A new hydrogen-powered Toyota Prius and hydrogen fueling station, designed by the University's renowned Schatz Energy Research Center, operate on campus and represent the northernmost link in California's "Hydrogen Highway."

Bathrooms are equipped with motion-sensors to activate lighting. All campus lights have been upgraded to fluorescent T-8s and T-5s. All soda vending machines are equipped with vending misers.

In 2006, HSU received an award for "Best Monitoring Based Commissioning" (MBCx). The award-winning project repaired, replaced and adjusted heating and ventilation controls in the Science Building and is saving 27,000 kWh per year and 9,000 therms of gas, for an annual savings of about $11,000.

Transportation: "Jack Pass" gives students access to regional buses for a $15/semester fee.

Landscape: HSU reduces water consumption by using drip irrigation and reducing the overall area that must be watered. Reduced landscaping includes two artificial turf fields (with another planned) made from recycled tires. Watering is timed to prevent over-watering.

Water: Inside, our buildings feature low-flow toilets, sink aerators, and timed water faucets (to prevent water left running).

Waste: In 2006, according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, 77.8 percent of waste was diverted at HSU. HSU recycles everything from books to packaging materials to office furniture.

Janitorial: HSU uses Green Seal Certified and environmentally preferable products for routine cleaning.

Housing & Dining: In 2007, PETA rated Humboldt State as the #4 Most Vegetarian Friendly College in America.

Humboldt State's Dining Services works with Community Alliance with Family Farms to identify local farms, their products, and to establish working relationships with the farmer. During the local growing season, between 50 and 100 percent of Dining Services' total produce comes from local growers. About 25 to 30 percent of HSU's dining items are purchased from local food manufacturers.

About 95 percent of the local produce purchased is organic. Of HSU's total product mix for the year, between 15 to 20 percent is organic. HSU is expanding its organic coffee line so that 98 percent of coffee on campus is organic (a couple of flavors are not available organically).

Approximately three tons of pre-consumer waste is composted each year.

HSU boasts one of the first Energy Star rated residence hall rooms in the country.

Residents practice energy conservation during the annual energy competition hosted by the Department of Housing's Student Energy Management Intern.

Free CFLs are given to incoming on-campus residents.

Purchasing: HSU's 2006 award-winning 100 percent recycled paper policy provided an open purchasing contract for other CSU campuses to do the same.

Curriculum & Research

While the university does offer environmental degrees, HSU realizes that by nature sustainability is an interdisciplinary subject and each of our degree programs educates students about the various facets of sustainability. Approximately 100 courses are offered per semester specifically discussing the environment and sustainability. Our programs give students hands-on experience whether its organic farming or student-taught classes on bicycle maintenance, permaculture, or LEED certification.

Examples of Sustainability Curriculum:

Masters Programs: Environment & Community; Environmental Systems; Natural Resources

Majors: Environmental Resource Engineering; Environmental Science; Natural Resources Planning & Interpretation

Options within Majors: Conservation Biology; Ecological Restoration; Ecology; Energy and Climate; Environmental Policy; Environmental Toxicology; Native American Studies: Natural Resources & Environment

Minors: Appropriate Technology; Environmental Ethics; Water Resource Policy

Courses: Environmental and Natural Resources Economics; Nature Writing; Technology & the Environment; Environmental Problem Solving; Environmental Justice; Environmental Ethics; Politics of a Sustainable Society; Environmental Psychology; Environmental Education; Consumerism and (Eco)Spirituality; Environmental Crime; Ecofeminism

Current research project examples:

GreenLab: Designs and prototypes sustainable products that, in a creative partnership with the community, are responsive to regional needs and national trends.

Schatz Energy Research Center: Continued research on energy efficiency, hydrogen, fuel cells, biogas, biomass, and developing hydrogen curriculum.

Marine Wildlife Care Center: Cleans and rehabilitates birds following oil spills on the North Coast. Currently conducting research on survival rates of birds in oil spill areas.

Off Grid Lighting: Professor Arne Jacobsen of Environmental Resource Engineering along with graduate students are developing testing protocols that help people in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa transition to sustainable energy products. Providing solar powered LEDs as an alternative to expensive and dangerous kerosene fuel lamps often used to light homes.

Ecological Collapse: Professor Sing Chew of Sociology researched and wrote a book using a historical perspective of all the great civilizations and their ecological collapse as insight to the ecological collapse of contemporary Western cultures.

Politics of Sacrifice: Professor John Meyer of Political Science is writing and editing a book about contemporary environmentalism and the notion of personal sacrifice. Book will feature research essay by HSU undergraduate Justin Williams.

Impacts of Wind Energy: Professor Joe Szewczak, along with graduate students, is using acoustics to monitor nocturnal birds and bats and the impacts of wind energy development with the hope of generating an acoustic signal that can prevent bats and birds from being killed by wind turbines.

Wild Dogs: Professor Micaela Szykman Gunther of Wildlife Management is conducting research on the critically endangered African wild dog. Her research concentrates on the pressures of human populations on the dogs, with an aim of reaching a sustainable balance.

Redwood Ecology: Professor Stephen Sillett of Foresty is continuing to pioneer research in redwood forest canopies. He is widely recognized as the world's foremost expert on redwood trees.

Salmon Restoration: Environmental Resources Engineering Professors Eileen Cashman and Margaret Lang offer students hands-on training in the streams, creeks and rivers around Humboldt County. Their research focuses on improving fish passage for salmon and other species in waterways altered by human influence.

Campus Culture

HSU was one of the first schools to participate in the Green Campus Program, a statewide organization that trains student interns to integrate energy into the curricula, raise campus awareness, and implement campus energy programs. HSU's Green Campus Program conducts campus office audits, and gives out free CFLs and power strips. HSU's Green Campus Program has been awarded three times by the CSU system for excellence in student energy efficiency.

The Campus Recycling Program educates about waste reduction, manages R.O.S.E. (Reusable Office Supply Exchange) a space for the campus to trade unwanted supplies, and helps other groups host Zero-Waste Events. During move-out from the dorms, Donation Dash diverts usable goods from the waste stream. Compost annually collects three tons of food and yard waste.

Graduation Pledge Alliance, 21-year-old oath of social and environmental responsibility.

For 30 years, the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology's live-in demonstration home for sustainability annually exposes over 2,000 students, faculty, staff, and visitors through tours, student-taught courses, workshops, presentations and hands-on projects.

The Humboldt State Energy Independence Fund (HEIF) seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of energy use at HSU through student created, designed, and implemented projects. The funds for these projects come from a $10 per semester student fee (students approved the fee via a university-wide vote). Projects educate about energy, save energy or generate energy. So far, $100,000 has been commissioned towards two HEIF projects: a solar monitoring station on campus and a 10.5 kW solar installation along with a student-designed interpretive sign and energy-themed art project.

The Renewable Energy Student Union (RESU) is responsible for maintaining the solar monitoring station. RESU works with local communities to install renewable energy systems, giving students experience and providing the community with clean energy.

Students who attend HSU can arrange to live in a themed living community:

. Outdoor Adventures and Community Service (OACS). This is a community of students whose members have a passion for outdoor activities and community service.

. The Natural Resources and Sciences theme community is designed to assist in the transition to college for students majoring in Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation, Forestry, Rangeland Resources, Wildlife, Fisheries Biology and other sciences.

. Eco-Living residents participate in creating a community centered on environmentally sustainable living.

A.S. Programs

. Campus Recycling Program

. Campus Center for Appropriate Technology

Academic Clubs

. Biology Graduate Student Association

. Botany and Native Plant Club

. Engineers Without Borders

. Forestry Club

. Mycology Club

. Oceanography Society

. Rangeland Resources & Wildland Soils Club

. Redwood Chapter of Interpreters

. Society of American Foresters Student Chapter

. Society of Women Engineers

. Wildlife Graduate Student Society

Special Interest Clubs

. AWARE (animal rights)

. Bicycle Learning Center

. California Waterfowl Association

. Dive Club

. Focus the Nation

. Good Food Club

. Green Wheels

. Green Campus Program

. Humboldt Students Against Sweatshops

. Natural Resources Club

. Renewable Energy Student Union

. Students for Community Food

. Student Naturalist Club

. Sustainable Entrepreneurs

Community Service and Outreach

Sustainability has been a hallmark of Humboldt State's mission as an educational institution for decades. This well-established commitment to sustainability and eco-consciousness reflects the culture of the local region. HSU has long attracted the kind of students who are interested in their community and committed to preserving our environment.

Since 1968, students at Youth Educational Services have been working with local youth and families from disadvantaged situations on projects varying from gardening (Environmental Education) to rock climbing (LEAP: Leadership Education Adventure Program); since 1978 students at the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology have been educating the world about sustainable living; and for the past 15 years, Humboldt State's Schatz Energy Research Center has been an international leader in the development of clean and renewable energy. These kinds of programs give students unique opportunities to learn about what sustainability means first hand and how it impacts local communities.

Other community-oriented events:

Alternative Spring Break: Students can spend their spring break service-learning style, volunteering and learning about another community. Past year locations have included rural and urban organic farms and environmental education topics.

250-Mile Potluck: A collaboration between CCAT and community organizations, this potluck style community dinner occurs in September (Local Food Month for City of Arcata). Community is challenged to bring a dish with ingredients from within 250 miles.

HSU Day of Caring: One Saturday in September sign up for a variety of service learning projects, many with an environmental focus such as the beach clean-up, that will take place in the community.

Humboldt Sustainability Retreat: A small-scale, hands-on, community focused sustainability conference including universities throughout the region, hosted by HSU Green Campus Program.

CCAT Week: A week of free, public workshops and events focused on sustainable living.

Sustainable Living Arts and Music Festival (SLAM Fest): Music, food, workshops, speakers, vendors, educational booths, and art-a great way to celebrate Earth Day weekend.

March for Parks: HSU interpretation students conduct a full day program for local elementary schools at the Arcata Marsh, approximately around Earth Day.

Sustainable Speaker Series: Features guest lectures and local experts on a variety of sustainability topics. Hosted by the Schatz Energy Research Center.

Donation Dash: During move out from the Residence Halls a lot of waste can be generated. Housing & Dining, the Campus Recycling Program, and Plant Operations divert reusables and recyclables from the waste stream. What isn't tossed gets recycled and donated to local charities and thrift stores.

Car-Free Day: Join Green Wheels, an alternative transportation advocacy group, on your trek to work or school by hopping on your bike and imbibing in alternative transportation with a group of your closet new eco-groovy friends. Participate in bicycle competitions, enjoy the pedestrian walkway art and take advantage of valet bike parking. Celebrated by Green Wheels, Bicycle Learning Center and the community Bike Library.