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AASHE Bulletin is a weekly service of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Find out more or subscribe. AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. Learn more about AASHE membership.

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Education & Research

Curriculum

Co-Curricular Education & Student Organizing

Campus Operations

Buildings

Energy

Transportation

Waste

Planning, Administration & Engagement

Affordability & Access

Coordination & Planning

Diversity & Inclusion

Funding

Investment

Policy & Legislation

Public Engagement

New Resources

Opportunities

Jobs & Internships

Events

Campus Sustainability Discussion Forums Highlights

Education & Research

Curriculum

Starting in fall 2012, the university will offer a new Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in urban sustainability and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs in sustainable management and policy. At the undergraduate level, students will learn the principles of sustainability, sustainable management, environmental justice and green technologies. At the graduate level, students will take courses in areas including urban sustainability, environmental conflict resolution, cost-benefit analysis, and natural resource management.
See also: AASHE Resource: Sustainability-Focused Master's Degree Programs
See also: AASHE Resource: Sustainability-Focused Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Co-Curricular Education & Student Organizing

Students recently partnered with the Mills College Sustainability Center and local, community bicycle shops to launch the cooperative. Aiming to make bicycles accessible for everyone and support sustainable transportation and exploration, the co-op's grand opening included the promotion of a Bike to School Day and a fix-it-yourself workshop led by local mechanics. The student-run space provides tools and open hours with volunteer student mechanics to assist in maintenance and repairs throughout the academic year.
See also: AASHE Resource: Bicycle Sharing & Rental Programs (AASHE Member Resource)

Graduate students in the university’s School of Urban and Regional Planning have developed a new tool to help the City of Dubuque identify untapped renewable energy sources. The interactive, web-based map can be used by residents and businesses to pinpoint their property’s renewable energy potential, including solar, wind and geothermal power. The map application is expected to be implemented on the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation’s website for public use.

Campus Operations

Buildings

The university's first LEED Platinum building features a bio-retention cell to retain and absorb water run-off, serving as a natural filter and providing erosion control. Additional sustainable features include low-emitting and green building materials, bicycle storage and shower facilities, efficient fixtures and a white roof to reduce the heat island effect.

Green renovations including more efficient HVAC systems and lighting occupancy sensors are expected to increase energy efficiency by 7 percent and reduce annual water usage by 534,455 gallons. The project includes more than 30 percent recycled and regional materials.

Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that NuMat Technologies from Northwestern University (IL) won the first-ever DOE National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition. Part of the Obama Administration's Startup America Initiative, the competition aims to inspire university teams across the country and promote entrepreneurship in clean energy technologies that will boost American competitiveness. NuMat Technologies presented a plan to commercialize a nanomaterial that stores gases at lower pressure, reducing infrastructure costs and increasing design flexibility.

After retrofitting four campus buildings for greater energy efficiency, the university has earned $1.64 million in cash rebates from Pacific Gas & Electric through the utility's incentive programs. Upgrades to heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical and water systems over the last two years are expected to save more than $1.8 million annually in energy costs.

Two recently installed air compressors will cut the steam plant's water use by three million gallons a year and save electricity. The university estimates that the new equipment will lower the steam station’s compressed-air costs by as much as 57 percent per year.

Part of the university's Smart Lighting Initiative, the nearly-completed $1 million network of "smart" lights can coordinate with each other and adapt to their environment. The system senses occupants and can be scheduled and adjusted for increased or decreased levels of activity. The new outdoor lights are expected to save the university $100,000 a year in electricity costs and offset the equivalent annual greenhouse gas emissions of 135 cars and trucks. Later this year, the university will begin the installation of adaptive, networked lighting on the inside of campus buildings.

The university has announced the completion of a wind turbine and solar panel array that will be used to power student housing facilities. The installations will also serve as a learning tool for students in the environmental, safety and health management fields.
See also: AASHE Resource: Campus Solar Photovoltaic Installations
See also: AASHE Resource: Wind Turbine Installations on Campus (AASHE Member Resource)

Transportation

To meet the demand of increased ridership among the campus community, the university has purchased a new fleet of environmentally friendly buses that use cleaner fuel with a mixture of biodiesel. The buses are equipped with bike racks, and riders will be able to track the fleet using a mobile app and website.
See also: AASHE Resource: Campus Biodiesel Fleets (AASHE Member Resource)

The Renewable Energy Technology program has increased the production of biodiesel to compare its emissions levels with vehicles that run entirely on petroleum diesel. If the biodiesel proves more economically and environmentally friendly, students in the program will advocate for producing enough biodiesel for all campus trucks.

Waste

After a successful plastic foam recycling pilot program in the campus research laboratories, the university has announced plans to expand plastic foam recycling to the entire campus. The university is working with its recycling vendor to recycle plastic foam waste containers into new products like picture frames and architectural molding.
See also: AASHE Resource: Campus Recycling and Waste Minimization Policies (AASHE Member Resource)

A group of students from the Lundquist College of Business’ Center for Sustainable Business Practices and the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center have launched a shoe recycling drive program that debuted during the Olympic Trials taking place on campus. "A Step in the Right Direction" sorts selected shoes based on their condition; intact shoes are donated to those in need while worn-out shoes are sent to the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program where they are used in sports equipment, playground floors and other materials. After the trials, collection boxes will remain on campus indefinitely.

Planning, Administration & Engagement

Affordability & Access

The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has announced plans to lead an effort to address issues of public college access and affordability. The Center for Higher Education Strategic Information and Governance will form a pioneering Policy Steering Council in an effort to determine who will have the chance to attend college and how they will pay for it. The council will identify working priorities, implementation strategies, partners and funding sources, and concrete recommendations for engagement during the 2012-2013 school year.

Coordination & Planning

The university's new Administrative Center for Sustainability and Energy Management pulls together administration, staff, faculty and students from different parts of campus to tackle the future of energy and sustainability at Rice. Coming up, the center - also known as the "think-and-do-tank" - will create a holistic plan to guide future energy investments and decisions.

The college's Columbia Recycling Program has initiated a program to integrate sustainability in the events planning process for on-campus events. Using criteria defined by the Green Seal Event Checklist (points are allocated among promotion, catering and education), event planners are awarded a "green seal" designation.

Diversity & Inclusion

Humboldt State University and San Diego State University have ranked among the top friendliest schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students by national nonprofit Campus Pride. The LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index aims to set a national standard of LGBT inclusive policies, programs and practices, and offer an ongoing measurement tool to improve the quality of life for LGBT people on campuses.

Funding

Spanning 13 states for a total of $56 million over three years, the research projects will be conducted in partnership with universities, private industry and national laboratories. The awards support the department's SunShot Initiative, a collaborative national effort to make solar power cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by the end of the decade.

Investment

A student-led effort to tie the university’s investment guidelines to the issue of conflict minerals has received the backing of the Board of Trustees. A resolution was approved that authorizes the university’s investment arm to adopt a proxy voting guideline for investments in which the university has direct ownership. The guideline stipulates that the university will vote in favor of "well-written and reasonable shareholder resolutions that ask companies for reports on their policies and efforts regarding their avoidance of conflict minerals and conflict mineral derivatives."

Policy & Legislation

A recent report released by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, (NACUBO), Second Nature and the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) calls on the federal government to make it easier for colleges and universities to finance big sustainability projects on their campuses, reports the Chronicle of Higher Education. The report includes several policy proposals to create incentives for colleges to pursue large-scale energy-efficiency projects like retrofitting laboratories and developing renewable energy sources to power their campuses.
See also: Second Nature Press Release

In the face of major challenges including decreased state funding, a recent National Research Council report argues that a larger commitment is needed from state and federal governments in public and private universities. Including policy principles like revitalizing and redefining the partnership between the federal government, state governments, research universities, and businesses, "Research Universities and the Future of America: Ten Breakthrough Actions Vital to Our Nation’s Prosperity and Security" calls for a larger commitment from state and federal governments in exchange for greater efficiency and more openness to collaboration with businesses on the part of universities.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted 131 to 68 to approve a bill that could expand oil and gas drilling on public-university campuses in the state. The legislation, which awaits a final vote in the State Senate, would allow colleges to keep 40 percent of any royalties; 15 percent of which would have to be devoted to reducing tuition costs.

Public Engagement

Students at the School of Information and Communications Technologies are working on a solar-powered communications system that will supply phone and internet connectivity for emergency response, geological survey and remote residential applications. The students are working with prototyping lab Calgary Protospace, a local incubator for innovative technology ideas, and renewable energy consultants Think Energy, on the project.

After a ThinkBike Workshop with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, students and staff at the university worked with City of Philadelphia transportation planners and cyclists from around the region to develop specific bike-friendly proposals for each neighborhood. Proposals include a two-way bike route, increased covered and secured bike parking and storage capacity, and additional bike lanes.

The college’s Pine Lake Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Studies has announced a professional development workshop that brings together area teachers, faculty, education majors, and regional and national watershed experts in a project called Think, Act, Protect the Upper Susquehanna River watershed (TAP-US). TAP-US will help area teachers develop and offer hands-on, inquiry-based lesson plans to increase environmental literacy and engage students in activities to protect and maintain the ecology of rivers, streams and wetlands.

Supported by the Heinz Endowments, this new AASHE publication profiles the sustainability innovations of the Pittsburgh institutions that hosted campus tours during the AASHE 2011 conference. Profiled innovations include green building design, waste elimination, alternative transportation options, climate positive goals and community partnerships toward sustainability. Compiled from tour materials, surveys and follow-up interviews, this report also captures the knowledge gained and lessons learned by the tour participants.

The Arbor Day Foundation has released a new Tree Campus USA Toolkit to help institutions earn national recognition for their work to promote sustainable tree planting and management on campus.

The application deadline for all 2012 AASHE award categories has been extended to July 9. AASHE will recognize the achievements of two community, technical or tribal colleges; two four-year institutions; one faculty member; and three students at its awards ceremony in Los Angeles during the 2012 AASHE conference.

Hosted by Teens Turning Green, this 30-day challenge mobilizes high school and college students to learn about simple, fun and high impact actions toward a sustainable lifestyle with a focus on informed consumption and the collective impact of individual efforts. Two to four representatives per campus are invited to join the core outreach team to raise awareness and gather sign-ups. Schools with the highest student involvement by September 1 can host a Project Green Challenge-sponsored breakfast or Green Spa on campus.

The U.S. Green Building Council is seeking qualified and interested candidates for the educator (post-secondary) position on its 2013 Board of Directors. The self-nomination period concludes on July 16.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is offering free membership for one year to community colleges that get involved with Community Green. With support, resources and tools from the USGBC's Center for Green Schools, Community Green colleges work to integrate green building concepts into curricular and co-curricular opportunities, including credentialing and networking.

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is awarding Greenbuild scholarships to higher education students, faculty and staff to promote diversity and social equity within the green building industry and the sustainable schools movement. Awardees will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the conference and expo in San Francisco.

This position will be responsible for supporting the Harvard Green Building Services team as they facilitate green building design, construction and operations across campus. The project coordinator will assist with building commissioning, energy auditing and energy conservation measure project management. Successful candidates will have a degree in a related field.

This position will help develop, coordinate and facilitate collaborative efforts and partnerships toward sustainability initiatives. Responsibilities will also include developing and delivering sustainability trainings and outreach; tracking performance metrics; assisting with website content development; preparing reports; and grant writing. Successful candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of experience.

This position will teach six courses that could include an introductory course in environmental science, a sophomore-level course in environmental problem solving and upper-level courses in the candidate’s area of expertise. Successful candidates will have interdisciplinary teaching and research interests in environmental science and a strong commitment to undergraduate education. A Ph.D. and previous teaching experience is preferred.

The college's Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Center for Environmental Studies invite applications for this tenure-track position beginning August 2013. This position will teach introductory and advanced sociology and environmental studies courses on topics including environmental movements, environmental justice and environmental policy. Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. with an active research agenda stressing the intersection of scholarship in sociology and environmental concerns. The review of applications will begin Sept. 10, 2012.

Sept. 21, 2012; Boston, MA
Themed "Leveraging Collective Resources for the Future," this event is designed to build regionally-tailored skills to help campus change agents advance sustainability. The conference and sessions will follow three tracks: "Organization and Coalition Building," "Campus as a Living Laboratory" and "Financial Strategies."

Click on the titles below to view the full discussion thread.

The University of Kentucky is building several new residence halls over the next five years and we are currently developing the system and strategy for solid waste minimization and management. One of the proposed ideas is to use compactors located outside of each residence hall for landfill waste and single stream recyclables...Does anyone have experience with, or recommendations for a compact, split body compactor?

I've been tasked with developing a comprehensive strategy for student engagement. Our office has a communications plan, and some vague ideas to create a peer reps program. We also have several engagement programs (bike share, green grants) but no cohesive strategy to loop them all together. I would love to hear from folks who may have gone through this process already! Any resources you could share would be helpful.