Member Spotlight

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) is our current spotlight campus! ASU is home to America's first School of Sustainability. The School offers a variety of degrees in sustainability and is housed within the Global Institute of Sustainability. The Institute's new director, Jonathan Fink, will oversee sustainability research and training, as well as integrate sustainability activities and business operations across ASU's four campuses. Learn more

Our Sponsors

Find out how you can sponsor the AASHE Bulletin

Quick Links

AASHE Home About AASHE Join AASHE Resource Center AASHE Bulletin archives Calendar

Table of Contents for 6/21/07:

NEWS
1. Presidents Climate Commitment Passes 300 Signatories
2. Brevard CC Moves to 4-Day Work Week to Reduce Energy Costs
3. Columbia U Expansion To Be LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot
4. Indiana U Hires 13 Summer Sustainability Interns
5. University of Texas at Austin launches Energy Management Program
6. Arizona Campuses Receive Grants for Recycling
7. St. Johns University Expands Recycling Program
8. Penn State Tests B100 Biodiesel in Farm Vehicles
9. Stanford Dining Wins Sustainability Award

OPPORTUNITIES
10. Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities

JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
11. Sustainability Analyst, UC Office of the President
12. Campus Environmental Center Staff Advisor, University of Texas at Austin
13. Asst. Dir., Int. Ctr. for Conservation Edu. and Sust., George Mason U
14. Asst. Professor, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Oklahoma State U
15. Exec. Director, Environmental & Energy Systems Institute, Rice U
16. Student Organizing Manager, Greenpeace
17. MD Campus Climate Challenge Coord., CCAN

EVENTS
18. Web Conference on Financing Renewable Energy on Campus

1. Presidents Climate Commitment Passes 300 Signatories
9 new campuses have signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment since the last update in AASHE Bulletin. In doing so, these campuses have committed to develop comprehensive plans for achieving climate neutrality. The new signatories are: David J. Schmidly of University of New Mexico, John Bassett of Clark University, James F. Jones, Jr. of Trinity College, William P. Robinson of Whitworth University, Janet L. Holmgren of Mills College, Sharon D. Herzberger of Whittier College, Ronald E. Thomas of Dakota County Technical College, James A. Davis of Shenandoah University, and Neal King of Antioch University Los Angeles. 303 college and university presidents and chancellors have now signed the Commitment.

2. Brevard CC Moves to 4-Day Work Week to Reduce Energy Costs
Brevard Community College is trying a four-day work week in an effort to cut energy costs and save employees money on gas. Most staff will work extended hours Monday through Thursday, and will not work on Fridays. Some essential services like campus security will remain open on Fridays. The pilot project, which will run six weeks, during which time administrators will monitor productivity rates, employee morale, absenteeism and overall job satisfaction. The college expects to save up to $35,000 a month as a result of the measure.

3. Columbia U Expansion To Be LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot
The U.S. Green Building Council has chosen Columbia University’s proposed Manhattanville expansion plan as a LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) pilot. The plan was selected by USGBC because it commits to incorporating smart growth, new urbanism, and green building design principles. Acceptance to the program provides the University with the support and verification to help set the standard for future urban planning. The LEED-ND was developed as a partnership between the USGBC, the Center for New Urbanism, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. It recognizes sound planning in areas such as proximity to mass transit; mixed uses such as art, community, academic, retail and residential; open neighborhood access and walkable streets; and green construction.

4. Indiana U Hires 13 Summer Sustainability Interns
Indiana University has hired 13 undergraduate and graduate student interns to address issues of environmental and social sustainability on its Bloomington campus over the summer. Coordinated by the IU Task Force for Sustainability, the interns will work with IU faculty and staff to gather data about the current status of sustainability on the Bloomington campus and to survey the sustainability activities of peer institutions. The information gathered will be compiled during the summer and used to develop a framework for campus sustainability that the task force will present this fall.

5. University of Texas at Austin launches Energy Management Program
University of Texas at Austin Facilities Services is in the early stages of the new Demand-side Energy Management and Conservation program. The program is designed to reduce energy use on campus by creating a culture of sustainable energy management and conservation.

6. Arizona Campuses Receive Grants for Recycling
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has awarded $145,019 to fund recycling at Arizona State University and Mesa Community College. ASU will receive $98,999 for a project to recycle construction debris containing plant cellulose into ethanol to be used as fuel. MCC will receive $46,020 to expand recycling to encompass all campus buildings, provide recycling locations along public walkways and establish used battery and light bulb collection sites on campus.

7. St. Johns University Expands Recycling Program
St. John's University has expanded its existing "mini" recycling program involving only the Queens’ Residence Halls to include the entire Queens campus plus the Staten Island and Manhattan campuses. Recycling bins are now located in all campus buildings as well as in outdoor areas, alongside existing waste receptacles. The move creates a single, unified system for the entire University and is expected to reduce costs related to waste disposal.

8. Penn State Tests B100 Biodiesel in Farm Vehicles
Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently announced that it had been using B100 biodiesel in two tractors for the past year with no ill effects. After extensive use on Penn State's farm fields, neither of the machines shows any sign of extra wear. In 2006, the University began using B20 biodiesel in all of its diesel equipment after earlier tests at the College of Agricultural Sciences proved successful.

9. Stanford Dining Wins Sustainability Award
Stanford Dining has been awarded a 2007 Acterra Award for Sustainability, which is given to recognize extraordinary environmental leadership by Bay Area companies and organizations. Stanford Dining was recognized for a variety of sustainability practices including: purchasing food from within 250 miles of campus; a comprehensive recycling and composting program; reusable serviceware; use of non-toxic cleaners; electric-powered vehicles; energy and water efficient appliances and sustainable building materials.

10. Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities
The Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities recognizes educational institutions for exemplary green cleaning programs. The award particularly seeks to recognize teams involved in implementing Green Cleaning programs. The program is sponsored by American School & University, The Green Cleaning Network and the Healthy Schools Campaign. Honorees will receive awards recognizing their achievement and will be profiled in the December 2007 issue of American School & University. The competition is open to all types and sizes of education institutions, both public and private, and including college and universities. Applications are due by September 14, 2007.

11. Sustainability Analyst, UC Office of the President
The University of California Office of the President seeks a Sustainability Analyst to support the implementation of the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices. Reporting to the Sustainability Manager, the Sustainability Analyst will develop and maintain the content for UCOP's sustainability website and develop tools for tracking compliance and facilitating reporting on all sections of the Policy. The Analyst will also support sustainability efforts internal to UCOP and assist in the development of new sustainability initiatives at UC. The closing date for applications is June 28, 2007.

12. Campus Environmental Center Staff Advisor, University of Texas at Austin
The UT Campus Environmental Center is a student-run organization founded in 2002 with the mission of reducing the University's environmental impact and promoting environmental stewardship within the student body. The Staff Advisor ensures the success of CEC projects, teaches leadership seminars, facilitates long-term planning, and builds relationships with stakeholders. The Advisor also serves an important administrative role, including maintaining organizational documentation and institutional memory, managing the office, supervising student workers, and overseeing CEC fundraising and expenditures. The Staff Advisor will be a key player in advancing sustainability initiatives on campus. The position is 20 hrs/week, and benefits are provided. A bachelor's degree and at least a two-year commitment are required.

13. Asst. Dir., Int. Ctr. for Conservation Edu. and Sustainability, George Mason U
The International Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability at George Mason University seeks an Assistant Director to join the development of a new relationship between George Mason University and the Smithsonian Institution. The duties of this individual will be to support the Director with the administrative development of Center activities. This includes administrative support and teaching of the Smithsonian Mason Semester, a resident undergraduate semester offered at the Smithsonian's Conservation and Research Center. Applicants should have a terminal degree in a conservation related field. Review of applications will begin on July 9, 2007 and the position will remain open until filled.

14. Asst. Professor, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Oklahoma State U
Oklahoma State University seeks an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agricultural Systems. This position is an 11-month, tenure-track, 85% extension and 15% teaching appointment in the area of sustainable agricultural systems. The successful candidate is expected to develop a nationally recognized extension program that focuses on increasing the sustainability of rural and suburban agricultural systems through innovative and novel approaches to production. Specific extension objective will vary but will likely include programs in, but not limited to, low-input and organic crop production practices, use of crop rotations, cover crops and crop residues in sustainable production targeted at the rural/urban interface, small landowner, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will also develop undergraduate and graduate course in sustainable agricultural systems that can be delivered via the classroom, distance education and/or internet. An earned Ph.D. degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, or related discipline is required. The position is available November 1, 2007 or as soon as a successful candidate is identified. Review of applications will begin September 1, 2007, and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

15. Exec. Director, Environmental & Energy Systems Institute, Rice University
The Energy & Environmental Systems Institute at Rice University seeks an Executive Director. The Institute fosters interdisciplinary research within the University and with researchers at other universities, government and nongovernmental agencies, and corporate entities. The Institute also fosters educational and outreach programs related to Energy and the Environment. The Executive Director will provide leadership and administrative support for the Institute's research, educational, and outreach programs. A Bachelor's degree in related field and five years of related professional experience are required.

16. Student Organizing Manager, Greenpeace
Greenpeace is looking for a Student Organizing Manager to assist in building a fast-growing student program that works to develop and support student leaders who work on Greenpeace campaigns. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree as well as management and student organizing experience. The closing date for applications is June 22, 2007.

17. MD Campus Climate Challenge Coord., Chesapeake Climate Action Network
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) seeks a Maryland Campus Climate Challenge Organizer to run the Campus Climate Challenge at campuses across Maryland. The Maryland Organizer will serve as the ground support for this campaign, outreaching and training students, planning events and actions, and supporting campus strategies to pass far-reaching campus climate policies. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree. The closing date for applications is July 15, 2007.

18. Web Conference on Financing Renewable Energy on Campus
October 9 + 11, 2007; 1-2:30pm EDT
Participants in this two-part web conference will learn practical considerations for establishing renewable energy projects on campus, including wind, solar, biomass, and low-temperature geothermal projects. Session I will address financing such projects, as well as guidelines for purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs). Session II will address financial issues encountered when interconnecting with the local utility. Rob Lamppa, Senior Project Manager at Carleton College and Michael Philips, coauthor of The Business Case for Renewable Energy: A Guide for Colleges and Universities, will be the instructors.

AASHE Bulletin is a weekly service of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. For more information, or to subscribe, please visit http://www.aashe.org/publications/bulletin.php.

Production of AASHE Bulletin is made possible with funding from our members. If you enjoy AASHE Bulletin and are not currently a member of AASHE, please encourage your school or organization to join. Membership dues support AASHE's core activities and enable us to provide vital benefits and services like AASHE Bulletin. Learn more about AASHE membership