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Sustainable Initiatives and
Environmental Research at Institutions
of Higher Learning
In the Southeast
EPA Academic Institutions Programs- Region 4
Fall 2014
Rollins College
Rhodes C
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e
Sewanee, the University of the South
Furm
an U
niv
ersity
Millsaps College
Mo
reho
use C
olleg
e
Spelman College
Birm
ingh
am-S
ou
thern
Colleg
e
Davidson College
Centre College
Alcorn State University
Alabama A&M
University
Flo
rida A
&M
Univ
ersity
Fort Valley State University
Kentucky State University
North Carolina A&T University
South
Caro
lina S
tate Univ
ersity
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University A
ub
urn
Un
iversity
Clemson University
University of Florida University of Georgia
University of Tennessee
University of Kentucky
Un
iversity
of N
orth
Caro
lina
Georgia Southern University
Florida International University
Geo
rgia P
erimeter C
olleg
e
Alab
ama S
tate Un
iversity
Claflin University
Oran
geb
urg
-Calh
ou
n T
echn
ical Co
llege
Aik
en T
echnical C
olleg
e Clark Atlanta University
Mississippi Valley State
University
Meharry Medical College
Ben
nett C
olleg
e
Benedict College
Pearl River Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Com
munity College
Georgia State University
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Broward College
Beth
un
e-C
oo
kman
Un
iversity
Emo
ry Un
iversity Savannah State University
Heather McTeer Toney Region 4 Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proud to present the
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at Institutions of the Higher
Learning in the Southeast report. This report provides a look at sustainability
initiatives at colleges and universities in the southeast. Colleges and universities
have always been key partners in helping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) achieve its mission to protect human health and the environment. EPA works
with colleges and universities to promote research, explore solutions, and help
produce the next generation of environmental leaders.
Many colleges and universities in the southeast recognize the importance of
sustainability and are working to incorporate sustainable practices and principals
into campus life. Institutions are undertaking initiatives such as building more
sustainable buildings, setting up recycling and composting programs, purchasing
food for dining halls from local farms, and adding electric or hybrid vehicles to their
fleet. Most importantly, institutions are supporting student involvement by adding
sustainability topics into their curriculum and creating environmental and resource
management degree programs.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Contents
Introduction
Scope of this Report ………………………………………………………………………….…1
Importance of Sustainability…………………………………………………………………….2
Sustainability in Collegiate Athletics……………………………………………………….3,4,5
Colleges and Universities
Alabama A&M University………………………………………………………………………..6
Alcorn State University…………………………………………………………………………..7
Atlanta Metropolitan State College……………………………………………………………..8
Auburn University………………………………………………………………………………...9
Bennett College……………………………………………………………………………...….10
Bethune-Cookman University………………………………………………………………….11
Birmingham-Southern College… ……………………………………………………………..12
Broward College……………………………………...………………………………………....13
Clark Atlanta University………………………………………………………………………...14
Clemson University……………………………………………………………………………..15
Davidson College…………………………………………………………………………….…16
Emory University…………………………………………………………………………….….17
Florida A&M University……………………………………………….………………….…….18
Florida International University…………………………………………………………….….19
Furman University……………………………………………………….…………….………..20
Georgia Southern University………………………………..….…………………….………..21
Georgia State University……………………………………………………..……….………..22
Mississippi State University………………………………………………………..…………..23
Morehouse College…………………………………………………………….…………........24
North Carolina A&T State University……………………..……………….………………….25
Spelman College……………………………………………………….………...…………….26
University of Georgia.…………………………………………………………………………..27
University of Tennessee…………………………………………………………………….…28
Conclusion..…………………………………………………………………………….………….…..29
Colleges and Universities Included in this Report…………………….….…………………30
Memorandum of Understanding in Region 4……….……………………………….…..……….31
Resources and Acknowledgments………………………………………….……………………..32
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Scope of this Report
Information in this report primarily comes from institutions that have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EPA Region 4. The MOUs are designed to encourage schools to support environmental awareness, expand academic awareness and broaden their academic offerings in science and environmental-policy-orientated courses. The MOUs focus on environmental matters that include areas such as water conservation, energy conservation, recycling, green building construction, and green renovation. In addition, the MOUs include environmental outreach to communities the institutions serve.
This report covers colleges and universities in the southeastern United States (EPA Region 4), with a particular focus on sustainable initiatives and environmental research. EPA Region 4 is comprised of the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
This report is not a complete summary of all sustainability initiatives at every school in the southeast. Rather, it is a snapshot of initiatives that illustrate environmental leadership at schools in the southeast. Future versions of this report will include more comprehensive information and will look at schools across the country.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 1
\Environmental Research
Importance of Sustainability
The concept of sustainability comes from the recognition that everything we use depends on our natural environment and resources, and that these resources are being depleted. Society must become more sustainable to protect our natural environment and make our communities safe for ourselves and future generations. There are many environmental issues facing society today, including climate change, water and air pollution, toxics and ecosystem degradation. These issues have the potential to cause greater negative impacts. For example climate change can disrupt agriculture, increase communities, harm human health, and destroy ecosystems. The term “climate change” refers to the buildup of manmade gases (i.e., greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere that trap the sun’s heat and cause changes in weather patterns. Colleges and universities play a key role in creating sustainability today, by performing research, acting as sustainable role models, and training leaders for the future.
College campuses are the perfect place to implement and teach about sustainable projects; as they are where our future workforce and leaders come from. By encouraging these projects, colleges and universities will produce a
generation primed to solve today’s pressing environmental issues. At the same time, college campuses, with infrastructure that include housing, building, and transportation, are well-suited to test new technologies and behavioral approaches to sustainability.
Given the unique challenges these institutions face, greening the campus might not seem like a high priority for administrators focused on graduation rates, funding, and endowments. However, there are many reasons to “go green.” Sustainability initiatives can attract attention and funding, which help underfunded colleges and universities remain competitive. Sustainable initiatives can also significantly reduce operating costs while creating a safer, more positive campus. In addition, a commitment to sustainability can increase an institution’s appeal to prospective students. Sustainability initiatives and curriculum can interest students in technical fields related to environmental issues, thus helping students prepare for a job market that has an increasing focus on green practices. In other words, a focus on sustainability today can help prepare tomorrow’s environmental leaders.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 2
Collegiate Sports Sustainability
Engage Fans and Alumni ● Expand Sponsorships
Save Resources ● Gain Recognition
www.Collegiatesportssustainability.org
Sustainability is the new norm for colleges and universities. Sustainability in collegiate
sports is about ensuring the health and well-being of students, the efficient use of
natural resources, community involvement and stewardship, and ensuring the economic
vitality of the university in its totality. The students, alumni, public, and even some
sponsors are now expecting collegiate sports to embrace sustainability—it is the moral
imperative that should not be ignored. Adopting sustainable strategies will be the key to
ensuring a competitive economic and social advantage for colleges and universities in
the coming years.
Colleges and universities across the country have been at the forefront of adopting
many sustainable practices. Many campuses have been leaders in demonstrating how
to integrate economic vitality, environmental stewardship, health, wellness and social
responsibility successfully in student life and college curricula. What has been a more
difficult journey for many colleges and universities is bridging the gap between the
campus activities and collegiate sports.
The annual Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit (CS3) offers attendees the chance
to network, learn, and exchange ideas with peers from around the country on ways in
which athletic and sports programs can join the campus movement to make
investments into programs and activities that are socially, economically, and
environmentally responsible. The Summit is organized through a partnership between
the U.S. EPA, Keep America Beautiful, College & University Recycling Coalition, Green
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 3
Sports Alliance, Coca-Cola Recycling, Georgia World Congress Center, RecycleMania,
and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. CS3
focuses on bringing together collegiate athletic departments, recreational sports,
sustainability departments, and facility operations to better integrate sustainability into
sports events and operations.
This integration can ignite students, alumni and fans around a common purpose.
The statistics are that 61% of the public follow sports with a passion while only 13%
follow science. So this is our opportunity—to harness the passion for sports and engage
and activate fans and participants to be stewards for health, wellness,
social responsibility, and environmental protection. As the only national gathering
focused on collegiate sports sustainability, we are creating an open, equal platform
for inter-departmental collaboration. The agenda is thoughtfully designed to bring
together collegiate athletics staff, campus recreational managers, sustainability
professionals, and recycling/facility managers together to identify ways to achieve
common campus sustainability goals through sports and athletics, save money, foster
better inter-departmental relationships, and increase recognition for institutional efforts.
The Summit features engaging speakers with real world experience in how to achieve
economic and environmental results by going green in collegiate sports. The agenda
also emphasizes opportunities to share and network through roundtables and informal
meetings in a relaxed setting.
“The 2014 Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit [was] such a great success.
Not only did I take away many fantastic ideas and tons of great information, but
I also left with new contacts at other universities that I will lean on in the future
for even more inspiration on how we can continue to improve our sustainability
initiatives. I left the Summit feeling inspired, excited and ready to put these
ideas in motion at the University of Florida.”
Allison Vitt, Outreach & Communications Coordinator
University of Florida, Office of Sustainability
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 4
Gene Smith, Athletic Director, The Ohio State University at
the Athletic Directors Workshop during the 2013 Collegiate
Sports Sustainability Summit.
CS3 was started in 2011 and was initially designed to
attract institutions from the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast
Conferences (SEC-ACC). The first Summit attracted mainly
collegiate facilities/recycling staff. The second Summit
welcomed more conferences and attracted sustainability,
recycling, and a few athletic staff to the Summit. At the
second summit the attendance doubled!
The Summit has doubled in size every year since its inception in 2011. This impressive
growth speaks to the power of the Summit’s purpose—the need for a forum for colleges
and universities to come together and to develop the required inter-departmental
relationships needed to integrate sustainability into collegiate sports. The 2013 Summit
had representatives from over 40 colleges and universities, and 15 athletic department
staff in attendance from athletic programs across the country. Attendees represented
the SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 12, Ivies, Sunbelt, Division I, II, III colleges and
universities. The 2014 Summit continued on the attendance of previous years and grew
to its largest size.
For 2014, CS3 was very proud to welcome our newest partner, NIRSA, to our efforts.
With NIRSA’s partnership, the CS3 is able to complete the connections that will
successfully integrate sustainability into collegiate sports. As Mick Deluca, NIRSA Past
President and 2013 CS3 speaker said, “The Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit
provided an excellent opportunity to learn, share, and network as well as expand the
discussion of the valuable platform of sports in a collegiate environment. Sharing ideas
among athletic, recreation, and sustainability colleagues helps create partnerships and
collaborations that take advantage of the unique external window of collegiate sports as
well as the internal activation through recreation, campus sports, and student
engagement.”
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 5
Community Awareness The College of Agriculture, Life, and Natural Sciences at Alabama A&M University partnered with Huntsville City’s Public Transportation Division to promote public transit ridership as an environmentally friendly alternative. On Earth Day, April 22, 2014, faculty, staff, and students were encouraged to ride the Huntsville Shuttle Bus. Huntsville’s parking and Public Transit Director agreed to sponsor a free bus ride for any Alabama A&M student, faculty member, or staff member. The surrounding community participated and benefitted from this program as well. They were able to avoid high gas prices as well as alleviate traffic congestion on the roads. The College of Agriculture, Life, and Natural Sciences along with the City of Huntsville’s Public Transportation Division helped to raise awareness among the campus as well as the surrounding community on environmentally conscious practices.
Air Quality Preservation By using public transportation, students, faculty and staff, and the community were able to facilitate the improvement of air quality in the area. The shuttle service managed to reduce the number of cars on the highway, and therefore reduced total carbon emissions within the City of Huntsville.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Alabama A&M University
Fun Fact: “Huntsville’s
parking and
Public Transit
Director agreed
to sponsor a free
bus ride for any
Alabama A&M
student or faculty
member on Earth
Day 2014.”
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
www.epa.gov Page 6
Water Conservation Methods Alcorn State University, a Land Grant University and the oldest Historically Black University, serves the surrounding community of small, local farmers by providing training in sustainable water management. Alcorn’s Mississippi River Research Center (MRRC) in close collaboration with the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture Production (ASAP) group delivers irrigation training methods. The Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural production schedules monthly field days bringing experts from federal, state, and local agencies along with personnel from universities and colleges.
Student Involvement A freshman Alcorn student that is majoring in agronomy who is from Holmes county worked over the weekends in the ASAP farm receiving hands on training in sustainable agriculture in spring of 2014. Minority students majoring in agriculture, forestry, and environmental studies have received field, laboratory, computer, and outreach training in sustainable water management and environmental sciences.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Alcorn State University
Fun Fact: “Students of MRRC
presented preliminary
results at 71st professional
Agricultural Workers
Conference in Tuskegee
University, Alabama in
December 2013 reaching
third place in the graduate
poster competition.”
Location: Lorman, Mississippi
www.epa.gov Page 7
Community Engagement
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
(AMSC), in close collaboration with the
City of East Point (City) will help
revitalize efforts of the city’s brown fields
to increase the economic health and
value of its community. AMSC biology,
chemistry, mathematics faculty, and
internship undergraduate students will
conduct research to sample and test soil
and water on targeted lots and spaces
in the City of East Point. This data will
provide valuable information to aid in
decision-making in the city’s
revitalization plan.
Student Engagement Students are given an active role in
helping the redevelopment of the City.
Focusing on one main project, students
are involved in soil testing and the
testing of surface sediment for volatile
organic compounds.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
business and science faculty and
student majors, respectively, will also
help the City of East Point strengthen its
economic sustainability by providing
business plans to promote business
growth, financial strength, and greening
of businesses to be more energy
efficient. Communication of City
services, events, and processes is
critical to a sustainable community.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Fun Fact: “Approximately 2.3 million
square feet of office,
warehouse, and distribution
space is located within the City
of East Point’s commercial and
industrial areas. Together, the
City of East Point and AMSC
plan on revitalizing the area to
support the economy and
growth of the surrounding
community.”
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
www.epa.gov Page 8
Water Conservation Auburn University recently installed wireless monitoring for campus utilities in most building locations. This system allows the Utilities & Energy department to remotely monitor consumption levels for water, electricity, and gas. The system automatically sends an alarm to registered users for unusually high consumption levels. In the first year of use, the monitoring system identified 48 separate incidents of high water consumption that, once remedied, saved over 4.75 million gallons of water and $33,000 in expenditures.
Student Engagement Students in the Mechanical Engineering program work with Auburn University’s Utilities & Energy Department to investigate building operations and suggest projects to improve energy efficiency, comfort levels, and to make the buildings easier and safer to maintain. To date, 4 cohorts of Senior Design classes have examined 5 campus buildings by studying building operations, identifying building issues, conducting
interviews with building occupants, taking air measurements, and performing preliminary troubleshooting exercises. At the end of the two
semesters, the students make a presentation of their findings. Suggestions for changes in building mechanics and/or operations are then evaluated by facilities staff for possible implementation. One successful project enabled the upgrade of air handling controls resulting in over $40,000 in energy savings.
Community Engagement The Risk Management team at Auburn University has worked in community outreach since 2006. Through these efforts, they provide consultation to regional universities, the Alabama
Cooperative Extension System, and the Federal Government. One such consultation created a chemical waste policy for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division for a lab in Afghanistan that was used to trace Improvised Explosive Device manufacturing.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Auburn University Location: Auburn, Alabama
Aubur\
n, Alabama
ki Fun Fact: “Auburn University
saved over 4.75
million gallons of
water and $33,000
by monitoring and
lowering high water
consumption.”
www.epa.gov Page 9
Community Engagement
Bennett College, an all-women’s HBCU,
has entered into partnerships to help
support its statement of sustainability.
The college has developed a pledge to
create a green environment where
students can work with, learn from, and
support local green businesses. One of
Bennett’s
partners is the
North Carolina
League of
Conservation
Voters, a group
that works to
incorporate
environmental
considerations
into North Carolina state laws and
policies. Another Bennett partner is the
North Carolina-based Dogwood
Alliance, which raises awareness about
the negative impacts of deforestation.
The college also offers environmentally
preferable food services, including food
from local producers and the purchase
of sustainably-grown farm and ranch
products from local and regional
minority-owned and women-owned
businesses. To reduce energy and
water use, Bennett Dining Services uses
the Ecolab Apex dishwashing system,
which uses less energy, water, and
less toxic detergent than typical
dishwashers.
Future Plans
In January 2012, Bennett College
entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Environmental
Protection Agency to collaborate on
green campus initiatives that promote
awareness of environmental issues.
One of Bennett’s goals is to
expand its science and policy-
oriented course offerings to
include environmental and
sustainability classes and
programs. Bennett is also
considering plans to create a
center on campus dedicated to
environmental justice and
sustainable entrepreneurship.
EPA will also provide water and
energy conservation assistance, green
building renovation and construction
support, and community outreach tools.
Regarding green building, Bennett
College’s goal is to make their buildings
more environmentally friendly while
maintaining their historical integrity.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Bennett College
Fun Fact: “Bennett Dining Services
uses Ecolab Apex
dishwashers which
reduce energy and
water consumption and
also use less toxic
detergents.”
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
www.epa.gov Page 10
Green Building
Under the direction of the new
president, Dr. Edison O. Jackson,
Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU)
is working diligently to become known
as an institution that values the
environment and practices
sustainability. The institution has just
hired its first sustainability officer, Mr.
Graham Gilchrist, who is the Associate
Vice President for Capital Projects and
Sustainability, and is undergoing a
master planning process which has
sustainability at its core. This is a
significant undertaking as the campus
has a number of buildings that were built
in the early to mid-1900s. Renovations
and new buildings on campus, including
a new dormitory, student union and
administration building, are all being
designed to significantly
minimize the university’s
ecological footprint. The
first of these building, a
newly upgraded
Harrison-Rhodes Arts
and Humanities Building,
is fully equipped with
LED lighting. Newer
buildings designs include
green roofing systems,
automatic lighting
systems, and energy
efficient HVAC.
Sustainability Education
Academically, the institution offers both
an undergraduate and graduate degree
in Integrated Environmental Science.
Researchers in this department work in
a variety of areas including sustainable
coastal ecosystems, sustainability and
public health and measuring
sustainability. The newly designed
general education
curriculum has all
students taking an
environmental science to
satisfy their science
requirement. Moreover,
B-CU is developing
environmental science as
a thematic approach to
training STEM majors in
each of the disciplines
offered in the School of
Science, Engineering
and Mathematics.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Bethune-Cookman University
Fun Fact: “Bethune-Cookman is
developing environmental
science as a way to train STEM
majors in each discipline
offered in the School of
Science, Engineering, and
Mathematics.”
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
www.epa.gov Page 11
Student Engagement For more than a century, North Birmingham, Alabama where Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) is located has been the site of heavy industry including pig iron production, steel manufacturing, and coke production. The resulting air pollution has contaminated soils with lead, arsenic, and toxic organic compounds. At certain concentrations these pollutants are known to cause respiratory disease and cancer. U.S. EPA Region 4 made North Birmingham a top priority for study and decontamination, and designated the area as an EPA Superfund site. Through Cooperative Education Grant with EPA Region 4, students have conducted a 2-year study of the industrial valley of Birmingham known as the Jones Valley. The project incorporated student/faculty research, faculty interdisciplinary collaboration, and campus-wide discussion to address the challenges of sustainability and environmental justice. This research was applied through curricula and also through translating policy into action. Four different courses were adapted for students to undertake analysis of the scientific, health-related, cultural, sociological and economic impacts of soil contaminants in the region.
Environmental Justice Through BSC’s Sociology courses, students developed a North Birmingham community survey in conjunction with neighborhood associations and groups.
Academically, students applied coursework concepts on class, race, ethnicity, and gender to see the intersections with urban poverty and economic restructuring. The residents of North Birmingham will receive an analysis of neighborhood attitudes addressing their concerns over safety and long-term health
issues. Students developed and conducted onsite ethnographic video interviews with community residents. The interviews serve as a new community archive with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) as part of their ongoing Environmental Justice work.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Birmingham-Southern College
Fun Fact: “BSC students attended
the 2014 Southern
Sociological Society
Annual Meeting in
Charlotte, North Carolina
where they presented
their findings on
Environmental Justice.”
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
www.epa.gov Page 12
Sustainable Landscaping
Broward College (BC), a hispanic
serving institution in Fort Lauderdale,
strives to involve everyone on campus
in sustainable programs. In recent
years, the BC facilities team put in place
many sustainable practices in their
maintenance and landscaping activities.
The BC South Campus facilities team
was one of eight programs nationwide to
receive a 2011 Maintenance Solutions
Achievement Award, which is an award
program
sponsored by
Maintenance
Solutions
magazine. The
BC landscape
team educates
faculty, staff, and
students on
campus as well
as the local community on using native,
drought-resistant, non-invasive plant
species in gardens and landscaping
projects. Using these practices saves
the college money by reducing upkeep
costs, while providing natural habitats
for wildlife.
Community Commitment
The BC community also demonstrates
their commitment to sustainability
through making pledges. In 2008, the
BC president signed the Talloires
Declaration, which holds institutions
accountable for responding to climate
change and other negative
environmental impacts.
BC students are also
encouraged to sign the
BC Sustainability Pledge
“to explore and take into
account the social,
economic, and ecological
consequences of [his or
her] decisions” and to “use the
knowledge [he or she gains] at Broward
College to improve the sustainability of
the community.” The pledge also lists
simple steps students can take to
support a greener lifestyle. The pledge
allows students to define social and
environmental responsibility for
themselves and encourages students to
use the lessons learned in class to
support sustainability after graduation.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Broward College
Fun Fact: “Broward College South
Campus received the 2011
Maintenance Solutions
Achievement Award for its
commitment to sustainable
landscaping.”
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
www.epa.gov Page 13
Sustainability Plan Clark Atlanta University has committed to a 20 percent reduction of energy consumption across the campus within five years; they plan on doubling the campus recycling efforts by 2015. To further reduce emissions they are motivating the University community to walk, bike, carpool or use public transit to get to and from campus. Clark Atlanta is also Promoting LEED-certified buildings, landscapes. They are ensuring that sustainability issues remain an integral part of CAU's academic curriculum and the CAU experience.
Air Quality Preservation In an effort to encourage the use of alternative transportation as a means of travel to and from the campus, as well as between AUC college campuses during the academic year, CAU participates in the Woodruff Library Atlanta University Center Shuttle Service. The campus shuttle system is operated free-of-charge to riders and provides access to key parts of the campuses, city mass transit and the surrounding community.
Community Engagement Clark Atlanta University (CAU),
the Atlanta University Center-Vine City EcoDistrict planning process designed to engage a broad array of local stakeholders in establishing environmental goals and implementing infrastructure improvement projects that meet and advance those goals falling into: Equitable Development, Health & Well Being, Community Identity, Access & Mobility, Energy, Water, Habitat & Ecosystem Function, and
Materials Management. The EcoDistrict process is particularly prescient in light of the extensive development underway including a billion dollar Atlanta Falcons stadium, Westside expansion of the Atlanta Beltline, Proctor Creek Greenway, Martin Luther King, Jr. Corridor and redevelopment of the surrounding Vine City and English Avenue communities.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Clark Atlanta University
Fun Fact: “CAU has signed
an MOU with
Planet Forward,
an organization
that engages
young people
and innovators in
search of solutions
to the biggest
environmental
challenges.”
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
www.epa.gov Page 14
Sustainable Agriculture
Clemson University’s commitment to
sustainability manifests itself in
numerous campus-
wide initiatives. The
Student Organic
Garden is a
revenue-generating
farm that doubles
as an active
laboratory,
integrating
sustainable
gardening,
composting, and bio-fuel projects. More
than 80 tons of food waste was used to
make compost for their Student Organic
Garden.
Renewable Energy &
Carbon Emission
Reduction
The Clemson
Experimental Forest is
not only utilized by
students in structured
field work in forestry,
wildlife, and biology, but also sequesters
approximately 20,000 tons of carbon per
year, potentially helping to offset
Clemson’s carbon footprint. In terms of
energy conservation, Clemson had the
first LEED-certified public building in
South Carolina and in 2008, adopted a
Sustainable Energy Policy, pledging to
reduce overall energy consumption by
20% by 2020. One source of
renewable energy used by
Clemson is the black soldier fly
larvae in the Biosystems
Engineering Laboratory. The
larvae are fed campus food
waste, dehydrated, and
processed into usable biodiesel.
Clemson University’s ultimate
goal is to be essentially carbon
neutral, a Net Zero Campus,
by 2030.
Student Engagement
Students are involved in nearly every
aspect of Clemson University’s
Sustainability Plan. With a
Sustainability Minor,
Creative Inquiry classes, and
the Sustainability Cafe, we
can extend the network of
people involved in
sustainability research and
advocacy and build the
social capital needed to
address the most pressing issues of the
21st century.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Clemson University
Fun Fact: “At the Biosystems
Engineering
Laboratory, students
are able to convert
black fly larvae into
usable biodiesel.”
Location: Clemson, South Carolina
www.epa.gov Page 15
Sustainable Agriculture
Davidson College, a liberal arts college
located in North Carolina, houses
sustainability efforts which ripple
throughout facilities, academics, dining
services, athletics, and more. Created in
2012, The Farm at Davidson College
was developed for the sole purpose of
providing vegetables, fruit, herbs and
more to Dining Services on the
Davidson College campus in an
organic and sustainable way.
Accompanying the farm itself is a
new “digital environment” developed
by Davidson. This digital
environment, comprised of a
website and an app, will further
facilitate broader discussion,
education, and collaboration around
food and sustainability issues.
Sustainability in Sports
The Next Play Venture Tournament is a
national competition for student-led
business plans that aim to make the
sports industry more sustainable and
provide solutions that utilize sports to
drive engagement in sustainability
issues. Hosted by Davidson, teams of
students compete for the $35,000 prize
money and in-kind
support with
proposals to improve
facilities, products,
and non-profit
organizations. Within
the college itself,
student athletes
created the Student
Athlete Sustainability
Council to address
sustainability
concerns in the
sports industry. In
collaboration with
campus staff and the Office of
Sustainability, students are working
towards “zero-waste” sporting events on
campus. For example, in 2013, 51% of
waste from a football game (including
tailgating) was diverted from landfill and
in 2014, 90% of waste from a basketball
game was either recycled or composted.
Davidson continues to use sports as a
lens through which to discuss and find
solutions for sustainability issues.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Davidson College
Fun Fact: “Davidson College
helped lower
greenhouse gas
emissions by
diverting 90% of
waste from a
home basketball
game away from
landfill through
recycling and
composting.”
Location: Davidson, North Carolina
5
www.epa.gov Page 16
Water Conservation
Emory has taken a leading role in the
region’s water conservation efforts. A
water reclamation facility is currently
under construction that will collect non-
potable water and use it for toilet filling
and in the hydroponic greenhouse,
saving 100 million gallons of potable
water annually. Low-flow shower heads
and dual-flush toilets
installed in
bathrooms on
campus will also
help save the supply
of potable water.
Sustainable
Agriculture
Emory University is working with
Emory Dining and Emory Hospital Food
Service to work towards achieving food
provision goals that 75% of all the food
served on campus and in Emory
hospitals be either locally grown or
sustainably grown. Through the creation
of a university farmers market, farmers
and retailers are able to feature locally
grown and sustainably produced foods.
Emory Dining, in collaboration with
Georgia Organics, also created a farmer
liaison position to support closer ties
with Georgia's sustainable farmers and
build connections for Emory Dining
purchases.
Green Building and Green
Space Protection
In 2001, Emory adopted the U.S. Green
Building Council’s LEED standards as a
guiding principal in all new major
construction projects. Currently all
construction projects must at a minimum
meet LEED Silver Certification. Emory
holds the distinction of having
one of the largest inventories by
square footage of LEED-certified
building space among campuses
in America. As of March 2014,
twenty-five buildings on campus
have attained LEED certification
ranging from Certified to Gold
levels, including the first certified
Gold LEED-EB (existing building) in the
country. In terms of green space,
beginning in 2003, Emory policy has
required that campus land suffer no net
loss of forest canopy, ensuring every
time a tree is removed, trees be
replanted to maintain the same forest
canopy.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Emory University
Fun Fact: “Emory has one of the
largest inventories of
LEED-certified building
space among
campuses in
America.”
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
www.epa.gov Page 17
Energy Conservation Florida A&M University (FAMU) is actively engaged in becoming a more sustainable campus. Currently in the midst of a Siemens performance contract, FAMU will save approximately $1.2 million in annual energy savings. The 2009 $2.4 million Phase 1 project successfully introduced the energy efficiency and financial benefits of performance contracting to the FAMU. Much broader in scope than Phase 1, the $12.2 million Phase 2 performance contract aims to partially decentralize the obsolete central steam plant heating system. The 18-month project, which began in May 2012, includes a multitude of facility infrastructure improvements including the steam system infrastructure renovation, an advanced solar-thermal heating system for the swimming pool, central chilled water and steam plant improvements, building automation
Improvements, ventilation and dehumidification improvements for the library. Energy savings will be dramatic. For example, natural gas consumption will be reduced 42.6 percent, which
represents an annual equivalent savings of $706,204. Electricity consumption will be reduced 12.1 percent, creating some $563,909 in equivalent cost savings on top of reductions and savings that came from implementing Phase 1.
Environmental Research FAMU hosts the Spheromak Turbulence Experiment, a fusion energy research collaboration between Florida A&M, West Virginia, and Auburn Universities with the goal of emulating the way our Sun produces energy in a man-made environment. The ultimate benefit to humanity will be a means to produce reliable affordable
electricity without the emission of greenhouse gases, dependence on foreign fossil fuels, and the high levels of radioactive waste produced by nuclear fission reactors currently in operation around the globe. The College of Agriculture and Food Sciences also conducts agricultural sustainability research and training in water quality, phytoremediation, agroforestry systems, bio agricultural, biopharmaceutical crops and multiple cropping systems.
Florida A&M University Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Fun Fact: “FAMU’s Center
for Plasma
Science hosts the
Spheromak
Turbulence
Experiment, a
research
collaboration
focused on
producing
reliable and
affordable
energy.”
www.epa.gov Page 18
Green Building
Florida International University (FIU), a
Hispanic-Serving Institution in Miami,
include the three pillars of sustainability:
environment, social equality, and
economy. In 2007, FIU adopted a policy
which mandates that all
new facilities are to be built
to a minimum standard of
LEED Silver. The campus
currently has 5 LEED
certified buildings with 2
more expected to open
within the next year. This
dedication to sustainability
did not go unnoticed, as, for
the sixth consecutive year,
FIU scored the highest in
the Florida State University System for
energy performance. Even with the
continual addition of new buildings, FIU
has been able to reduce energy usage
per square foot through energy
reduction projects and education of the
community on energy conservation
practices.
Student Engagement
In addition to FIU’s commitment to
green building, its students are heavily
encouraged to support and advocate for
campus-wide sustainability. FIU
Sustainability Committee annually
awards $10,000 to student
sustainability projects such as Kill-A-
Watt, an energy conservation
competition in the FIU Housing, a
student-run bike shop, and much more.
Sustainable Research
FIU’s curriculum also supports
sustainable practices and
education. Degrees such as the
newly launched Masters in
Environmental Policy and
Management from the School of
Environment, Arts, and Society
(SEAS) equip students with the
science and management skills
needed to be effective leaders
in areas critical to sustainability. SEAS
houses many other research programs
focused on creating a more sustainable
environment including the Florida
Coastal Everglades Long-Term
Ecological Research Program and the
Global Water for Sustainability Program.
Location: Miami, Florida
Fun Fact: “The FIU
Sustainability
Committee
awards $10,000
annually to
student-run
sustainability
projects.”
Florida International University
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 19
Sustainability Center
Located in South Carolina, Furman
University consistently maintains a
strong focus on sustainability. The
campus has served as
a model for operational
sustainability with
numerous projects
related to green
building, solar power,
geothermal systems,
energy efficiency projects, urban
farming, composting, water resource
efficiency, and responsible landscaping.
In fact, a recent audit of the university’s
comprehensive sustainability master
plan showed that 73 projects have been
completed, 46 initiatives are on-going,
and 21 strategies are slated for review.
The heart of the campus’s sustainable
education and research is the David E.
Shi Center for Sustainability, whose
mission “is to promote interdisciplinary
study in support of sustainability on
campus and in the community”. The
Center has supported more than 125
students for sustainability projects,
research, and service. Student-faculty
research teams are engaged in wide-
ranging projects such as
rain gardens, geothermal
units, and greywater
recycling systems.
Community Outreach
One of Furman’s greatest successes
regarding sustainability is the
Community Conservation Corps (CCC).
Through the CCC,
students work with
Habitat for Humanity to
complete home
weatherization for low-
income homeowners. By
installing insulation, duct
sealing, pipe insulation, and HVAC units
at no cost to the homeowner, average
utility bills can be lowered 20-35%.
Not only do
residents save
money on energy
bills, but coal and
gas emissions
from power plants
and wasted
energy are
reduced through these home
weatherizations. Student volunteers
track program impact, analyzing and
reporting on carbon credits for the
annual greenhouse gas inventory and
are able to complete 15-20
weatherization’s a year.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Furman University
Fun Fact: “Home weatherization’s
done by Furman students
lowered homeowners’
utility bills by 20-35%.”
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
www.epa.gov Page 20
Air Quality Preservation Students and faculty of Renewable Energy and Engines Laboratories conduct research on a variety of alternative fuels produced in the southeast. These fuels include biodiesels from cotton seed, peanuts, and poultry fat. Georgia Southern University focuses on research to investigate sustainability of bio fuels, reduce harmful emissions, while increasing efficiency through the implementation of new advanced combustion and emission technologies.
Student Engagement Sustainability continues to be a major part of Georgia Southern University’s student life. At the Center for Sustainability, founded in 2008, students and faculty alike can partake in many sustainability driven projects, such as creating greenhouses out of recycled plastic, participating in local farmer’s market, attending sustainability seminars, and participating in No Impact Week. The Center for Sustainability’s mission includes “increasing education and awareness of sustainability issues, providing incentives for faculty, staff and students to incorporate sustainability in research, teaching and service to form partnerships with the local community to improve sustainability standards and to implement the best practices in sustainability on campus.”
Renewable Energy In 2014, the Department of Electrical Engineering received grant money from the Center for Sustainability for a sustainability project. According to the
EE department “The goal of the project was to retrofit approximately 23 electric golf carts on campus with solar panels in order to allow the carts to charge throughout the day, thus reducing the
energy demanded from traditional “wall plug” charging. If the initial golf cart charging experiment is successful, the Department will initiate future phases where additional charging devices are added to the golf carts, such as: kinetic charging, piezoelectric sound charging, friction charging, regenerative brakes and regenerative shock absorber charging. The ultimate goal is to create a fully self-sustaining golf cart that no longer requires “wall plug” charging.”
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Georgia Southern University
Fun Fact: “Georgia Southern saved
more than $350,000 over
a five year period by
installing LED bulbs.”
Location: Statesboro, Georgia
ki
www.epa.gov Page 21
Waste Management “Georgia State University is committed to increasing its current waste diversion by 15% by 2017.” Between January 2013 and April 2014, GSU diverted waste materials from landfills through recycling a total of 262.35 tons of mixed paper, plastic and aluminum. In 2014 the university was one of six institutions of higher education selected to receive the Coca-Cola Bin Grant. GSU has plans to increase recycling in its residence halls. GSU’s new, catchy recycling theme: “All BLUE, All In, ONE Bin”, emphasizes their transition to a single stream recycling program aimed at capturing even more recyclables on campus.
Energy Conservation Georgia State is a participant in the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge (BBC). They plan to reduce energy and water use by 20% from their 2009 levels by 2020.GSU has enlisted four of their buildings in the challenge and has been energy and water audited as part of the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. “Last year, Georgia State University passed a three dollar /student/semester Sustainability fee to promote sustainability initiatives on campus, including energy and water conservation.”
Community Engagement Georgia State University is currently collaborating with the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Office as well as Central Atlanta Progress on a sustainable restaurants initiative. Last year, Dr. Timothy Hawthorne’s Global Information Systems class collaborated with the GSU Office of Sustainability to create an interactive map featuring all of the
sustainable elements one would find while walking through campus. This is currently expanding to include all of the ‘sustainable’ restaurants within walking distance to campus. Data on sustain- able operations and food options will be collected from over 150 restaurants in the downtown area. Some criteria include recycling, water conservation efforts, local food, etc.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Georgia State University Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Fun Fact: “GSU dining
halls
composted
211,434 lbs of
organic
waste last
year!”
www.epa.gov Page 22
Sustainability Policy and Goal In 2012, Mississippi State University’s
Executive Committee passed the
“Sustainability, Facilities Operation,
Grounds, Materials, and Transportation”
policy. This policy sets standards and
requirements for all building
development, grounds management,
transportation systems, and materials
for the university. The goal of MSU’s
Office of Sustainability is to develop an
environmentally, socially, and
economically responsible foundation
that guides and tempers all campus
development, teaching, research,
outreach, and operational activity.
Sustainability Initiatives Sustainability and recycling initiatives currently being implemented across the MSU campus include:
Presidents Climate Commitment
Climate Action Plan
Green Fund
Earth Day/Week Programs
ECO Paw
MSU Bully Bike Rental Program
Campus-wide, Toner, E-waste, Batteries, and Used Oil Recycling Programs
Sustainability for Students At MSU, opportunities also exist for students to pursue their social and academic interests in sustainability-focused forums and programs:
Students for a Sustainable Campus
Environmental Economics & Management Major
Environment and Sustainability Minor and Sustainability Learning Community
Environment & Sustainability Certificate
Student Centric Farm
Environmental Research
MSU, a land grant institution, has a long
and respected tradition of supporting
environmental research. An example is
the extensive research MSU conducts to
advance sustainable water resources
concepts, such as applications to
improve water conservation and
management, and innovative nutrient
reduction measures to reduce nutrient
pollution and mitigate Gulf of Mexico
hypoxia.
Mississippi State University
Location: Starkville, Mississippi
ki
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 23
Sustainable Engagement By focusing on people, both on campus and in the surrounding community, Morehouse encourages sustainable actions beyond campus boundaries and supports future sustainability. Leadership in sustainability includes helping develop next generation of environmental leaders through education and training. It also means reaching out to the local community to increase the understanding of sustainability and help build more sustainable communities. This helps create future generations of individuals who care about keeping the environments health. Morehouse encourages faculty in all departments to include energy-related topics in their course offerings. This ensures that all students, not just those directly studying sustainability, are exposed to sustainability concepts.
Sustainable Energy Morehouse College received a $3 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to support the school’s development of the Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE), which will focus on biofuels research. The initiative also includes a weatherization project that involves faculty research on behavioral and financial impact of weatherization as well as a component for students to help residents retrofit their homes to make them more energy efficient. Weatherization can include insulating walls and doors, and sealing cracks to reduce outside air from entering the building. The ISE is part of the Morehouse-Wide Initiative for Sustainable Energy, which is a project that will create a curriculum to prepare students for leadership positions in the field of sustainable energy.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Morehouse College
Fun Fact: “Morehouse College’s effort to
reduce waste, the Chivers Dining Hall
composed 17.58 tons of food waste in
the first seven months of 2011.”
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
www.epa.gov Page 24
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Energy Reduction From 2003 through 2013, North Carolina A&T State University reduced its energy use by 21%, or 102 billion BTUs. In fiscal 2011-12 alone, a 32.5 billion BTUs reduction in energy helped NC A&T avoid $386,274 in costs. The university is well on its way toward meeting the goal of reducing energy use by 30% by 2015. Energy efficiency measures in place include:
A comprehensive energy auditing process
to identify improvement areas,
Development of a retro-commissioning
process for existing buildings,
Energy efficient lighting retrofits, and
Development of green network strategies.
Looking forward, N.C. A&T will continue to foster a culture of conservation “by improving our understanding of how we use energy so we can continue to make informed decisions and invest in our buildings with energy efficient technology. By purposefully integrating our energy data collection tools to specific facility energy opportunities, along with educating and promoting employee energy awareness, we will strive to continuously drive behavioral change within the University.”
Green Energy The NSF CREST Bioenergy Center conducts fundamental research toward the development of advanced thermochemical biomass conversion technology for the efficient, economic production of liquid transportation fuels and hydrogen. The center’s goal is to make biomass a more viable source of renewable energy by developing the basic science and technology that will make energy conversions more efficient and costs more affordable.
Degree Programs
N.C. A&T’s interdisciplinary doctoral program in Energy and Environmental Sciences includes three concentrations: atmospheric sciences; energy, environmental science, economics; and sustainable bioproducts. The program prepares students for positions in research and consulting in industry, government and service organizations and for teaching and research positions in colleges and universities.
North Carolina A&T State University
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 25
Sustainable Green Buildings
Green buildings are built, renovated, or
operated in more environmentally
friendly manner than conventional
buildings, requiring less energy, water,
and other resources to operate.
However, green buildings go much
further. They are typically designed to
achieve a healthier and safer indoor
space with better air quality by using
less toxic materials. Green building are
often built using fewer resources with
smaller environmental impacts, like
materials that have renewable content
or are purchased from locals sources.
Green buildings are also designed with
the community in mind, taking issues
such as transportation and water quality
into consideration
Before beginning construction or
renovation. There are third-party
certifications for green buildings.
Perhaps the best known is Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED), which awards bronze- to
platinum-level certifications. In 2010,
Spellman University constructed a
LEED-certified building on campus.
Spelman’s Green residence hall, called
the Suites, includes green features such
as water efficiency, and less toxic
materials used in adhesives, sealants,
paints, and carpet. Twenty percent of
building materials were manufactured
locally.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Spelman College Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Fun Fact: “75% of Spelman’s
residence hall
construction waste was
sent for recycling.”
www.epa.gov Page 26
Sustainable Research The University of Georgia research enhances understanding of natural and social systems, while reducing the consumption of natural resources, mitigating the impact of human practices on natural systems, and developing new strategies for a sustainable future. UGA conducts sustainability related research with more than 660 faculty members. UGA was acknowledged by a Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) in 2014.
Sustainable Food Management The UGA Sustainable Food Systems initiative is an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students researching sustainable agriculture and food system policies to provide science based information for farmers, consumers and policy makers on ways to provide safe, nutritious, and economically viable food without damaging the ecosystems.
Energy Conservation The Bioenergy Systems Research Institute encourages integrative applied research in bioenergy to recognize the entire lifecycle and environmental impact of biomass production educate and train the next generation of alternative Energy, scientists, engineers, and involve the public
and private stakeholders in the development and dissemination of next generation bioenergy technologies.
Community Climate outreach
The Georgia Climate & Society Initiative envisions improving UGA’s understanding of the complex processes and the overall effects of climate variability and change on natural, managed, human-built, and societal systems. Also helping the University develop user-inspired effective and appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
University of Georgia Location: Athens, Georgia
Fun Fact: “UGA Campus Kitchen is
preventing senior hunger
in the Athens community
by delivering 12,925
meals and donating
16,648 pounds of food to
local agencies in 2013.”
www.epa.gov Page 27
Student Engagement At UT sustainability is not just a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but more so an opportunity to engage students, faculty/staff and community to better the campus and surrounding community of Knoxville. With this in mind UT utilizes a living laboratory approach when working on various operational, research or outreach projects throughout the year. One such avenue students are involved is via the Student Environmental Initiatives Fee (Green Fee) as they vote on various projects and enact them with guidance from Facilities Services. Further involvement is evident via the over 20 environmental related clubs and organizations on campus and each year service projects related to sustainability record over 2,500 hours of service, lending more weight to the volunteer spirit on and off campus.
Sustainability Research and Education Sustainability research at UT is fostered within the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment (ISSE); however this institute is not stand alone as ISSE works with various other offices, including the Office of Sustainability. In addition to the continuous research efforts, UT was the
1st to offer a Sustainability Major in the Southeast at an institution of this size. Currently there is a working group, whose main focus is to grow sustainability across the curriculum, develop an online sustainability graduate degree and organize the sustainability symposium.
Community Engagement UT campus boundaries are not set to the over 600 acres UT owns and manages, but also to the greater community of Knoxville and eastern TN. One groundbreaking example is from the Office of the Provost, which runs the Smart Communities Initiative. This program is loosely modeled after the University of Oregon’s Sustainable Cities Program and places faculty in a working group to support the local communities of our region, based on the current and future needs brought forth by each city or town. Students are able to gain real world experience by working on projects ranging from urban planning
to stream restoration and this program carries over from semester to semester to ensure continuous relations with each city or town.
Sustainability in Sports UT Recycling has continued to grow and since its inception back in 2002 there has been amazing programs to reduce the amount of waste that is brought to the landfill. Currently the focus is to achieve zero waste status for the 8th largest stadium in
the world, Neyland Stadium and is projected to reach this goal at the beginning of the next academic year.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
University of Tennessee Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
www.epa.gov Page 28
Conclusion
Colleges and universities in the
southeast are making great strides
in creating more sustainable
campuses and curricula focused
on environmental awareness and
action. However, schools that are
leaders in sustainability are
starting to need to expand their
work and serve as models for their
communities. Schools that have
not yet started on the sustainability
journey should work to join others
in their environmental
advancements.
Lack of resources is often seen as
a barrier to sustainability.
However, many initiatives will
ultimately save institutions money.
To strengthen the ability to
integrate green practices on
campus, it is important for
academic institutions across the
southeast to find opportunities to
receive grants and participate in
support programs.
For the colleges and universities
with sustainability programs
already established, it is
necessary to promote successes
in sustainability initiatives. Not only
does this public outreach attract
potential sponsors, funding, and
new students, but it also provides
a chance for other universities to
be inspired and identify similar
projects for their campuses.
There are many ways that
academic institutions can get
involved, and resources to get
started and improve existing
programs are listed on page (32).
Making your institution more
sustainable does not have to be
an intimidating task. The first step
to sustainability can be small, but
it’s an important step to take.
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 29
Alabama A&M University: Huntsville, Alabama
Alcorn State University (Dr. Jairo Diaz): Lorman, Mississippi
Atlanta Metropolitan State College: Atlanta, Georgia
Auburn University: Auburn, Alabama
Bennett College: Greensboro, North Carolina
Bethune-Cookman University: Daytona Beach, Florida
Birmingham-Southern College: Birmingham, Alabama
Broward College: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Clark Atlanta University: Atlanta, Georgia
Clemson University: Clemson, South Carolina
Davidson College: Davidson, North Carolina
Emory University: Atlanta, Georgia
Florida A&M University: Tallahassee, Florida
Florida International University: Miami, Florida
Furman University: Greenville, South Carolina
Georgia Southern University: Statesboro, Georgia
Georgia State University: Atlanta, Georgia
Mississippi State University: Starkville, Mississippi
Morehouse College: Atlanta, Georgia
North Carolina A&T State University: Greensboro, North Carolina
Spelman College: Atlanta, Georgia
University of Georgia: Athens, Georgia
University of Tennessee: Knoxville, Tennessee
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
Colleges and Universities Included in this
Report
www.epa.gov Page 30
Ten Sustainability Colleges and Universities in Partnership with the Associated Colleges Ten Center of Excellence for of the South Watershed Management Rollins College- FL Alabama A&M University Rhodes College-TN Florida A&M University Sewanee University-TN Auburn University Furman University-SC Clemson University Millsaps College-MS University of Florida Morehouse College-GA University of Tennessee Spelman College-GA University of Georgia Birmingham-Southern College-AL University of Kentucky Davidson College-NC University of North Carolina Centre College-KY Mississippi State University
Nine 1890 Land-Grant Universities Eleven STEM and Sustainability Alcorn State University Spelman College Alabama A&M University Aiken Technical College Florida A&M University Alabama State University Fort Valley State University Claflin University Kentucky State University Clark Atlanta University NC A&T State University Georgia Perimeter College (5campuses) SC State University Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Tennessee State University Tuskegee University
Ten Research, Sustainability and STEM Four Other NC A&T State University Georgia State University Tennessee State University Emory University South Carolina State University Bethune-Cookman University Florida A&M University Atlanta Metropolitan State College Tuskegee University Clemson University Georgia Southern University Kentucky State University Florida International University Savannah State University
Six Sustainability, STEM and EJ Mississippi Valley State University Meharry Medical College Bennett College Benedict College Pearl River Community College Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Jackson Co. Campus)
EPA Region 4 Memorandum of Understanding with Colleges and
Universities in the Southeast
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 31
Resources
The American College and University
Presidents’ Climate commitment is an effort
to address global climate change issues at
colleges and universities.
The Association for the Advancement of
Sustainability in Higher Education provides
administrators, faculty, staff, and students,
as well as the business that serve them with
knowledge resources for building a
sustainable institution.
The Building Green at Minority-Serving
Institutions Initiative is a partnership
between the United Negro College Fund
Building Green Network, the Hispanic
Association of Colleges and Universities,
the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the
American Indian higher Education
Consortium, and Second Nature Campus
Green Builder, Funded by the Kresge
Foundation. The initiative offers Building
Green Learning Institutes, Technical
Assistance Workshops, and a mini-grant
program.
The Climate Neutral Campus Report
provides college sustainability case studies
and reports.
Collegiate Sports Sustainability brings
together collegiate athletics staff, campus
recreational managers, sustainability
professionals, and recycling/facility
managers together to identify ways to
achieve common campus sustainability.
Green for All provides information on the
Importance of engaging low-income and
minority communities in the green economy.
You can also find information here on the
College Ambassadors Program.
Second Nature focuses on creating a
sustainable society through transforming
higher education. Their site also features a
blog, Advancing Education for
Sustainability, with helpful information and
current events in the world of sustainability
in higher education.
The Sustainable Campus offers information
on what sustainability means for colleges
and universities as well as resources to help
implement sustainability programs on
campus.
The Energy Action Coalition is an alliance of
50 youth-led environmental and justice
groups working together to build the youth
clean energy climate movement.
ENERGY STAR for Higher Education offers
energy management strategies and other
information for achieving a sustainable
campus.
Acknowledgments
Regional Academic Senior Advisor and
Coordinator
Caroline Robinson
Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit
Organizer and Pollution Prevention
Coordinator, LEED GA
Suganthi Simon
Tribal Technical Assistance Specialist
Rosemarie Nelson
Summer 2014 Student Interns
Tracy Knight
Roberto Pastrana
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast
www.epa.gov Page 32
US EPA Region 4
Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center (SNAFC)
61 Forsyth Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960
800-241-1754
Sustainable Initiatives and Environmental Research at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the Southeast