AASHE Digest 2009 A Review of Campus Sustainability News AASHE Digest 2009 is made possible with the support of the following sponsors: Click on any logo above to jump to the company's sponsorship ad featured later in the document. AASHE Digest 2009, Copyright © 2010 by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Published June 2010 Compiled by Andrea Webster and Seann Sweeney Design: Kyle Kiser Technical Support: Sam Hummel Cover photo credits: Left - University of Calgary solar team car. Courtesy: University of Calgary Center - Outside lecture at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Photographer: Karen P. Moore Right - Unity College Student Inspecting the Campus Garden’s Lettuce. Photographer: Peter Finger AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that is working to create a sustainable future. Our mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. We do this by providing resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. 213 ½ N. Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40507 • Phone: (859) 258-2551 • www.aashe.org AASHE Digest 2009 • 1 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 7 2009 in Review ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Tips for Using the Digest ............................................................................................................................... 16 Section 1: Education and Research ............................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 1: Co-Curricular Education ........................................................................................................................ 18 Campus Sustainability Events .......................................................................................................................................................... 21 Organic Gardens and Farms ............................................................................................................................................................ 24 Student Sustainability Educator Programs ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Student Sustainability Outreach Campaigns and Publications ....................................................................................................... 27 Outreach Campaigns and Competitions ................................................................................................................... 27 Publications, Videos, and Websites .......................................................................................................................... 34 Themed Semesters or Years ............................................................................................................................................................ 39 Other ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Chapter 2: Curriculum ............................................................................................................................................ 42 Class Projects ................................................................................................................................................................................... 50 New Academic Programs ................................................................................................................................................................ 53 Continuing Education and Technical Training Programs .......................................................................................... 53 Graduate Programs ................................................................................................................................................... 58 Undergraduate Programs ......................................................................................................................................... 62 Other ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 67 Chapter 3: Research ............................................................................................................................................... 76 Funding for Sustainability Research ................................................................................................................................................ 79 New Research Centers and Facilities .............................................................................................................................................. 87 Research Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................................................... 92 Other ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 95 Chapter 4: Other Education and Research News .................................................................................................... 99 Section 2: Operations ................................................................................................................................. 100 Chapter 1: Buildings .............................................................................................................................................. 100 Green Building Policies .................................................................................................................................................................. 105 New Construction and Renovation ............................................................................................................................................... 105 Academic and Classroom Facilities ......................................................................................................................... 105 Administration/Office Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 112 Athletic and Recreation Facilities ............................................................................................................................ 113 Health Care Facilities ............................................................................................................................................... 115 Laboratories and Science Facilities ......................................................................................................................... 116 Libraries ................................................................................................................................................................... 120 Residential Facilities ................................................................................................................................................ 121 Table of Contents • Chapter 1: Co-Curricular Education AASH E Digest 2 009 • 2 Student Unions and Campus Centers ..................................................................................................................... 126 Other Facilities ........................................................................................................................................................ 128 Other ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 133 Chapter 2: Climate ................................................................................................................................................ 136 Climate Commitments .................................................................................................................................................................. 137 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories ........................................................................................................................................ 139 Offsets ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 141 Other ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 142 Chapter 3: Dining Services .................................................................................................................................... 146 Biodegradable Foodservice Products ............................................................................................................................................ 147 Food Purchasing