PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION
u In 1994, Professor Stephanie Kaza proposed and initiated the Environmental Council at UVM.
u Under the coordination of Gioia Thompson, the Council created a baseline review of campus operations environmental impact
u A few of the projects undertaken include:
u Publishing Greening UVM and Tracking UVM
u Hosting the first Vermont Campus Sustainability Network Conference
u 2007, President Fogel signed on to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (now called the Carbon Commitment). UVM became a charter signatory of the commitment.
u This led to disbanding of the Environmental Council and the establishment of the Office of Sustainability in 2008
u Office of Sustainability’s mission:
u To foster sustainable development and promote environmental responsibility at the University of Vermont by strategically bridging the academic activities of teaching, research, and outreach with the operations of the University.
u The Office works to:
u Educate and involve the campus community and public on sustainability issues
u Track UVM’s campus-wide sustainability performance
u Support organizational strategic planning for the “Environmental University”
u Facilitate the implementation of sustainability-related projects
u Socially Responsible Investing Advisory Council (SRIAC)
u Aids the VP of Finance and the University Treasurer in their responsibilities
u The Council uses UVM’s “Our Common Ground” as a criteria to take on issues based on ethical, moral, and socially responsible criteria in their decision-making.
EDUCATION & RESEARCH
u In 2011, Campus Sustainability class piloted the documentation of the Operations section for AASHE STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System sponsored by AASHE).
u Due to the pilot documentation and support from campus stakeholders, President Sullivan signed onto AASHE STARS in 2012.
u The first STARS report (version 1.2) was submitted in February 2014.
u The Clean Energy Fund was approved in 2008 after first gaining momentum in 2005 as a student-led initiative
u Designed to advance renewable energy research, education, and infrastructure on campus
u $10 per semester student fee supports the fund
u 40+ projects document in the projects portfolio from 2009-present
u Installations
u Equine Center Solar PV
u Aiken Solar Trackers
u Feasibility Studies
u Biomass Feasibility Study for Trinity Campus
u Comprehensive Campus Renewable Energy Feasibility Study
u Green Labs Program
u Lecture Series
u Climate Action Seminar
u Energy Action Seminar (2013-2017)
u Internships
u Clean Energy Industry Internship Program
u Clean Energy Internships
u Research
u Clean Energy Greenhouse
u Compost Power: Using Compost Power to Heat a Greenhouse
u Hybrid Street Lamp System with Helix Bamboo Wind Turbines and Solar Panels
u Off-Campus Student Energy Conservation Study
u Internshipsu Clean Energy Industry Internship Program
u Clean Energy Internships
u For a list of the CEF projects and their progress go to: www.uvm.edu/sustain/cef
u In March 2015, UVM Faculty Senate approved the Sustainability General Education requirement
u All newly matriculated undergraduate students are now required to take a course that satisfies this requirement.
u For a list of the sustainability courses offered at UVM, go here.
OPERATIONS
u In 2012 became a part of the Real Food Campus commitment
u Goal: 20% real food by 2020
u “Real food is defined as that which is locally grown, fair trade, of low environmental impact and/or humanely produced.”
u In 2009 a student sustainability intern began tracking Real Food using the Real Food Calculator
u Most recent data shows 12% real food in Spring 2013 at UVM.
u In 2005, President Fogel committed UVM to the US Green Building Council’s new construction policy, which by 2007 included all new buildings minimum LEED silver or higher.
u Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines address the use of:
u Water
u Materials
u Energy
u Land Use
u Quality of indoor air
u UVM currently has 12 LEED-certified buildings on campus including research labs, dorms, the Aiken Center and the Dudley H. Davis Center.
u Davis Center was the first LEED Gold certified student center in the US.
u The Aiken Center, hub of RSENR is working on transitioning towards becoming a Net-Zero energy building.
u Built in 1982, Aiken Center was renovated in 2012 becoming LEED platinum certified.
u UVM is recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a “Bicycle Friendly University”
u UVM’s fleet has both hybrid electric and compressed natural gas-powered buses
u Two Toyota Prius vehicles are available on campus to the UVM population through CarShare Vermont
u UVM committed to the creation of a $13 million Energy Revolving Fund
u In 2012, UVM became the 34th
college in the US to commit to the Sustainable Endowment Institute’s Billion Dollar Challenge.
u Establishment of a revolving fund to finance energy efficiency improvements on campus with up to a 7-year payback on projects.
ENGAGEMENT u The student population at UVM is a huge driving force for many of the
commitments and changes on campus
u For example:
u Signing the Real Food Campus Commitment
u AASHE STARS
u Creation of the Clean Energy Fund
u The Eco-Reps Program is the second oldest college peer-to-peer education program in the US, beginning in 2004
u Throughout the year they host events and educate students on sustainability issues and the power of making simple changes in our lifestyles
u A few other examples of clubs focusing on sustainability around campus include: VSTEP, SEEDS, REN and BUG