GCBL just completed a major overhaul of our section covering University Initiatives. In addition to a comprehensive climate neutrality toolkit and a best practices list, nearly every university in our seven-county region has a page summarizing their campus sustainability initiatives.

The vast majority of campuses in the area are increasing efficiency of buildings in order to save money on heating and cooling while decreasing their carbon footprint. Public colleges in particular are being required to lower building energy consumption by 20% by 2014 because of House Bill 251 signed by Governor Ted Strickland in January of 2007.

We have also found that the campuses with the strongest programs are those that solicit input from students, faculty, and staff, usually in the form of an Environmental Committee. The people that live and work on campus every day know a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of their institution and are in an important position to contribute ideas to make their campus more sustainable.

For the complete list of sustainability initiatives at 12 campuses in Northeast Ohio, click here.

Northeast Ohio Campus Sustainability Best Practices

Curriculum
Green Building
Purchasing
Energy
Food
Grounds
Transportation
Waste Reduction
Events
Featured Student Groups

Curriculum

Sustainability Major, Baldwin Wallace
New sustainability major planned to start in the fall of 2009 will be an interdisciplinary major with required internships and professional advisors.

Green Academy, Cuyahoga Community College
The Green Academy and Center for Sustainability (GACS) will launch “Pathways out of Poverty through Green Collar Jobs,” a workforce development effort that provides the growing green business community with a skilled workforce and promotes green entrepreneurial spirit.

Campus Sustainability Course, Oberlin College
Engages students in various aspects of solving sustainability problems on campus. Themes change from year to year but include issues pertaining to energy consumption, water use, materials, food, transportation, and waste handling as well as technical matters of measurement standards and metrics to analyze data. Students conduct analysis of technical options to improve efficiency, and strategies to promote organizational learning relative to climate and environment.

Lakeland Community College

Administrative Committee(s)

• Energy Master Plan Committee

Green Building

• Lakeland’s first green roof is planned to be installed on their “A” Building, with access through the department’s greenhouse.
• Roof renovations will increase the insulation from R-15 to R-25.
• A small nature center is in the planning stages

Energy

• Lakeland worked with Sieman’s to develop a new energy master plan which will result in a 45% reduction in campus energy consumption.
• Motion and occupancy sensors are being installed throughout campus

Food

• Biodegradable flatware

Grounds

• Yard waste is composted
• Six natural areas are being preserved to demonstrate succession
• Native plants such as day lilies and perennials are used in landscaping

Transportation

• Lakeland students can use their Lakeland ID as a free bus pass for Laketran

Recycling

• Lakeland recycles cardboard, white paper, tires, and carpet but does not currently recycle cans or bottles

Events

• Earth Day is hosted by facilities and Lakeland Environmental Awareness Foundation
• Lakeland Pride Day features environmental workshops

Contact

University of Akron

Curriculum

• Department of Geology and Environmental Science

Administrative Committee

• Blue, Gold, & Green Committee

Green Building

• UAkron has worked with Habitat for Humanity to deconstruct homes in order to reuse salvageable material.
• A recent addition to Guzzetta Hall incorporates daylighting and occupancy sensors, thereby using 40% less energy than conventional building standards

Energy

• Energy savings from temperature setbacks through mid-January 2007 exceed 3.9 billion Btu from expected consumption.
• Motion and heat activated lighting controls are being installed throughout campus. So far about 40% of buildings have been completed.
• Renovation of Rob's Cafe resulted in 49% less energy for lighting and an 8% cooling load decrease

Grounds

• Green Space throughout campus reduced heat islands
• 2,800 new trees absorb 14 tons of CO2 per year

Transportation

Hiram College

Curriculum

• Environmental Studies Major, featuring the Creative Field Studies Program—encouraging local and international artists, students, and faculty from different disciplines to creatively represent natural resources and environmental issues.
• It is possible to design your own major at Hiram. Some students have used that opportunity to combine Environmental Studies work with Journalism, Ethics, and Public Policy.

Administrative Committees

• The Sustainability Committee—Contact Steve Zabor, zaborsl@hiram.edu
• The Field Station Committee—The James H. Barrow Field Station was established in 1967 to provide Hiram College students the opportunity to supplement classroom activities with hands-on learning experiences. Over the last 32 years, the Station has grown and developed into an active research and educational facility that not only enhances the College’s science and environmental studies programs, but also provides a means for the general public to increase their understanding and appreciation of Ohio natural history. Contact Matt Hils hilsmh@hiram.edu
• A committee that is currently working on a land management project for recently acquired land

Green Building

• The new dorm on campus (now under construction) will be a green building.

Energy

• The administration is currently considering the installment of a wind turbine on top of the community’s cell tower.

Food

Lorain County Community College

Curriculum

• LCCC just received preliminary approval (5/14/08) from the Ohio Board of Regents for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Alternative Energy Technology -Wind Turbine Major
• LCCC’s University Partnership has initiatives to offer two degrees from Bowling Green State University; Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science, and Bachelors of Science in Environmental Policy & Analysis.
• BIOG 155 Introductions to Ecology: includes civic engagement and service learning
• BIOG 196 Environmental Monitoring: offers an alternative lab-based science for both majors and non-science majors

Administrative Committees

• Green Campus Task Force Committee
• Alternative Energy Subcommittee- will coordinate with the Engineering Technologies Division which will be offering courses in wind turbine technology; will be looking to promote other forms of alternative energy
• Gardening Committee

Green Building

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)

Curriculum

• Tri-C established the Green Academy and Center for Sustainability (GACS) in early 2008. Now at Corporate College, the Green Academy offers training and business services in four core areas: 1) Green Building and Community (the Built Environment), 2) The Advanced Energy Economy, 3) Sustainable Healthcare, and 4) The Green Business Innovation Center.
• GACS will launch “Pathways out of Poverty through Green Collar Jobs,” a workforce development effort with that provides the growing green business community with a skilled workforce and promotes green entrepreneurial spirit.
• Associate of Applied Science Degree and Post Degree Certificate in Environmental Health and Safety Technology (prepares students for performing air monitoring, ground water and soil sampling, chemical emergency response actions and evaluating and cleaning up environmental contamination.)

Administrative Committees

• Sustainability Steering Committee- created a Sustainability Policy adopted by the Board of Trustees. The committee has also created a Sustainability Procedure for implementing the policy.
• College-wide Sustainability Advisory Committee will be chartered to formulate ideas and recommend new directions to the Sustainability Steering Committee.

Green Building

• Tri-C’s Capital and Construction Department is working for LEED Certification for the Center for Creative Arts and other major projects.
• Green building standards are being developed for all future projects

Purchasing

Tri-C’s Procurement Department is working on several green initiatives, including:

Curriculum

• Environmental Science

Administrative Committee

• The Sustainability Task Force encourages and facilitates environmental awareness and action through education and communication.
• The Sustainability Task Force registered Mount Union College to participate in a new sustainability self-assessment tool called STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The program is designed to help gauge the progress of colleges and universities toward sustainability in all sectors while enabling meaningful comparisons across institutions as well as benchmarking within institutions.

Green Building

• Mount Union has committed to having their next major building, an admissions welcome center building, being LEED certified, possibly at the Gold level.

Purchasing

• Sustainable Purchasing Policy

Energy

Cleveland State University

Curriculum

The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

• BA Urban Studies
• BA Public Safety Management
• BA Environmental Studies
• BA Urban Services Administration
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development
• Master of Science in Urban Studies
• Master of Arts in Environmental Studies
• Master of Nonprofit Administration and Leadership

Green Building

• CSU’s Recreation Center is Cleveland State’s first LEED certified building on campus. Some green building features include a storm water management to reduce runoff; underground parking; low albedo roofing; rainwater capture; locally manufactured materials with recycled content; and 30% energy cost savings due to infusion of daylight and high-energy performance exterior wall, window, and shading systems.
• The new Parker Hannifin Administration Center is awaiting LEED certification.
• The president of CSU has a goal of LEED certifications for all new buildings. In the works is a new student center and a new building for the College of Education.

Food

• Compass Group is encouraged to buy some local foods
• Food waste awareness campaigns

Transportation

Sustainable Value: How the World’s Leading Companies are Doing Well by Doing Good is garnering national attention for its author, Case's Business as an Agent of World Benefit Associate Director, Chris Laszlo. In this San Francisco Chronicle editorial, Laszlo argues,