Greening of the Campus VII Conference at Ball State University
The Greening of the Campus VII Conference at Ball State University attracted 350 sustainability professionals from around the country for three engaging days of networking and learning from September 6-8. Participants enjoyed keynotes from David Orr and Deb Rowe, as well as dozens of fantastic paper presentations, including one from the University of Florida and ACUHO-I's Norb Dunkel about work being performed at the university with Residential Learning Communities and the development of an Eco Village learning community. The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment was a hot topic as well, with lots of stories about how the ACUPCC is acting as a catalyst for sustainability initiatives and lots of conversations about how to encourage more schools to sign on.
If you weren't able to attend the Greening of the Campus VII Conference this year, do the next best thing and visit AASHE's new Campus Sustainability Perspectives. AASHE staff members are not only sharing highlights of the conference but are capturing videos as part of AASHE's Campus Sustainability Insights video project. Go to http://www.aashe.net/staffblog/ to get the scoop on selected plenary sessions and more.
SCUP/NY Times Webcast: Climate Change and Higher Education Leadership to Achieve Climate Neutrality
SCUP, in collaboration with The New York Times Knowledge Network, is offering a webcast entitled: Climate Change and Higher Education Leadership to Achieve Climate Neutrality. The webcast will feature Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University and Billy Parish, co-founder of the Energy Action Coalition. It will take place December 12 from 2:00-3:30pm, Eastern Time and is now open for registration.
Plans for Next Sustainability Webinar: November 27 from 1:00-2:30pm, EST
In response to HEASC member requests, we will be offering another sustainability webinar on November 27 from 1:00-2:30pm, Eastern Time. We would like to highlight examples from experienced sustainability practitioners who would be willing to share their expertise in various topic areas. If you know of stellar examples of sustainability or individuals who could speak about them, please submit to Deb Rowe at dgrowe@oaklandcc.edu.
NACUBO and Ayers Saint Gross Release Smart Growth Strategies for Colleges and Universities
NACUBO and Ayers Saint Gross have released a publication entitled Communities of Opportunity: Smart Growth Strategies for Colleges and Universities. The publication, co-authored with the Environmental Protection Agency and Cunningham Quill Architects, begins with an overview of smart growth strategies and then makes a four-part argument for adopting such strategies:
- Creating thriving, vibrant places helps to attract and keep the best students, faculty, and staff.
- Smart growth development patterns are a more efficient use of scarce resources and are better investments.
- Colleges and universities and the surrounding communities can work together across the traditional boundary of the campus to solve challenges in mutually beneficial ways.
- Better development patterns allow colleges and universities to improve their environmental performance.
Examples are included from more than 20 institutions across the country. The publication can be downloaded here.
