Sustainability News and Events

Sustainability Update, November 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:12:39 PST

Go back to high school!

In this issue:
Green Highlight
Join the Solar Decathlon's Outreach Team and go back to high school!

News
Holiday Food & Fund Drive 2008
SCU Student Sustainability Convergence
Beth Tellman receives honorable mention for sustainability leadership
Campus Ministry's Matt Smith wins Green Lifestyle Award
Shade and Save with Our City Forest!

Events
CIE Global Entrepreneurship Week - Social Entrepreneurship Brown Bag Lunch
Emerging Topics in Engineering - Photovoltaic Technology
Eco-Friendly Holiday Workshop
Santa Clarans for Social Justice Meeting

What Can I Do?
Reduce: Eat local
Reuse: Use reusable dishware
Recycle: Eat the pie... recycle the pie pan!
Respect: Support your local economy

Read this month's Sustainability Update

Campus Ministry's Matt Smith wins Green Lifestyle Award

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:19:16 PST

The South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) recently announced the selection of its first annual “Green Lifestyle Contest” winners. Three winners were selected for their efforts of consistently bringing environmental values to their daily lives. The winners are Emily Johnston and Matt Smith of Menlo Park, Jason Bade of Foster City, and Kim Hartman of San Carlos.

Matt and Emily received a $100 gift certificate to a favorite local restaurant that participates in the business composting program, as well as a feature in the SBWMA’s quarterly newsletter, the “rethinker.”

Emily Johnston and Matt Smith produce only one small bag of garbage each week. They also use a worm composting bin, reusable shopping bags, recycle their water, shop locally and hang clothes to dry, among other actions, to reduce their impact on the environment.

The “Green Lifestyle Contest” was announced in the summer issue of the “rethinker” as a way to highlight and promote what residents in the area are doing to reduce, reuse, and recycle their waste, and other actions that reduce their own carbon footprint. The contest was open to all residents in the SBWMA service area in San Mateo County.

For more information on the SBWMA, please visit our website at www.RethinkWaste.org.

Congratulations Matt!

Seniors team up to create Bronco Bikes

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:50:16 PST

The Santa Clara
November 13, 2008. Student-run bike sharing program to provide cheap rentals.

Read the article.

Beth Tellman, SCU senior, receives honorable mention for her sustainability leadership

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:41:58 PST

Beth Tellman was selected has an Honorable Mention in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's (AASHE) 2008 Student Sustainability Achievement Awards program. The judges chose Tellman among a very competitive pool of applicants because they were especially impressed with her strong focus on the social dimensions of sustainability. AASHE is excited about the success she achieved through her persistence and they hope that other students can learn from and follow the wonderful example she has provided.

As an Honorable Mention, she received a certificate and was included in an article about all of the award winners in the October issue of Sustainability: the Journal of Record.

Brief summaries of the campus and student sustainability leadership award winners can be found in Sustainability: the Journal of Record. In addition, the full submissions for each award program (including the winning submissions) can be found at the following links:

Campus Sustainability Leadership Awards
Student Sustainability Leadership Awards
Student Research on Campus Sustainability Award - www.aashe.org/resources/dissertations.php and www.aashe.org/resources/other-student-research.php

About AASHE

AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, is an association of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada working to create a sustainable future. It was founded in 2006 with a mission to promote sustainability in all sectors of higher education - from governance and operations to curriculum and outreach - through education, communication, research and professional development.

Students: Help Green Local High Schools and Join the Solar Decathlon Team!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:16:17 PST

This course aims to deepen students' understanding of sustainability. Students participate in an outreach program designed to facilitate sustainable development at bay area high schools. Each high school's efforts will be a microcosm of sustainable development and a leadership learning experience for the high school students and SCU students - their mentors. Readings and in-class discussions will also enhance students' ethical understanding of sustainability.

Office of Sustainability Formally Established at SCU

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:43:15 PST

Father Locatelli recently e-mailed the entire campus community regarding the formal establishment of the Office of Sustainability. Read the e-mail below:

Dear University Community:

As a Jesuit University, we are committed to fashioning a more humane, just, and sustainable world. The University’s adoption of the Sustainability Policy in 2004 institutionalized our commitment to improve our campus environmental stewardship, education, and outreach. A Sustainability Coordinator was hired in 2006 to foster campus collaboration and support University programs. The sustainability program has since grown from efforts of a few dedicated individuals to a demonstrated university-wide commitment. In fact, I signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007, declaring that we will reach carbon neutrality.

Due to the efforts of numerous students, faculty, and staff, the University is now recognized as a leader in campus sustainability among institutions of higher education. You may have seen the recent acknowledgements by the Kaplan Guide and Princeton Review, or the Energy Innovator Award given by Silicon Valley Power. You might have also seen one of the many stellar student research projects focused on campus sustainability. The Solar Decathlon is also an excellent example of the University’s commitment to sustainable engineering and community outreach.

To further institutionalize our sustainability efforts, I am formally establishing the Office of Sustainability. Composed of the full-time Sustainability Coordinator (from whom you receive monthly e-newsletters) and undergraduate interns, the Office is located in the Environmental Studies Institute. The Office of Sustainability will continue to support campus efforts, coordinate initiatives, serve as the “clearing-house” for campus sustainability data, and represent University sustainability programs to the public.

Further to develop a culture of sustainability throughout the entire University community, I am also establishing the Sustainability Council to guide efforts of the Office of Sustainability. Members of the council are:

Lindsey Cromwell, Office of Sustainability
Joe Sugg, University Operations
Jeffrey Charles, Facilities
Tim Healy, School of Engineering
Geoffrey Bowker, Center for Science, Technology, and Society
Leslie Gray, Environmental Studies Institute
Sherry Booth, English, CyPhi RLC
Chad Raphael, Communication
Ken Manaster, School of Law
Ron Danielson, Information Services
Stephen Smith, Leavey School of Business
Jane Barrantes, Auxiliary Services
Deborah Lohse, University Relations
Laura O’Brien (’11), Associated Students
Amy Shachter, Provost Office

Please join me in celebrating our achievements in campus sustainability. Thank you for your support and your commitment to developing a culture of sustainability for all students, faculty, and staff at Santa Clara University.

Paul Locatelli, S.J.

Solar Decathlon Team Builds Excitement

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:03:09 PST

The SCU-CCA 2009 Solar Decathlon team was busy all summer with a myriad of details relating to Refract House, our entry in the U.S. Department of Energy's competition in Washington, D.C. this fall.

Center for Community-Based Engineering Projects

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:02:26 PST

As part of the University’s mission to educate responsible citizens who work to create a more just and humane society, the School of Engineering is forming a center for community-based engineering projects.

Sustainability Update, October 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:10:08 PST

MISSION SUSTAINABLE!

Read this month's Sustainability Update

In this issue:
Green Highlight
MISSION SUSTAINABLE: Campus Sustainability Week

News
University receives B grade in sustainability
SCU purchases over 11 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy
Help the City of Santa Clara update the Bicycle Plan
Call for Proposals: California, the University, and the Environment

Events
Campus Sustainability Week

What Can I Do?
Reduce: Shorten your signature
Reuse: Learn about "The Secret Life of Paper"
Recycle: FAQ. Paper vs. Paperboard vs. Cardboard?
Respect: Be an informed voter!

Read this month's Sustainability Update

MISSION SUSTAINABLE: Campus Sustainability Week 10/20-10/24

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:23:53 PST

EVENTS IN CELEBRATION OF CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY

Download a pdf flyer.

Monday 10/20

SCU's Green Energy Power Purchase with Silicon Valley Power. ESI Seminar Series. 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

Odorless Composting: Worm Pooh to the Rescue. Learn how to start a worm compost system. Presented by Matt Smith, Campus Ministry. 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

Tuesday 10/21

Teaching 'Environmental Racism, Gender & Justice': Integrating the Local, the Global, and the Borderlands. Women's and Gender Studies. 11:45 am - 1:00 pm. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

Design SCU's Community Garden. 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Help design SCU's new half-acre organic community garden! With Patrick Archie, Environmental Studies Institute. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

Dine and Discuss: Maquilapolis. 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Film series coordinated by the Committee on Multiculturalism in the RLCs. Discussion facilitated by Dr. Keith Warner. Sobrato Hall, BC.

Wednesday 10/22

Campus Sustainability Day: Resource Fair. The Sustainability Fair is an opportunity for SCU community members to gather together to share their achievements and build momentum as we continue toward developing a culture of sustainability. 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

Should All SCU Students Be Vegetarian? Student discussion moderated by Beth Tellman, Hackworth Fellow with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

Thursday 10/23

Design SCU's Community Garden. 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Help design SCU's new half-acre organic community garden! With Patrick Archie, Environmental Studies Institute. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

"Drill, Baby, Drill" and Oil Off the Coast: Ethical Imperative or Moral Hazard? Student discussion moderated by Nick Obradovich, Hackworth Fellow with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Commons at Kennedy Mall.

Call for Proposals: California, the University, and the Environment

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:08:41 PST

Where: UC Davis and UC Merced
When: 7-8 May 2009
What: Proposals due 1 November 2008

California universities have long played a major role in imagining and managing their nearby environments, from the development of irrigated agriculture in the Central Valley to the incubation of the environmental movement.

This multi-disciplinary call solicits individual papers as well as panel proposals that reflect on the many ways that university researchers, communities, campuses, and systems have helped physically and ideologically remake the California environment into the complex political and cultural entity it is today. Topics might include micro-histories of environmentally influential scientific research groups, accounts of university-based advocacy projects, interpretations of university-affiliated environmental artists and writers, critiques of university-led real-estate development, discussions of universities /as/ environments, and many others.

As a whole, the conference aims to assess the historical impact of the universities on the California environment as well as to draw lessons leading to more thoughtful impacts in the future. This conference is co-sponsored by the Davis Humanities Institute and faculty partners from UC Merced using funds provided by the university of California Office of the President, the EPA Air Quality Center at UC Davis, and the John Muir Institute of the Environment. Participation is open to affiliated and independent scholars and graduate students.

Individual paper proposals should be ~300 words; panel proposals should include a brief rationale for the panel theme (~200 words) and 3-4 individual paper proposals. All proposal materials should be sent by email (.doc, .txt, or .rtf format) to Michael Ziser (mgziser@ucdavis.edu) by November 1st , 2008.

Rocking the vote all week

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:51:24 PST

The Santa Clara
October 9, 2008. Eight student groups organize campus-wide event to encourage youth voting.

Read the article.

Do you know what lurks in your water bottle?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:50:34 PST

The Santa Clara
October 9, 2008. New considerations in the search for a non-toxic bottle.

Read the article.

University receives B grade in sustainability

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:47:14 PST

The Santa Clara
October 9, 2008. The Santa Clara reports on Santa Clara University's goal to reduce carbon emissions.

Read the article.

Help the City of Santa Clara update the Bicycle Plan

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:26:05 PST

The City of Santa Clara is gathering information to update their Bicycle Plan. They would very much like to hear from all interested SCU Faculty, Staff, and Students who ride a bicycle, either to commute to work or simply for pleasure within the City.

The City's invitation to participate and the link to the survey:
You have been invited to participate in a brief 11 question online survey to help the City of Santa Clara assess the current status of the bicycle network as well as potential future priorities. You have been selected for this survey as a member of a major employer or organization within the City and therefore a potential primary user of the bicycle network. Your answers will help to set the path for the 2008 City of Santa Clara Bicycle Plan update. No personal information is requested, nor employer/organization information collected. The survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. The web link to the online survey is listed below. We would appreciate your response to the survey before October 31st, 2008.

Take the survey.

Thank you in advance or your cooperation and contributing to the understanding and improvement of the bicycle network in the City of Santa Clara!

Any questions concerning the online survey should be directed to Benjamin Huie at ben.huie@kimley-horn.com (Engineering Consultant).

Any questions concerning the overall project should be directed to Lorenzo Lopez at llopez@santaclaraca.gov (City of Santa Clara Project Manager).

SCU Purchases Over 11 Million Kilowatt-Hours of Clean Renewable Energy

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:39:32 PST

The purchase was made through Santa Clara Green Power, a 100 percent renewable energy program sponsored by Silicon Valley Power (SVP), the City of Santa Clara’s municipal electric utility. This action underscores the University’s ongoing commitment to renewable energy, and establishes the University as the largest purchaser in Santa Clara’s nationally acclaimed green power program.

Want to learn more about the University's Green Power partnership and how individuals and businesses can support renewable energy? Attend the October 20th ESI Seminar on Renewable Energy, part of Campus Sustainability Week.

SCU renews membership with AASHE, students, faculty, and staff benefit

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:32:19 PST

Santa Clara University recently renewed its membership with AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainabiltiy in Higher Education. All SCU community members are eligible to access AASHE's members only resources.

Visit www.aashe.org and click on member login or follow this link. Click create new account. Use your campus email address as your user name. You will receive a password in the inbox of the email account you used for the user name. Go back to the login page, enter your email in the user name box and type or paste the password that was emailed to you. If you have difficulty with this process, please send an email to membership@aashe.org.

One of the best ways to keep current on the evolving landscape of campus sustainability is to subscribe to AASHE Bulletin, a weekly compilation of the latest sustainability news, resources, events, and opportunities at colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. To subscribe, go to: http://www.aashe.org/archives/bulletin.php.

Sustainability Update, September 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:05:34 PST

Saving the world, one flush at a time!

Read this month's Sustainability Update

In this issue:
Green Highlight
From yogurt containers to iced coffee cups... recycle MORE at SCU

News
Hiring: Student Internships with the Office of Sustainability
Lucas Hall Dedication
SCU included in Kiwi Magazine's "2008 Green College Report"
AASHE Membership Benefits
Student Opportunities

Events
Santa Clarans for Social Justice
West Coast Green
Do We Have An Obligation to Vote?
Habitat Restoration at Ulistac Natural Area

What Can I Do?
Reduce: Saving the world, one flush at a time!
Reuse: Use SCU Classifieds
Recycle: Spread the word, expanded recycling program
Respect: Get ready for Campus Sustainability Week!

Read this month's Sustainability Update

Two internship opportunities with the Office of Sustainability - deadline extended!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:42:26 PST

The University Office of Sustainability will hire two students for 2007-2008 Sustainability Internships. The following are brief descriptions of the positions. For more information, please visit BroncoLink.

Application Deadline: Monday 10/6/08 by 5:00 pm.
Complete applications must be e-mailed.

For both positions: understanding of sustainability and knowledge of the campus’ ecological footprint are important but not required – however, a strong interest in sustainability and the passion to learn more is crucial.

Sustainability Intern - Student Initiatives
Do you have ideas for “green” student events/programs that you’d like to see at SCU?

Develop creative programming to engage students. Programs could include activities with an educational component (ex. competitions between floors or RLCs regarding energy conservation). Develop creative bulletin board displays to educate students about confusing issues (ex. green issues in the presidential race). This internship is the first of its kind so applicants with creative ideas are strongly encouraged.

Sustainability Intern - Reporting
Do you want to learn more about the University’s progress towards sustainability and carbon neutrality? Do you want research experience related to sustainability?

Develop a carbon emissions inventory as well as a comprehensive report of the sustainability program at SCU. Communicate with staff, faculty, administrators, and students across campus to compile and synthesize data. No prior research experience necessary and you do not need to be an environmental studies student to apply.

Learn more about these positions at BroncoLink.

Free bike registration for SCU employees

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:07:10 PST

Bring your bicycle to the Staff Faire on Wednesday, September 10 and have it licensed by members of the Santa Clara Fire Department. Campus Safety is sponsoring registration for all SCU employees at the event.

The City of Santa Clara requires bicycles operated within the city to be registered with a State of California bicycle license. Normally the license is obtained by going to your local fire station and registering your bicycle for a small fee. Having your bicycle ownership information on file is a BIG plus when it comes to aiding police in recovering it should the bike be stolen.

When: Wednesday, September 10, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Where: St. Ignatius Lawn

Environmental Ethics and the Culture of Sustainability at SCU

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:05:37 PST

Meghan Mooney, a rising senior, recently completed an anthropological study on the culture of sustainability at Santa Clara University.

As a result of her research as the Undergraduate Fellow in Environmental Ethics with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Meghan presents a benchmark of cultural beliefs and discourses as related to sustainability at SCU. Her main research questions were:

1. Is sustainability an issue of personal and ethical importance to the community?

2. How does the SCU community define and understand sustainability?

3. What do people think it means to be an environmentalist, do they consider themselves environmentalists?

4. Is there a strong or direct link between institutional programs and the values of the individual?

Research: Hassles, negative feedback affect green actions

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:49:28 PST

The San Jose Mercury News

Santa Clara University assistant professor of psychology Amara Brook was quoted in an article discussing what motivates people to engage in environmentally sustainable behavior.

Doing well by doing good? It's not easy.

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:46:40 PST

The Christian Science Monitor

A two-week program at Santa Clara University called the Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI) teams up social entrepreneurs with Silicon Valley leaders experienced in taking a new idea to mass production.

Greening the college application process

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:19:51 PST

Medill Reports

Santa Clara University's Environmental Studies Institute and sustainability initiatives were featured in an article about students' rising interests in environmental studies. SCU senior Tracey Mangin reflected on her decision to major in environmental studies as well as her younger sister's college decision process.

Calling all students: volunteer and earn a free entry to West Coast Green

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:31:26 PST

The West Coast Green conference (San Jose Convention Center, 9/25-9/27) is looking to recruit student volunteers for the event.

In return for volunteering a 6-hour shift, volunteers get a free pass to the full conference (worth $575). It is a great opportunity to see green innovations from about 350 exhibitors and to hear lectures from 100 of the leaders in the green movement (including Al Gore, David Suzuki, and Sarah Susanka).

Sustainability Update, August 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:18:31 PST

Read this month's Sustainability Update

In this issue:
Green Highlight
Reduce waste and stay up-to-date! Choose not to receive a printed Campus Phone Directory

News
IT and Dell reduce packaging waste
SCU recognized as energy innovator
Catholic colleges, universities take steps to go green
SCU Among Top 25 cutting-edge green colleges
Princeton Review gives SCU 96 points in new "Green Ratings"
New York Times special feature on campus sustainability

Events
SCU Staff Faire
West Coast Green
Visioning the Bay Area in 2030

What Can I Do?
What Do you do? (submit your tips)

Read this month's Sustainability Update

SCU Among Top 25 Cutting-Edge Green Colleges

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:18:27 PST

The Kaplan College Guide 2009 named Santa Clara University one of the nation's 25 most environmentally responsible schools.

Kaplan considered schools' efforts in the areas of environmentally responsible campus projects, courses, student groups, and achievements noted in the Sustainable Endowments Institute's College Sustainability Report Card 2008.

Learn more

Catholic colleges, universities take steps to go green

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:50:00 PST

Catholic News Service

Santa Clara University's participation in the Solar Decathlon as well as AASHE's new Sustainability Tracking And Rating System pilot program are mentioned as some of the ways Catholic colleges and universities are going green.

IT and Dell reduce packaging waste

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:51:30 PST

Information Technology is partnering with Dell Computers to reduce packaging waste related to the PC Replacement program. Dell now packs multiple products in a single box, reducing packaging size by half. Smaller packages allow Dell to increase shipping density which reduces fuel and related carbon emissions due to product transportation. The Multipack system reduces costs, speeds up deployment time, and reduces the amount of time spent unpacking.

"We replace about 600 computers every year," said Lai-San Malmquist, Manager of Applied Technology and IT Service Center. "Though we ensure the old machines are donated to local non-profits and responsibly recycled, we were looking for solutions to further green this annual process. We are very happy Dell offered us this special packaging option."

Image courtesy of Dell.
(on the left) Before Multipack: 16 1U servers on two pallets
(on the right) With Multipack: 16 1U serviers in one pallet space

Princeton Review gives SCU 96 points in new "Green Ratings"

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:22:54 PST

The Princeton Review unveiled its first "Green Ratings" of 534 colleges. Scores ranged from 60-99 points.

The Princeton Review's "2009 Green Rating Honor Roll" - a list saluting 11 colleges that each received Green Rating scores of 99 (the highest score) included: (in alphabetical order)

Arizona State University at the Tempe campus
Bates College (Lewiston, ME)
Binghamton University (State Univ. of New York at Binghamton)
College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor, ME)
Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA)
Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH)
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR)
University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
Yale University (New Haven, CT)

Santa Clara University received a Green Rating score of 96.

Ratings were based on schools' efforts to provide and develop an environmentally beneficial student experience. Topics addressed include: local/organic food offerings, promotion of alternative transportation, the presence of a formal committee for sustainability on campus, green building standards, waste and recycling, academic studies related to sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions inventory and climate action plan, and support of renewable energy sources.

For more information, visit the following websites:
The Princeton Review announcement
LA Times: The greenest colleges of them all

New York Times Special Feature on Campus Sustainability

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:59:25 PST

The New York Times

An Education Life supplement featured three articles about campus sustainability. "Green, Greener, Greenest" discusses campus sustainability ranking systems and universities' races to reach carbon neutrality. Read the article.

Two other articles examine sustainability initiatives at select colleges and universities.
The Sustainable Hampton
Catalysts for Change

Santa Clara University recognized as energy innovator

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:57:02 PST

Santa Clara University was recently recognized with four Silicon Valley businesses for efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Silicon Valley Power (SVP) and Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan named SCU one of two Environmental Innovators for 2007.

SCU is the largest contributor to SVP's Green Power program and was also recognized for its creative sustainability programs and construction of a 338-panel photovoltaic system.

Sustainability Update, July 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:34:50 PST

Read this month's Sustainability Update

In this issue:
Green Highlight
Move-Out 2008

News
SLURP Projects
SCU green building in LA Times
Spare the Air Alerts
Job opportunity

Events
Renewable Energy Symposium
Energy Efficiency Symposium
7th Annual UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference

What Can I Do?
Reduce: Carpool
Reuse: Guess the photo!
Recycle: New bulk paper recycling bins
Respect: Be a sushi source

Read this month's Sustainability Update

New Resource: SLURP Projects

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:31:59 PST

SLURP: The Sustainable Living Undergraduate Research Project

Individual or research teams created posters to summarize their research from 2007-2008. Also featured is a documentary of SLURP's first year. Projects include:

Bring Your Own Bottle
The Culture of Sustainability
Santa Clara University Energy Footprint
Slurp Energy Reduction Project
Faculty Cope Through Hope
Fair Trade Knowledge Decreases as Campus Involvement & Campaigning Decreases
Effects of Sustainability Across the Curriculum on Students' Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors
SCU Vegetarians and Vegans

SCU green building mentioned in LA Times

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:20:00 PST

Colleges, universities take the lead in building green.
Los Angeles Times. July 7, 2008.
Article by Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer.

New Resource: Green Documentaries

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:29:45 PST

SCU students created documentary films about e-waste, recycling, campus culture, fair trade, and waterfree urinals.

Move-Out Waste Instructions (June 9 - 12)

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:41:23 PST

Students: get ready for Move-Out 2008 (June 9 through June 12). Learn what to do with all your stuff as you pack up for the Summer.

In the last two years, students have diverted almost 10 tons of materials by giving reusable items to Goodwill, setting their carpet aside, and donating their old text books.

Recycling *New this year*
Recycle paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. There are six recycling areas during move-out. Read your building's instructions to find the recycling area nearest you.
Carpets
Clean, roll, and leave your carpets at the carpet collection areas so they can be reused next year or recycled. Carpet collection areas are located near your building's trash container.
E-waste
Don't throw away anything with an electric cord or battery. Leave your old electronics at the e-waste collection areas near your building's trash container so they can be recycled.
Textbooks
Donate your old textbooks (if you can't sell them back or give them to a friend) to Better World Books. The GREEN Club and SCCAP set up a book donation area in the basement of Benson, near the Bookstore's buyback area.
Etc.
Donate good but unwanted items to Goodwill Industries of Silicon Valley. GW trailers are parked in two areas: Accolti Way (between Casa and San Filippo) and Santa Clara Street (near McLaughlin). Place your good but unwanted items in a BLUE BAG (provided by your service desk) and drop-off at the Goodwill Trailers between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday (6/9) through Thursday (6/12).

Learn more about move-out waste reduction opportunities for each residence hall.

New Resource: A guide to the spirituality of our sustainability work

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:26:56 PST

Environmental stewardship is the vocation of everyone.
Keith Warner, OFM, of the Environmental Studies Institute, has created a document to help SCU staff and faculty bring their environmental concerns to bear on their daily work.

Enter the 2008 Clean Tech Open Competition

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:48:12 PST

Turn $250 and three pages into $100,000
ENTER the 2008 Clean Tech Open Competition

The deadline for entering the competition is Saturday, June 14th

Do you have a clean tech idea? Are you ready to take your clean tech business idea to the next level? For only $250 per team, or $150 for all-student teams, and just three summary pages on your business, you can have the chance to win $50,000 in cash and a suite of prizes worth another $50,000.

Executive Summary upload begins June 1st. To download Guidelines presentations, click here.
For more details and to enter the competition, click here.

LEARN what's hot in this $1 trillion market sector
HEAR from a panel of Smart Power industry experts
MEET CTO Alumni and 2008 contestants
DEVELOP your business idea to enter this year's competition
ATTEND the 2008 Smart Power Symposium

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 from 5:00 to 8:00pm
AMD, Sunnyvale, CA
RSVP here

The global power grid is due for an upgrade: we're replacing outdated infrastructure with a new, dynamic smart grid that will enable clean technologies like renewable energy, demand response and plug-in vehicles. A host of new technologies and applications, such as smart meters, improved storage, real-time monitoring and demand management are rapidly emerging to create and take advantage of the Smart Power network.

Join us for a panel discussion, networking time and a poster session showcasing CTO contestants and Smart Power Alumni. Our expert panel will focus on this huge market opportunity, from the perspectives of utilities, vendors, investors and entrepreneurs.

Please RSVP here to join us. This event has limited space.
Wednesday, June 11 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

One AMD Place, Sunnyvale, CA
Cost is $20 for online registration and $30 at the door (cash only).
FREE for paid contestants of the 2008 Clean Tech Open
Click HERE to RSVP and for directions.
Walk-ins are welcome, but space is limited, so make sure you join us and RSVP NOW!

5:00pm Registration & Networking
6:00pm Panel Discussion (program to be announced soon)
7:00pm Networking and Poster Session
8:00pm Adjourn

Light appetizers and refreshments will be served.

Sustainability Update, May 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:16:11 PST

Green Highlight
SOAP - clean up and green up your office!
Read this month's green highlight

News & Events
Electronic Time Entry
SCU Cyclists Group
Recycled Paper
Sustainability Science in the Public Interest
Outdoor Green Short-Film Festival
See this month's news & events

What Can I Do?
Reduce: Change your margins
Reuse: Old letterhead
Recycle: Recycle paper ream packages
Respect: Help your peers reduce wasted paper
Read this month's 4R's

Green Short-Film Festival

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:13:55 PST

Bottom Line and Beyond (BLAB) Presents:
Outdoor Green Short-Film Festival
Thursday May 22 at 8:30pm, outside on the Kennedy Lawn

Six short documentaries focusing on green issues in our community. Directed, produced, and starred in by SCU students.
Films include:
"Going Green: Who Cares?"
"Diving for Green"
"Facing Fair Trade"
"EWaste"
"Urinals: The Untold Story"
"Victoria's Best Kept Secret"

Bring towels and blankets to sit on. Popcorn will be provided. This event is a great way to engage the SCU community with sustainability issues that directly involve them and Santa Clara, as well as promote the ideas and efforts of our own SCU students.

This will be the last BLAB event of the year, and the last few t-shirts will be sold, $10 each with proceeds going to KIVA.

Clean Technology - Sustainable Growth

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:07:03 PST

Clean Technology - Sustainable Growth:
Innovating and Implementing in the Developing World

When: Tuesday, May 13 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Hosted by Santa Clara University's School of Engineering

Where: Mayer Theater, 500 El Camino Real

Innovations in clean technology have implications that extend beyond Silicon Valley to the Developing World. This discussion will address safe water, sanitation, sustainable agriculture, reliable sources of energy, and fair trade, amongst other issues. The event also includes presentations from the Santa Clara student chapter of Engineers Without Borders, highlighting the group's design projects.

Cost is $20 online and $30 at the door. Students are admitted for free.

Click HERE to RSVP and for directions.

Panelists include:

R. David Hague - Moderator. Vice President-Business Development, GreenMountain Engineering
Patrick Freeburger - Panelist. Co-founder of BuildFast
Dr. Ashok Gadgil - Panelist. Senior Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley Labs, and inventor of the "UV Waterworks"
Rebeca Hwang - Panelist. Co-VP BASEs Social e-challenge and Judging Chair for California Clean Tech Open
John Rockwell - Panelist. Managing Director, Element Partners

New Resource: The new library

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:23:19 PST

Learn about the sustainable features of our newest building: The Harrington Learning Commons, Sobrato Technology Center, and Orradre Library.

Though twice the size of the previous building, the University's new library is expected to consume the same amount of energy.

The Power is Yours: Student Sustainability Actionshop

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:48:51 PST

Want to get the real facts on how you can easily make your lifestyle more sustainable? Confused about everything you've heard, and what things really make the biggest difference? Come to the first of four one-hour workshops aimed at presenting sustainable living in plain, unambiguous terms. Green your house or dorm, your hot dates, shopping trips, and more! Details below.

The Power is Yours: Student Sustainability Actionshop

Thursday April 17th, 6PM

Swig Sky Lounge

Food and Freebies Provided!

============================================

"The Power is Yours: Sustainable Lifestyle Actionshop" is a four-part crash course on lowering your environmental impact, as measured principally in terms of a carbon footprint. Basically, we seek to create an 'actionshop' environment where students can learn about and discuss simple, impactful changes they can make to 'green' their lifestyle; they are then responsible for IMPLEMENTING some of them and reporting back on their results.

Meetings are to be short and to-the-point, one hour in length, once a week for four weeks with food provided (attendance at multiple sessions encouraged). Students will be provided with handouts of information and action items, as well as worksheets for planning their actions and 'action kits' that include CF lighbulbs, watt-meters, water bottles, low-flow showerheads, and the like. There will also be a raffle of prizes at the end for some of the most involved students.

We have found that students are overwhelmed by the number of things they associate with being 'greener', and we seek to cut through this by empowering them with knowledge about the real impacts of these changes**. Each of the four meetings will be themed: Energy; Transportation; Consumption and Waste; and finally Food/Fair Trade. Goals and improvements will be quantified by entrance and exit surveys.

The workshops are a fun environment where students can absorb some information and then discuss how best they can use their new knowledge; how they can plan fun 'green' dates, save money around the house, shop better, and more!

Please join us for this exciting new program!

**information is researched and calculations are made by Tim Sennott, an engineering student focused on renewable energy and a longtime sustainable-living advocate, with a focus on efficiency in terms of a carbon scaling as a level ground of comparison for general environmental impacts, with ample asterisks as need be.

San Jose's Green Vision Event

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:47:06 PST

Chuck Reed, Mayor of the 10th largest city in the United States, will discuss his vision to reduce San Jose's carbon footprint by half.
Download a PDF of San Jose's Green Vision

Where: Saint Clare Room, 3rd Floor, Harrington Learning Commons
When: 7pm - 8:15pm, Monday 4/21
RSVP on the Campus Event Calendar

Why Go Green? Workshop for Faculty and Staff

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:43:14 PST

Participants in this workshop will learn how (and why) they can integrate sustainability into their daily lives. Workshop participants will identify their personal and professional values and discover how those values integrate with ideas and concepts of sustainability.

Participants will learn how they can make their everyday decisions more "green". Resources and suggestions for living and working more sustainably will be provided.

Participants may bring their lunch. Free for SCU faculty and Staff

Where: Manresa Learning Center, Loyola Hall
When: 12p-1p, April 15.
RSVP: HR Calendar

Sustainability Update, April 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:10:00 PST

Green Highlight
Sustainable Features of the Harrington Learning Commons, Sobrato Technology Center, and Orradre Library
Read this month's green highlight

News
Green Documentaries by SCU Students
Low Carbon Diet Day
The Spirituality of Our Sustainability Work
Bay Area Bike to Work Day
See this month's news

Events
5th Annual Wildflower Celebration: 4/12
Silent Spring / Book of the Quarter: 4/15
Brown Bag Lunch for Bikers: 4/21
San Jose's Green Vision: 4/21
Earth Day at SCU: 4/22
Climate Change Presentation: 4/22
Nexus of Global Warming, Water & Energy in California: 4/25
Read more about these events

What Can I Do?
Reduce: True or False, your computer is green
Reuse: SCU Classifieds
Recycle: Paper ream packages
Respect: Battle of the Bags: Paper vs. Plastic?
Read this month's 4R's

Sustainable Features of our new Library

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:25:57 PST

Though twice the size of the previous building, the University's new library is expected to consume the same amount of energy. Learn more about the sustainable features of the Harrington Learning Commons, Sobrato Technology Center, and Orradre Library, including:

Energy Efficiency
During the day, over 90 percent of publicly accessible space is lit by the sun.

Water Conservation
All 39 toilets in the building are flushed with recycled water, the first of their kind on our campus.

Waste Reduction
Over 90 percent of demolition waste from Orradre Library was recycled or reused.

Sustainable Design
Raised floors have many benefits over traditional flooring by providing the building with the ability to adapt to future needs.

March Sustainability Update

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:57:05 PST

Green Highlight
Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries reduces paper use

News
Get caught green handed!
City of Santa Clara's Annual Clean-up Campaign
Student Internship Opportunity with Sustainability at SCU
I heart tap water student video contest

Events
RecycleMania Night in Benson: 3/12
Common Grounds, Common Waters: 3/14
Water Efficient Irrigation Design: 3/15
Sustainable Leadership Briefing: 3/20
Selecting Plants for a Water-Wise Garden: 3/22
World Water Day: 3/22
The Spirituality of Our Sustainability Work: 4/19
Earth Day at SCU: 4/22

What Can I Do? All about spring cleaning
Reduce: Greener cleaning
Reuse: Donate unwanted items to local organizations
Recycle: Too much waste? Consider composting
Respect: Learn more about green spring cleaning

Read March's Sustainability Update

RecycleMania SCU Student Prizes Announced

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:42:05 PST

Sustainable Office Project Internship

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:57:00 PST

Ecocity World Summit 2008

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:23:19 PST

The International Ecocity Conference Series brings together the key innovators, decision makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and development. We intend to put these issues on the economic and environmental agenda for 2008 and beyond.

When: April 22 - 26
Where: San Francisco

Ecocity World Summit 2008 Themes

People: population, health, equity, and access
Nature: protecting and restoring the planet’s living systems and agricultural lands
Sustainable Development: land use, transportation, architecture and infrastructure
Economies & Technologies: building the supporting markets, businesses and technologies
Incentives & Support Structures: role of government, organizations, institutions and individuals

RecycleMania Week 4 Results

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:41:47 PST

SCU's ranks for week 4 of RecycleMania 2008:

Grand Champion: 51 of 85
Per Capita Classic: 101 of 167
Waste Minimization: 40 of 89
Gorilla Prize: 79 of 188
Paper Recycling: 98 of 167
Cardboard Recycling: 76 of 145
Bottles and Cans Recycling: 39 of 149

Keep on recycling and reducing waste at SCU!

RLC RecycleMania Competition Week 4 Scores

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:28:00 PST

RecycleMania Week 3 Results

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:25:22 PST

SCU's ranks for week 3 of RecycleMania 2008:

Grand Champion: 48 of 80
Per Capita Classic: 88 of 158
Waste Minimization: 39 of 85
Gorilla Prize: 78 of 176
Paper Recycling: 91 of 142
Cardboard Recycling: 61 of 138
Bottles and Cans Recycling: 28 of 141

Keep on recycling and reducing waste at SCU!

RecycleMania Week 2 Results

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:37:47 PST

SCU's ranks for week 2 of RecycleMania 2008:
Grand Champion: 46 of 76
Per Capita Classic: 85 of 155
Waste Minimization: 36 of 82
Gorilla Prize: 44 of 87
Paper Recycling: 84 of 139
Cardboard Recycling: 66 of 135
Bottles and Cans Recycling: 26 of 140

Keep on recycling and reducing waste at SCU!

Winter Quarter Recycle Trivia Question

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:34:48 PST

Recycle Trivia Question:
In February 2006, California became the first state to make it illegal to throw which recyclable material away?
Where can they be recycled on campus?

February 19 - February 22 is the second RecycleTrivia competition!

Place your completed raffle ticket in your residence hall's service desk by 5pm Friday 22, 2008.

Don't have a raffle ticket? Check out your recycle magnet or e-mail recycling@scu.edu.

This question is in celebration of RecycleMania 2008.

February Sustainability Update

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:28:24 PST

Green Highlight
It's a dirty job...

News
Recycle Trivia Week
Get $1,000 for your socially innovative idea
Call for proposals - 7th Annual CA Sustainability Conference

Events
RecycleMania Planning Meeting: Thursdays
Energy Efficiency Seminar: 2/21
Student Sustainability Coalition: 2/29 - 3/2
Undergrad. Sci. and Engineering Symposium: 3/7
Common Grounds, Common Waters: 3/14

What Can I Do?
Reduce: The Trash Project
Reuse: Reusable beverage containers
Recycle: Why recycle batteries?
Respect: Sustainable seafood

RecycleMania Week 1 Results

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:47:57 PST

SCU's ranks for week 1 of RecycleMania 2008:
Grand Champion: 25 of 64
Per Capita Classic: 68 of 143
Waste Minimization: 21 of 82
Gorilla Prize: 66 of 171
Paper Recycling: 82 of 133
Cardboard Recycling: 65 of 124
Bottles and Cans Recycling: 24 of 127

Keep on recycling and reducing waste at SCU!

The Microbiology of Biofuels

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:35:27 PST

Craig Stephens, Associate Professor & Biology Department Chair
Environmental Studies Institute Seminar Series
When: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, February 15
Where: Commons at Kennedy Mall
Join ESI for coffee and cookies at 11:45 am

Community Supported Agriculture Subscriptions Available

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:32:10 PST

Deliveries for Community Supported Agriculture will resume next week. The Arrupe Partnerships through its collaboration with the Catalan Laughing Onion Farm make organic vegetables available to members of the university community and our surrounding neighbors. This partnership allows students to learn about sustainable agriculture and organic farming and includes opportunities to work with the Catalán family at the farm in Hollister.

Delivery of CSA boxes will begin next week. Each box includes a selection of seasonal vegetables that feeds 4 adults/week. The cost is $22 for a box. You can subscribe to receive a box every other week or try it only once. Whatever you prefer.

Our first delivery will be Wednesday, February 6 and will be every other week through June. Boxes are delivered to the Sobrato lobby. You can also request a box at any time during the quarter.

Contact Laurie for more information: lalaird@scu.edu

Engineers for a Sustainable World Conference

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:31:15 PST

Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) is hosting its 5th national conference Friday-Saturday, February 8-9, 2008 in San Francisco, California.

Online registration is available through Tuesday, February 5th.

The event will feature over 60 presenters on the following key themes:

Education for a Sustainable World
International Development
Climate Change & Practical Action
Corporate Social Responsibility

Call for Proposals - CA Sustainability Conference

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:29:21 PST

7th Annual UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference

The UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference was established in 2001 for the exchange of best practices between people engaged in, or seeking to learn more about, campus sustainability—from teaching and academic research to all aspects of campus operations. In 2008, the sustainability conference will be hosted at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, the first time ever at a CSU campus!

This year’s conference seeks to highlight innovative examples and implemented works in the following areas:

Curriculum and Research
Energy
Food Systems
Building - New Construction
GreenBuilding - Operations, Maintenance, and Renovations
Institutionalizing Sustainability
Procurement and Sustainable Business Practices
Student Affairs
Transportation
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Water, Agriculture and Landscaping
Medical Centers, Nursing Schools and Student Health Facilities
Green Economy and Social Equity

Who Should Submit?
In order to foster a peer-to-peer network between and within the three California college and university systems, we are seeking presentations, micro-workshops, and posters from:

campus operations and planning staff
faculty and academic researchers
campus administrators
college and university students
providers of the products and services delivered to colleges and universities in teams co-presenting with any of the above members of the campus community

We are primarily looking for presentations from universities and colleges in California, though are open to presentations from other campuses who are piloting projects more ambitious than any of the schools in California.

Anyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Deadlines
Presentation proposals due Feb 26, 2008.
Poster proposals due June 1, 2008.
Registration opens March 2008.
Conference dates July 31-Aug 3, 2008.

ECON 101: Resources, Food, and the Environment

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:27:09 PST

Students majoring in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies, or minoring in Environmental Studies are invited to register for ECON 101, Resources, Food, and the Environment, this coming Spring, Tues/Thur at 11:50 am.

The course satisfies the upper-division social science requirment for both of the majors and the Economic Dimension for the minor.

Common Grounds, Common Waters: Toward a Water Ethic

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:00:00 PST

Santa Clara Journal of International Law Symposium 2008
This symposium will bring together people from a wide variety of groups representing different interests in water, such as the water industry, agriculture, government, environmental and nature organizations, indigenous peoples, human rights organizations, and others.

When: Friday, March 14. 8:15 am to 5:30 pm
Where: California Mission Room, Benson Memorial Center

Engineering Developments Necessary to Truly Enable Green Energy

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:53:07 PST

Presentation by Michael Thorburn, Adjunct Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering

January 31, 2008
Room EC 326, Bannan Engineering
4:10 - 5:00 P.M.

Abstract
It seems that nearly everyone is on board with the idea that there is considerable value, both environmental and geopolitical, for the economy to transition from being powered by burning fossil fuels to being powered by solar energy or wind energy. The question then becomes, what developments are necessary to turn this into a practical and economically viable approach. In this presentation, the question will be addressed for both the transportation sector and the building/commercial sector and a set of needed improvements in technology will be discussed.

Biography
Michael Thorburn earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oregon State University and has spent most of his career in the space industry. Presently he manages the Communications Payload Engineering Department at Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto. Over the past few years, he has been teaching a variety of graduate classes at Santa Clara University including an Alternative Energy Systems class in each of the last three years. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and a Life Member of the American Solar Energy Society.

http://www.ee.scu.edu/classes/2008winter/elen200/w08thorburn.pdf
Seminars for the quarter are listed at the below website.
http://www.ee.scu.edu/classes/2008winter/elen200/

Rights, Responsibility, and Regulatory Choices: How Should California Achieve Its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:50:37 PST

Lee S. Friedman, Professor of Public Policy, The Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley, and William Sundstrom, SCU Economics and SCU Associate Provost
When: 12:00-1:00 pm Wednesday, January 30th
Where: Commons at Kennedy Mall
This Ethics at Noon event is sponsored by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and the Environmental Studies Institute

Focus the Nation GREEN Panel Jan. 31

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:47:53 PST

The GREEN Club will host a panel on climate change featuring SCU and Stanford faculty who will present how climate change effects their disciplines, ranging from law to politics to technology. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
When: 6:00 pm, Thursday, January 31.
Where: Daly Science 206.
This event is free and open to the public.

Global Warming Teach-In, Jan. 30 and 31

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:36:47 PST

Santa Clara University’s Environmental Studies Institute invites faculty to participate in a global warming teach-in on Thursday, January 31st as part of our FOCUS THE NATION events.

Focus the Nation (www.focusthenation.org) is coordinating teams of faculty, students and staff at universities, high schools, and elementary schools across the United States to engage in a nationwide “Global Warming Solutions for America” teach-in on January 31, 2008.

January Sustainability Update

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:16:00 PST

Green Highlight: Focus the Nation

News
RecycleMania
Calling all RecycleManiacs
New resource: Green Careers

Events
RecycleMania planning meeting, 1/17
The World's Water, 1/22
Documentary screening, 1/24
Clean Energy Entrepreneurs' Forum: 1/25
Cafe Scientifique, 1/29
The Green Rush, 1/29
Rights, Responsibility, and Regulatory Choices: How Should California Achieve Its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals? 1/30
National Teach-In for Focus the Nation, 1/30 and 1/31
Climate Change Panel for Focus the Nation, 1/31
The Microbiology of Biofuels, 2/15
Common Grounds, Common Waters: Toward a Water Ethic, 3/14

What Can I Do?
Reduce: Tips for increasing your car’s gas mileage (and reducing wasted gasoline)
Reuse: iReuse
Recycle: All about plastic
Respect: Your vote counts

Documentary Screening

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:11:44 PST

Students in Michael Whalen's Fall Quarter documentary course will screen their final projects. Documentaries examine issues ranging from fair trade to water conservation, and the growing culture of sustainability at SCU.
When: 5:30 pm, Thursday 1/24
Where: TV Studio, Arts & Sciences Building

Recycling Club Meeting/RecycleMania Planning Meeting

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:44:05 PST

RecycleManiacs wanted!
Students interested in promoting RecycleMania at SCU are invited to attend the Recycling Club's first meeting of the quarter. The Club will brainstorm and plan fun events to promote RecycleMania on campus. The competition is January 27 through April 5, 2008.

When: 8:30 pm, Thursday 1/17
Where: ESI (blue house with white columns on the corner of Homestead Rd. and Lafayette St.)

December Sustainability Update

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:23:59 PST

Green Highlight: Sustainability Across the Curriculum - in action!

News
Environmental Ethics Fellowship: A study of the culture of sustainability at SCU
New resource: What to recycle in campus offices
New on-line resource: FAQ about Recycling at SCU
AASHE seeks webmaster intern

What Can I Do?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Respect: The Story of Stuff
Tips to green the holidays

Sustainable Solutions for San Jose State University

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:55:43 PST

Blue and Gold Make Green: Sustainable Solutions for San Jose State University

A presentation of environmental sustainability on the San Jose State University campus. Join us in examining best practices at neighboring universities including, alternative energy solutions, water conservation, and sustainable landscaping.

When and Where:
December 4th 2007 1:30 - 3:30pm
4th Floor Room 225 and 229 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando Street San José, CA 95112
Admission is free. Refreshments provided

Our Mission:
To share various strategies learned from neighboring institutions including San Jose State University, Stanford University, Santa Clara University, University of California Santa Cruz, De Anza Community College, and California State University East Bay that will motivate students, faculty, staff administrators and the public to move towards a more sustainable campus community to start working to towards a green initiative.

Presented by the Fall 2007 Environmental Studies Senior Seminar .

** This is not a Santa Clara University event. **
Please join us in supporting San Jose State University as they develop sustainability initiatives on their campus.

Recycling in SCU Offices

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:57:14 PST

A new guide is available to help faculty and staff identify materials that can (and cannot) be recycled in SCU offices. Categories include paper, corrugated cardboard, beverage containers, scrap metal, electronic waste, batteries, and ink cartridges.

Greening the Office

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:22:13 PST

Students in Applied Sociology will present their findings regarding their research to help the University green our campus offices. Administrators and Office Managers who participated in the study are invited to hear the students' findings and the University's plans to further green our campus offices.

When: Tuesday 12/4, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Commons at Kennedy Mall

* This event requires an RSVP. Please click on "more info" to RSVP.

Recycling Directors

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:42:00 PST

Recycling Directors are available to help ensure proper recycling at campus events. Directors monitor recycling and waste collection areas and help people sort their waste. Clubs, organizations, teams, and individuals can volunteer to be Recycling Directors. Request Recycling Directors for your next event!

Green Expo and Volunteer Fair

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:40:30 PST

Interested in local environment issues? Think globally, act locally. Visit display tables and listen to presentations by a variety of local organizations to get information to improve the environmental and social impacts in Silicon Valley. Get inspired to lead healthier and more sustainable lives.
When: Saturday, November 17. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Commons at Kennedy Mall

November Sustainability Update

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:39:36 PST

See photos from Campus Sustainability Day, learn about the 100-mile Thanksgiving, and more!

Sustainability Assessment

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:38:02 PST

The 2007 Sustainability Assessment for Santa Clara University is complete. Download the pdf to learn about the University's baseline data for fossil fuel use, recycling and waste production, use and disposal of toxic chemicals, and consumption of water.

SCU Named Campus Sustainability Leader

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:33:33 PST

The Sustainable Endowments Institute named Santa Clara University one of twenty-five Campus Sustainability Leaders in the 2008 Campus Sustainability Report Card. The Report Card is the only independent sustainability evaluation of campus operations and endowment investments. Published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, it assesses the 200 public and private universities with the largest endowments, ranging from $230 million to nearly $35 billion.