Drexel Green Community Presentations May 18, 2009.

Drexel GreenCommunity PresentationsMay 18, 2009

Student LifeAcademicsResearch Events & PlanningCommunicationsBuildingsOperations Community

Student Life

Activities

Increase, promote and celebrate the campus-wide initiative

Student Life

•Athletics

•Green Game

•Green Machine

•Residential Living

•Resident Assistant (RA) program

•FSBS (For Students By Students)

•Student Orgs

•Powershift Conference

•Human Powered Vehicle

Competition

•CAN DU

•Earth Day Project

•Earth Week with Jay Coen Gilbert

•Earth Day Education Fair

Recommendations-Athletics

Create more of a collective focus on Green initiatives through DAC users, Intramural and Club athletes and athletic teams

• Short Term

• Continue using athletic events as a forum to promote Drexel Green

• Long Term

• Recycled Energy

• Recycled Water

Student Life

Recommendations-Residential Living • Short Term

• Recycling/Donation Bins for Move-Out Days

• Increasing Bins

• Long Term

• Develop off-campus housing

• Develop online RA Application Process

• Promoting residential student engagement

Student Life

Recommendations- Greek Housing

• Short Term

• Each Greek House having a Green Program

• Participating in Greek Week next year

• Green Greek Competition/Recognition

• Long Term

• Green Greek Advisory Board

• Greek composting

Student Life

Recommendations-Student Orgs

Create easy ways for faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to support student activities that are sustainability

related.

• Short Term

• Encourage Students to visit the wiki, Student Org. websites

• Encourage Students to attend green events

• Start planning Earth Week in October

• Long Term

• Recruit more students for green related student orgs.

• Team up with middle/high schools around the area

• Team up with the surrounding community

Student Life

Recommendations-Commuters

• Short Term

• E-Waste Bins located at key points on campus

• Dumpsters, Recycling Bins and Donations Trucks for Move-Out Days for non-residential Students

• Long Term

• Special Parking for Hybrids and people who carpool

• Special Discounts for Students/Faculty/Staff

Student Life

Recommendations- Other

• Short Term

• Education Seminar at Student Orientation, New Student Days, Floor meetings

• Green Section in the Triangle

• Green tips in the Drexel Daily Digest

• Long Term

• Reusable cups with a discounted price

• Educate Student Groups through SOOT

Student Life

Academics

Introduction

• Our committee addressed Drexel’s academic programs and courses

• Activities to Date

• List of sustainability courses, by term and master list

• National Teach-In on Global Warming

• AASHE Workshop

Academics

Media Credit: Dave Hernandez

Benchmarking

• Drexel currently performs well:

• Sustainability-focused academic programs.

• Drexel has an opportunity to improve our standing:

• Increase sustainability course offerings.

• Offer incentives and rewards to faculty members and include criteria for tenure and promotion for sustainability efforts.

• Provide faculty development to help faculty infuse sustainability into the classroom.

• Require that all students take a sustainability course.

• Implement a sustainability literacy assessment.

Academics

Recommendations - Faculty

• Provide faculty training to incorporate sustainability across curricula

• Implement faculty incentives to engage in multidisciplinary sustainability activities and programs

• Recruit faculty with sustainability-related areas of research

• Integrate sustainability criteria into hiring decisions

Academics

Recommendations - Academics

• Strengthen existing environmental programs

• Incorporate sustainability in UNIV 101

• Require a minimum of one course in sustainability specific to each major

• Require environmental literacy graduation requirement

Academics

Recommendations - Centralization

• Create Office of Sustainability

• University-wide entity directly under President

• Create Center for Sustainability

• Support and guide Academics and Research

• Require all colleges and schools to commit a certain amount of funding, personnel, and space to supporting sustainability

Academics

Research

Activities

• Assessing Green Research at Drexel

• Research office reports

• Limitations of Keyword Searching

• Undergraduate Research Programs

• Benchmarking with Other Institutions

• Web presence & documentation of Green Research

• Web Searching of Keywords

• Recommendations for Action:

1.Develop a Searchable Research Database

2.Create a Green Research Institute

3.Enhance Funding of Green Research

4. Increase Number of Green Faculty

Research

Benchmarking

• Although some schools show clear leadership, generally it is hard to find research information, and beyond that it is very difficult to see what the emphasis on green research is.

• Keyword Searching of Research Office Reports Difficult and Inherently Inaccurate

Research

Rochester

DelawareGWU

CMUWPI

RPICase Western

TempleDrexel

Recommendations - Develop a Database of Research @ Drexel

Research

• Currently Very Difficult to Obtain List of Green Research• Inherently Inaccurate

• Many false positives/negatives

• Hard to Identify Green Faculty

• Need for Searchable Database of Faculty Research

• Keyword Searchable (both Green and other keywords)

• Facilitates Internal Connections between Drexel Researchers

• Facilitates External Collaborations and Consulting

• Useful for Populating Drexel Green Web-site with Research Info

• Research Efforts

Recommendations - Create an Institute for Sustainability Research

Research

Leading Drexel’s Academic and Research Efforts in Sustainability

• Core Topical Areas in Sustainability: Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Environmental Impacts, and Economy

• 10-12 Core Faculty with Primary Appointments in Home Departments

• Endowed Faculty Position(s) in Sustainability

• Degree Programs: minor, certificate, and/or MS

• Multi-Disciplinary, Cross-college Representation

• Fosters Collaborative Proposals

Recommendations - Enhance Funding of Green Research

Research

1. Internal Incentives for Sustainability Research

2. Active Pursuit of Sustainability Grants

3. Additional Incentives for Undergraduate Research

4. Money Saved on Green Activities

STAR Poster Session

2008 EPA Phase II Award2009 EPA Phase II Award

2 1

5 8

2 0 0 8 S TA R R e s e a r c h e r s

G r e e n

N o t G r e e n

Events & Planning

Introduction

• Earth Week Logo Competition

• Farmer’s Market

• Earth Day Eco Rhythm Concert

• Trayless Tuesday

• Drexel BlackOut

• Just 1 Thing

Events

Benchmarking

Events

Recommendations

• Keep It Simpleo Drexel Green Window Stickers & Tee Shirts

o Green Tips in the Daily Drexel Digest

• Make It Personalo New Student Orientation

o Eco- Ambassadors

o Bring It Home

• Have Funo April Earth Month and Earth Week Celebration

o Sustainability Celebration in the Fall

o An Annual Drexel BlackOut

Events

Recommendations (2009-2010)

Recommendations (by 2012)

• Events and promotions are planned in accordance with Drexel Green and Drexel University sustainability efforts.

• Develop measures of success and evaluate events and programs for effectiveness on an on-going basis.

• A Drexel Green events budget should be administered by a central Office of Sustainability with allocations made to student organizations and departments presenting sustainable programs.

o Drexel BlackOut University Housing and Residential Living

o Bring It Home Human Resources

o New Student Orientation Undergraduate Student Government Association

Events

Recommendations (by 2014)

• The Integrated Green Campus

o Sustainable practices and activities should be fully integrated into the fabric of Drexel University.

o Drexel Green will be a repository for centralization of information and advisory group for departments and

organizations hosting their own events.o The Drexel Green Events Committee…

Events

Communications

Communications & Marketing

• GOAL: Develop strategies and create materials to drive awareness of Drexel Green events and initiatives.

• Develop Identity and Presence

1. Website drexel.edu/sustainability developed

• Reviewed Drexel’s Benchmark Universities’ websites

• George Washington, NYU*, Boston, Northeastern, Carnegie Mellon*, Case Western Reserve, Tufts*, Lehigh

• Drexel Green Logo designed

*Best designed websites with substantive content; have an office of sustainability

Communications

Traditional Communications and Marketing Methods Utilized

• Drexel Green Website

• Drexel Daily Digest

• Drexel InfoNET

• Drexelink Monthly Newsletter

• Triangle Advertisements and Articles

• Posters / Flyers / Brochures

• Table Banners

• University-wide Emails

Communications

Social Media Implemented

• Facebook

• Wiki

• Podcasts

Communications

Recommendations Moving Forward• Survey audience to develop a strategic communications plan

• Utilize faculty in Department of Culture and Communication

• Determine audience’s preferred methods to receive communications

• Where should resources be focused? – Traditional communication methods and/or new social media?

• Measure behavioral change – adopting a greener lifestyle

• Redesign the Drexel Green website utilizing CMS

• Develop an Academics and Research section

• Feature testimonials about how Drexel Green has positively changed lifestyles

• Explore use of Twitter, RSS, Flickr, Blogs, YouTube, etc.

• Centralize communications/marketing duties for initiative

Communications

Buildings

Introduction/Activities

• Research: Drexel Buildings

• Sightlines Report- Energy consumption relative to other institutions

• Sustainable Endowment Fund (SEI) Report Cards

• Deferred Maintenance List- Greening opportunities

• Green Globes and LEED- Rating the sustainability of new construction

• Policy: Green Building Guidelines

• Improved policy for new construction

• Condensed, user-friendly reference guide

• Refers to a combination of codes and

rating systems

Buildings

Introduction/Activities

• Raising Awareness about Drexel’s Sustainability Commitment:

• Campus awareness through participation

• Community awareness through publication

Buildings

Benchmarking- Sightlines Report

Buildings

Benchmarking- Sightlines Report

Buildings

Near Term Recommendations

Buildings

1-3 Years

• Complete Steam Loop Project

• Steam is a major heat source for Drexel facilities

• Major carbon producer

• Implement Fundamental Commissioning for All Building Projects

• Regular evaluation of building systems

• “In-house” or 3rd party commissioning on all capital projects

• Implement a Drexel Community Energy Agreement Document

• Students – Optional, small, monthly fee added to housing costs

• Faculty/Staff – Optional, small, monthly payroll deduction

• No added financial burden on University

Near Term Recommendations

Buildings

1-3 Years• Implement New Green Building

Guidelines

• Public access to document via Drexel Green Website

• Reference key elements of well-established guidelines

• Provide a Written Plan for Carbon Reduction

• Based on baseline GHG inventory completed 4.30.09

• Improve SEI Report Card Scores

• Green Building grade ultimate goal: A

Long Term Recommendations

Buildings

3-5 Years

• Replace Unit Ventilators

• Forced air units will significantly improve occupant comfort and air quality

• Weatherize All Windows

• Improvements to building will increase energy efficiency

• Double-paned, low-e glass

• Include Improved Metering of Utilities

• Critical to identify inefficiencies and the impact of cost saving measures

• Ability to compare consumption/performance of individual buildings

Long Term Recommendations

Buildings

3-5 Years

• Installation of Domestic Pods

• Steam produced on site

• Fuel selection flexibility

• Efficiency

• Institutional Action Plan for a Climate Neutral Campus

• Set a target date for achieving climate neutrality

• Establish mechanisms for tracking progress on goals and actions

Operations

Introduction/Activities

• The Green Pledge: As of May 5, 2009, over 1500 faculty, staff and students have signed the pledge

• Goal: 75 percent of the University community will take the pledge by June 2010

• Goal: 95 percent of the University community will take the pledge by June 2012

• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle- the Three R’s in Action

• Individual responsibility

• University responsibility

The University must provide the resources to enable members of the community to act responsibly

Operations

Benchmarking- Recyclemania 2009 Results

Operations

Reduce• Goal: To reduce energy usage (per person) by 25% by 2020

• Increase the coverage and capability of Building Automation Systems• Increase the use of high efficiency lighting (move beyond compact fluorescent to LED)• Stride towards campus “energy independence” through the use of windmills,

geothermal, photovoltaic arrays, co-generation facilities, and ice plants

• Goal: To reduce natural resource consumption (per person) by 25% by 2020

• Reduce paper usage by encouraging the use of electronic communication; where printing is necessary the use of duplex printing

• Develop a prototype (50 student) computer testing center by August 2011; by August 2015 have facilities to handle 1000 students

• Reduce the usage of plastics and eliminate the usage of styrofoam by July 2012• Reduce water usage by incorporating low-flow devices in all renovations by July 2009• Achieve 100% recycling of packaging material by July 2012

• Goal: To reduce the usage of hazardous materials in research and teaching laboratories by 10% by 2015

Operations

Reuse

• Goal: To maximize the usage of existing materials, equipment and furnishings

• Create a dedicated asset management position by July 2010

• Develop a database of existing scientific equipment by January 2011

• Encourage the reuse/recycling of used scientific equipment

• Develop a database of hazardous materials by January 2011 to facilitate fiscal and environmental responsibility

• Implement a DragoncycleTM “freecycle” system by July 2011

Operations

Recycle

• Goal: To increase the recycling tonnage by 60% by 2020

• Require recycling centers to be designed into new construction specifications effective July 2009

• Complete a survey of existing recycling containers by January 2010

• Develop improved signage for recycling and trash containers by July 2010

• Create easily identified recycling centers on each floor of every building July 2011

• Standardize recycling containers across all buildings and campuses by July 2012

Operations

Improve Communications

• Goal: To improve communications regarding campus sustainability initiatives

• Develop an on-line FAQ page by September 2009

• Create an on-line suggestions page by September 2009

• Develop a sustainability presentation for Freshmen orientation 2009

• Distribute a reusable mug, a recycling brochure, an information brochure about the bike-share program and the SEPTA ComPass program, a copy of the Green Pledge

• Institute a student video contest for Earth Week 2010

Operations

Community

Introduction

• Our committee was organized around one central question:

• How can Drexel Students, Faculty and Staff play a more meaningful role outside Drexel’s borders with regard to greening and sustainability?

We conceived of “community” as a triad:

Micro: Drexel’s immediate physical communities.

Meta: Other colleges, universities and large non-profits in the region.

Macro: Broader set policy-making bodies such as the city, metropolitan or state actors.

Community

BenchmarkingAs an urban university, Drexel has numerous connections to

community based partners across our three campuses.

Drexel, like many Universities around the country, has recently accelerated its activities and programs around environmental stewardship on campus as well as engaging community partners.

Community-based engagement around sustainability includes the work of student groups, and the efforts of Drexel’s Office of Civic Engagement; the Co-op Office and Drexel’s Engineering Cities Initiative.

Community

Recommendations - Micro• Engage local stakeholders in sustainability-related activities,

including weatherization, multi-modal transit enhancement, community greening, green jobs and green building activities.

• Create a community-sustainability web portal.

• Find community applications to Drexel’s basic and applied science and engineering activities.

• Take on a community sustainability project each year that engages Drexel actors that has the potential to improve community outcomes.

Community

Recommendations - Meta

• Continue to support student, staff and faculty membership of national higher education, sustainability-focused organizations.

• Host regional events and conferences on sustainability that attracts local researchers, educators, activists and citizens.

• Take the lead in forming a regional organization of colleges and universities and other large non-profits focused on sustainability.

Community

Recommendations - Macro

• Expand current support for scientific and policy research done by Drexel faculty that has clear community benefits.

• Expand current relationships with the policy-making, public administration and non-profit agencies.

• Continue support for conferences, workshops and community-based planning efforts around sustainability programming.

Community

Moving Forward

Institutional Commitments to Support Sustainability

Moving Forward

• University Mission Statement

• College/Department/ Program Mission Statements

• Strategic Plan

• Budgetary Support

• Transparency

• Hiring and Promotion

• Reward System

• Measurement

• Celebration

• Infrastructure

Sources: Checkoway, 2001; Holland, 1999;Ramaley, 2005; Stephens, Colby,

Ehrlich & Beaumont, 2000; Stott, 2006; Thomas, 1998; Wellman, 1999

Proposed Infrastructure to Support Sustainability

Moving Forward

Board of TrusteesCommittee on Sustainability

Sustainability Office(Administrative)

Center/Institute for Sustainability

(Academic)

Sustainability CouncilStudents, Faculty and Staff

Response and Discussion