New
‘Lights Out’ campaign kicks off SU’s Climate Action Plan by supporting
efficient light use
Syracuse University students looking
for a way to combine their green, sustainable conscience with their creative,
artistic side can enter the “Lights Out” sticker contest to contribute to SU’s
goal of climate neutrality, as outlined in its recently released Climate Action
Plan. The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) and SU’s Sustainability Division have teamed
up to launch a contest in which students compete to design stickers that remind
students, faculty and staff to turn off the lights if they are the last to
leave a classroom, if they leave their room/office for more than 10 minutes, or
if they leave for the day.
NYPIRG and the Sustainability
Division have the common goal of bringing awareness to the campus to decrease
its carbon footprint. Concerned members of the SU community have contacted both
organizations about the need to reduce the amount of electricity consumed when
lights are left on in unoccupied spaces. In the fight to lower carbon
emissions, save energy and respond to the community’s concern, NYPIRG and the
Sustainability Division will display the winning sticker to remind all
students, faculty and staff to turn lights off when leaving. The sticker
contest will run from Oct. 20-Nov. 30.
The sticker with the best message
will be displayed above light switches across campus. In addition, the person
who wins the contest will receive a gift certificate to the SU Bookstore for
$250. Second and third places will receive gift certificates to area
businesses.
To qualify for the contest, each
sticker submission must be no larger than 4 inches wide by 2 and a half inches
high and convey a message that will remind occupants to turn off lights when
leaving a room. All contestants should go to Syracuse University Student Promotional Pack to
print or download the contest details and rules.
All affidavits and submissions should be mailed or emailed to Melissa Cadwell at Sustain@syr.edu or through campus mail to 621 Skytop Road, Suite 130.
NYPIRG is New York state’s largest student-directed environmental, consumer and
government reform organization. The Sustainability Division seeks to promote
sustainable practices that reduce the University’s environmental impact in an
economically responsible manner. Members of the SU community are encouraged to
view SU’s full Climate
Action Plan to learn more about the University’s goals and path toward
climate neutrality.
SU again receives strong marks in sustainability from Sustainable Endowments Institute
Thursday, October 8, 2009
By Sara Miller • (315) 443-9038
In recognition of Syracuse University’s continuing engagement with the world as a leader in promoting and practicing sustainability, the Sustainable Endowments Institute has again given the University strong marks in its 2010 College Sustainability Report Card.
According to the institute’s 2010 Report Card, SU earned an overall grade of “B”—a grade higher than last year—and received top grades in the categories of Administration, Climate Change & Energy, Transportation and Investment Priorities. In earning an “A” in each of these categories, the University is highlighted for the following:
- Administration: for the administrative committees and dedicated Sustainability Division and staff that lead campus sustainability initiatives, as well as Syracuse University’s Flexible Work and Sustainability Initiative, which includes telecommuting and flexible work options for staff.
- Climate Change & Energy: for the emissions inventory and Climate Action Plan SU has completed, as well as the temperature policies introduced last year, and the purchasing of 20 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources.
- Transportation: for the six hybrid and 12 electric vehicles in the campus fleet, and the many sustainable transportation and commuting initiatives, including SU’s Zipcar car-sharing program.
- Investment Priorities: for a focus on optimizing investment return and investing in renewable energy funds.
To view the complete report, visit http://www.greenreportcard.org.
Now in its fourth year, the College Sustainability Report Card covers the colleges and universities with the 300 largest endowments in the United States and Canada, as well as 32 additional higher education institutions. An institution’s overall grade is calculated from the grades received in nine equally weighted categories—administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities and shareholder engagement—and a total of 48 indicators are used to evaluate performance within the categories.
Among some of the other New York state colleges and universities, New York University, Cornell University and Columbia University all similarly received an overall grade of “B,” while Ithaca College earned a “B+” and the University at Buffalo received a “B-.”
Among some of the Big East Conference institutions, Georgetown University and the University of Notre Dame both received “B”s and Villanova University received a “B+.”
To learn more about SU’s sustainable practices and programs, including the Climate Action Plan, visit http://greenuniversecity.syr.edu.
New Sustainability facebook group
Looking to join a great sustainability group? Join the new Sustainability at Syracuse University facebook group.
This group is interested in furthering sustainability at Syracuse University. This site is a great way to exchange ideas, submit suggestions and information in all manners of life. Membership is not limited to current SU students, faculty or staff so please tell your friends and family to join.
