2008 Woodie Awards
University joins society for sustainability
By: Kara Scheerhorn
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
Central Michigan University will continue to become a model community in the efforts toward a sustainable society by joining the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Sustainability is satisfying what is required presently without taking away from the needs of the future generations.
Tom Rohrer, director of the Environmental Studies Program, said the association is known nationwide.
University President Michael Rao initiated CMU's involvement with AASHE in order to continue to reduce the university's negative impact on the environment.
Vicki Graczyk, an Office of Finance and Administrative Services executive assistant, said this membership gives CMU access to the resources provided by the association to aid the campus community with ideas, projects and plans in order to help CMU implement action.
According to the group's official Web site, AASHE.org, the resources include workshops and training, specialized online resources and directories, interest groups and topical discussion lists and partnership projects with other associations and organizations.
"Two things that students and faculty have access to is the AASHE bulletin with news, resources and information on upcoming events on sustainability efforts," Graczyk said.
AASHE provides support to all members in order to employ change within higher education. The resources available encourage and teach students and faculty to make environmentally-friendly choices and to give individuals on campus the chance to carry out their environmental innovations.
Improvements on CMU's sustainability have made a positive impact on the campus' environment and budget. The campus already has seen an increase in recycling bins, low pressure facets, plans for new buildings to be certified as "green" by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and changes in temperature setting.
"Sustainability programs save the university money," he said.
In addition, Rao has also established CMU's Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee. This committee reviews and regulates CMU's current position in the sustainability effort along with the campus' future standpoint.
So far the committee has constructed goals for the first year along with goals for the future. Current goals include a comprehensive inventory of CMU's current and future energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, building growth and a plan to stabilize and reduce long-term energy and utility costs while recognizing future growth needs of the university.
news@cm-life.com
Sustainability is satisfying what is required presently without taking away from the needs of the future generations.
Tom Rohrer, director of the Environmental Studies Program, said the association is known nationwide.
University President Michael Rao initiated CMU's involvement with AASHE in order to continue to reduce the university's negative impact on the environment.
Vicki Graczyk, an Office of Finance and Administrative Services executive assistant, said this membership gives CMU access to the resources provided by the association to aid the campus community with ideas, projects and plans in order to help CMU implement action.
According to the group's official Web site, AASHE.org, the resources include workshops and training, specialized online resources and directories, interest groups and topical discussion lists and partnership projects with other associations and organizations.
"Two things that students and faculty have access to is the AASHE bulletin with news, resources and information on upcoming events on sustainability efforts," Graczyk said.
AASHE provides support to all members in order to employ change within higher education. The resources available encourage and teach students and faculty to make environmentally-friendly choices and to give individuals on campus the chance to carry out their environmental innovations.
Improvements on CMU's sustainability have made a positive impact on the campus' environment and budget. The campus already has seen an increase in recycling bins, low pressure facets, plans for new buildings to be certified as "green" by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and changes in temperature setting.
"Sustainability programs save the university money," he said.
In addition, Rao has also established CMU's Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee. This committee reviews and regulates CMU's current position in the sustainability effort along with the campus' future standpoint.
So far the committee has constructed goals for the first year along with goals for the future. Current goals include a comprehensive inventory of CMU's current and future energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, building growth and a plan to stabilize and reduce long-term energy and utility costs while recognizing future growth needs of the university.
news@cm-life.com
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