Sustainability at Union

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Sustainability at Union
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Current status

• Union College Strategic Plan (2007)
• Strategy Invest in sustainability.
• A strategic focus on sustainability carries a
  number of benefits that support the bottom line,
  including energy efficiency. Investments in
  sustainable architecture can have very short
  pay-back periods. Like many other organizations,
  the College will find that sustainability makes
  good economic sense.
• Sustainability is not merely a strategy for
  reducing the long-term costs of operating the
  campus it will also turn the campus into a
  teaching tool. As we develop enhanced programs in
  environmental studies, environmental science, and
  environmental engineering, students and faculty
  can focus on monitoring our progress and
  developing new efficiency measures. Current and
  prospective students, alumni, and others will
  appreciate our efforts to create a more efficient
  campus with a smaller environmental footprint.

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Current status

• Union College Strategic Plan (2007)
• Invest in Sustainability
• Emphasizes economics, teaching
• No mention of moral obligation
• But, sustainability is now part of the discussion
  about future direction of college

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• 2006-2007
• Café Ozone enters its second year year
• Do it in the Dark saves 4 energy in the winter
• Step-it-up helps rally Schenectady and Union
  around combating climate change
• President Ainlay has signed College Commitment on
  Climate Change (CUPCCC)
• Union purchases wind offsets for 15 of our
  energy use
• Sustainability Committee forms

• 2007-2008
• 712 Huron has been renovated as an Eco-House
• Dining services adds an organic marketplace
• School takes over recycling
• Dining services begins composting

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How do we stack up
Union
Union
Were below the average for our peer
institutions Thats good!
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How do we stack up? (cont.)

• Sustainable Endowment Institute
• Union got a C (not bad)
• 2 As Climate change, Food Recycling
• 3 Bs Admin., Green building, Investments
• 2 Ds Transportation, Investment transparency
• F Shareholder engagement
• Good start, and were hoping to improve.

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Future steps

• Sustainability committee goals
• Increase awareness among students
• Maintain and expand current projects
• Raise to fund projects
• Website
• Track activities particularly carbon budget

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Future steps

• Some specific goals
• More local and organic food (O3 Marketplace,
  garden in 2008
• Enhance recycling across campus
• Freshman reading Field Notes from a
  Catastrophe
• Reduce use of cars by faculty, staff and students

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What can you do?

• Get involved!!
• Sustainability committee
• Ozone House
• Ozone Café
• Others!
• Much of the progress has been student-driven