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With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name: Elizabeth Barthelmes
Position (in student organization): Leader of EcoPledge, Student Environmental Group
Date survey submitted: 7/13/2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability
organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: EcoPledge
Number of active members: 30, and 1,000 + person listserve
Website: Club Contact Information https://htmldbprod.bc.edu/pls/htmldb/f?p=127:4:2927282730311563::NO::P4_CLUB_ID:62
EcoPledge & Sustainability http://www.bc.edu/offices/sustainability/
Date of last meeting: 7/8/2009
Frequency of meetings: Weekly
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
Issue: Recycling and Composting
Program: EcoPledge members implemented a more extensive waste system that goes beyond recycling bins and trash cans, to include more efficient categories. These categories include waste, bottles and cans, papers, plastic containers, and food waste for composting. Students have been able to significantly reduce their trash waste at Boston College by following this system.
Issue: Energy Use
Program: The Bulb Brigade is a group of students that replaces old inefficient incandescent light bulbs with CFL’s in their dorms. The brigade goes door to door exchanging bulbs, posting energy saving tips, and spreading the word about the benefits to being more efficient.
Issue: Bottled Water Use
Program: In concurrence with the BC Dining’s decision to eliminate water bottles from the dining halls, EcoPledge hosts a water taste test for students to see if they can tell the difference between bottled, tap, and filtered water. This shows students that Boston’s drinking water is equal, if not better, than they expected. Students have consistently chosen filtered water as the top taste, and now have the choice to get filtered water at designated locations around campus.
Issue: Sustainable Curriculum
Program: EcoPledge has created a sector that works directly with faculty in an organization called SustainBC. These representatives are responsible for communicating ideas between the two groups, in hopes that more professors adapt ideas sustainability into their classes that relate to their field. Currently, Boston College has an Environmental Geosciences Major, Environmental Studies Minor, and Environmental Scholars Program. However, we feel that issues with sustainability should be discussed in all areas of study and should not be limited to discussion in courses focused on the topic.
Issue: Environmental Awareness
Program: EcoPledge hosts two large outdoor events during the year in order to create more environmental awareness in the Boston College community. The first is Harvest Fest, which showcases local food, sustainable ways to start the school year, and a number of environment focused activities. Resembling a fall fair, with pumpkin painting, candy apples, and live music, students from all areas can appreciate the lively New England atmosphere, while picking up a few good tips to save the environment! Second semester, students can head to the BC dustbowl for the annual Earth Day celebration. There we have hosted rallies, environmental speakers, musicians, and eco-friendly vendors.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
See above.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions
for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details for each competition.
#1 - Name of competition: Dorm NRG Contest
Year initiated: 2007
Frequency of competition: Annual
Participants: All students in Boston College dorms
Incentives: Pizza Parties and BBQ’s for the winning dorm
Goal of competition: Reduce energy consumption in the dorm
Percent of energy reduced: Saved 44,139 kilowatt hours of energy in residence halls
Lasting effects of competition: Students can now track their energy consumption on our Boston College Energy Dashboard site: http://buildingdashboard.com/clients/bc/
Website: http://www.bc.edu/offices/sustainability/events/annual_events.html
#2 - Name of competition: Recyclemania
Year initiated: 2005
Frequency of competition: Annual
Participants: Boston College, competing against other universities in the US
Incentives: Reducing our impact
Goal of competition: Reduce our trash waste
Waste reduced: 380430 pounds of recyclables collected
Lasting effects of competition:
Website: http://www.recyclemania.org/
SUSTAINABILITY IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT
3) Does your student government include a specific position or committee dedicated to campus sustainability issues?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe: Undergraduate Government of Boston College Director of Sustainability. They are responsible for seeing that the actions of UGBC are carried out sustainably and are there to assist other students groups in doing so as well. UGBC also hosts a Green Week during the year that includes speakers, town halls, and activities involved with the environment.
Websites: http://ugbc.bc.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=135
And http://www.bc.edu/offices/sustainability/events/2009_events.html
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
Student Energy Audits:
Elizabeth Barthelmes, an EcoPledge Leader and student working for the Office of Sustainably & Energy Management, has developed an energy audit program for Boston College’s perimeter properties, which consist of Jesuit Residences and offices within old homes. Students following the program study each property’s utility usage and cost history, complete a detailed energy audit, then assess the property’s potential for investments in new technology and structural updates. Through these audits, the school will become more sustainable and cost effective in its practices. Improving efficiency on campus is not only technical however, and to enhance “green” behavioral changes each property elects a staff member to join the Boston College Green Team. This Green Team member is responsible for promoting efficient practices, posting sustainably notices, and attending green workshops hosted by the Boston College Office of Sustainably & Energy Management.
Green Living Learning Community:
EcoPledge member, Emily Pierce, is working for the office of Sustainability & Energy Management and creating an Environmental Living Learning Community. This program will bring like-minded students from different disciplines together in an effort to “green” Boston College. Students will fulfill academic and service components related to sustainability and will be able to bring their gained knowledge into the grater BC community. The building hosting these students will also have additional features that support a sustainable lifestyle, such as low-flow shower heads, CFL’s, and more.
Student Tree Inventory:
EcoPledge students working in the Sustainability & Energy Management office are working this summer to inventory and identify all trees on Boston College property. They are gathering data that will allow a more accurate assessment of the BC Carbon Footprint. They must plot the location and species of each tree in order to calculate canopy cover and inform BC about trees that will be affected during new construction of our Brighton Campus.
5) Please list and briefly describe any other student-run organizations related to campus sustainability at your school, and provide URLs if available (e.g., student groups; student government committees; student-run food co-ops, gardens/farms, bike co-ops) and provide contact information of the student leaders, if possible: Real Food BC: Real Food BC works to create awareness about sustainable food on campus, runs an organic garden, and hosts a farmers market on campus. Website: http://www.bc.edu/clubs/realfood/
Contact: Julia Gabbert
Sustain BC: Faculty and Student group focused on increasing sustainable education and programs at Boston College.
Contact: Laura Hake
Addie’s Loft: Addie’s Loft is a dining option at BC that makes its dishes from seasonal and local farmer’s goods. It was started by BC Dining and Real Food BC, and is run by students interested in creating healthier choices for their peers.
http://www.bc.edu/offices/dining/locations/lcdf/balcony.html
Massachusetts Power Shift (MAPS): Two students from EcoPledge represent Boston College in MAPS, which is a non-partisan network of climate activists advocating for immediate, bold, and comprehensive solutions to climate change, through rallies, campaigns, and public lectures. MAPS is primarily led by college students, graduate students, and young professionals and tailors their events to fit these groups interests.
http://www.masspowershift.org/
Questions 6 is for informational purposes only; your response will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
6) Please list any regional or national networks with which your group is affiliated (e.g., Energy Action Coalition/Campus Climate Challenge, Sierra Student Coalition, a state PIRG, a state student sustainability coalition): N/A
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