Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Campus Survey

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Table of contentsAdministrationAlumni green fundGreen purchasing policyRevolving loan fundSigned other climate commitmentSigned Presidents Climate CommitmentSustainability committeeSustainability officeSustainability staffSustainability websiteClimate Change & EnergyClimate Change & Energy gradeCommitment to emissions reductionEnergy efficiency measuresGreenhouse gas inventoryRealized emissions reductionRenewable energy creditsRenewable energy on campusRecycling - traditional materialsRecycling - electronic wasteGreen BuildingAdaptive reuseENERGY STAR buildingsGreen building policyLEED green buildingsOperations and maintenanceWater managementStudent InvolvementEco-Reps programEnvironmental studies major Green dorm or houseNew student orientationOutdoors clubStudent trustee positionSustainability campus jobTransportationAlternative fuel vehiclesBike sharing availableCar sharing availableDiscounted transit passStatisticsNumbr of buildings on campusStudent enrollmentStudents live on campus

 

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:  Mr. Dennis C. Cochrane
Title: Sustainability Program Manager, Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

Date survey submitted:  July 21, 2009 

ADMINISTRATION

SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES
1) Does your school have its own formal sustainability policy?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe and provide URL, if available: 

 

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved “The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution” on June 1, 2009.  http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf

2) Has the president of your institution signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)?
[ X]  No.  The Board of Visitors approved “The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution” on June 1, 2009.   http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf  Please see the additional narrative provided below.

[  ] Yes. If completed, please provide the date the GHG Report was submitted to the ACUPCC:  

 

In his April 25, 2008 Memorandum to the Committee on Energy and Sustainability, Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger stated “Virginia Tech would be better served by developing a sustainability plan that is specific to Virginia Tech than by my signing the generic President’s Climate Commitment.  Accordingly, I am assigning to the Committee on Energy and Sustainability the important responsibility of developing the draft Virginia Tech Climate Commitment.”  The President’s Memorandum is shown at Appendix A in the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan (VTCAC&SP). 

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf    To develop the draft “Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment (VTCAC) Resolution” and Sustainability Plan, the Committee on Energy and Sustainability established a 20-member subcommittee with Professor John Randolph as the Chair.   The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan (VTCAC&SP) Subcommittee had representation from all facets of the university and received additional assistance from a variety of units.  A listing of those involved is shown in the VTCAC&SP “Acknowledgements,” pages 1-2.

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf

 

As a point of departure, the Subcommittee used the requirements in the ACUPCC.  A comparison was made of our progress towards achieving the requirements in the ACUPCC, constraints and obstacles to achieve each the requirements, measures already taken at Virginia Tech, and in what areas we can exceed the standards in the ACUPCC.   Similar to the ACUPCC in many ways the VTCAC Resolution contains 14 items and is specific to Virginia Tech.  

 

Following approval by the Committee on Energy and Sustainability, the VTCAC Resolution was reviewed and approved using the university governance system.  The Commission on University Support reviewed and approved the VTCAC Resolution on March 19, 2009, and presented it to the University Council on March 30, 2009.  The 75-member University Council conducted their review and unanimously approved the VTCAC Resolution on April 22, 2009 (Earth Day). Using the university governance system is extremely noteworthy in that it enhanced “buy-in” from the entire university community.  The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors unanimously approved “The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution” at their regularly scheduled meeting on June 1, 2009.  

 

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Report:

Beginning with the Fall Semester 2007, students in Professor John Randolph’s Urban Affairs and Planning courses conducted an energy usage and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory for Virginia Tech, the Town of Blacksburg.  The GHG Inventory was completed in March 2008. See the VTCAC&SP, Section VI, beginning on page 23.

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf

 

The “Blacksburg Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report” with Appendices are shown on the Office of Sustainability website:  www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability  (See the left hand column with blue background toward the bottom).  Please note this report addresses three entities:  Virginia Tech, the Town of Blacksburg, and the local residents through the group Sustainable Blacksburg. 

3) Has your institution signed the Talloires Declaration?
[X]  No.  Please see the narrative directly below.
[  ] Yes

 

In the early 1990’s, Virginia Tech President James McComas provided leadership to enhance Virginia Tech’s environmental programs.  At the Virginia University President’s Council President McComas introduced the Talloires Declaration and encouraged all to support it.  As a direct result of his efforts, 14 Virginia colleges and universities signed the declaration.  During the development of our Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan (VTCAC&SP), we discovered that the Tallories Declaration website listed 144 U.S. colleges and university signatories with 22 from Virginia.  For whatever the reason, Virginia Tech was not listed.  In the VTCAC&SP, Section V, paragraph B.2., page 31, it states we should “make sure Virginia Tech is included along with the 22 other Virginia universities that have signed.” http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf.  We will pursue doing this. 

 

4) Is there a sustainability component in your institution's master plan and/or strategic plan (check all that apply)?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes, in the master plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:

Sustainability is an integral part of the Virginia Tech Campus Master Plan 2006 Update. See: 

http://www.oua.vt.edu/masterplan/Master%20PlanningBOV06-12-06.pdf
[X]  Yes, in the strategic plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:

The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution item 2 states “the university will represent the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan in the Virginia Tech Strategic Plan.”   Please see:  http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf

 

The 2006-2012 Strategic Plan Update demonstrates Virginia Tech’s commitment to sustainability through the three Scholarship Domains of Learning, Discovery, and Engagement.  Especially noteworthy are our strategic priorities in the Discovery Scholarship Domain to include:  Energy, Materials, and Environment; Social and Individual Transformation; Health, Food, and Nutrition; and Innovative Technologies and Complex Systems.    Furthermore, the Strategic Plan Update addresses three Foundation Strategies and includes Investment in the Campus Infrastructure that is consistent with the Campus Master Plan.  The 2006-2012 Strategic Plan Update Executive Summary is shown at: 

http://www.president.vt.edu/strategic-plan/exeutive-summary.html

 

In his July 10, 2009 Campus Notice, Senior Vice President and Provost Mark McNamee announced that we are at the mid-point of our 2006-2012 Strategic Plan and that we will access our progress and consider refinements.  Dr. McNamee mentions six specific developments that have occurred since the plan was adopted to include “opportunities in energy research and development,” and an “increase of interest and support for sustainability and environmental issues since 2006.”  The Campus Notice may be viewed at:

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/campus_notices/campusnotice.php?item=2455

 

Virginia Tech’s “Dean’s Task Force for Energy, Security, and Sustainability” was created by the university deans and the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) to “coordinate, promote, and position Virginia Tech's educational, research, and outreach efforts to achieve sustainable and secure energy systems.”  The task force plays a key role in implementing the university’s strategic plan, which is strongly focused on the discovery mission. The strategic plan has identified energy, materials, and environment as one of four broad areas of discovery that recognize Virginia Tech's strengths and its ability to address societal needs.  The task force will:

a.       Encourage and promote energy research, organizing activities that will bring researchers together to enhance internal and external contacts.

b.       Position Virginia Tech as a leading resource for research and policy initiatives.

c.        Help coordinate research in Virginia promoting outreach, including economic development functions in energy and environment.

d.       Expand relevant energy policy research at Virginia Tech in order to help decision makers achieve energy security and sustainability.

e.        Support the university as it becomes a model of excellent energy management. 

The Dean’s Task Force for Energy, Security, and Sustainability website may be viewed at: http://www.research.vt.edu/energy/

An article in the fall 2006 edition of the Virginia Tech Magazine provides an overview of both the Camus Master Plan Update 2006 and the 2006-2012 Strategic Plan.   Please see http://www.vtmagazine.vt.edu/fall06/feature2.html

 

ADVISORY COUNCIL
5) Does your school have a council or committee that advises on and/or implements policies and programs related to sustainability?
[  ]  No
[ X]  Yes
If you answered "No" to question 5, please proceed directly to question 11.

6) Please provide the name of the committee and list the number of meetings held since August 2008.
Name:  Energy and Sustainability Committee
Number of meetings held since August 2008:  8 monthly meetings were held during Academic Year 2008-2009 on the following dates:  September 25, October 15, November 17, and December 11, January 26, February 23, March 30, and April 29.

 

Minutes of the Energy and Sustainability Committee Meetings for Academic Year 2008-09 at: 

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/meeting_minutes_08-09.pdf

7) Please provide number of stakeholder representatives on the committee.
[ 9]  Administrators
[ 5]  Faculty
[ 2]  Staff
[ 4]  Students
[   ]  Other. Please describe:

The Energy and Sustainability Committee meets in Open Session and often has a number of invited guests and visitors from the university community.

 

The Energy and Sustainability Committee Roster for Academic Year 2008-2009 is as follows:

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/roster.pdf    The Energy and Sustainability Committee Roster for Academic Year 2009-2010 will be available in August 2009. 

 

8) Please provide the name of the chair(s) of the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year, and indicate which stakeholder group the chair(s) represents.
If 2009-2010 academic year information is not yet available, please provide information for 2008-2009 instead.
Name of chair(s): Mr. Michael Coleman
Position:  Associate Vice President for Facilities Services (Administrator).

9) To whom does the committee report (e.g., president, vice president)?

The Energy and Sustainability Committee reports to the Commission on University Support. Please see the “Charge” line at the top of the Energy and Sustainability Committee Roster: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/roster.pdf)

The Commission on University Support reports to the University Council.  The University Governance System may be viewed on the following link:

http://www.governance.vt.edu/

10) Please list key issues/programs that the committee has addressed or implemented since August 2008.

Key issues/programs that the group has addressed/implemented since August 2008:

a.       Revision of the Campus Energy and Water Policy 5505.

b.      The development and approval of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment

Resolution and acceptance of the accompanying Sustainability Plan.  The University Governance System to be utilized for the review and approval process.  President Steger’s goal was to have the University Council act on the VTCAC Resolution by the end of the 2009 Spring Semester.   

 

Progress made on each of these issues since August 2008:

a.       On January 14, 2009, the Vice President for Administrative Services approved the revised

Campus Energy and Water Policy 5505.   http://www.policies.vt.edu/5505.pdf

b.      On April 22, 2009 (Earth Day), the University Council enthusiastically approved the

Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution.  Please see the Minutes of the University Council Meeting (the second item under “old Business”), Commission on University Support Resolution 2008-09C, The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment.  http://www.governance.vt.edu/univcouncil/ucminutes-04-22-09.pdf

 

On June 1, 2009, at their regularly scheduled meeting, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution and accepted the accompanying Sustainability Plan. 

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf 

 

SUSTAINABILITY STAFF
11) Does your school employ sustainability staff (excluding student employees and interns)?
[  ]  No
[ X]  Yes. Please provide titles and number of sustainability staff.
[ 7]  Number of full-time staff (in FTE). Titles:

     Sustainability Program Manager (Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services Department)

     Energy Manager (Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services Department)

     Alternative Transportation Sustainability Manager (Office of Transportation, Facilities Svcs)

     Dining Service Sustainability Coordinator (Housing and Dining Services)

     Recycling Staff (3) (Grounds, Building Systems, and Housekeeping, Facilities Svcs, Dept)
[ 0 ]  Number of part-time staff (in FTE). Titles:

12) Does the head of the sustainability staff report directly to the president or another high-level administrator (e.g., vice president, vice chancellor)?
[  ]  N/A
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe:   Associate Vice President for Facilities Services

OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT
13) Does your school have an office or department specifically dedicated to furthering sustainability on campus?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe (including name of office or department and year created): The Office of Sustainability was created within the Facilities Services Department in June 2009. 

 

The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution item 5 states:   “Virginia Tech will establish an Office of Sustainability to:

(1)   Coordinate programs for campus sustainability,

(2)   Oversee implementation of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan,

(3)   Monitor annual electricity and other energy use, and GHG emissions, and

(4)   Manage campus-wide student internships and undergraduate research program. 

 

The Office of Sustainability consists of the following three positions:

(1)    Sustainability Program Manager

(2)    Energy Manager

(3)    Graduate Assistant

WEBSITE
14) Does your school have a website detailing its sustainability initiatives?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please provide URL:   www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability

GREEN PURCHASING
15) Does your school have a formal green purchasing policy?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to full policy, if available:

 

Please see item 9 in the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf

16) Does your school purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products?
[  ]  No
[  ]  Some. Please describe:  

[X]  All.  Please describe:  As stated in our response to question 15 above, we have a policy in place for the purchase of Energy Star qualified products.  For the central offices on campus the Virginia Tech Purchasing Department operates a centralized purchasing system and purchases Energy Star products.  Individual departments operate on a decentralized purchasing system and purchase Energy Star products when available. 

17) Does your school purchase environmentally preferable paper products (e.g., 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council)?
[  ]  No

[  ]  Some. Please describe:   

[X]  All. Please describe: As stated in our response to question 15 above, we have a policy in place and know that an increasing level of paper being purchased is at least 30% PCW. The majority of our copier machines are leased and contracts require vendors to provide paper that is at least 30% PCW.  Individual departments operate on a decentralized purchasing system and are encouraged to purchase environmentally preferable paper products. 

18) Does your school purchase Green Seal, Environmental Choice certified, or biorenewable cleaning products?
[  ]  No
[  ]  Some. Please describe:
[X]  All. Please describe:  Our vendor supply contracts have been completed and we are purchasing Green Seal cleaning products.  All new buildings will be outfitted with green cleaning equipment.  Cleaning equipment for existing buildings is being replaced with green products. 

19) Are your school's computer/electronics purchase decisions made in accordance with standards such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)?
[  ]  No
[X]  Some. Please describe: Virginia Tech Information Technology Acquisition highlights, but does not require, computer models to meet EPEAT standards. 
[  ]  All

20) Does your school use only pesticides that meet the standards for organic crop production set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Canadian Organic Standards (excluding on-campus farms)?
[  ]  No
[X]  Some. Please describe: Virginia Tech participates in a nutrient management program that is controlled by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.  We must stay within certain criteria mandated by the state.

[  ]  All

 

CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY
21) Has your school completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory?
Please check all that apply.
[  ]  No.
[  ]  In progress. Please describe status and provide estimated completion date:
[X]  Yes.  The GHG Emissions Inventory was completed in March 2008.  Please see Section IV “Virginia Tech Greenhouse Gas Inventory,” beginning on page 23 of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan.  http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf 

 

Please provide total annual GHG emissions (in metric tons of CO2e). Also, include the start date for each year as well as the URL to each inventory, if available online, or attach the document.
2008:  338,000 tons (estimated)

2007:  335,000 tons (estimated)

2006:  316,000 tons
2005:  301,000 tons

COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The purchase of carbon offsets does not count toward greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions for this indicator. They are counted in a subsequent indicator.

22) Has your school made a commitment to reducing GHG emissions by a specific amount?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please list details. (see narrative below)
Reduction level:   80% below the 1990 emission level
Baseline year: 1990
Target date:  2050

 

As stated in item 3 of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution, Virginia Tech will establish a target for reduction of campus GHG emissions to 80% below 1990 emission level by 2050, and interim targets from 2006 emissions of 316,000 tons consistent with the Virginia Energy Plan, the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change, the Town of Blacksburg, and the federal administration: for 2012, 295,000 tons (on path to 2025 target); for 2025, 255,000 tons (2000 emission level); and for 2050, 38,000 tons (80% below 1990 emission level).

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf

If you answered only "No" or "In progress" to question 21, please now skip to question 27.

REALIZED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
23) Has your school achieved a reduction in GHG emissions?  Not available at this time.
[ X]  No  (Not as of 2008, however, we expect to see reductions for 2009.)
[  ]  Yes. Please list details.
Percentage reduced:
Baseline year:
Date achieved:

24) Please provide the total heating and cooling degree days averaged over the past three years.   Data on total degree heating and cooling days is available at: http://www.degreedays.net/. This information will be used to help reduce bias between schools in different climates.

Cooling degree days average over the past three years: 650
Heating degree days average over the past three years: 5,559

25) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-thousand-square-foot basis for the past three years.
Per-Thousand-Square-Foot Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total maintained building space in thousands of square feet.

2008:  40.49 total estimated CO2e in metric tons/total maintained bldg space in K sq. ft.

           (338,000 total estimated CO2e in metric tons/8,347 K sq. ft.)

2007:  42.07 total estimated C02e in metric tons/total maintained bldg space in K sq. ft.

           (335,000 total estimated CO2e in metric tons/ 7,963K sq. ft.)

2006:  41.31 total CO2e in metric tons/total maintained building space in thousands of sq. ft.
           (316,000 total CO2e in metric tons/7,650 sq. ft.)

26) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-full-time-student basis for the past three years.
Per-Student Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total number of full-time enrolled students.

2008:  13.06 total estimated CO2e in metric tons/full-time student

           (338,000 total estimated CO2e in metric tons/25,871 students)

2007:  13.31 total estimate CO2e in metric tons/fun-time student)

           (335,000 total estimated CO2e in metric tons/25,166 students)

2006:  12.38 total CO2e in metric tons/full-time-student

           (316,000 total CO2e in metric tons/24,622 students)

 

Virginia Tech is located between the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny Mountains at an elevation of 2,100 feet.  Our campus is beautifully landscaped and contains a variety of trees and shrubs.  Our Arboretum Committee is very active and oversees our landscape program.  To further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan recommends planting 100-200 two- inch caliper trees per year to maximize canopy cover by 2025.  See http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf, pages 49-51.  Including tree planting in our sustainability plan is a direct result of the following two achievements. 

 

VIRGINIA TECH SELECTED AS A “TREE CAMPUS USA” SITE AND HOSTED A “CAMPUS TREE TOUR 2008” EVENT.  Last summer Virginia Tech was selected by the National Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota as a “Tree Campus USA” site, and was one of only nine colleges and universities in the nation to host a “Campus Tree Tour 2008” event in the fall.   The Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota presented our university with 100 free native trees which we selected, a beautiful plaque, and a flag.   The Campus Tree Tour 2008 event was held on October 21, 2008 during “Sustainability Week 2008.” Over 200 volunteers participated to include over 100 students.  It was a huge success.  See www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability and view the fifth article in the center column.

 

2009 GOVERNOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE “BRONZE” AWARD.  The actual tree planting event was submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for consideration for a 2009 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award.  The nomination packet is shown here: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/Environmental_Excellence.pdf

You will see it contains a wealth of material to include the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota press release and congratulatory letter, the sequence of events of the ceremony on October 21, lots and lots of photos with captions included, etc.

 

Virginia Tech’s tree planting event was selected for a 2009 Governor’s Environmental Excellence “Bronze” Award which was presented during the 20^th Annual Virginia Environment Symposium held on the campus of the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington on April 1, 2009.  Associate Vice President for Facilities Services Michael Coleman received a certificate signed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant, Jr.  (See http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/09_Govern_Award.pdf ) and a beautifully framed medallion.  Please see the sustainability website at www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability and view the fourth article in the center column.    

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
27) What programs or technologies has your school implemented to improve energy efficiency (e.g., cogeneration plant, retrocommissioning of HVAC systems, performing system tune-ups, temperature setbacks)? 

 

Please see the VTCAC Resolution item 7:

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf, and the Campus Energy and Water Policy 5505, paragraph 3.3, pages 2 and 3:  http://www.policies.vt.edu/5505.pdf

 

a.       In accordance with the Campus Energy and Water Policy 5505, paragraph 3.3.1, page 2,

the Campus-wide space temperature set points were reset to 68 degrees Fahrenheit for the winter heating season in December, 2008, and to 74 degrees Fahrenheit for the summer cooling season beginning in June, 2009.  

 

b.      Implemented a program to shut down air handling units during periods when that

associated space is unoccupied.  The general shutdown schedule is as follows:

·        Weeknights:  10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.

·        Weekends:       6:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.

The shutdown program has been activated in all of the Education and General (E & G state funded)   buildings plus the major athletics facilities which can be shut down during unoccupied hours and have HVAC systems with fan motors greater than or equal to 15 HP.   A total of 114 air handling units with a combined 2560 HP in 24 buildings are now operating on a night/weekend shutdown schedule.  Most are on the general schedule shown above with others that are modified due to activities in the building.

 

The shutdown schedule will be expanded to include equipment with less than 15 HP fan motors in the E & G buildings as well as other auxiliary facilities in the coming weeks.  We estimate that approximately 115 additional air handling units having a combined 1458 HP in 23 buildings will be added to the shutdown schedule.

 

c.       A process to check damper operations on air handling systems is ongoing with repairs

being made as necessary.  It is critically important that during the winter the dampers operate properly so as to prevent the coils from freezing with the night shutdown of the air handling units.  See the “Sustainability and Energy Conservation Update.”   Associate Vice President Michael Coleman gave an update to the Staff Senate on February 19, 2009.  www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability

 

d.      Energy Service Company (ESCO) opportunities.  Please see the narrative provided in 

Question #49. 

 

“Energy Efficiency” is a key component in the recent Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Order 82 (2009) “Greening of State Government” signed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine on June 10, 2009. See page 5:  http://www.naturalresources.virginia.gov/documents/EO82.PDF    

Virginia Tech was one of only 17 state agencies and institutions that demonstrated that it “met the 10 percent energy savings goal established for 2006 in Executive Order 54 (2003), and is presently on target to reduce costs of non-renewable energy purchases by an additional 15 percent of fiscal year 2006 expenditures by fiscal year 2010.”  E.O. 82 (2009) requires all state agencies and institutions to achieve an additional savings of 5 percent of fiscal year 2006 expenditures by fiscal year 2012.  As stated in item 13 of the VTCAC Resolution, the university will monitor and make adjustments with energy use based on changing “external conditions.”

ENERGY CONSERVATION
28) Do you facilitate programs that encourage members of the campus community to reduce energy use (e.g., cash incentives, signs reminding individuals to turn off lights and appliances)? 
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe: See comments below.

Use of Campus Notices in the “Virginia Tech News Daily E-Mail.” 

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/campus_notices/campusnotice.php?item=2125

 

“Sustainability and Energy Conservation Update.”   Associate Vice President Michael Coleman gave an update to the Staff Senate on February 19, 2009.  www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability

 

Campus Energy and Water Policy 5505.  http://www.policies.vt.edu/5505.pdf

 

Reminder stickers in Residence Halls: Stickers have been placed on light switch plates in

the Residence Halls that have an arrow pointing down and says turn off when not in use.  These stickers came as a result of collaboration between a student working group in the Environmental Coalition and Student Programs.  Paper towel dispensers also have stickers that say, "Remember these come from trees" to remind students to only take however many towels they really need.

 

Freshmen and Transfer “Student Orientation Sustainability Resource Information.”  See the Office of Sustainability website:  www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability

RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
29)  Does your school generate renewable electricity?
[X]  No  Virginia Tech is currently actively investigating the possibility of co firing clean biomass materials in the Central Steam Plant’s existing boilers, and if things look promising, we will attempt to conduct a test fire of this material in the next 12 months.
[  ]  Yes. Please specify percentage of overall electricity generated from each of the following sources and describe details below.
[    %]  B100 biodiesel
[    %]  Clean biomass
[    %]  Concentrating solar power (CSP)
[    %]  Geothermal
[    %]  Low-impact hydropower
[    %]  Solar photovoltaics
[    %]  Wind
[    %]  Other

 

Description:  Virginia Tech is involved in numerous renewable energy research initiatives:

 

Dean’s Task Force on Energy, Security, and Sustainability:  The primary mission of the task force is to “coordinate, promote, and position Virginia Tech's educational, research, and outreach efforts to achieve sustainable and secure energy systems.”  Please see:

http://www.research.vt.edu/energy/

 

Community Action Grants for Energy Research.  During the 2009 Spring Semester, Virginia Tech’s Office of the Vice President for Research established a grant program in the field of energy and sustainability research to promote collaboration between Virginia Tech researchers, the university community, and the local community.  Proposals selected included a Virginia Tech-YMCA partnership project to demonstrate the feasibility of small wind turbines for use in a campus or residential setting (called Y-Wind?), and funding to develop a Town of Blacksburg Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan similar to the VTCAC&SP. 

 

The university hosts the “Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER),” a state-wide research center established by the General Assembly in 1977.  VCCER has a long history of research and outreach for the Commonwealth of Virginia including the annual report, “Virginia Energy Patterns and Trends.”  It is becoming a national leader in research on carbon sequestration from coal combustion.

 

2009 Solar Decathlon Competition:  Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in partnership with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory, this is an international competition for colleges and universities to design, build, and operate a solar-powered house.  The Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies will once again lead our participation.  Our university participated in the 2003 and 2005 competitions, and placed fourth out of 18 teams overall in 2005 in the competition held on the Mall in Washington. D.C.   See: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2008&itemno=52

2010 Solar Decathlon in Europe Competition:  Virginia Tech is one of only two U.S. universities invited to compete in the Solar Decathlon Europe in 2010 to be held in Madrid, Spain, in June.  See:  http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=426

 

2009 National Science Foundation EcoCar Challenge Competition:  EcoCar is a design competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.  Engineering students across North America participated in the development of the “green” vehicles of the future.  Virginia Tech’s team placed sixth out of 17 schools in the competition.  Please see:

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=501

 

The Virginia Tech Foundation is utilizing geothermal heating in two new buildings at our Corporate Research Center on the Blacksburg campus. 

30)  Does your school have solar hot water systems?
[  ]  No. 
[ X]  Yes. Please specify number of systems and total BTUs generated annually, if available:

 

We have solar hot water on research projects to include the following:

 

2009 Solar Decathlon Competition. Please see: 

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2008&itemno=52

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=439

 

2010 Solar Decathlon Competition in Madrid, Spain.  Please see:

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=426

RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASE
31) Has your school purchased electric energy from renewable sources or renewable energy credits (RECs)?
RECs and electricity from renewable sources must be Green-e certified or meet the requirements of the Green-e standard.
[X]  No
[  ]  Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (kWh):
Percentage of your total electric energy use that it represents:

32) Has your school purchased non-electric energy from renewable sources?
[X]  No.  We purchase over 93% of our electricity from American Electric Power (AEP).  Most of their electricity is supplied from coal-fired power plants in neighboring states.  AEP is exploring opportunities to purchase green power for purchase by their customers. 
[  ]  Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (BTUs):
Percentage of your total non-electric energy use that it represents:

ON-SITE COMBUSTION

33) Please provide total BTUs of energy for heating and cooling from on-site combustion:

The total BTUs of energy for heating and cooling from on-site combustion for the past 12 month period is 1,265,601,375,000.  This is used to generate steam for campus heating, other steam processes, hot water, and electrical production by means of a back pressure non-condensing steam turbine. 

 

Our chillers are electricity driven.  While the input heat described above is not directly used for cooling, the electrical power produced by the turbine offsets the university’s electric consumption during the months when mechanical cooling is required. 

34) Please list each fuel source (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil) and the percent of overall BTUs derived from that source:

Coal:  89 %                 

Natural Gas:  10%

Oil:  2%  

35) Is any on-site combustion for heating and cooling derived from renewable sources?
[X]  No.  Virginia Tech is currently actively investigating the possibility of co firing clean biomass materials in the Central Steam Plant’s existing boilers, and if things look promising, we will attempt to conduct a test fire of this material in the next 12 months.

[  ]  Yes. Please describe.
Percentage on-site combustion derived from renewable sources: [   %]
Total BTUs of energy generated from renewable sources: [#      ]
Description of renewable energy sources used for on-site combustion for heating and cooling:

FOOD & RECYCLING
The food portion of this category is covered in a separate dining survey.

RECYCLING OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS
36) Please indicate which traditional materials your institution recycles (check all that apply).

[   ]  None
[X]  Aluminum
[X]  Cardboard
[X]  Glass (all colors)
[X]  Paper (office paper-all colors, pressboard, glossy magazines, phonebooks/directories, hard back and paper back books, paper packaging materials)

[   ]  Plastic (all)
[X]  Plastics (some)  (#1 and #2)
[X]  Other. Please list:

        Scrap metals

        Wooden shipping pallets

        Motor Oil and filters

        Parts washing fluid

        Kitchen grease

See:  http://facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/recycle/results.asp

37) Diversion rate: [ 28.77 %]

RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
38) Does your institution have an electronics recycling program?

[   ]  No
[X]  Yes. If available, please indicate the total annual weight or volume of each material collected for recycling or reuse.
[X]  Batteries (10.96 tons)
[X]  Cell phones (No organized campus program, however individuals are encouraged to use drop sites at retail cell phone business)
[X]  Computers/Printers (15.21 tons)
[X]  Light bulbs (Fluorescent bulbs 11.98 tons)
[X]  Printer cartridges (0.250 tons)
[X]  Other E-waste. Please list:

        Fluorescent Light Ballasts (6.65 tons)

See:  http://facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/recycle/results.asp

 

ELECTRONIC-WASTE EVENT:  For the second year in a row, Apple Computer sponsored and Virginia Tech hosted an “Electronic-Waste” Recycling Event. This year it was held at the old Blacksburg Middle School during the period November 6-8, 2008. The Environmental, Health, and Safety Services (EHSS) served as the university lead.  Over 6.5 tractor trailer truckloads of e-waste were collected at the collection event which included two truckloads previously positioned with e-waste from the Montgomery County School System. The estimate weight total was over 100,000 pounds. Two full truckloads of monitors, which included about 15,000 pounds of old university monitors, were included in those totals. The university saved about $6,000 by participating in this event. For the past two years we were able to assist the Montgomery County School system by moving over 4 truckloads of e-waste at no cost to them.

COMPOSTING (ASIDE FROM DINING FACILITIES)
39) What percentage of your campus's landscaping waste is composted or mulched?
[ 80 %]

40) Do you provide composting receptacles around campus in locations other than dining halls (e.g., in residence halls, offices, academic buildings)?
[X]  No
[  ]  Yes. Please describe:

SOURCE REDUCTION
41) Do you have any source-reduction initiatives (e.g., end-of-semester furniture or clothing swaps and collections)?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe:

 

The Virginia Tech Office of Sustainability and Virginia Tech Recycling work closely with the local YMCA in the planning and implementation of the annual “Y-Toss?” event, which takes place over several days prior to Commencement, when the 8500+ campus residential students are finishing up exams and moving out of their rooms. Y-Toss? volunteers solicit donations of “gently used” discards from the students, and the discards are then sorted, catalogued, and re-sold to incoming students the following fall at the YMCA’s Thrift Store, here in Blacksburg.   The “Y-Toss?” event, which has grown significantly over the past four years, grew out of an earlier initiative called “Got Stuff?” and involves months of pre-planning, and the involvement of more than 150 volunteers, organized and coordinated through an ad hoc committee led by students, and supported by Y staff, as part of the YMCA student leadership-building program.

 

For reference, please see the Y-Toss? 2008 Collection Summary Report at the following link:

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/2008_collection_summary.pdf  Y-Toss? 2008 received a 2009 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award.

Please see the Y-Toss? 2009 Press Release at the following link:

http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/Ytoss_ Press_Release.PDF

           

The tally of items collected from Y-Toss? 2009, as reported on the Y-Toss website, are as follows:

o       Bags of clothing = 100+

o       Fans = 80+

o       Hutches = 90+

o       Microwaves = 40+

o       Rugs/carpets= 240+

o       Shelves = 47

o       Crates of food = 40+

o       Other: Lamps, TVs, fridges, desks, chairs, bikes, plastic drawer sets, sofas, stereos, tables, vacuums, house wares, etc.

The total estimated weight for all items collected was approximately 6 tons, allowing the university to avoid payment of “tipping fees” for landfill disposal

 

GREEN BUILDING

GREEN BUILDING POLICY
42) Does your school have a formal green building policy?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to the full policy, if available: See item 6 of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution:   http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/climateAction.pdf

 

“Building and Facility Construction” is a key component in the recent Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Order 82 (2009) “Greening of State Government” signed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine on June 10, 2009. See page 3:  http://www.naturalresources.virginia.gov/documents/EO82.PDF    

GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
43) Please indicate LEED-certified buildings.
[#  0]  Total number of LEED-certified buildings.
[    sq ft]  Certified-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[    sq ft]  Silver-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[    sq ft]  Gold-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[    sq ft]  Platinum-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:

44) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED certification criteria but are not certified.
[#  12]  Total number of buildings that meet LEED criteria

[ 472,000 sq ft]  Certified-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage).

Please list building names:

a.       Virginia Tech-Carillion Medical School and Research Institute.

b.      Center for the Arts.

c.       Geosciences Building and Discovery Center-Sciences Research Laboratory I.

d.      Davidson Hall Renovation (Chemistry). 

e.       Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) II.

f.        Visitors Undergraduate and Admissions Center.

[ 652,600 sq ft]  Silver-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:

a.       Engineering Signature Building.

b.      Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building I.

c.       Virginia Bioinformatics Institute Addition.

d.      Academic and Student Affairs Building.

e.       Henderson Hall Renovation and Black Box Theater Addition.

f.        Ambler Johnston Residence Hall-Improve Residence and Dining Halls.

[ 0 sq ft]  Gold-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage).

Please list building names:

 

[ 0 sq ft]  Platinum-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage).

Please list building names:

45) Please indicate buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.

[#  0 ]  Total number of ENERGY STAR buildings.
[ 0 sq ft]  Combined gross square footage.

Please list building names:

RENOVATIONS AND RETROFITS
46) Please indicate LEED-EB certified buildings.
[#  0 ]  Total number of LEED-EB certified buildings.
[ 0 sq ft]  Combined gross square footage.
Please list building names:

47) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED-EB certification criteria but are not certified.
[#  0 ]  Total number of buildings that meet LEED-EB criteria but are not certified.

[ 0 sq ft]  Combined gross square footage.
Please list building names:

48) Please indicate renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[#  0 ]  Total number of renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.

[ 0 sq ft]  Combined gross square footage.

Please list building names:

 

49) What energy-efficiency technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., HVAC systems, motion sensors, ambient light sensors, T5 lighting, LED lighting, timers, laundry technology)?  
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of maintained building space have been retrofitted with motion sensors; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data). 

 

Five buildings were selected under an Energy Service Company (ESCO) program for energy audits to include:  McBryde Hall (academics), Hahn Hall (research), Pritchard Hall (residential), Dietrick Hall (dining), and the Cassell Coliseum/Jamerson Athletic Center (athletics).  PEPCO was hired by the university to undertake this work and will be responsible for implementing energy conservation measures under the State ESCO program run by Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy.  The energy conservation methods will range from lighting upgrades, modifications of HVAC controls, building envelope improvements, Power House boiler system upgrades and water conservation measures.   Over the next few years this program is anticipated to expand to other existing buildings on campus.

 

Virginia Tech has a $28.5 million capital project established to carry out upgrades to the steam utility distribution system and Central Steam Plant.  This project will provide new steam underground piping across campus which will greatly improve efficiency, will reduce heat losses, and provide a new ability to co-generate electricity during the summer months.  Replacing steam traps and installing Variable Frequency Drives on our higher horsepower fan motors significantly reduces energy consumption.   Annually this project will provide more than $1 million in fuel savings and will reduce emissions by 10 tons. 

 

The university has retrofitted light fixtures in Wallace Hall, Whittemore Hall, Hahn Hall, the College of Veterinary Medicine facilities, Hancock Hall and the Human Resources Annex which collectively will provide in excess of $120,000 in annual savings.  Subject to the availability of funding, Fralin Hall will be retrofitted with enhanced lighting.

 

Energy saving occupancy sensors were recently installed in 146 classrooms which will result in excess of $10,000 in annual savings.

 

Housing and Dining Services manages 50 of the 126 major buildings on the main campus.  A significant number of initiatives have been undertaken to enhance energy efficiencies and conservation in the residence halls.   For example, in the common areas we have retrofitted T12 light fixtures with the more efficient T8 light fixtures.  We have replaced the stand-alone 9v battery operated smoke detectors with the 10-year lithium type.  Most of the residence halls have received new windows.  We recently replaced the roofing systems on some residence and dining halls with a “white roof” system which is a white membrane type which significantly reduces the cooling needs of the building compared to the previous rubber/tar/gravel systems.

Virginia Tech is pleased to be one of the founding partners, along with Hannon Armstrong and

Pepco Energy Services, in the $500 million “Energy Efficiency Partnership of Greater

Washington” established in October 2007. Virginia Tech and our partners are launching a large-scale building retro-fitting project in the Washington metropolitan area. Pepco Energy Services will carry out energy audits, supply materials, and perform building retrofits as well as guarantee the energy savings of the retrofit projects. Hannon Armstrong, an energy efficient financier, has made a substantial commitment to finance the retrofitting at no capital cost to building owners. Virginia Tech enhances the partnership through its core missions of research, learning, and outreach.

50) What water-conservation technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., low-flow faucets, low-flow showerheads, waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, gray water systems, laundry technology)?  
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of the maintained building space have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).  

 

a.       Residence Halls:

 

Water saving toilets, urinals, flush valves, faucets, and showerheads have been installed in two major existing residence halls:

 

Pritchard Hall                                       148 Toilets and Flush Valves

(211,481 sq. ft.)                                   108 Urinals and Flush Valves

                                                                48 Sink Faucets

                                                                144 Showerheads

 

Lee Hall                                               88 Toilets and Flush Valves

(159,278 sq. ft.)                                  30 Urinals and Flush Valves

                                                               32 Sink Faucets

                                                              116 Showerheads

 

These and other residence hall renovations are featured in the following article:

 http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=533

 

b.      Classroom/Support Buildings

 

Water saving toilets, urinals, flush valves, faucets, flow controls and showerheads have been installed in the following existing buildings:

 

McBryde Hall                                       58 Toilets and Flush Valves

(Classroom Bldg, 132,244 sq. ft.)         28 Urinals and Flush Valves

                                          56 Flow Controls

 

Pamplin Hall/New Section                    21 Toilets and Flush Valves

(Classroom Bldg, 55,878 sq. ft.)             5 Urinals and Flush Valves                                         

                                          18 Flow Controls

 

Sterrett Facilities Complex                    23 Toilets and Flush Valves

(Support Bldg, 75,521 sq. ft.)            9 Urinals and Flush Valves

                                          16 Sink Faucets and Flow Controls

                                          2 Showerheads

 

Grounds Building)                                 8 Toilets and Flush Valves

(Support Bldg, 20,769 sq. ft.                3 Urinals and Flush Valves

                                          12 Sink Faucets and Flow Controls

                                          1 Showerhead

 

Water conservation measures implemented in McBryde Hall, Pamplin Hall/New Section, and the Sterrett Facilities Complex save approximately 2.1 million gallons of water annually.

 

These buildings have a total of 655,171 sq. ft., which represents approximately 8% of the total sq. ft. for our 126 major building on campus.  

 

The new additions to our existing Fleet Services Building will capture and utilize gray water. 

 

For many years, the university has incorporated into all new buildings and major renovations low flow toilets, sinks, shower heads and urinals.  This standard is codified in the Virginia Tech Standards and Guidelines.  Though exact numbers and types of fixtures installed are unavailable, it is reasonable to assume, based on the significant amount of new construction on campus over the last several years, the total number is significant.  www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/Design_Guidelines.pdf.

51) What percentage of your institution's non-hazardous construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfills?   [20 %]

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
52) Are there any sustainability-themed residential communities or housing options at your school?
[X]  No
[   ]  Yes. Please provide details below.
Name of program:
Type of community (e.g., hall, building, house):
Number of students involved:
Additional details:

 

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
53) Does a portion of your new student orientation specifically cover sustainability?
[   ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe how sustainability is incorporated (e.g., information sessions, green tour):

 

There are two main portions of new student orientation that will cover sustainability:

• Small discussions by Transfer Student and Freshmen Orientation Leaders.
• Informational materials available at the Hokie Resource Fair and online.

 

a.       Small Discussions:  The Office of Sustainability facilitated a training session with the

Transfer Student and Freshmen Orientation Student Leaders to stress the importance of sustainability to our new students and to inform them on what Virginia Tech is doing.  The main topics of the training and resulting discussion are: an overview of the major environmental issues, issue connectivity, societal impact and Virginia Tech's impact, why the Hokies are addressing sustainability and what we are doing, and what are the 10 simplest things new students can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle. With this training structure and information, orientation leaders will be able to lead short discussions with and affect the behavior of all of our incoming students.

 

b.      Informational Materials: The Office of Sustainability will have an information  table at

the “Hokie Resource Fair” for both Transfer Student Orientation (June 22-24, 2009) and Freshmen Orientation (July 6-23, 2009).  At this table, we will have multiple different resources available including: an overview of what we are doing institutionally, how students can get involved with sustainability on campus, a green purchasing guide for residence hall necessities for parents, and the 10 simplest things individuals can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle. All of these resources were printed on both sides with recycled content paper and available for download on our website.  We will have one hard copy of our comprehensive Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan available for viewing. 

 

Freshmen and Transfer Student Orientation “Sustainability Resource Information” is listed on the left side of the Office of Sustainability website:  www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability

INTERNSHIPS/OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
54) Does your school offer on-campus office-based sustainability internships or jobs for students?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please provide number of students and average number of hours worked weekly per student:
[  3]  Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student: One Sustainability Planning Intern (20 hours per week), and two Green Team Co-Coordinators (5 hours per week each). 
[  0]  Unpaid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:

 

There are three paid student positions and the average hours worked weekly is different for the different positions.

 

a.       One Sustainability Planning Intern:  This student works an average of 20 hours a week

and is heavily involved in all of the sustainability initiatives going on campus wide.  She is the main point of contact between the student organizations on campus and the administration. She keeps a constant line of communication between student initiatives and administrative initiatives to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that if they overlap that they can collaborate.  She has also participated this year in initiating new projects, logistical planning for initiatives, and the strategic development of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan.  The administration has worked very hard to bring the student voice into their plans and decision-making this past year.

 

b.      Two Green Team Co-Coordinators: These two coordinators work an average of 5 hours a

week each.  The Green Team is the Office of Sustainability's student education team that has been successful in educating hundreds of students across campus.  These coordinators are the main facilitating entities of the team and coordinate meetings, working groups, team communication, setting up programs, slideshow updates, recruitment, new member training, and leadership development.  The team focus is on outreach to the student body, education on environmental issues and principles of sustainability, promoting large-scale behavioral change, and building a campus culture around sustainability.  A student founded the team in 2007.

55) Does your school have residence hall Eco-Reps or other similar programs to promote behavioral change on campus?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please provide details below, and indicate URL if available:
[ 2]  Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[   ] Positions that award academic credit. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[   ] Uncompensated positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:

 

Please note that at Virginia Tech, residence hall Eco-Reps are “The Green Team.” 

 

There are several programs to promote behavioral change on campus:

• The Office of Sustainability employs a student sustainability education team
• There is a small recycling incentive program
• There are requirements for sustainability programming in the Residence Halls
• There is now an annual "Sustainability Picnic" for first year students
• Stickers have been placed on light switch plates and paper towel dispensers in the Residence Halls
• A graduate student is conducting a study on promoting voluntary resource conservation in multiple residence halls.

 

a.       The Green Team: The Office of Sustainability coordinates this student based

sustainability education team.  It is fully coordinated and led by students and they give a program developed "by students for students."  The team focus is on outreach to the student body, education on environmental issues and principles of sustainability, promoting large-scale behavioral change, and building a campus culture around sustainability - http://www.recycle.vt.edu/greenteam/.  Team members give 25-minute interactive programs in pairs comprised of two main parts: one about the problems that the earth is facing, and one about the solutions to those problems.   Because it is important for students to grasp the "bigger picture" of how humans and our planet interact, the first section discusses our planetary situation, our human actions, and the impacts that those actions have on our planet, while the second section is about what individuals and society as a collective whole can do to reduce those impacts.  Presentations are given in the residence halls, at student organization meetings, and at sorority and fraternity meetings.  The number of team members each semester has ranged from 15 to 29.

 

b.      Recycling Incentive Program:  Green Team members began the "Recycler of the Day"

program in the spring of 2008.  Team members would sit in heavily populated areas and watch the recycling bins.  When a student was "caught green handed" recycling, they were awarded with a free t-shirt that said "I do my part" with a VT recycles image: http://www.recycle.vt.edu/greenteam/recycler.php.  These t-shirts were 100% recycled - 50% cotton and 50% plastic.  The program had to be scaled down this year due to funding, but it has still proven to be successful and popular.

 

c.       Sustainability Programming Requirement: A sustainability requirement was enacted in

the past  academic year that required all Resident Advisers to do one of the following each year: host the Green Team in their hall, an equivalent sustainability related program, take their residents to a sustainability event on campus (Sustainability Week, Earth Week, Sustainability Picnic, Focus the Nation, etc), or create an informational bulletin board in their hall.  There is a relationship between the Green Team and Residence Life to encourage the Resident Advisers to host GT programs over the other options.

 

d.      "Sustainability Picnic":  The Green Team partnered with the Hokie F-6 programming

director this past year to host a "sustainability picnic."  Hokie F-6 is a part of Residence Life that organizes programs for first year students the first 6 weeks of the semester.  This picnic had three main components: education, exposure, and a take-away.  There were educational posters and pamphlets about sustainability and environmental issues.  Food was purchased from the local farmers market and sampled to bring exposure to the ease of choosing a more sustainable option.  Lastly, 250 reusable bags were given out to event guests.  A similar event will be happening this fall, and it is planned that this will be an annual event.

 

e.       Reminder stickers in Residence Halls: Stickers have been placed on light switch plates in

the Residence Halls that have an arrow pointing down and says turn off when not in use.  These stickers came as a result of collaboration between a working group in the Environmental Coalition and Student Programs.  Paper towel dispensers also have stickers that say, "Remember these come from trees" to remind students to only take however many towels they really need.

 

f.        Voluntary Conservation Research: A graduate student has the following research topic

"Managing Water and Electricity Consumption in University Residence Halls: A study on promoting voluntary resource conservation by college students," and is collecting data in multiple halls on different levels.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
56) Does your school have active student-run organizations devoted to sustainability efforts on campus?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please provide total number of active organizations, names of organizations, a brief description of each, and URLs, if available:

 

There are several ways that students are heavily involved in campus sustainability initiatives:

• A large coalition of organizations
• An official partnership between student organizations
• 14 environmentally focused organizations
• Involvement from powerful non-environmental organizations
• Involvement in administrative initiatives
• Student voice on sustainability to Board of Visitors

 

a.       The Coalition for Campus Sustainability:  There is a coalition of 17 active organizations. 

There are less organizations in numbers this year than there was last year, but the organizations themselves are much more active.  This year, the group met every other week to discuss different initiatives that could be collaborated upon.  They also jointly planned all of the events for the EC’s annual Earth Week.  This coalition includes environmental organizations, but also organizations that are not specifically focused on sustainability but organize events and initiatives to address these issues.  These non-environmental organizations include: the Residence Hall Federation, Political Science Club, Young Democrats, College Republicans, Poverty Awareness Coalition for Equality (PACE), Global Justice Alliance, and Engineers without Borders.  The mission of the coalition can be found here: http://www.vtcoalition.org/mission/.

 

b.      Official Partnership:  The student group Environmental Coalition, the Student

Government Association, and the Residence Hall Federation, have established a strong partnership to work on sustainability initiatives.  They are currently collaborating on the following joint initiatives: reusable bags and sustainable living guides, the Green Effect football game, and tailgating recycling.

 

c.       Environmentally Focused Organizations: There are 14 active organizations currently

specifically working on sustainability or environmental issues.  They are listed below with small descriptions and websites:

 

(1)   Environmental Coalition

a)      This is the largest and most active environmental group on campus.  There are over 100 active members and they work on multiple large initiatives each semester.  Some of these large initiatives include: the sustainable dining project, the sustainable living guide, Green Effect Football game (with the SGA and GT), a public forum, and a series of events for Earth Week.  They also took over 100 Hokies to the Power Shift conference.  Leaders from this organization organized a state wide environmental conference in the fall – Virginia Power Shift – that brought over 400 students from across the state and Dr. James Hansen together.

b)      They are heavily involved in Administrative initiatives as well and participate in the Energy and Sustainability Committee

c)      The organization is also active in a state network of student organizations and in the national youth climate movement

d)      Meet twice a week – a general discussion meeting and a planning meeting

e)      Founder and member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

f)        http://www.theecvt.org/

 

(2)   Green Team

a)      This is Virginia Tech’s sustainability education and awareness team.  See above for more details.

b)      Meet one to two times a month

c)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

d)      http://www.recycle.vt.edu/greenteam/

 

(3)   Sustainable Food Corps

a)      The SFC works to promote economic development within their community, to support a resilient, sustainable, locally-owned food system which provides improved citizen access to local and regional food.

b)      They have worked on several large initiatives including: creating a Student Farm and advisory board, an educational blog for students, promoted local and sustainable food venue in dining halls, put together photo petition asking administration for local foods, hosted a community film festival with film on organic foods, implemented a food diversion program in the dining halls, created and put on "Food Sustainability Day", and met with various student leaders and organizations to collaborate on various student-driven initiatives.

c)      Meet about twice a week

d)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

e)      http://vtsustainablefoodcorps.wordpress.com/

 

(4)   Seek Education, Explore, DiScover (SEEDS)

a)      SEEDS is a 501(c) (3) charitable educational organization that engages many students on campus.  It has a mission to develop future leaders as people conducting themselves with civic responsibility and accountability in a sustainable society. They facilitate a learning awareness from an ecological perspective by emphasizing life's cycles, sustainable living, civic, and cultural awareness.

b)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

c)      http://www.seedsguys.org/index.html

 

(5)   Interior Designers for Education and Sustainability (IDEAS)

a)      This group strives to foster awareness of more sustainable practices in the Interior Design field by bringing in vendors, representatives from firms, and more for their members.  They try to work with other groups on initiatives like YToss, and reach out to the greater Blacksburg community through community service projects.

b)      Major initiative: Make the Switch campaign for sustainable lighting solutions

c)      Meet once a week

d)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

e)      http://www.ideas.org.vt.edu/

 

(6)   Natural Resources Recreation Society

a)      They work on a lot more outdoor hands-on initiatives.  A main focus of the organization is on volunteer work with trail maintenance in the surrounding areas.  Members also attending a couple trainings and conferences to learn more about lessening their impacts and addressing climate change.

b)      Meet twice a month

c)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

d)      http://www.forestry.vt.edu/NaturalResourceRecreationSociety.html

 

(7)   Soil and Water Conservation Society

a)      SWCS is a nonprofit organization that advocates the protection, enhancement, and wise use of soil, water, and related natural resources.  The Virginia Tech Chapter engages in a variety of service and social activities throughout the year, including maintaining trails at Apple Ridge Educational Center, Save Our Streams, Biomonitoring at Tom's Creek, annual Careers in Conservation Symposium, camping, hiking, and various environmental service projects.

b)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

c)      http://www.swcs.org.vt.edu/home.html

 

(8)   Applied Environmental Awareness/YToss?

a)      Applied Environmental Awareness is a program of the YMCA dedicated to spreading awareness of environmental issues through volunteer service and education.  AEA focuses on the surrounding Blacksburg community, children especially, and the Virginia Tech campus and has initiated programs which specifically target the general public rather than the student body alone.  We strive to facilitate cooperation with other environmental clubs to ensure beneficial and long-lasting environmental change.   AEA is the Y’s sponsoring organization to our Ytoss? re-use Program that takes place each May during student Move-Out and in August during student Move-In. These items that are collected are then resold at the local YMCA during student move-in to raise funds for the center.

b)      The YToss? event just recently won the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

c)      Meet once a week or more

d)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

e)      http://www.ymcasp.org.vt.edu/AEAhome.html

 

(9)   Mountain Justice Blacksburg

a)      The mission of Mountain Justice Blacksburg (MJ) is to educate ourselves and our community on the effect the coal industry has on Appalachia and the world, particularly with regards to Mountain Top Removal; to spread awareness of and promote sustainable sources of energy and income for our region; to network with other organizations working towards these ends; and to stand in solidarity with those most directly affected by the coal industry.  They work on several events on campus, but are also very active at the state level.

b)      Meet once a week

c)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

d)      http://www.mountainjustice.org.vt.edu/

 

(10)  Bike Advocacy

a)      Is dedicated to increasing bike awareness and safety, making our community as bike-friendly as possible, and bringing together students who enjoy riding and want to further the cause.  They organized a month long event called Bike Challenge.

b)      Member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability

c)      http://bikeadvocacyatvt.synthasite.com/ & http://vtbikeadvocacy.org/

 

(11)  Leadership Tech: Environmental Sustainability Action Team

a)      This organization works to raise environmental sustainability awareness on campus through action

 

(12)  Environmental Student Organization

a)      This organization works to raise campus awareness about environmental issues and are active in local environmental clean ups. They also organize outdoor events such as camping and hiking to promote environmental interest among the student body.

 

(13)  Society of Environmentally Focused Students

a)      This engineering organization supports teams to attend environmental design competitions and other environmentally themed activities

b)      http://www.sefs.org.vt.edu/

 

(14)  Burning Book Community Club

a)      This club works to foster community activism and an environmental and social consciousness

b)      http://www.burning-book.org/

 

d.      Involvement from Powerful non-environmental Organizations:  The Student Government

Association, the Residence Hall Federation, and the Graduate Student Assembly have all been involved in sustainability initiatives this year.

 

1.      Student Government Association

a)      Established the Director of Sustainability, an executive board member position

b)      Established the Director of Green Initiatives, an executive board member position

c)      Established an internal Sustainability Committee coordinated by these two leaders

d)      Working to expand the Green Effect Game, bring a sustainability side to the annual “Big Event” community service event, and multiply the amount of sustainability initiatives on campus

e)      Collaboration on initiatives with the RHF and EC

 

2.      Residence Hall Federation

a)      Have a sustainability and recycling focused leader on their executive team

b)      Working on a permanent paper recycling system for the Residence Halls that would be a joint effort between RHF Hall Councils and the EC paper recycling crew

c)      Collaboration on initiatives with the SGA and EC

 

3.      Graduate Student Assembly

a)      Worked on a reusable bag initiative for the university bookstores

 

e.       Involvement in Administrative Initiatives: There has been a high level of involvement of

students in administrative affairs and planning.  Students were involved in VTCAC&SP development both in internship positions and class projects, there are four student seats on the Energy and Sustainability committee (2 undergraduate and 2 graduate), and students have been invited to participate in many steering and planning committees on various sustainability issues: sustainability week, freshman car restrictions, hiring committees, and academic program options.  Student groups are also working with Dining Services and Student Programs on the reusable bag and sustainability living guide initiatives.  There has not just been involvement in these activities, but student ideas and opinions have been highly respected by members of the administration.

 

f.               Student Voice on Sustainability to Board of Visitors:  This past year, the undergraduate 

representative to the Board of Visitors met regularly with members of the Environmental Coalition to make sure that sustainability was understood to be a major issue to the undergraduate community.  This coming year, a former member of Leadership Tech Environmental Sustainability and the Green Team will be taking over that position.  She has made a commitment to make sure that this issue is brought up at every meeting.

 

SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
57) Does your school organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please list details for all competitions.
Name of competition: Recyclemania.
Year initiated: 2007
Frequency of competition: Annual (3^rd year)
Participants: Students and Residence Life
Incentives:  Self motivation to do what is right.  
Goal of competition: Exceed total from the previous year
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:   See website below.
Lasting effects of competition:  Helping to influence the campus culture and a greater awareness to recycle. 
Website:  See  http://facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/recycle/ and view “Spreadsheet” under the Recyclemania article in the center column. 

 

We participated in the Recyclemania competition for the third consecutive year.  Although this is focused specifically on recycling, there are plans by the SGA to expand the 2010 competition to include energy and water. 

 

The Environmental Coalition also planned and coordinated a statewide youth conference on climate change and sustainability: Virginia Power Shift 2008.  Goal was to have a large student turnout.  Over 450 students from 17 colleges and universities in Virginia came to Virginia Tech for this event held October 10-12, 2008.   

TRANSPORTATION

 

Please see the “TRANSPORTATION & PARKING UPDATE” spring/summer 2009:    http://www.facilities.vt.edu/T&Pupdate/update_spring_2009.pdf

CAMPUS MOTOR FLEET (FLEET SERVICES)
58) How many vehicles are in your institution's fleet?
[1,033]

59) Please list the number of alternative-fuel vehicles in each class.
[6 ]  Hybrid. Please list makes and models: Chevrolet Malibu (4), Ford Escape (2).
[2 ]  Electric. Please describe type of vehicles: Gem (1), Ford Think (1).
[57]  Biodiesel. Please describe type of vehicles and list biodiesel blend(s) used:  A variety of vehicles ranging from pickup trucks to tractor trucks.  The blend is B10.
[43]  Other. Please describe: Flex fuel vehicles. 

 

Virginia Tech students make own biodiesel derived from waste vegetable oil to fuel vehicles:

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=440

60) What is the average GHG emission rate per passenger mile of your institution's motorized fleet?
[0.78 ]  pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per passenger mile traveled.  This is based on Fleet Services vehicle average mpg of 24.8, and the EPA average of 19.4 pounds of CO2 per gallon of gasoline. 

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
61) Does your school offer incentives for carpooling?
[  ]  N/A. Please explain:
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe details of the program including the type of the incentive and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):

 

• Two or more employees (for faculty/staff permit) or commuter students (for commuter/graduate permit) who choose to ride together and share one permit may register to be in a carpool.

• Carpool permits cost 30% less than the cost of a Single Occupancy Vehicle permit, and the cost is split between the members of the carpool

Carpoolers receive:

• Five free daily permits per participant per semester, for days when carpooling won’t work.
• Emergency Ride Home Service available through Parking Services. This service provides carpoolers with a ride to their vehicle or local residence in case of an emergency. The service is available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Preferred carpool parking spaces are located at the front of specified parking lots.

Rideshare Matching is provided by GoLoco and RIDE Solutions.

62) Does your school offer public transportation subsidies?
[  ]  N/A. Please explain:
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe the program including the size of the discount (as a percent of full price) and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, and students):

 

Transportation and Campus Services at Virginia Tech subsidizes regional transit monthly passes on the Smart Way bus between Blacksburg and Roanoke 25%, bringing the cost of the $100 monthly pass to $75.  This benefit is available to all Virginia Tech employees and students.

63) Does your school provide free transportation around campus?
[  ]  N/A. Please explain:
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe:

 

Virginia Tech provides fare-free, unlimited access to Blacksburg Transit (BT), our local transit provider, for all VT employees and students.  One of BT’s routes is a campus circulator route, the Hokie Express. 

64) Does your school operate a free transportation shuttle to local off-campus destinations?
[  ]  N/A. Please explain:
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe:

 

Virginia Tech provides fare-free, unlimited access to Blacksburg Transit (BT), our local transit provider, for all VT employees and students.  BT travels to off-campus destinations.

BICYCLE PROGRAM
65) Does your school offer a bicycle-sharing/rental program or bicycle repair services?
[X]  No.  Please see narrative directly below.
[  ]  Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created:
Number of bikes available:
Fees for participation:
Repair services provided:

 

Although we do not have a bike share/rental program, we do have an incentive program to for students and employees who do not bring a car to campus. Bike, Bus and Walk (BB&W) is available to Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and students who use alternative transportation methods as their primary means of commuting to campus (i.e. riding the BT or SmartWay bus, bicycling, and/or walking).

This free program is called Bike, Bus & Walk.  Participants receive:

• 15 daily permits per semester. 
• Access to Emergency Ride Home Service, which provides BB&W participants with a ride to their vehicle or local residence in case of an emergency. The service is available Monday - Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00p.m.

 

CAR-SHARING PROGRAM
66) Does your school partner with a car-sharing program?
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created: 2009
Total number of vehicles: 6
Number of hybrid vehicles: 2
Fee for membership: Free for Bike, Bus & Walk, and Carpool/Vanpool participants.  Fee is $50 for all others.

PLANNING
67) Does your school have policies that support a pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly campus (e.g., in the school's master plan, a policy prohibiting vehicles from the center of campus)?
[  ]  N/A. Please explain:
[  ]  No
[X]  Yes. Please describe:

University Policy 5005 is our Bicycle and Personal Transportation Device policy which promotes and encourages the use of bicycles, scooters, mopeds, EPAMDs, in-line skates, and skateboards on campus.  More information on this policy can be found at:  http://www.policies.vt.edu/index.php#facilities

 

The VT Master Plan expressly addresses improvements in alternative transportation modes, specifically transit, pedestrian, and bicycle.  The following statements are taken from the 2006 Campus Master Plan Update:

·        …the hub for Blacksburg Transit [will] be moved from the Drill Field at Burruss Hall to a transit center on Perry Street north of the academic core …

·        Great campuses are pedestrian places.  Virginia Tech’s Academic Core District is a walkable village defined by the 15 minute class change schedule and the distance a pedestrian can walk in 10-15 minutes.

Bicycle accommodations will be achieved through the use of parallel bike lanes on streets and roads and off road trails.  Bike lanes primarily provide functional movement and while trails provide functional routes, they also are used for exercise and recreation. Establishing an integrated system of bikes lanes and paths will encourage greater use of bicycles as a primary mode of transportation.
 
68) What percentage of individuals commute to campus via environmentally preferable transportation (e.g., walking, bicycling, carpooling, using public transit)?
[ 45 %]

STATISTICS
69) Campus setting:
[X]  Rural
[  ]  Suburban
[  ]  Urban
[  ]  Other. Please describe:

70)  Total number of “major” buildings: [127]

71)  Combined gross square footage of all buildings: [8,347,190]

72)  Full-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [26,944]

73)  Part-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [3,332]

 

74)  Part-time enrollment as a proportion to a full-time course load:  See below.

Part-time enrollment in the 2009 Spring Semester was 3,332 and the total number of credit hours taken was 5,963.  Of the 3,332 part-time students, 832 were undergraduate students.

 

Full-time enrollment in the 2009 Spring Semester was 26,944 and the total number of credit hours taken was 392,830.  Of the 26,944 full-time students, 22,339 are undergraduates who must take a minimum of 12 credit hours to be a full-time student.  The remaining 4,605 students are either graduate students, students in the College of Veterinary Medicine, or students pursuing an Associates Degree, and in all cases they must take a minimum of 9 credit hours to be a full-time student. 

75)  Percent of full-time students that live on campus: [38% live on campus]

 

Questions 76-87 are for informational purposes only; responses will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.

OTHER AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Please mark an "X" next to each item that applies to your institution.

76)  Outdoors club: [X] “Virginia Tech Venture Out” http://www.uusa.vt.edu/recreation/ventureOut.php

77)  Disposable water bottle ban: [  ]

 

78)  Participation in Recyclemania: [X] (2009, 2008, 2007)

79)  Student trustee position: [X]

80)  Environmental science/studies major: [X] See Table 24, page 86, of the VTCAC&SP http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf 

 

81)  Environmental science/studies minor or concentration: [X] See Table 24, page 86, of the VTCAC&SP  http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf  

Acclaimed author Daniel Goleman’s Ecological Intelligence has been selected as Virginia Tech Common Book for Academic Year 2009-2010.  It is required reading for all transfer students and freshmen.  Please see:  http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=399

82)  Graduate-level environmental program: [X] See Table 24, page 86, of the VTCAC&SP

 http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf 

 
83)  Student green fee: [  ] Please note VTCAC Resolution item 14 states this is a possible source for funding.

84)  Alumni green fund: [  ] Please note VTCAC Resolution item 14 states this is a possible source for funding.

85)  Revolving loan fund for sustainability projects: [  ] Please note VTCAC Resolution item 14 states this is a possible source for funding.

86)  Campus garden or farm: [X]

87)  Single-stream recycling: [  ] Virginia Tech is a member of the Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority (MRSWA) which operates a centrally located Recycling Center in nearby Christiansburg, Virginia.  The Recycling Center operates a “three-stream” recycling system, specifically:  mixed paper, cardboard, and cans/bottles.  Our campus collection system must conform to the regional system.  Our regional system provides a number of important advantages, among them: economic and operational stability; promotion of jurisdictional cooperation; the financial advantages of “economies of scale”; centralized facilities for the handling of both recyclables and solid waste; and formalized educational outreach to schools--all of which may be summed up in the phrase, “long-term commitment to recycling.”  A tangible result of our regional system, specifically because of jurisdictional partnership and a well-managed Recycling Center is the high quality of the recyclables MRSWA is able to market. This high standard of quality has been maintained for a long time, and is well-known among buyers, and means that MRSWA has no trouble marketing the recyclables which jurisdictions are collecting.

 

CONCLUSION:  At Virginia Tech, we “Invent the Future.”  For Academic Year 2008-2009, we have placed an emphasis on “Inventing the Sustainable Future” and have developed our own specific “Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution.”  Virginia Tech is making an impact.  Whether you know it or not, the research at Virginia Tech has had an impact on your life.  To discover how, we invite you to see how we are inventing the future by viewing:   http://www.thisisthefuture.com/

 

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