|
|
|
May 2008
|
CAMPUS NEWS |
|||
|
Kerwin Freshens the Air with Climate Neutrality Commitment
The AU community took in some fresh air on April 21, when President Neil Kerwin, SPA/BA ’71, signed the Presidents’ Climate Commitment (PCC), joining more than 500 other colleges and universities across the country. The commitment highlights the dual role of higher educational institutions in training and educating a generation of students in sustainability related disciplines, as well as ensuring that their actual campuses are environmentally sound. In his April 17 address to the university, Dr. Kerwin spoke of the next steps in the process. He noted that while AU already has begun an inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions it needs to create more institutional structures and devise an action plan to ensure the campus’s climate neutrality. SIS Professor Paul Wapner, who attended the signing, was especially pleased with the wording of the document. Wapner said that by signing the document, the university shows it is dedicated to being a part of the solution, but more importantly, that it acknowledges and supports the evidence that global warming is a problem that needs to be dealt with. “It’s clearly on our agenda” said Wapner, whose Practical Environmentalism class students are currently providing various offices across campus with green accreditations. Offices earn these distinctions through steps such as making sure appliances and lights are turned off at night to the amount and type of paper they use. Wapner was quick to point out that other programs such as Environmental Studies housed in CAS and the Center for Environmental Filmmaking in the School of Communication are other examples of ways in which the university has shown interest in this topic. Willy Suter, director of Facilities Management and cochair of AU’s Environmental Issues Project Team (EIPT), has watched the issue of sustainability and the PCC agreement for many years. Now, he's eager to see how the SIS building takes shape and how its construction process will affect future ones on the campus. “We’re going to have some first-hand experience in building a LEED gold building,” said Suter, referring to the prestigious and highly sought-after rating of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation for green buildings. AU began making strides toward a greener existence years ago. The university made some specific green choices in building materials for the Katzen Arts Center to make it more eco-friendly, Suter noted, and the new SIS building is being constructed close to the highest standard of the industry. Already, the university buys Renewable Energy Credits (RECS). Support for green initiatives runs deep, right down to the students. “I’m very proud that my institution added its signature to that commitment,” said Joe Vidulich, SPA/BA ’08, outgoing president of the Student Government. “I think it speaks to the values of our institution.” In a year in which the university is starting a new budget cycle and a new strategic plan, every bit of clean air will go a long way. - Dan Beardslee, SOC/BA ‘07 | |||
