American University & Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)

American University (Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)) Student Leaders - Claire Roby, Meg Imholt, Charlie Kilby, Rose Davis, Genna Vullo, Anne Morales, Casey Roe, Shilpa Joshi, Dave Smedick, Rachel Voss, Sarah Twomey-Mercurio, Kathryn Carroll Talloires Declaration: University Presidents for a Sustainable Future In April 10, Campus Beautification Day, American University Interim President Neil Kerwin committed to the Talloires Declaration. As stated from the school's assistant ground director, the school was actually in line with most of the declaration's requirements. However student pressure was essential in pushing the administration towards commitment. AU's student group, EcoSense, petitioned the administration to sign the declaration and make a public commitment. Next steps include implementation of plans to run campus shuttles on biodiesel and construction of a green roof on the school's Media Production building.

Creighton University & Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)

Creighton University (Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)) Patrick Sechser, Anastasia Yanchilina and their group at Creighton University in Missouri succeeded in implementing small but significant changes at Creighton this year. Dorm Retrofits Thanks to their work, Creighton is putting in new oxygenated shower-heads in their dorms to reduce water loss, and has installed compact fluorescent bulbs to cut down on energy costs.

Duke Univeristy & Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)

Duke University (Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)) “SmartHome” Residence Hall Student efforts at Duke have led to the commitment by Duke, in partnership with Home Depot, to build the “SmartHome” Residence hall - http://www.smarthome.duke.edu/ - which will be a living, learning lab for campus sustainability. Sustainable Transportation Initiatives & Bike Loan Program In addition to these efforts, SURGE has worked with the Duke Greening Initiative (DUGI) and Duke Bike Advocates (DBA) on a number of sustainable transportation initiatives for campus. The Duke campus is quite sprawling with 1 mile of green space between east and west campuses. DUGI and DBA, with support from SURGE, have been working with the Duke administration to promote better transit, bike and pedestrian mobility on campus. During the spring 2007 SURGE conference, SURGE held a workshop for Duke Students on campus bike programs. Shortly afterwards, Duke Administrators committed to the creation of a campus bike-loan program which will be initiated in the fall 2007 semester. Duke Marine Lab – Riding the “Green Wave” (Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)) The Duke Marine Lab is a satellite research campus located in the small, coastal town of Beaufort, NC. The campus is comprised of mostly graduate students and researchers, and is not a traditional style campus. SURGE worked with Duke Marine Lab students and staff in Spring 2007 on a number of sustainability projects, and students/staff also attended the 2007 SURGE conference to participate in discussions on energy consumption and campus bike programs. Shortly afterwards, the campus began the “Green Wave” sustainability initiative, including the formation of an Environmental Stewardship Committee, and will be conducting a campus energy audit, green dining initiative and new recycling programs in the months to come.

Fort Berthold Community College & Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN)

Fort Berthold Community College (Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN)) 120 Trees Planted My final two victories are set to take place over the course of one week from June 11-15 on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The Fort Berthold Community College and the N.A.T.I.V.E. Youth Council will each be helping to plant 20 trees in each of the six segments on the reservation for a grand total of 120 new trees!

Harvard University & National Wildlike Federation

Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts (NWF) The Green Guide to Harvard National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellow Scot Miller developed “The Green Guide to Harvard” – a guide to educate students and community members on how to create a sustainable campus. The Guide includes everything from dry cleaners, to restaurants and local environmental and outdoor events, to the best rock climbing facilities. The Guide is available on CD-ROM and online at (www.greencrimson.com/greenguide). Scot has also worked hard to get the Guide distributed to incoming freshman and just completed the last phase of the project, which involved incorporating local environmental events.

Hollins University & Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)

Hollins University (Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)) Student leaders - Sarah Whitney, Sara Geres, Dana Leeper, Robin Mizzel, Caroline Walz, Stephanie Pratt, Sarah Black, Morgan Davis, and Liz Schwartz. Environmental Advisory Board & GHG Reduction Goals This past year, Hollins University announced the creation of an Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) to provide advice and leadership on environmental planning for the university. The EAB reviews and recommend policies to President Gray that advocate sustainable use of campus resources and preservation of cultural landscapes. Two students Catherine Fitzgerald-Pittman and Melissa Myers are on this committee and were instrumental in helping the university commit to larger more ambitious goals to reduce GHG emissions to zero.

Indiana University & Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI)

Indiana University (Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI)) Sustainability Task Force Other victories include the creation of a Sustainability Task Force at Indiana University and the creation of a Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas. College Sustainability Report Card and Media Attention Both schools took action within two weeks of the release of the College Sustainability Report Card and both institutions acknowledged the Report Card in various press articles.

James Madison University & Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)

James Madison University (Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)) Student Leaders - Ryan Powanda, Emily Thomas, Marley Green, Jeremy Knibbs Formed Presidential Commission on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability After countless hours of hard campaigning for 100% renewable energy on campus and continued pressure on the administration by students, the Board of Visitors and President Rose formed the Presidential Commission on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability. The group will perform an audit of the university and develop a 5 year recommendation scheme for implementation of ambitious energy and sustainability changes. CEC students Ryan Powanda and Marley Green are members of the decision making body. The Commission was formed through the Center for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (CEES) with help from the students. Maria Papadakis has been the lead for the commission and by way of student leverage was successful in forming this firm commission. Student leaders are doing their final research and compiling ground breaking projects in the next month for a presentation to President Rose on August 1st. http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general8475.shtml

Johns Hopkins University & Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)

Johns Hopkins University (Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)) Student Leaders – Blake Hough, Teryn Norris Formed Student Coalition The most effective way we found to translate student support was by building a coalition of existing student groups in support of HEAT and REP 2015 (our policy proposal), a coalition we built into 23 student groups representing a total of 2500 students. Establishment of Climate Change Task Force After building such support, our campaign shifted its focus to meeting and negotiating with our administrators, an effort led by Blake Hough and Teryn Norris. This included meeting with deans, financing, the Provost, Brody’s executive assistant, and the Sustainability Committee, to whom we presented our policy proposal and asked for a climate-neutral commitment by the end of the semester. While sustaining student and faculty pressure with a large email-petition, HEAT met again with the Sustainability Committee to produce a climate-neutral recommendation to President Brody. The administration responded by committing to adopt the Sustainability Committee's climate-neutral recommendations and form a Climate Change Task Force to implement climate neutrality. The next step for implementation is ensuring a strong final report by the Task Force that establishes a meaningful plan for climate neutrality.

Macalester College & Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)

Macalester College (Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)) The student’s ability to achieve these victories with relative ease is not a fluke, but rather testament to the excellent and constant organizing that takes place at Macalester. Large-scale and highly visible events like Campus Wars, where Macalester challenged other Minnesota schools to compete with them in reducing their energy use in the month of February, and a strong working relationship with the President made these wins feasible even without signatures and rallies. EPA P3 Grant for Green Buildings Over the summer of 2006, Macalester students also secured an EPA P3 grant for green buildings and installed a green roof on an on-campus building.

McGill University & Sierra Youth Coalition

McGill University (Sierra Youth Coalition) Student Government Sustainability Policy At the 2nd General Assembly in February, students voted unanimously for the adoption of a sustainability policy by the SSMU, which should come into effect next year.

MIchigan State University & National Wildlife Federation

Michigan State University; East Lansing, Michigan National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellow Edi Sonntag developed a comprehensive survey of the herpetofauna on the MSU campus for application to establish long-term goals to conserve the local species and habitat. In 2006, more than 30 people were on hand to help identify and record herp data on sites around campus. Outreach was stepped up for the 2007 survey and more than 40 people showed up to help with the survey. Survey results included 8 out of the 13 species of frogs in Michigan were found, 4 species of turtles, 2 species of snakes, and 2 species of salamanders, one of which was thought to be gone from the area.

Middlebury College & Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)

Middlebury College (Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)) $7,138 of Carbon Offsets for Snow Bowl During the fall semester, Middlebury College purchased $7,138 worth of carbon offsets to support an environmentally-friendly Snow Bowl in the 2006-2007 ski season. The idea for a carbon neutral Snow Bowl was first developed in a class led by Professor Jon Isham. Students in that class worked with the ski team and with Native Energy to purchase the offsets.

Middlebury College, Ticonderoga NY & Energy Justice Network (EJN)

Middlebury College & Ticonderoga, NY (Energy Justice Network (EJN)) Tire Burn Stopped International Paper has been trying for a few years now to burn tires for energy at their paper mill in Ticonderoga, NY – on the central Vermont border. We’ve been following this issue since June 2004, when we learned about the plan while attending a tire recycling industry conference with SEAC in Albany. We had been working with downwind grassroots opposition groups in Vermont for about two years. Our website documenting the hazards of tire incineration (www.energyjustice.net/tires/) has been used by Middlebury College students to inform their campaign. Taking leadership from the community group we’ve been working with, the students held a protest at Green Mountain Coffee (which has an alliance with International Paper for their Eco-Friendly Cup (ecofriendlycup.com). During the recent test burn, they had secretly planned to hold a protest at the mill, but the company cancelled their tire burning plans before the protest was to take place. See this victory written up on the blog at: http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/736 and http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/618

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

National Wildlife Federation: 40 Case Studies Submitted for Campus Ecology Yearbook In June 2006, Campus Ecology received 40 case studies from campus team members for inclusion in the 2006 Campus Ecology Yearbook (electronic publication), a compendium of best practices in climate and wildlife-friendly initiatives on campus. Nine Campus Team Members Set and Achieved Conservation Goals In September 2006, National Wildlife Federation awarded Campus Ecology Recognition to nine campus team members for setting and achieving conservation goals (and educating the campus community) during the 2005-2006 academic year. 91 Entries in Chill Out Competition In February and March 2007 Campus Ecology received 91 (70 essay and 21 video) entries for the Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming national competition. 175 Campuses Hosted Broadcasts In April 2007, 175 campuses signed up to host Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming live broadcast – highlighting the winners of the national competition and their climate initiatives on campus. 424 Sites Views Chill Out Broadcast On April 18, 2007, 424 unique sites viewed the live Chill Out broadcast. There were eight campus winners (essay entries). Winning essays included climate initiatives such as LEED buildings, signing the president’s climate pledge (ACUPCC), solar installations, geothermal energy, and more. There were also two winning videos. 11 Campus Ecology Fellows Completed their Programs In May 2007 the 2006 class of NWF Campus Ecology Fellows (11 fellows) completed their grant cycle and submitted final reports on their progress. Achievements included conducting an energy audit and installation of a vapor barrier, establishing a bike program, developing a timber portfolio of available resources in a campus forest, and more.

New York University & Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)

New York University (Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)) Formed Environmental Sustainability Task Force Along with the 100% renewable purchase, NYU also created an Environmental Sustainability Task Force and joined the U.S. Green Buildings Council.

Northern Arizona University & Black Mesa Water Coalition

Northern Arizona University (Black Mesa Water Coalition) Two of the key student leaders are Kim Smith who was a senator for the student council and Mike Madigan a graduate student with NAU who work on the sustainability report for NAU. They both help to organize the Southwest Climate Justice Summit in spring of 2007. Petition for Emission Reductions Students got signatures on about 300 petitions in support of emission reduction for NAU and delivered them to the President’s office on Earth Day 2007.

Portland Community College & Global Exchange

Portland Community College (Global Exchange) Environmental Sustainability Position in Student Senate We also succeeded in creating a Student Senator for Environmental Sustainability position that will be responsible for pursuing further actions! Green House Gas Inventory Additionally, the college President said he is likely to sign the Presidents’ Agreement on Climate Change. Portland Community College also performed a greenhouse gas inventory! Two students, Nathan Jones and Jordan Rohdig, spearheaded this campaign. SSC also provided support for this campaign

Queen's University & Sierra Youth Coalition

Queen's University (Sierra Youth Coalition) Emissions offset Fee on Buses Queen’s has enjoyed a very green year. The new student government Sustainability Officer researched and designed an emissions tax on all Queen’s Tri-colour Express fares. The Tri-Colour Express, which runs weekend bus service to Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, will automatically add a small fee to all tickets purchased to offset emissions. Sustainable Café A new campus café run entirely by engineering students features only fair trade, organic food and beverages and entirely compostable take-away materials. The student-run photocopy service recently adopted a paper-purchasing policy that sees the service use only recycled paper. The service is now waiting to receive Forest Stewardship Certification. Overall, student services have been very receptive to altering their habits to accommodate more environmentally friendly practices. The real challenge now facing student environmental groups and the sustainability office is taking these successes within the student services realm and using them to influence campus policy overall. Student Leaders - Co-presidents: Rachel Clement, Meredith Epstein, Vice President: Mary Clapp, Treasurer: Anna Vaudin, Secretary: Shane Hall Energy Stat Million Monitor Drive Talloires Declaration, Energy Star Million Monitor Drive, EPA Green Power Partner On April 19th SMCM President, Maggie O'Brien, publicly committed to the Talloires Declaration, Energy Start Million Monitor Drive, and the EPA Green Power Partnership. By joining the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Energy Star Million Monitor Drive,” St. Mary’s College of Maryland will save energy, money and the environment by putting its computer monitors to “sleep.” Working closely with such federal agencies as the EPA and the Department of Energy, St. Mary’s College of Maryland has enabled the power management features on 327 computer monitors and will add 473 more by July 2007. http://www.smcm.edu/newsevents/release.cfm?id=519 http://www.smcm.edu/newsevents/release.cfm?id=554

Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislaure & Southern Energy Network

Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) (Southern Energy Network) Student Action Brings Legislation of Governor’s Desk and State Legislature TISL is the mock state congress that convenes annually to give student leaders first-hand experience in politics. Tennessee students introduced legislation into the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) in November. The legislation does the following: 1) mandates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (i.e. agrees to the Kyoto Protocol), 2) requires all new and renovated state facilities to consider green building guidelines, 3) increases energy efficiency in state facilities by 15% by 2025, and 4) ends coal surface mining in TN (i.e. stops mountaintop mining). All four bills passed the House and Senate and could go on to the governor’s desk and possibly on to the actual Tennessee State Legislature in the spring.

The New School & National Wildlife Federation

The New School (National Wildlife Federation) 100% Recycled Paper Policy victories during the 2006-2007 year include Hannah Riches from The New School secured a campus policy of 100% recycled paper in all campus print labs.

The Ohio State University & National Wildlife Federation

The Ohio State University; Columbus, Ohio National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellow Melissa Fries hosted ten open meetings to educate students on campus about the importance of vernal pools. On average, meetings had between 15-25 student and staff participants. With the help of other student volunteers, Melissa also organized outreach visits to four local grade schools through her fellowship, including one home school group of about 25 families. She also created an exhibit for a local fair at the Columbus Zoo, where she created a fake vernal pool to let kids see and feel the diversity in vernal pools - more than 10 formal school groups attended.

Turtle Mountain Community College & Idigenous Environmental Network (IEN)

Turtle Mountain Community College (Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN)) Formation of the Tribal Campus Climate Challenge & Community Awareness through a Clean-up Day I currently have one small victory which took place at the Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt, North Dakota. Upon completion of my power point presentation the students decided that they wanted to form a group and have a victory right away so the first thing they did was set up a time to meet to every week and with the help of their advisor, Stacie Blue, they wrote a letter to the school president informing him of the new group and the role they wanted to play in helping the school become more energy efficient. Upon approval of their group they decided that their first victory would be to ensure that the school and community were aware of their organization so they planned a clean-up day with the community at which time they shared information about the Tribal Campus Climate Challenge.

Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) & Sierra Youth Coalition

Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) (Sierra Youth Coalition) Green House Gas Inventory & Energy Efficiency Program A GHG inventory at UQAM was completed in 2006, and the results have been integrated into the campus environmental policy. In addition, an ambitious energy efficiency program was adopted by the board of directors and set up at an institutional level.

University of Calgary & Sierra Youth Coalition

University of Calgary (Sierra Youth Coalition) In the past year the U of C has completely restructured their approach to campus sustainability with one of the most innovative multi-stakeholder structures in Canada. Developed a Campus Wide Sustainability and Stewardship Working Group The main development is a campus wide Sustainability and Stewardship Working Group which has the following Action Groups: Community Planning and Capital Projects; Water Management; Energy Management; Transportation Management; Waste Management; Curriculum and Research; Ethics and Social Responsibility; Health and Wellness; Procurement Policy Action; and Operations and Maintenance Policy. Each Action Group will be headed by a Chair that will report back to the Sustainability and Stewardship Working Group. In addition, each Action Group will be comprised of staff, faculty, and students. Students are already being brought into discussions around student representation on the Action Groups. The University Architect has indicated that any sustainability reporting including sustainability assessments and GHG inventories, should logically develop out of the Sustainability and Stewardship Working Group.

University of Central Florida & Southern Energy Network

University of Central Florida (Southern Energy Network)) SGA Passes Declaration of Independence from Dirty Energy UCF Eco Advocates members drafted a Resolution to incorporate the Energy Action Coalition’s Declaration of Independence from Dirty Energy into official Student Government policies; through meetings with each senator prior to the vote, the resolution passed by acclimation. The Declaration challenges politicians and leaders to lay out a plan for a complete transition beyond dirty energy.

University of Indiana & Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI)

University of Indiana University (Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI)) Sustainability Task Force Other victories include the creation of a Sustainability Task Force at Indiana University and the creation of a Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas. Both schools took action within two weeks of the release of the College Sustainability Report Card and both institutions acknowledged the Report Card in various press articles.

University of North Carolina & Energy Justice Network

University of North Carolina, Charlotte (Energy Justice Network (EJN)) Cliffside Coal Plant Stopped At the Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference in February, we met up with students in North Carolina interested in fighting Duke's two proposed Cliffside coal plants. Students from UNC Charlotte had been aware of the issue and had attended a couple of public meetings. After a brainstorming breakout at the SSREC, we decided to target the NC Utilities Commission, since they had the power to deny the proposals in the immediate future. John Avery from the UNCC Earth Club and Nina Otter from Warren Wilson College agreed to head up call-in and email-in efforts at their schools, and several others agreed to help get the word out. Matt worked with a few other groups in the area, particularly Appalachian Voices and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, in crafting and targeting our message. Within a few days, Warren Wilson had tabled twice in their school cafeteria, and over 200 young people told the NC Utilities Commission "No New Cliffside Coal Plants." By the end of the month, the NC Utilities Commission announced a denial of one of the two proposed plants, and Duke is still considering the worth of building the remaining unit.

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill & Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)

University of North Carolina & Chapel Hill (Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)) Re-working Town Zoning Ordinances to Incorporate Energy Efficiency SURGE, student leaders and other nonprofit allies attended Town Council meetings to comment on University energy use (during re-zoning hearings) and began regular meetings with UNC campus architects and facilities management staff, as well as Town Council members. As a result, the University is seeking innovative green design and energy conservation measures to make new development a “model of sustainability” and the Town of Chapel Hill is establishing a new sustainability committee which will begin re-working town zoning ordinances to incorporate energy efficiency requirements.

University of Tennesse & Southern Energy Network

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (Southern Energy Network) Green Fee Referendum Ecological Decisions for a Global Environment (EDGE) led a successful campaign this semester at the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, where 847 students voted in support of the Clean Campus Initiative. With 12% of the total student population in support of bringing renewable energy, efficiency, recycling, and other sustainability efforts to the campus should prove to be exciting. The campus is currently researching electric bus routes and sustainable fuels. Green Dining The University of Tennessee's Dining Services is now making the change to more sustainable dining practices and has plans for a fully integrated green dining hall. The changes made include local produce and organic foods, more vegetarian and vegan meals, greater source waste reduction (less packaging), waste free (all waste is composted or recycled), and green seal cleaning products. This was achieved through the work of SPEAK. Aramark, the University's dining Service Company, was open to the idea, but needed a lot of prompting to get going. Students submitted proposals for a feasibility study and set up meeting to discuss, while also petitioning for green dining practices in the form of restaurant comment cards. After seeing the overwhelming support for a green dining hall on campus, Aramark began working with SPEAK to plan a "Green Dining Day", and identify local/green suppliers for Aramark. This event took place during Earth Week and incorporated all of the practices above, as well as surveys and tabling to educate students on the benefits of these changes. Because of the success of the event and positive student feed back, UT's dining services has now adopted many green dining practices, and is continuing to work with SPEAK to host more educational events as well. Responsible Coal Purchasing Policy This year the University of Tennessee's purchasing department has adopted a "Responsible Coal Purchasing Policy", after a the student group, SPEAK, ran a campaign asking for a policy against the purchase of surface mined coal from irresponsible companies. The campaign lasted for September to May. This was achieved through many avenues. SPEAK members tabled and gave class presentation, as well as hosting films screening about the impacts of MTR coal mining. At these events as SPEAK collected letters the Chancellor in support of adopting the policy. Reagan Richmond, with SPEAK, led the campaign planning committee and worked with the Campus Committee on the Environment to introduce resolution in support of the policy to the SGA, Faculty Senate, and Graduate Student Senate. The resolutions passed almost entirely unanimously, with only one vote against it between all three bodies. After the resolutions passed the administration refused to address them, SPEAK held a press conference to put the pressure on. Less than two weeks after the press conference the Vice Chancellor announced that the resolution would be sent to purchasing to be used in the next coal contract. SPEAK is now following up to with purchasing to insure that the correct language is included, as well as helping to identify alternatives to coal for the steam plant.

University of Vermont & National Wildlife Federation

University of Vermont (National Wildlife Federation) 100% Recycled Paper The University of Vermont also passed a policy requiring 100% recycled, chlorine free paper. National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellow David Giuiliani demonstrated sustainable forest management and created a portfolio of available timber that meets Forest Stewardship Council standards. Permanent forest monitoring plots were randomly located throughout the 40 acres of the Jericho Research Forest on the University of Vermont campus. The data was assessed on several levels, including roads and cultural values, and analyzed to determine the conditions of the forest and the available standing timber. David’s finished portfolio was part of the 23rd Graduate Research Symposium held at the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

University of Winnipeg & Sierra Youth Coalition

University of Winnipeg (Sierra Youth Coalition) Environmental Sustainability Policy he Environmental Sustainability Policy, drafted by the multi-stakeholder Campus Sustainability Task Force, was passed by the Board of Governors in the fall of 2006. The goals stated in the Policy determined the indicators which were also approved so that the campus can assess environmental sustainability performance in relation to the Policy’s objectives. Annual GHG inventories using the CSA GHG Registry have been initiated to monitor the campus’ emissions.

Warren Wilson & Student United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)

Warren Wilson (Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)) Warren Wilson has by far been a leader in campus sustainability initiatives in North Carolina. Built an EcoDorm The University built an EcoDorm that will function as a living community for about thirty students while showcasing numerous environmentally conscious features. Rainwater is collected for use in toilets, photovoltaic window awnings provide renewable energy to the building, composting toilets reduce water use, solar hot water panels harvest heat from the sun to heat water, natural day lighting reduces electricity consumption, and a permaculture landscape provides seasonal foods for residents.

Washington and Lee University & Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)

Washington and Lee University (Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)) Student Leaders - Will Townes, Jessica Huss, and Jordan White Taillories Declaration Members of the Students for Environmental Action League (SEAL) on campus have been advocating for campus energy change for only a year now, but have managed to pass ground breaking policies through the administration during this very short time period. After student leaders and the environmental planning and management committee came up with a proposal of what the Taillories Declaration means to the students, SEAL members presented President Ruscio with a list of petition signatures in a meeting. Washington and Lee University signed the Talloires Declaration, joining over 300 other colleges and universities in over 40 countries in a commitment to promote environmental sustainability in higher education. Through this committee there are ongoing discussions about what it will take to honor these commitments.

Washington State University & National Wildlife Federation

Washington State University (National Wildlife Federation) Sustainability Policy Washington State University adopted a sustainability policy committing to “improve its performance in sustainability in all areas of operations to meet the needs of current generations without impairing the ability to meet the needs of future generations.”

Washington University & Sierra Student Coalition

Washington University in St. Louis (Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)) Sustainability in Food Service The Committee on Environmental Quality at Wash U, led by Erin Robinson, convinced the school catering service to switch from plastic to cardboard containers. As a result, the food service company has also begun to examine the entire carbon footprint of their food services, and have begun to reduce that footprint by buying more local foods and avoiding foods that must be shipped long distances. In general, the CEQ coordinates meetings of students, faculty and staff working on projects to conserve energy, reduce waste, improve recycling, and make campus construction more efficient. They hosted St. Louis’ Step It Up event as well as a film festival and other large events to promote sustainability.

Whitman College & Sierra Student Coalition

Whitman College (Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)) Alternative Energy Gift Fund In December 2006, the Campus Climate Challenge group at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA convinced the school to establish and support an alternative energy gift fund that will allow alumni, faculty, parents, and students to purchase renewable energy for their loved ones at Whitman. The college’s Office of Development initiated and sponsored announcements that went out by mail and email to all alumni since 1958, and also to parents, faculty and staff. The fund has been very successful and has already grown to $12,000 just through individual donations. The students primarily involved in this effort were Juliana Williams, the leader of the Campus Climate Challenge group at Whitman, and Brittany Smith who headed up the alternative gift fund project group. Brittany’s strategy for the project was largely an insider strategy of working directly with the Office of Development.

Wilson Technical Community College & Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)

Wilson Technical Community College (Students United from a Global Social Environment (SURGE)) Leadership on Rural Sustainability Efforts Wilson Tech emerged as a leader in North Carolina’s community college scene in the Fall of 2006, when the new president announced plans to break ground on its first L.E.E.D. Gold certified Student Center, and pledged to be a green campus that would develop new sustainability focused educational programs for students. As a rural community college in Wilson, NC – a small, Eastern NC town still struggling to replace jobs lost to the historically dominant tobacco industry – this is a huge step toward the development of new industry and growth for low-income and minority students and community members in the poorest region of the state. SURGE has offered support to Wilson Tech students and staff, and will work to connect them with the Challenge and green jobs development in year two of the Challenge.