Centre makes specific commitments to create a greener campus

RELEASED: February 7, 2008

DANVILLE, KY—Centre College announces the implementation of three tangible actions as outlined by the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) that will significantly reduce the College's environmental footprint. While most participating institutions will adopt the minimum two tangible actions, Centre will adopt three.

Centre President John Roush was one of the charter signatories of the ACUPCC and is among a group of college and university presidents leading the charge of environmental awareness.

"The Presidents Climate Commitment (PCC) represents an impetus for the College to take action on environmental initiatives and sends a clear signal that to be an educated person is to care about the ecological welfare of this nation and this world," Roush says.

Preston Miles, chemistry professor and chair of the President's environmental advisory committee, adds, "The immediate steps for Centre will certainly be energy and resource conservation. And it is at this level that our participation in the PCC will be useful. PCC will give us a framework to evaluate specific actions. For instance: How do we decide between low-flow showerheads and electric maintenance vehicles; between organic lawn care and a policy on double-sided printing or those waterless urinals? We may eventually pursue many or maybe most of these things. But which comes first? It's here that I think the PCC can help us."

Centre has chosen to adopt the following three steps as outlined by the ACUPCC for immediate implementation:

1.)   Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent. All new buildings and major renovations will be designed and built to conserve energy and enhance the human environment as evaluated by LEED silver standards or equivalent. Certification through U.S.G.B.C. will be pursued as appropriate.

2.) Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy, requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist. Energy consumption and life-cycle costs will be considered in purchases of all equipment and appliances. The intention will be to purchase E.P.A. Energy Star products in all areas for which such ratings exist.

3.)   Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt three or more associated measures to reduce waste. Waste minimization will be promoted and pursued by policy and practice. Specific activities will depend upon technical and economic opportunities. Current efforts include:
a. A vigorous recycling program with collection in all major buildings of paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, etc.
b. Participation in the waste minimization component of the RecycleMania competition
c. A vigorous program of conservation of paper and other materials through a centralized mail and copying service
d. Incorporation of materials management information into new-employee and new-student orientation programs
e. Use of re-useable drink containers by providing re-useable mugs to students combined with price discounts in café and grill

Commenting on Centre's partnership in the PCC, Miles says, "The larger question is sustainability, how our institution can meet our goals and objectives in the present without restricting the opportunities of future generations of Centre learners. Certainly energy and resource conservation are the biggest part of how we will start to address sustainability. But more importantly, sustainability is a framework for how we think about programs and facilities. To my mind, this is exactly consistent with our institution's history and current practice. Centre has never jumped into 'trendy' majors or programs, but rather has evolved with fundamental changes reflecting the needs and opportunities of our students."

Roush comments further, "The College has and will continue to evaluate ways in which it can meet its obligation to a more green environment in ways that make sense within the context of our operation. It is the right thing to do for ourselves and all those who will follow."

To review past articles in this ACUPCC series, follow the links below.
Part 1: Centre sets in motion plans to reduce its environmental impact
Part 2: Energy conservation has been a priority at Centre for more than 30 years
Part 3: RecycleMania: Let the competition begin!

- end -

Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.