March 31, 2021

News of the Week

EPA Releases 2020 Top 30 HEI List of Green Power Users
The University of California tops the EPA’s ranking of higher education institutions based on their total annual usage of green power. Of those listed, Georgetown University has the highest amount of green power as a percentage of total electricity use (127 percent).

U Michigan Shifts Away From Fossil Fuel Investments
The university recently announced it will immediately shift its natural resources investments to focus more on renewable energy, stop investing in funds primarily focused on certain fossil fuels and discontinue direct investments in publicly traded companies that are the largest contributors to greenhouse gases.

Academics
SEPN Launches the Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Education Project

Engagement
Lehigh U Launches Campus Sustainable Impact Fellows
SOS-UK Receives Funding for University Farming Carbon Sequestration Pilot
McGill U Revamps Sustainable Workplace Certification Program

Operations
San Jacinto College to Install 654 KW Solar Electricity System
17 SUNY Campuses Receive Grants to Purchase Food Pantry Refrigeration
U Maryland Baltimore County Receives $4K Grant for Plastic Film Collection

Planning & Administration
Second Nature Receives $282K to Aid Three Programs
Corpus Christi College Releases Fossil Free by 2025 Statement
Duke Energy Commits $300,000 Supporting Minority College Students

Opportunities

2021 AASHE Sustainability Awards
Applications and nominations are encouraged for a 2021 AASHE Sustainability Award. There will be 12 award winners selected from across five categories recognizing individuals and initiatives that are advancing sustainability in higher education. New this year is the Racial Equity and Sustainability Collaborations Award, honoring higher education institutions for successfully integrating racial equity and social justice with sustainability. The deadline to submit is May 21.

Santa Clara University Sustainability Across the Curriculum Workshop
This online workshop is for faculty members from any discipline who are planning to include a module on sustainability in an existing course or to develop a new course focused entirely on sustainability. Participants will explore how to use the campus as a living lab for experiential and project-based learning about sustainability, as well as options for community-based learning. The deadline to apply is April 16.

The Climate Change Education Act
The Campaign for Climate Literacy is soliciting endorsements for the Climate Change Education Act. This would-be statute creates an Office of Climate Change Education and authorizes up to $40 million in grants, including to networks of and individual colleges and universities to support faculty and student teams in developing applied climate research and delivering direct services related to local climate mitigation and adaptation issues.

Make Climate a Class for Earth Month
The Center for Environmental Policy at Bard College invites faculty to assign a pre-recorded, regionally-focused climate change webinar as homework and use it to foster a class discussion based on one of the teachers guides.

2021 Ideas Worth Teaching Awards
The Aspen Institute invites submissions that focus on tools, resources and inspiration for teaching that helps prepare students to envision a world where environmental sustainability, strong democratic systems, and social and economic equity and inclusion are key determinants of long-term success. The deadline to submit is May 7.

Youth Earth Week
Happening April 17-24, Youth Earth Week is organizing events across the U.S. that call for bold action to protect the environment and public health. Youth Earth Week is a project of the Student PIRGs.

AASHE Member Discount: 20% Off Preserve Products
AASHE members can receive a 20 percent discount on Preserve products through the online store. Preserve products range from food storage to tableware and personal care all made from 100% recycled plastic or plant-based compostable materials.

New Resources

Food Insecurity at Urban Universities: Perspectives During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Drawing on the experience of students, faculty and public university administrators at five public urban universities during the pandemic, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) released this report examining the magnitude of the pandemic’s impact on food insecurity on college students and outlining steps institutions can take to better address food insecurity.

Events

AASHE Award Winner Webinar: Secrets for a Strong Course Affiliation Program
March 31, 2021; 3:00 p.m. Eastern; Online

BIPOC Climate Justice Dialogue With Biden-Harris Officials
April 8, 2021; Online

AASHE Live Session: Mindfulness for Alleviating Climate Anxiety
April 14, 2021; 3:00 p.m. Eastern; Online

Managing Organizational Change For Transformational, Deep Decarbonization Initiatives On Campus
April 15, 2021; 2:00 p.m. Eastern; Online

Visit the Sustainability Events Calendar

Jobs & Internships

Education Intern
AASHE

Marketing Intern
AASHE

Sustainability Institute Marketing Strategist
The Pennsylvania State University

Student Farm Education & Operations Manager
The Pennsylvania State University

Research Associate / Postdoctoral Scholar
The Sustainability and Education Policy Network

STARS & Resources Intern
AASHE

Green Practices & Sustainability Manager
Carnegie Mellon University

Sustainability Communications & Engagement Specialist
Johns Hopkins University

Institute for Energy and Society Undergraduate Education Coordinator
Dartmouth College

Research Associate
The Sustainability and Education Policy Network

Graduate Student Research Assistant
The Sustainability and Education Policy Network

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