Green College Spotlight: Dickinson College

Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania is one of the greenest colleges in the nation, having earned an A- on the 2008 College Sustainability Report Card. The private liberal arts college has earned accolades for its commitment to climate neutrality, a smart and effective energy program, excellent waste management practices, dedication to green building and other aspects of its sustainability plan.

The 2,400-student college, headed by President William G. Durden, is working toward becoming a ‘living example’ of sustainability in the community. They’ve identified important sustainability goals on campus through a 23-member Sustainability Task Force and are currently working on ways to reach those goals, which include reducing pollution and energy consumption and preserving natural resources.

Dickinson has pledged to work toward climate neutrality as members of the AASHE Presidents Climate Commitment, agreeing to offset all greenhouse gas emissions. President Durden has also challenged he campus community to reduce water and electricity use by 10% during the 2008-2009 academic year, having hired four ‘Residential Eco-Interns’ who are developing programs to meet the challenge. Students are also encouraged to do good green deeds through a ‘Caught Green-Handed’ program – they’re rewarded with cookies.

Dickinson distributes stainless steel reusable water bottles to all incoming students, full-time employees and resident advisors in the hopes of eliminating the use of disposable plastic bottles on campus. Walking around campus, you’ll see lots of reminders to be green, like the big red “Turn Me Off!” stickers next to light switches in bathrooms, classrooms, common rooms and residence halls.

The organic college farm provides local seasonal produce for the cafeteria, and campus dining services also purchase goods from local farms and producers, including a local dairy farm. Corn-based cups, recycled napkins and biodegradable plates and to-go containers are used, and all food waste is composted.

Half of Dickinson College’s electricity comes from wind energy, and you’ll also see solar panel arrays on Kaufman Hall as well as at the college farm. The farm also has a greenhouse with a solar thermal root-heating system which allows a longer growing season. Of course, those are far from the only green aspects of buildings on campus – the Center for Sustainable Living is LEED gold rated and Dickinson has committed to obtaining at least LEED silver for all new construction projects over $500,000.

Dickinson College also has a Biodiesel Project, turning used vegetable oil into fuel. Started by students, the biodiesel plant provides fuel for the college garbage truck, lawn mowers, farm equipment and other diesel engines and surplus fuel is sometimes used in campus heating appliances.

That’s just the beginning of what Dickinson is doing to go green – check out the rest at the Dickinson Sustainability website.

Link [Dickinson Sustainability]

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