Green College Spotlight: Stanford University
May 25, 2009 · Print This Article
Stanford is among the crème de la crème of American colleges and universities, with an incredibly impressive roster of scholars including 18 Nobel laureates, 4 Pulitzer prize winners and 21 recipients of the National Medal of Science. But, despite the praise heaped upon Stanford for its exceptional quality, this university doesn’t throw all of its efforts into academics. It apparently has plenty of energy left over to be a leader in sustainability, as well.
Granted an A- by the College Sustainability Report Card (the highest grade awarded), Stanford University excels in nearly every category rated from administration to transportation. 13 full-time employees are dedicated to sustainability, including those who work in the Department of Sustainability and Energy Management.
The university’s commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing energy consumption has produced some notable results. After energy-saving retrofits, the Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment + Energy Building uses 56 percent less energy and 50 percent less total water than a similar building with traditional fixtures and systems, and that’s just one example. Stanford’s Energy Retrofit Program has saved over 240 million kilowatt-hours of electricity since it began in 1993, and prevented 72,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Free public transit and train passes are available to students and employees, and the shuttle system on campus serves the campus and parts of the surrounding community. In the dining halls, students enjoy local grass-fed beef, cage-free eggs and milk from a local dairy as well as fresh produce from Stanford’s community farm. The university composts food waste and converts thousands of gallons of waste oil into biodiesel.
Stanford University has a lot to be proud of. Congratulations for all you’ve achieved – keep it up!
Link [Stanford University]
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Well done. I was just at Sidwell Friends school in DC (where the wee Obama children attend) and I love the concept of a green school.
Years ago, I pushed for carpet in classrooms because of the studies showing noise reduction as it relates to learning and attention spans… combine that with VOC content and recyclability and you’ve got a winner.
So much to do, but it’s a great time to be green.