Learning Green, Living Green: Frostburg State University's Sustainability Initiative

Overview
   -- FSU Facts
   -- Background
   --
Terms

Climate Action Plan

Awakening the Dreamer

Achievements

LGLG Initiative
   --
ACUPCC

Recycling @ FSU
   -- Recyclemania

Individual Actions

Earth Week
    -- Focus Frostburg

Photo Gallery

 

 

 


American College and University President's Climate Commitment

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) provides framework and support for American colleges and universities to eventually go climate neutral.

Purpose
On April 18, 2007, FSU president Jonathan Gibralter signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. FSU officially became a charter member of the initiative on Sept. 15, 2007, along with over 100 other institutions of higher learning.

Overview of the ACUPCC
Institutions signing the Presidents Climate Commitment are pledging to eliminate their contributions to global warming over time. This involves:

  • Establishing an institutional structure to oversee the development and implementation.
  • Completing an emissions inventory every year.
  • Developing a climate neutrality action plan.
  • Choosing tangible actions for immediate impact.
  • Integrating sustainability into the curriculum.
  • Reporting on progress to the public.

In fall 2007 Frostburg State University became a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), a supporting organization of the ACUPCC.

Elements of the Climate Commitment
Within two months - Establish an Institutional Structure. FSU has established a committee of faculty, staff, and students to guide the development and implementation of the school's plan.

Within two months - Identify Tangible actions. Participants agree to select two or more tangible actions from a list of seven, to be completed over two years. FSU pledged to initiate the following actions:

  • Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.
  • Begin purchasing or producing at least 15 percent of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources within one year of signing the ACUPCC.
  • Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt three or more associated measures to reduce waste.

Within one year and annually thereafter - Measure Greenhouse Gas Emissions. FSU has adopted the Clean Air-Cool Planet greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The inventory has been updated annually since 2002.

Within two years - Submit a Climate Action Plan. Participants set a target date and interim milestones for achieving climate neutrality. The LGLG committee is currently developing FSU's Climate Action Plan, which will be submitted by September 15, 2009.

Ongoing - Report Status. Signatory institutions will make their institutional structure, greenhouse gas emissions inventory, climate action plan, and progress reports publicly available by submitting them to AASHE.

 

 


recycle

FSU's Climate Action Plan submitted in September 2009.

Learn more about FSU's plans for climate neutrality and sustainable actions.


In the News:

Sept. 15, 2009 - FSU submits its Climate Action Plan, with a goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2030. FSU will begin implementation of all 49 strategic objectives in the plan within two years.

Sept. 9, 2008 - The FSU dept. of Physics and Engineering secured a $738,000 grant that will build a Sustainable Energy Research Facility (SERF).

Aug. 5 , 2008 - FSU made the grade in having a green campus when it received a score of 85 in the Princeton Review’s “Green Rating” of colleges.

Jan. 17, 2008 - FSU holds Focus the Nation, a national teach-in on global warming solutions.

June 14, 2007 - FSU President Jonathan Gibralter joins the Leadership Circle of the ACUPCC.

April 25, 2007 - FSU becomes a member of the ACUPCC.


 

 

 

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