Achievement Archives

Sustainable Learning

LGLG Members Attend AASHE Sustainability Conference and Present Findings. In November 2008, FSU faculty member Kara Rogers Thomas, FSU staff member Patrick O’Brien, and FSU VISTA member Jeff Sellers attended the 2008 AASHE Sustainability Conference. In a presentation open to the public, the presenters discussed best practices for sustainability in higher education. View conference presentation.

WISE @ FSU. Thanks to a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration, a residential-scale Wind and Solar Energy (WISE) system became operational in July 2007.

FSU holds 3rd Annual Appalachian Festival. In fall 2009, the Appalachian Festival kicked off with a symposium on the Appalachian Environment, was followed by a film viewing at the Palace theatre, and ended with free festival admission on FSU grounds.

FSU Renewable Energy Symposium. In fall 2007, the Department of Physics and Engineering and members of the Renewable Energy Outreach team organized held the Renewable Energy Symposium.

Environmental Sociology. In spring 2008, a new course entitled Environmental Sociology was offered by the Department of Sociology.

Sustainability Seminar. The Department of Biology sponsored and held FSU's first-ever Sustainability Seminar in fall 2007.

Ethnobotany @ FSU. The new Ethnobotany major was introduced at FSU in Fall 2007.

Committees go Paperless. During fall 2007, the Graduate Council and the Academic Affairs Committee switched to paperless formats.

New Sustainability Course. In fall 2007, Environment and a Green Society was added to the Learning Community roster.

Renewable Energy Grant. Faculty members in the Department of Physics and Engineering received a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration to study renewable energy.

Student Groups in Action

FSU Represents the Maryland Student Climate Coalition. In February 2008, the Maryland Student Climate Coalition (MSCC), which includes two FSU students, petitioned for a system-wide policy for climate neutrality. That same day, the USM announced plans for a system-wide sustainability initiative.

Blackout Days at FSU. On Oct. 30, the Sierra Student Coalition began hosting Blackout Day. During this regular event, FSU students, faculty, and staff make special efforts to conserve energy, particularly between noon and 1pm.

FSU Green Team. In spring 2008, students began meeting informally to pursue interests in sustainability, and participating in activities that add up to big changes.

Power Shift 2007. In fall 2007, members of the FSU Sierra Student Coalition participated in Power Shift, a national youth summit in Washington, DC.

United Campus Ministry Dialogue. In fall 2007, the United Campus Ministry presented Saving the Earth: An Interfaith Dialogue on the Environment.

FSU Bottom Line. In spring 2008, FSU's student newspaper, The Bottom Line, began recycling spent ink jet cartridges and copier toners.

FSU Staff and Administration

FSU Physical Plant installs low-flow shower heads in all Residence Halls. This resulted in 100,000 gallons of water saved every month, and a cost savings of $2,000 per month.

Hybrid Vehicles at FSU. In April 2008, six 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles were added to the FSU vehicle fleet.

FSU earns high marks in Princeton Review's "Green Ratings". In August 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. FSU’s score of 85 is in the top half of that ranking.

FSU Cultural Events Series (CES) organizes concert inspired by Appalachian culture and people. Singer-songwriter Kathy Mattea performed in Frostburg as part of her Moving Mountains tour.

FSU hires a Recycling Coordinator. In spring 2008 FSU hired its first employee to focus exclusively on the collection and transport of recycled items.

FSU Bookstore Recycling Plastic Bags. In spring 2008, the FSU Bookstore began a program for recycling plastic bags on campus.

FSU Greenhouse Gas Inventory. In fall 2007, FSU Facilities submitted a greenhouse gas emissions inventory using the Clean Air, Cool Planet carbon calculator.

Sustainable Printing. In fall 2007, the Mail and Printing Services department started offering recycled paper and soy inks.

Employee Directory Goes Paperless. The FSU Employee Directory went paperless and since fall 2007, has been available exclusively online.

Recycled Paper for the University Community. In January 2008, the Office of Procurement began campus-wide distribution of 30 percent recycled paper.

Green Printing and Advertising. In spring 2008, the FSU Office of Publications announced a campaign for green printing and advertising, using recycled paper and soy inks whenever possible.

Presidential Leadership

President's Climate Commitment. In spring of 2007, FSU president Jonathan Gibralter signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), making FSU a charter member.

Dr. Gibralter co-chairs sub-group within Maryland Climate Change Commission. In spring 2008, Dr. Gibralter was selected to co-chair the sub-group on Education and Outreach for the Maryland Commission on Climate Change.

President's Membership on State Committees. In fall 2007, Dr. Gibralter became a member of the Greenhouse Gas & Carbon Mitigation Working Group, a part of Governor O'Malley's Maryland Commission on Climate Change.