nyuuzyou/wikis huggingface dataset:
University of Kansas Center for Sustainability

Type: Program
Status: Adopted
Source File: http://www2.ku.edu/~sustain/mission.shtml
Description:
Mission Statement
The Center for Sustainability promotes a culture of sustainability on the KU campus. The Center facilitates research, learning opportunities, policies, and practices that address environmental, economic, and social responsibility. We serve as a connection for all members of the campus community - including faculty, staff, and students - to advance policies and projects and participate in processes that lead to a more sustainable future.
Objectives
The center achieves this mission by acting on the following objectives:
# Serve as an avenue for students and student organizations to collaborate on sustainable initiatives and provide input to processes that promote sustainability on campus
# Engage faculty in multidisciplinary research, issues forums, and curriculum development focusing on the advancement of sustainable practices and policies
# Involve university staff and administration in discussions leading to new processes and polices that improve environmental, economic, and social responsibility
# Expand the capacity for sustainable initiatives through campus-wide networking, community outreach, and fund development.
# Promote efforts by the campus community to advance sustainability through the center website, media outlets, and other recognition programs.
Goals
The Center for Sustainability has established five performance goals to work toward during the initial stages of development. These goals include:
# Secure externally funded research grants
# Facilitate student-based sustainability research projects
# Facilitate development of service-learning courses with a sustainability focus
# Establish a campus-wide sustainability ambassador network to include faculty, staff, and student representation
# Complete research that identifies cost-savings opportunities in campus operations
Category:Colleges
Category:Kansas
Category:Programs
Category:Sustainability Policies
University of Kentucky Sustainable Dining

Type: Policy
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.uky.edu/DiningServices/sustainability.html
Description:
UK Dining Services buys produce from local farmers here in the Commonwealth when possible. By supporting our local farmers, we are helping to keep the Commonwealth green and beautiful. Our customers get the freshest products and support the local economy at the same time. The list below shows the products that we have purchased from the local farmers:
* Heirloom Tomatoes, Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Yellow Tomatoes, Green Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes
* Silver Queen Corn, Yellow Corn, Bi-color Corn
* Green Bell Peppers
* Eggplants
* Green Cabbage
* Yellow Squash, Zucchini Squash
* Cucumbers
* Blackberries
* Sangria Seedless Watermelons, Orange Seedless Watermelons, Yellow Seedless Watermelons
* Cantaloupes
* Jalapeños
on thego
In an effort to become more environmentally conscious‚ we have made improvements in our On the Go operation by switching to containers made by NaturesPLAstic™:
* These containers are made from 100% renewable resources, mostly corn product
* They decompose in two to three weeks
* No petroleum is used in the manufacturing process
uk101
Dining Services partnered up UK 101, UK Libraries and Residence Life Recycling to give all UK 101 students a free mug and a free fill-up with their first purchase:
* Discount if mug is used at any UK Dining Services location
* Only approved mug to use in the UK Libraries
blazercafé
Dining Services renovated the Blazer Café facility this past summer. Not only did we improve the appearance of the unit; we also improved its environmental friendliness. We invested $64,000 in a dishwasher, the Jackson JFT-21. We also switched from using paper and plastic plates, bowls and utensils, to using china and silverware that can be reused.
* The Jackson JFT-21 has an auto cut-off when not in use, older machines run constantly wasting electrical power
* The Jackson JFT-21 recycles water, reducing the amount needed witout without affecting performance
* The Jackson JFT-21 washes 17,000 dishes per hour using only 140 gallons of water, that's only 1.05oz. per dish
* Eliminated 1,100 plates, forks, knives and spoons
* Eliminated 750 bowls a day
* These steps improve appearance of the unit and the environment
south farm & recycling
As you might already know, cooking produces quite a bit of waste. We at UK Dining Services use this waste in a way that is beneficial to the environment when possible:
* Starbucks® used coffee grounds, food waste and other kitchen waste
* All paper, boxes and packaging material is recycled when possible
* All aluminum and plastics are recycled when possible
Category:Colleges
Category:Food-Related Policies
Category:Kentucky
Category:Policies
University of La Verne, CA Campus Sustainability Task Force

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted in March 2002
Source File: http://www.ulv.edu/sustainability/
Description:
Mission Statement:
The University of La Verne Campus Sustainability Task Force is committed to supporting the University’s mission statement by promoting proactive, environmentally responsible practices throughout all campus activities.
The task force seeks to raise community-wide awareness and understanding of environmental issues and the responsibilities each person has to help address these issues. The task force will create a framework for ecologically sound, socially and fiscally feasible practices across the campus and will provide encouragement and direction to students, staff, faculty, and the entire campus for the implementation of these practices.
 
Introduction:
The task force was created in March 2002 with the purpose of educating the University of La Verne community about sustainable practices, assessing the sustainability of the campus as it is now, and suggesting ways to improve conservation and environmentally sound practices across campus. The task force is made up of representatives from across the campus, including many faculty and staff members.
Chair: Prof. Robert Neher
 
Take Action!
What can you do to help save the earth everyday? The PowerPoint presentation compiled for 2003 Orientation from ideas outlined by ULV students, faculty, and staff, offers on each slide something easy you can do. These tips not only save the environment, but could also to help you save money! Each slide also outlines how and why the action will help, and about half have links to outside resources for more information. See also the Earth Tips page from Earthday for the original tips from ULV students. For more resources, see the sources and links page.
Project Ideas
Need to do a class project? Want to help around campus? Need ideas? Check out the project ideas page for a variety of projects that will ULV be more environmentally responsible. When you find something you’re interested in helping with, set a goal, and measure your progress against the baseline data—the snapshot of where we are now. Let us know what you’re interested in, and what you’re doing now!
Category:California
Category:Colleges
Category:Policies
Category:Sustainability Policies
University of Louisville, KY Green Purchasing Policy

Type: Policy
Status: In Effect
Source File: http://louisville.edu/purchasing/sustainability/greenpolicy.html
Text:
UofL Green Purchasing Policy
The University of Louisville is committed to the stewardship of the environment and to reducing the University’s dependence on non-renewable energy. These Green Purchasing Policies and Procedures support the University’s commitment to sustainability.
The goal of this policy is to reduce the adverse environmental impact of our purchasing decisions by buying goods and services from manufacturers and vendors who share our commitment to the environment. Green purchasing is the method wherein environmental and social considerations are taken with equal weight to the price, availability and performance criteria that colleges and universities use to make purchasing decisions.
Green Purchasing is also know as “environmentally preferred purchasing (EPP), green procurement, affirmative procurement, eco-procurement, and environmentally responsible purchasing,” particularly within the U.S. Federal government agencies. Green Purchasing minimizes negative environmental and social effects through the use of environmentally friendly products.
Green Purchasing attempts to identify and reduce environmental impact and to maximize resource efficiency.
The principal aims of an environmental purchasing strategy are:
* Minimize the consumption of non-replaceable natural resources by reviewing current and proposed future usage and evaluating the pros and cons of alternatives.
* To seek alternatives to products and processes which are detrimental to the environment by using more “environmentally friendly” products and processes.
* To minimize waste, including: any packaging, waste produced by the product (or service) in question, and waste generated by the eventual disposal of the product.
* To maximize the reuse and recycling of materials.
* To stimulate demand for “environmentally friendly” products by letting manufacturers and suppliers know the environmental performance we expect in products.
Category:Buy Green Policy
Category:Colleges
Category:Kentucky
Category:Policies
University of Maine GLBT Allies Council

Type: Policy
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.umaine.edu/glbt/glbtac.htm
Description:
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Council advises senior administrators, through the Deans of Students, about the concerns and needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community (students, faculty and staff) at the University of Maine. The Council promotes education and awareness activities for the campus community, advocates for the inclusion of relevant material and approaches in the academic curriculum and provides a forum for discussing the needs of the GLBT community. The Council also advises the Director of Equal Opportunity on problems that may involve discrimination and harassment of GLBT persons.
The Council includes representatives from all segments of UMaine community – undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, professional and classified staff. The sub-committees of the Allies Council include: Education and Advocacy, Curricula Development and Social/Event Planning.
If you are interested in joining, please contact one of the Co-Chairs.
Category:Colleges
Category:LGBT
Category:Maine
Category:Policies
University of Maine Vehicle Idle Policy

Type: Policy
Status: In Effect
Source File: http://www.sustainability.umaine.edu/VehicleIdlePolicy.pdf
Text:
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to eliminate unnecessary idling of all vehicles on university
property. Vehicle idling wastes fuel, degrades air quality, and causes unnecessary
emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases that enhance the natural greenhouse
effect. This policy is in accordance with the University of Maine's efforts to reduce CO2
emissions under the Governor's Carbon Challenge.
Policy:
It is the policy of the University of Maine at Orono to continually improve the efficient use
of vehicle fuels in an effort to reduce emissions and operating costs. To reduce overall
emissions on campus and improve air quality, all vehicles on university property are
prohibited to idle unnecessarily. Vehicle operators will adhere to the following
standards:
:1) Idling is prohibited (with the limited exceptions listed below) when the ambient temperature is above 32° F.
:2) 5 minute maximum idle time limit when ambient temperature is 32° F and below.
:3) Vehicles will not be left idling when the operator is away from the vehicle (with the limited exceptions listed below).
:4) Idling is prohibited in "No Idle Zones". Signs indicate the location of these zones.
Exceptions
The following exceptions apply to this policy:
* Emergency response vehicles when responding to an emergency.
* Vehicles that must maintain a specific temperature for onboard materials.
* Health or safety reasons (e.g., severe weather conditions, use of vehicle safety features).
* Below 0°F for diesel vehicles.
* Traffic conditions
* Supervisors may approve exemptions for specific vehicles if necessary.
Category:Colleges
Category:Gas-Powered Transportation
Category:Maine
Category:Policies
University of Michigan Green Purchasing Initiatives

Type: Policy
Status: In Effect
Source File: http://www.procurement.umich.edu/greenpurchasing.html
Description:
GREEN PURCHASING INITIATIVES
"Green" Procurement
Procurement Services encourages University of Michigan departments to buy products that are made from recycled or remanufactured materials.
Strategic Suppliers Offer Recycled (“Green”) Products
Products from recycled or remanufactured materials are available through Strategic Suppliers, and campus wide vendors that support the University's Environmental Stewardship initiatives. The University Contracts page lists vendors that offer green products.
Mercury-Free Alternative Thermometer Program
In an effort to reduce the risk of environmental contamination, human exposure, and costly clean-up activities associated with accidental thermometer breakage, the Department of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH) has established a Mercury Thermometer Elimination Program.
The mercury-free alternative thermometers are available through the University's Fisher Scientific Strategic Supplier Laboratory Supplies Contract. Special Discount Pricing has been negotiated with Fisher Scientific in an effort to assist departments in meeting Mercury Elimination goals.
Buy Remanufactured Toner Cartridges
Departments can lower supply costs and reduce solid waste by using remanufactured cartridges. Toner cartridges and print cartridges can be recycled through an exchange program with several local vendors. Vendors disassemble, clean and refill used cartridges with new toner or ink. Remanufactured cartridges can be purchased for almost half the cost of an OEM (original) cartridge and are 100% guaranteed.
Contact information for vendors who have been selected to provide remanufactured toner and print cartridges to the University community can found on the University Contracts page.
Reuse Campus Envelopes
The University supports a program to assist departments in reusing campus mail envelopes. Large campus envelopes can be reused up to 40 times. Remember, RE-USE is better than recycling.
Category:Buy Green Policy
Category:Colleges
Category:Michigan
Category:Policies
University of Minnesota-Duluth Rain Garden

Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.d.umn.edu/outreach/stormwater/rain_garden/
Description:
One of the goals of UMD's storm water pollution prevention program is to look for ways to improve the quality of storm water leaving the campus. Installing a rain garden was our first choice for improving storm water from UMD's largest parking lot.
We chose a rain garden for this location because:
* the existing lot shed most of its water to a single point on the surface,
* a garden would enhance appearance of this site
* The existing trees could be preserved and incorporated into the garden.
* And the location provided a good opportunity to educate the public on the benefits of rain gardens.
The UMD Rain Garden covers approximately 1/3 of an acre and can hold over 60,000 gallons of water. Storm water from 2.5 acres of the parking lot is directed to the settling basin where sand and debris sink to the bottom. As the settling basin fills, water then overflows into the rain garden. Some of the water is used by the plants, some will evaporate, some will soak into the ground, and some will be released into the storm sewer.
The depressed area of the garden can hold about a foot of water before it will begin to flow out through the overflow pipe. Because the native soil is mostly clay, we installed drain tile in the bottom of our garden. Water not immediately absorbed by the soil filters down through the soil and into the drain tile. Since we want to hold as much water in the soil as possible, we installed a dam which allows us to control how much water leaves through the drain tile.
The planting soil in the rain garden is made up of 40% peat and 60% topsoil. The peat helps absorb more water than normal topsoil would. The soil treats the water in two ways; bacteria in the soil breaks down oils and greases, while the soil particle themselves bind to phosphorus and heavy metals removing them from the water.
There are more than 75 different species and 3,800 plants in the UMD Rain Garden. The plants you see were chosen for more than just their color and texture. The majority are native plants which can survive the differences in water availability. The deep roots break up the sub soil to promote infiltration and take up water into the plant. The stems and leaves put water back into the atmosphere through evaporation and help hold the mulch in place as the garden floods.
By directing storm water through the UMD Rain Garden we are decreasing the quantity of water that will reach Oregon Creek, and the water that does arrive, will arrive slower and be cooler and cleaner than when the water was flowing directly off the parking lot surface into the storm sewer.
Category:Colleges
Category:Community Gardens
Category:Minnesota
Category:Programs
Category:Stormwater
University of Minnesota-Morris Purchases Electric Zero Emission Vehicle

Type: Policy
Status: Announced on 4/7/08
Source File: http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=5483
Description:
ZEV is stopping traffic these days on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Morris. For one thing, it has a distinctive look. Secondly, it travels at a slower than usual speed.
ZEV is an electric Zero Emission Vehicle, a replacement addition to the campus’ plant services work fleet. It will be used for light hauling—the box can convert to a flatbed— securing parts and traveling to service areas on the campus. UMM purchased the first such vehicle sold in the state of Minnesota.
“We sold one of our gas-powered vehicles to the campus’ Heating Plant,” explained Dale Logan, senior automotive mechanic at UMM, “and purchased this one with the money.” The cost to purchase the DC drive, 48-volt, 18 and one-half horsepower ZEV was $12,500.
It’s a fuel-efficient vehicle, running on electricity instead of gas. In an electricity vs. gas comparison, the ZEV uses .0295 cents per mile vs. .3281 cents per mile for a gas vehicle. Annual cost for electricity is $161 for the ZEV vs. $1,796 for its gas counterpart. The ZEV’s classification as a “neighborhood electrical vehicle” means that it can be licensed and anyone with a valid driver’s license can drive it. Maximum speed it can travel—even pushing “pedal to the metal”—is 24 mph, which complies nicely with the 15 and 20 mph posted speed limits on campus roads. It can be driven only on roads that are posted 35 mph and under.
“The ZEV is another example of UMM’s dedication to protect the environment,” said Lowell Rasmussen, vice chancellor for finance and facilities. “We’re evaluating the vehicle and I wouldn’t be surprised if the campus purchased additional similar vehicles in the future.”
Operation and maintenance of the ZEV are as simple as its design: turn on the key, disengage the brake, place it in reverse or forward gear. With no oil to change, for example, the ZEV requires 90 percent less maintenance, said Logan. In addition, with no gas used, there are no exhaust fumes. And the vehicle offers a quiet ride.
ZEV can be driven about 50 miles in the summer until it needs to be recharged, during which Plant Services staff plug in the vehicle overnight. Winter driving mileage is still being determined, although Logan estimated about 20 miles of winter travel in the rear wheel drive vehicle before recharging is necessary. Although UMM’s ZEV features no speedometer, it does have a battery indicator. And while Logan says ZEVs come only in white, he expects that, perhaps for an additional cost, one can order other custom colors.
In many ways, said Logan, “its operation is similar to an EZ Go golf cart.”
Category:Colleges
Category:Electric-Powered Transportation
Category:Minnesota
Category:Policies
University of Minnesota UReturn Program

Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://ds.umn.edu/ureturn/
Description:
Finding your way back to work
UReturn is an integrated disability services program designed to assist and support all University faculty and staff who experience an illness or injury, either work-related or non-work-related. UReturn offers access to a variety of University services that continues through your recovery , return to work, or ongoing employment.
UReturn, housed in Disability Services, is the designated office to serve all employees (including faculty and staff ) with any disability or medical condition requiring accommodations or adjustments. UReturn obtains and confidentially maintains medical documents, certifies eligibility for services, recommends adjustments or reasonable accommodations, and develops plans for the provision of these for employees with illness or injury. As a neutral party, specialists assist employees and their supervisors in implementing appropriate accommodations/adjustments.
UReturn provides:
* Trained professionals who are available to help employees return to work quickly and safely.
* Coordination of the details of an employee's successful return to work.
* Support, such as job analysis, ergonomic consultation, and if appropriate, accommodations.
* Confidentiality, while working with medical providers to identify options to return to work or maintain employment.
* On-going contact with the University through recovery and work.
UReturn staff work with employees and supervisors to insure that medical conditions—both occupational and non-occupational—are evaluated so that employees can return to work quickly and safely.
Category:Colleges
Category:Disability Issues
Category:Minnesota
Category:Programs
University of Missouri-Kansas City Organic Composting Program

Type: Program
Status: Launched on 10/27/08
Source File: http://www.umkc.edu/foodservice/sustainability.html
Description:
On October 27, 2008 the University Center began a partnership with Missouri Organics and Sodexo in an organic composting program. It is our intent that the reduced tonnage in food waste will allow for a cost savings over the life of the program. This program can not only be beneficial to the current University Center operation, but also a foundational cornerstone to the sustainable focus in operating the new Student Union.
Here are some basic mechanisms of how the program will work:
* Missouri Organics has supplied 4 96-gallon containers for the program
* The containers are lined with compostable bags
* Sodexo will purchase 5-gallon buckets that will be filled with preparation waste and post-consumer waste and then transported to the 96-gallon containers. The 5-gallon bucks will encourage individual responsibility for the program and reduce the cost of additional bags.
* All food waste materials, plus card board, wax paper, and food cartons are compostable. The only items that will fall outside of this process will be plastics, i.e. straws/creamer contains/etc. Our intent is to provide a separate tub by the dish line to encourage our students and guests to join us in the process by separating their plastic items much as they currently do their silverware. We hope you join us in this new endeavor.
Category:Colleges
Category:Composting
Category:Missouri
Category:Programs