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Office of Residential Life Sustainability Plan

University of New Haven

 Office of Residential Life

Sustainability Plan 2008-2009

Working Document
 

In December 2002, United Nations Resolution 57/254 was adopted which established the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (www.sustainablecampus.org). This resolution recognizes that education is an "indispensable element for achieving sustainable development" (www.un-documents.net/a57r254.htm). We are charged to focus on making sustainability a part of every conversation, decision and lifestyle choice and consumption pattern from 2004-2015. As we enter the fifth year of this global endeavor, it is time to bring the challenge closer to home on the UNH campus.

Mission

 
The Office of Residential Life at the University of New Haven supports the ideas of sustainable living through both education and role modeling. In keeping with the University's Mission of preparing students to live meaningful and purposeful lives in a global community, the Office of Residential Life seeks to provide unique programming opportunities and campus efforts that promote the ideals of increasing environmental consciousness, economic efficiency, social change and civic responsibility.

Our University collective obligation is to ensure that after students leave UNH that they have the essential information to make sustainability part of their future lifestyle.

Short-Term Goals

  • Help students to understand the ideas of sustainable living through education such as bulletin boards, campus campaigns (i.e. "Last Out...Lights Out") and marketing tools to be released Fall 2009.
  • Publish a monthly "Green is the New Black" article in the monthly Residential Life newsletter beginning November 2008.
  • Work with the SOAR Planning Committee to incorporate sustainability into the program (i.e. distributing CFL bulbs to all in-coming freshmen) Spring 2009.
  • Fact: By replacing one incandescent light bulb with an energy-saving CFL means 1,000 pounds less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, and $67 dollars is saved on energy costs over the bulb's lifetime. http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/green-rssp/rssp_green_sustain.html
  • Provide additional educational opportunities and social programming on the topics of environmental consciousness, social responsibility, and civic responsibility throughout the academic year beginning in Fall 2009.
  • Incorporate the principles of sustainable living in the day-to-day functions of the Office of Residential Life beginning Spring 2009.
  • Encourage paperless communication and the increase of email.
  • Promote the adoption of a footer message "think before you print" in all emails.
  • Work on an ORL logo/campaign (i.e. "Don't Be Blue Go Green) which will be used as part of the sustainability campaign.
  • Work with facilities and the Sustainability Task Force to recommend the increase of "green" friendly cleaning products in the residence halls (and possible sale in the Campus Convenient Store).
  • Investigate re-fillable printer cartridges/toner cartridges r a printer/toner cartridge recycling program in the office.
  • Recycle paper and encourage double-sided printing.
  • Encourage RA's to recycle at their on-campus events.
  • Investigate recyclable bulletin board paper.o Highlight programs on the monthly ORL calendar around the topic of sustainability.
  • Work the Director of Residential Life to establish a Sustainability Theme Community in the New Residence Hall for upperclassmen for Fall 2009. Draft additional job requirements/bulletin board requirements for the Resident Assistant of the community Fall 2008.
  • Develop an Earth Day Task Force to Increase programming for Earth Day 2009 in February 2009.
  • Develop a Sustainability Day Task Force September 2009 to develop programs and initiatives for Sustainability Day in October 2009.
  • Plan an event during Opening Week to breakdown and recycle cardboard boxes August 2009.
  • Plan an end-of-the-year yard sale (May 2009) to decrease trash and increase the re-sale or durable goods such as fridges, furniture and electronics.
  • Work with Good Will to arrange for a trailer to be on campus in December 2008 for student donations before hall closings.

Long-Term Goals

  
A successful and comprehensive sustainability plan or "green campus" plan must eventually include the administration, academics, research and local community partnerships.
  • Eco-Reps for the residence halls: Invite students to be involved in this leadership position in the residence halls. Eco-Reps would work with the residential life staff to hold events and encourage residents to focus on recycling, energy and water conservation, waste management, etc. Eco-reps would work with the residential life staff to have conversations with residents about sustainability efforts in the residence halls and the global community. In addition, they would plan and implement monthly Eco-Boards on a designated theme:
      
    • September: Energy
    • October: Trash
    • November: Water
    • December: Climate Change and/or Air Pollution
    • January/February: Economic o March: Self Improvement
    • April: Earth Day
    • May: Recycling

They will meet also with facility managers to discuss pertinent issues and awareness programming and serve on the Sustainability Task Force. Draft of description and learning outcomes draft by December 2009.

working version 1/09

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