going green white paper project-revised

8/2/2019 Going Green White Paper Project-REVISED

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With everyone in the world becoming moreaware of the environment and our involve-ment, the Going Green movement has becomea part of everyones daily life. The forefront of

the movement should be in the future of the

world, which starts in the Universities.

The University of South Florida as one thenations top green colleges named by the

Princeton Review is leading the pack withtrying to better develop ways to limit ourenergy consumption, start recycling programs,and also educate the students about Global

Sustainability.

This white paper will highlight the ways inwhich USF has actively participated in the GoGreen Movement, and how we at USF aregoing to continue to follow the Go Green

Movement.

Students for Greener Bulls

Jo IbasfaleanMelanie Robinson

Kelly DargaiBrittany MasuckJoshua Ulrich

Professional Writing

USF 2012Spring Semester

Professor Tobienne


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Executive Summary3

History of Sustainability4

Sustainability Initiatives5

What USF

has, is, and

is going to do!..................6

Spotlight Interviews.9

How is USF measuring up?............11

Conclusion..13

Bibliography..14

Works Cited.16

USF Report Card..12


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The University of South Florida (USF) started participating in the

sustainability movement in 1995 by simply planting over 2000 trees

their campus. The road to sustainability has been a slow and steady

journey for the university. President Judy Genshaft has further commit-

ted USF to the Go Green Movement in 2008 by signing The American

College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. In 2008, USFreceived an overall D+ grade from the Sustainable Endowments Insti-

tute for their sustainability efforts. By 2011, USF achieved an overall

grade of B+ for the sustainability efforts. With each passing year, USF

have added more programs and initiatives to gain more ground on the

road to Go Green Movement. One part of USFs Master Plan in-

cludes reaching out to the community, faculty, staff, students and

alumni to get them to participation in the sustainability movement. In

2009, USF created The Office of Sustainability, which has the mission

to continue USFs commitment of sustainability in to future. The Of-

fice of Sustainability has the four strategic goals to accomplish their

mission. USF set up the Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF), which col-

lects $1 per-credit-hour fee from students. The fall semester of 2011,

SGEF collected $300,000 and $400,000 in the spring of 2012. The

SGEF uses the funds for sustainability projects on campus.

The USF Office of Sustainability strives to improve the quality of

human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco

-systems.


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During the late 90s the going green movement starting to become noticeable everywhere.People started becoming concerned with the environment and began recycling more and purchasi

more fuel efficient vehicles like the emergence of the Toyota Prius in 1997. With this generation o

wareness, it was only natural for the Universities which are on the forefront of all research would

he center of emerging ideas and proactive actions toward protecting the environment in the future

nstead of being reactive.

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everythingthat we need for our survival

and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainabi

creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productiv

harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and

future generations (EPA)

The preceding quotation is from the US EPA website explaining the term Sustainability. This

ssentially what the entire go green movement is about, getting our Earth to a place where we can

ve in harmony with our surroundings instead of hurting. Seeing as the University of South Florida

he eighth largest University in the country, they have a responsibility to be respectfully aware of th

nvironment around them.

Beginning in 1995,USF began looking into developing a plan for the University to be more

ligned with sustainability. These attempts were laid out in the Campus Master Plan. The main con

ept of the plan was surrounded around Smart Growth, which is an urban planning and transporta

on theory. The office of sustainability website for the University states that in the first ten years of

aking action they planted over 2000 trees.


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After learning a little about what the go green movement is all about a

its background, it is important to look into what USF has chosen to take on a

main initiatives to change the current status of the campus. USF has a 236 p

report which explains all of their initiatives that they have on campus which th

submitted to STARS (Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Tracking Syst

which granted them a Gold STARS rating. There are many that have been fair

simply for the Office of Sustainability to take immediate action about such as

creasing recycling and changing light bulbs around campus but there are som

innovative ideas that USF has implemented or will in the future that makes th

deserving of receiving a high rating in the STARS system.

Carpool Discount and Matching Program

Promoting the use of Public Transportation and bicycles, including more b

lanes

Prohibiting of idling of vehicles to limit Greenhouse Emissions

Reform Building design and construction, starting to adhere to LEED guide

lines

Limiting Printing

Monitor Water Consumption

Usage of non-potable water

Xeriscaping

Weather- Informed Irrigation

Electronic Waste Recycling Program

Food Donation

Tray less Dining to help with water usage

Recycled Content Napkins Reusable Mug Discount and reusable to-go containers

The above initiatives that USF has begun working on or is going to beg

working on is impressive because it spans every aspect of the University from

building and development to the napkins which are used in the cafeterias. T

style of thinking that the Office of Sustainability has adopted lets every depar

ment and every student be able to do their part. It is not only a benefit to the

vironment but also a benefit to the students with a plethora of discounts that

being offered for their part in being an active participant in the cause.


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Past Sustainability EffortUSF started their 10-year plan in 1995. In the first 10 years, US

has planted over 2,000 trees. This was just the beginning for USF. En

ergy conservation has become a priority since the early 1980s, with

simple replacements of light bulbs to more energy saver bulbs.

(Sustainability 2011) USF has been a contributor to the sustainable

goals and practices that is included in USF's Master Plan (Tampa Cam

pus). They have not only reached out to the campus life, but also into

off-campus communities, such as, off-campus light pollution to pre-

serving undeveloped land. With USF using the Greenlights replace-ment program, they have saved approximately $10 million alone. In

the continued growth in high-energy demand, USF has reduced their

electrical consumption by about 3% in the past six years. In 2008, US

President Judy Genshaft signed The American College and University

Presidents Climate Commitment, which obligates the Tampa campus

to conduct and annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The fol-

lowing year the Tampa campus was had also promised to come up

with a long-term Climate Action Plan (CAP) to reduce and overall elim

nate greenhouse gas emission. In 2009, USF office of Sustainabilitywas established to keep this obligation. The one major source of

greenhouse gas emission is energy consumption by the University. Th

concludes that the CAP says to lower the greenhouse gas emission

USF must reduce the energy consumption and overall will reduce the

cost.(Sustainability 2011)

Judy Genshaft (picture above)

has been USFs President

since 2000 and has led the

way in signing the Climate

Commitment and attending

the Go Green Tampa Bay

Expo in the go-green move-

ment.


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Current Sustainability Efforts

Right now undergraduates at USF are assessed

a nominal fee of 0.58% per credit hour for the StudentGreen Energy Fee (SGEF). Graduate residents are as-

sessed 0.27% per credit hour is for the SGEF. This fee

s used to assist the University in conserving energy,

reducing energy cost, lowering greenhouse gas emis-

sions, and promoting renewable energy technologies.

(Sustainability 2011) On March 24,2011, the Florida

Board of Governors approved that students at each

campus vote in a student body referendum every

three years to determine if they support the fee and atwhat rate. The first time it ever took place was April

27th and 28th of 2011. It passed with 70% of the stu-

dents voting to approve the fee and rate of the SGEF

they are charged. USF anticipates having more build-

ngs to be LEED certified. One recent Green building

that opened in 2010 was the Patel Center for Global

Solutions that is designed to be efficient of natural re-

sources and the green environment. (Sustainability

2011)

The Science and Technology Building at the University

South Florida St Petersburg Campus is a LEED Certifie

ing built for Creative Contractors and completed in 200

(Above Pictured)

The Kiran C Patel Center for Global Solutions at the Un

of South Florida Tampa Campus is a LEED certified bu

built by Charles Perry Construction and opened in Ma

2010. The cost was roughly 18 Million dollars.


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Future Sustainability Efforts

Coming from USF Sustainability, they pledge to

keep up with their Green environment for years to com

Some key bullet points in their pledge:Paper: We use 100% recycled paper in all of ou

promotional materials and we recycle paper after using

both sides. Electricity: We purchase Energy Star rated

electronics and we use compact fluorescent light bulbs

all lighting fixtures. Water: We only use reusable bottles

for beverages and we have implemented low flow fixtu

and toilets in our facilities. Transportation: We highly re

ommend carpooling, using of public transportation, bic

cling, and walking for transportation purposes. Waste:We recycle all paper, plastic, and aluminum waste and

we return ink cartridges and toners to the manufacture

for recycling. (Sustainability 2011)

USF has many goals that they have obtained and im-

proved to more than they had expected. They have a h

expectation from their students and faculties for future

sustainability on all campuses of USF. With everyone,

working together to obtain a green life style in any little

way will help not only our environment on campus but our communities. Their overall goals contain strengthe

ing and supporting research in environmental going

green. They also want to build a sustainable campus e

vironment. USF wants to construct an up-to-date cleari

house of information about all sustainability by engagi

students and faculty in the mix. This all will help expan

and improve teaching and research mission, a more en

gaged residential community.

The Office of Sustainability is pleased to an-

nounce the Sustainability Champions Program.

This program highlights outstanding faculty

and staff who demonstrate a strong commit-

ment to making the USF campus and commu-

nity a cleaner, greener place to live and work.

Sustainability Champions are selected based

on their commitment to conserving resources,

reducing waste, recycling and reusing materi-

als, increasing energy efficiency, and other

behaviors that will help make USF a more sus-

tainable campus. Two Champions will be se-

ected each semester. (Office of Sustainability

website)


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First Interview: First Year Student at USFSP

Did you know USF has a Sustainability program?No, I have been a student for a year an a half

now and I didn't know we had a Sustainability

plan.

If so, what knowledge do you have of it? If not,what have you noticed around campus that con-tributes to "Going Green"?

I did hear something that St Pete had a to-bacco free campus now. I have also noticed that

we have recycling bins and the water fountains

with the refillable containers.

Do you use any of these "Going Green" products?I recycle my plastic bottles.

Did you know that all students pay a Green EnergyFee?

No. (She was really surprised) I pay a fee?

Do you think its a good start at making USF a wellknown Energy Conservation Campus?

I think they are doing a great job at trying to ob-

tain a great sustainable envelopment around

campus, but I hadn't heard of this and therefore

they should get it out to the student body in other

ways then they had.

Second Interview: Casey Junior at USFSP

Did you know the USF has a Sustainabilityprogram or Office of Sustainability?

No, but I had noticed some go-gree

type things happening on campus.

What had you noticed around campus?I had noticed the signs that we were

going tobacco-free and the blue recycling

bins. I had also recently noticed the chargports in the teacher parking lot in front of

the campus grind for electric cars.

Do you participate in any of these?I definitely recycle but I dont have a

electric car to charge.

Did you know that the Science and Technoogy Building on campus is a LEED certifiedbuilding meaning its environmentallyfriendly?

No I had no idea but I am very proud

of that.

What do you think of USF pursuing moreways of becoming Green?I think it is a great idea, we need to protec

our environment especially in SP on the w

terfront. I would love to hear more on campus about what I can do.


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Interview with the Sustainability Program Coordinator Zaida

Darley

Once the President signed the ACUPCC, a Climate Action Plan was created in order to set goals for accomplishing Carbon Neutrality by

2070. The link is provided so you can learn more about our strategies and goals. As for student involvement, there are several student or-

ganizations on campus that allow students to get involved. The Student Environmental Association, Keep Our School Beautiful, Engineers

for a Sustainable World are just a few examples. The Office of Sustainability supports their sustainability initiatives. Also, students can sub-

mit proposals to the Student Green Energy Fund to directly make an impact. As fund manager, I assist students with their proposal ideas.

Finally, the Office of Sustainability promotes events that allow for student involvement. For the month of April, we have a tree planting taking

place on April 20 and Earth Day Tampa Bay on April 21. We try to post information and events on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/

USFSustainability on a regular basis.

What is the Office of Sustainabilitys plan for USF in the future and is there any way that students can help or get more involved?

USF has made great strides in sustainability in a very short amount of time. Since 2008 when President Genshaft signed American College and

University Presidents Climate Commitment(ACUPCC) USF has been committed to becoming environmentally and fiscally sustainable. The

economy has only made this commitment more important.

The Office of Sustainability supports sustainability initiatives on campus in any way we can. However, our best source of energy-saving ideas

come from all over campus and any project takes time and money. The students at USF understood this and responded by passing the Green

Fee, which generates resources for the Student Green Energy Fund. This fund allows student, staff and faculty to submit proposals to pay for

alternate energy or energy-reducing projects that will save the campus electricity. The Green Fee is about $1 a credit hour so the limit to the

Is the sustainability of USF being improved at a rate that youre happy with or are issues like a stale economy and cuts in government spend-ing slowing it down?

Are there any projects that you or the Office of Sustainability would really like to do but just dont have the money or resources to accomplishright now, and If so do you think any of these projects will be more viable in the future?
http://rs.acupcc.org/cap/607/http://www.facebook.com/USFSustainabilityhttp://www.facebook.com/USFSustainabilityhttp://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/http://www.facebook.com/USFSustainabilityhttp://www.facebook.com/USFSustainabilityhttp://rs.acupcc.org/cap/607/


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USF is continuously working to become one of the most sustainable schools in the

country. Christian Wells, director of the Office of Sustainability, said his office was deter-

mined to follow through on this commitment by creating programs and initiatives to make

USF a greener campus. (Radeka 2011) A formal sustainability policy has since been put

in place to lay out the schools strategic plans for the going green movement. As required,

heat recovery systems and energy-efficient lighting systems have been installed to help de-

crease energy use and renewable energy can be generated through the use of solar pan-

els. Simple acts such as tray-less dining are strongly encouraged and have saved USF

32,992 gallons of water per year! USFs Housing and Residential Education department

also made an attempt to save water when they recently replaced old showerheads

throughout a building with water efficient showerheads; it was a success, as reports

showed 7,000 fewer gallons being used with the new showerheads. Other policy require-

ments like initiative for greener building have also made a huge difference; water metering

technology, lighting sensors, and LED lighting have been installed in all buildings. Several

buildings meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria and two are

currently being evaluated for gold certification. (University 2011)

The policies are definitely proving to be beneficial for USF, but most importantly

there has been an increase in student involvement. Going green is becoming sort of a

trend for USF students, and more and more are becoming involved in the movement on a

daily basis. Over 69 percent of USF Tampa and 77 percent St. Pete stu-

dents voted in favor of the extra tuition fee for the Student Green Energy

Fund. Some are even proposing their own ideas on how to create greener

campuses, as theyre eager to see more change. (Radeka 2011) Student

sustainability groups, including the USF Student Community Gardens, the

Green Living Learning Community, the Student Environmental Association,

and Emerging Green Builders have all been created to easily include stu-

dents in USFs efforts toward the green movement. With help from the stu-

dents, USF will be number one in no time!


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2011 2010 2009 2008

Overall Grade B+ C C- D+

Administration A B C F

Climate Change & Energy B D C F

Food & Recycling B B D D

Green Building A D D F

Student Involvement A B C

Transportation A B B A

Endowment Transparency A D C C

Investment Priorities A B B B

Shareholder Engagement D D F F

Office of

ncreasing recyclingthe bigger picture,onger term.

received

E. Christian Wells, Director of USFsOffice of Sustainability

USF Office of Sustainabilitys Strategic Plan

Strengthening and supporting integrated and synergistic interdisciplinary research across discipli-nary, departmental, college and campus boundaries

(Strategic Goal 1)

Building a sustainable campus environment at USF(Strategic Goal 2)

Constructing an up-to-date clearinghouse of information about all the sustainability engagementactivities currently occurring at USF and encouraging and rewarding faculty, staff, and student en-

gagement in sustainability initiatives

(Strategic Goal 3)

Creating a sustainable environment that supports an expanded and improved teaching and re-search mission, a more engaged residential community, and a university-based global village

(Strategic Goal 4)

http://usfweb2.usf.edu/sustainability/about_mission.aspx


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After reviewing the research that is available concern-

ing what strides USF has made, one can see that USF is lead-

ing the way into the future with a forward thinking motto in re-

gards to sustainability. Although the Office of Sustainability

isnt very old at the university, it has some great ideas which

were highlighted in their 236 page report. The greatest part

about the way that USF has confronted the need for change

was in the way that they not only enlisted the help from stu-

dents and faculty but also reaching out the community and

really making this a program that everyone can be involved in.

From small changes that the university can make like

changing light bulbs and planting trees to huge overhauls like

revamping the irrigation to a weather smart system and build-ing LEED certified buildings, the University has shown their se-

riousness and dedication to the effort. Since 1995 when the

changes were first implemented the school has gone so far to

have created a new graduate program with an 18 million dol-

lar building to match centered around global sustainability.

USF is concerned with the campus but is also concerned with

the students continuing on and thinking on a global level. This

gives USF and the community to be at center of a whole new

change on the global level.By looking at all of the initiatives that USF has taken to-

wards Going Green, one couldnt be surprised if not soon they

are at the very top of the list for green schools. If they con-

tinue with their direction, they could possibly be a leader of

going green in communities as well in the country.

Conclusion


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1. Mission - USF Office OF Sustainability. University of South Florida, 2011. Web. 18 Mar 2012. < http://usfweb2.usf.edu/Sustainability/about_mission.asp>

The site is up to strengthening and supporting integrated and synergistic interdisciplinary research across disciplinary campusboundaries. USF also is using the site to build a sustainable campus environment. Another part of the mission is to encourage andreward faculty, staff, and students in sustainability

2. USFSP should sign commitment to go green: Guidelines for making campus more eco-friendly could push the university. the-crow'snest, 25012012. Web. 18 Mar 2012.. < http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-

green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/

This website is an article from the Crows Nest, which is the USFSP newspaper. The article talks about how USFSP should sign acommitment to go green that would establish guidelines to make the university more eco-friendly. It states that Universities thatsigned the pledge would have to complete a complete emissions inventory within 2 years of signing and said university will have toset a target date and interim milestones for becoming a climate neutral campus.

3. Cash, Jacqui. USF One of Nations's Top Green Colleges. University of South Florida, 05052010. Web. 18 Mar 2012. http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295

The website is an article that showcases USFs involvement in the going green movement. It mentions many of USFs going green activities such as USF being ranked 2nd in Florida and 25th nationally in the 2010 RecycleMania waste minimization contest andalso hosting a Going Green Jobs Fair for students seeking employment to support their environmental goals. It also emphasizes

some of the things USF researchers have accomplished such as a process developed by a team of USF researchers, which convertcommon organic materials such as sawdust, yard clippings, and even horse manure into jet fuel.

4. Cash, Jacqui. USF One of Nations's Top Green Colleges. University of South Florida, 05052010. Web. 18 Mar 2012. < http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295>.

This website, which is presented on USFs own website, contains a plethora of information regarding the broad ventures that U SFhas taken to become one of the Nations top Green Colleges voted by the Princeton Review. It gives an overview of everything fromrecycling programs that are active on campus to the generation of the office of sustainability. It also highlights USFs prom ise to thfuture of sustainability with discussing their School of Global Sustainability, which offers a Masters.5. USFSP should sign commitment to go green: Guidelines for making campus more eco-friendly could push the university. the-crow'snest, 25012012. Web. 18 Mar 2012. .

This website includes an article that was featured on the Crows Nest, which is a student newspaper at the University of Sout h Floida Saint Petersburg, about the universities commitment to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commi t-ment. It highlights key information on the President of USFs reasons for signing on to the movement. It also has a paragraph on thgreat measures that USF has already done such as the campuss first LEED -certified building which classifies it as a green building

6. Programs. Second Nature Education for Sustainability, 2011. Web. 18 Mar 2012. < http://www.secondnature.org/SNPrograms.html>.

Second Nature is a website that promotes education for sustainability. The site work to create strong networks and build coalitionsamong institutions and organizations within higher education. Second Nature, Inc. has launched a capacity-building program, Ad-vancing Green Building in Higher Education, focused on addressing some of the challenges faced by under-resourced colleges anduniversities to build green on their campuses. They put together workshops, speaking engagements, and advisory services to

higher education administrators that work with the "green movement."
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/Sustainability/about_mission.asp&xgthttp://usfweb2.usf.edu/Sustainability/about_mission.asp&xgthttp://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://www.secondnature.org/SNPrograms.htmlhttp://www.secondnature.org/SNPrograms.htmlhttp://www.secondnature.org/SNPrograms.htmlhttp://www.secondnature.org/SNPrograms.htmlhttp://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2295http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://crowsneststpete.com/2012/01/25/usfsp-should-sign-commitment-to-go-green-guidelines-for-making-campus-more-eco-friendly-could-push-the-university/http://usfweb2.usf.edu/Sustainability/about_mission.asp&xgthttp://usfweb2.usf.edu/Sustainability/about_mission.asp&xgt


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. , ed. Patel School of Global Sustainability. University of South Florida, 2011. Web. 26 Mar 2012. < http://psgs.usf.edu/>.

SF has been noticeably participating in the Go-Green Movement for years now. Demonstrating an above average commitment to suainability, USF was recognized inThe Princeton Reviews Guide to 286 Green Colleges back in 2010; that is a huge deal! Faculty, stnd students are doing all they can to embrace the movement and make USF and the surrounding community a cleaner, greener placve and work. USF began making huge strides in their effort to become a Green University with their creation of the Office of Sustainay. The initiatives of this office include everyone on campus including the Student Government to Students for Free Enterprise. The off sustainability in the Fall of 2010 implemented a student housing recycling program. By just observing around campus there are wa

ountains that have a reusable bottle water stations attached to said water fountain. There are also recycling bins around campus thaou can dispose of cans and plastic bottles. About the water consumption that USF currently uses, they have started weather-informerigation and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Also the Bull-Runner which at one time was 100% run on biodiesel at the Tamampus cuts down tremendously on transportation pollution. USFSP has instituted a Student Green Energy Fund that will take 1 doll

or each credit hour and will set it aside to allocate to projects that will increase the universities energy efficiency. The project was ap-roved last semester and is estimated to accrue $116,000 this year. USFP should sign commitment to go green: Guidelines for makiampus more eco-friendly could push the university USF is doing many different things to make the campus more energy efficient andne of them is going tray less in the dining halls. By getting rid of the trays USF saves about 200 gallons of water a day and by removihe trays food waste can be reduced by 1.2 to 1.8 ounces per person leading to less waste in the landfills. Another venture that is encging the expansion of USFs role in a greener University is the creation of the nations first School of Global Sustainabili ty, which fea

masters in global sustainability. Not only is USFs way partaking in being Green, but also create new innovative ways for USF and othechools to be a Greener Campus.

. "University of South Florida Achieves Gold Sustainability Ranking." Windwaterenerg'ys Blog. WordPress.com, 03 16 2011. Web.

Mar. 2012.

his website has a good quote from E. Christian Wells, the director of USFs Office of Sustainability that would be good to u se as fillerhe white paper.The STARS system helps us track our sustainability efforts and allows us to find our weak spots. While the Office of Sustain ability is 00 days old, we have managed to address most of the easy targets, like increasing recycling and changing the light bulbs. Now we n

o focus on the bigger picture, what a sustainable campus should look like over the longer term. The gold STARS rating USF received proves that we are truly green andgold,

. "The College of Sustainability Report Card." Report Card 2011. Sustainable Endowments Institute, 2011. Web. 26 Mar 2012. .

ustainable Endowments Institute compiles data from survey responses and independent research to grade the efforts of colleges on

heir sustainability programs. For 2011, University of South Florida received an overall grade of B+. In the individual categories, Admtration received an A, Climate Change & Energy received a B, Food & Recycling received a B, Green Building received an A, Student Iolvement received an A, Transportation received an A, Endowment Transparency received an A, Investment Priorities received an A ahareholder Engagement received a D. In 2010, USF received an overall grade of C. In 2009, they received an overall grade of C- an008 they received an overall grade of D+.

0.Radeka, Haley. "Office of Sustainability: USF Is Going Green." The Digital Bullpen. 9 Dec. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. . This particular website provides an article that explains some of US

ost recent efforts toward "going green." It gives some information on what students think of the movement and also provides many facts to prov

SF has been successful in its efforts thus far.

1. "University of South Florida College Sustainability Report Card 2011." University of South Florida. Sustainable Endowments Institute, 2011. W

1 Mar. 2012. . This website grades schools on their effo

oward sustainability. According to USF's report card, the school received an overall grade of a B+ for the year 2011. The article provides the grad

SF received in each area surveyed, as well as information on why the school received that particular grade
http://psgs.usf.edu/http://windwaterenergy.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/university-of-south-florida-achieves-gold-sustainability-ranking/http://www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2011/schools/university-of-south-floridahttp://www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2011/schools/university-of-south-floridahttp://www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2011/schools/university-of-south-floridahttp://www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2011/schools/university-of-south-floridahttp://windwaterenergy.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/university-of-south-florida-achieves-gold-sustainability-ranking/http://psgs.usf.edu/


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1.Radeka, Haley. "Office of Sustainability: USF Is Going Green." The Digital Bullpen. 9 Dec.

2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2012 (Radeka 2011)

2."University of South Florida College Sustainability Report Card 2011." University of South

Florida. Sustainable Endowments Institute, 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. (University 2011)

3.Mission - USF Office OF Sustainability. University of South Florida, 2011. Web. 18 Mar

2012. (Sustainabilty 2011)

4. What is Sustainability?. EPA, 2011. Web. 19 Mar 2012 (EPA)

going green white paper project-revised

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