News

Eco-Reps: Peer Environmental Education Program

The Office of Sustainability seeks eco-reps to help engage Towson students in environmental actions and activities. Eco-reps serve as liaisons between the student body and the Office of Sustainability at Towson and help our campus in the transformation towards an eco-conscious community. The commitment is about 1 hour per week and the positions are unpaid. Eco-reps will participate in the following activities:

• Be team leaders for Towson’s Recyclemania and Energy Conservation Contests
• Promote environmental initiatives on campus by posting flyers, sending email reminders and making announcements at hall meetings.
• Give recycling bins and CFL light bulbs to students; make sure that recycling bins are available and properly maintained.
• Plan a study break or other event in their residential community focused on green living.
• Get new students involved in sustainability during new student orientation.
• Help with our annual Trash-to-Treasure sale.
• Serve as the point person in their residence halls regarding sustainability issues.
• Advise students on how to get involved in sustainability on campus, including connecting students with environmental student groups, staff and faculty.
• Receive training on leadership, participate in educational and team-building activities such as hikes, field trips, film showings and more!

Applicants should send their name, email, class year, (intended) major, and address for next academic year, along with a one paragraph statement explaining their interest to Clara Fang (cfang@towson.edu) by May 21.

Towson Unveils 18 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Parking & Transportation Services is pleased to announce that the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations will be active and available for use effective Friday, May 10, 2013.  The addition of the EV stations is in support of Towson University’s Green Initiatives.   There is no fee to use the charging stations, however a valid parking permit is required while parked on campus. 18 Stations have been conveniently located throughout the campus.  Each station can accommodate 2 vehicles and has 2 charging ports, one with 2KW output (users must provide their own power cord) and one port with 7.2 kW output (power cord is provided at the station).  Below are the locations of EV stations.

• 4 in the Union garage on the 2^nd level
• 4 in the Towsontown garage on the 3^rd level closest to the Residence Tower entrance
• 4 in the West Village garage on the ground level
• 2 in the front Administration Building lot (Note:  These units will not be available until early summer due to construction work in the area)

Please see the Parking & Transportation website for more information regarding the EV Charging stations. Please contact Parking & Transportation Services at 410-704-PARK  if you have any questions.

Baltimore Colleges and Universities for a Sustainable Environment Report

This joint report highlights sustainability initiatives at 13 colleges and universities in the Baltimore region. Towson University’s ESCO lighting retrofit is featured in this report. Click here to download the PDF.

Campus Events

Towson Trash to Treasure Fundraiser
Friday and Saturday, May 24-25, 2013
9:30am-4pm
Burdick Hall Gym 1

Donate now to Trash-to-Treasure and shop our sale on Friday and Saturday May 24 and 25! Items include furniture, electronics, appliances, household goods, clothes, shoes, decor, laundry detergent, toiletries, books, and more! Prices will be extremely low, and all profits will go towards the Go Green Initiative at Towson. Donations bins will be available in the Residence Halls from May 10-23. The community and off-campus students may bring items for donation to Burdick Hall on May 23. Please contact cfang@towson.edu for questions.

TU Urban Farm

Planting has begun at Towson’s Urban Farm! This club organizes students and faculty to manage a sustainable on-campus garden, distribute the produce to dining services and interested students or faculty on campus, and is establishing a relationship with primary and secondary schools in the Baltimore area to promote garden and wellness based educational programs.  The Farm is located behind the administration building for all those interested.  Professors are also invited to bring their classes up the farm to have a discussion about urban/sustainable farming, local food systems, and healthy eating.

The club meets once a week on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 5pm at the farm weather permitting.  Feel free to contact the club via email tuveggiegarden@gmail.com or on their Facebook page under Towson University Urban Farm if you are interested in setting up a visit, joining the club, or having them talk to your class.

Off-Campus Events

Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering in the 21st Century
June 18-22, 2013
Washington, DC

Whether you’re a scientist, decision-maker, student, or advocate, this conference will propel your understanding of green chemistry and engineering forward, build valuable connections, and share your research and insights with others. GC&E offers three days of programming including world-renowned keynote speakers, 3 poster sessions and more than 25 technical sessions on subjects such as catalysis, green chemistry in medicinal science, measurements and metrics, and curriculum innovations. http://gcande.org/

AASHE Conference & Expo
October 6-9, 2013
Nashville, TN

The AASHE annual conference is a powerful tool for empowering higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. With more than 2,000 participants, AASHE conferences are the largest stage in North America for higher education sustainability thought leadership. Attendees from around the world share innovations, activities, frameworks, learning outcomes, tools, strategies, research, theory and leadership initiatives that are changing the face of sustainability in higher education. With trailblazing keynote speakers, workshops, sustainability tours, student summits, awards and networking opportunities, AASHE conferences represent and inform the full spectrum of current sustainability challenges and best practices in higher education each year. http://conference.aashe.org/2013/

The 2013 Net Impact Conference
October 24-26, 2013
Silicon Valley, CA

Join nearly 3,000 like-minded impact-makers and discover a culture of experimentation, breaking the boundaries of what’s possible, and going all-in on new ideas that might – and often do – change the world. https://netimpact.org/netimpactconference

Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference
November 18 – 20, 2013
Sacramento, CA

The Behavior, Energy and Climate Change (BECC) Conference 2013 is the premier event focused on understanding behavior and decision-making with respect to energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and sustainability. Annually, 700 participants come together to share new research, discuss innovative policy and program strategies, build networks, and find potential partners for collaboration. http://beccconference.org/

2013 Greenbuild International Expo
November 20-21, 2013
Philadelphia, PA

In 2013, Greenbuild will showcase the latest in innovative products and services. Join us in Philadelphia to learn, network, do business and participate in one of the greenest and most sustainable conferences in the world. http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/expo/expo-overview.aspx

News

Towson Campus Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Towson University celebrated Earth Day by announcing a 4.8 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on campus between fiscal years 2008 and 2011. The sustainable design of the LEED Gold-certified West Village Commons helps Towson keep its emissions down.

According to a report the university submitted to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment earlier this year, TU emitted 112,361 metric tons of greenhouse gases in FY 2011, the energy use equivalent of 5,783 homes. This decrease in greenhouse gas emissions comes despite a 10 percent increase in enrollment and a 5 percent increase in building square feet. Click here for the full press release.

Towson to Install 18 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Towson University is currently in the process of installing electric vehicle charging stations on campus. Electric vehicle owners will be able to charge for free at the charging stations, though a valid TU parking permit is required and the vehicle must be plugged in at all times to occupy the space. The charging stations are provided by ChargePoint. More information about the equipment can be found here.

Baltimore Colleges and Universities for a Sustainable Environment releases its 2013 Sustainability Report. The report highlights sustainability initiatives at 13 colleges and universities in the Baltimore region. Towson University’s ESCO lighting retrofit is featured in this report. Click here to download the PDF.

Office of Sustainability Internships

The Office of Sustainability is recruiting interns for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. Interns will work 7-15 hours a week with the Sustainability Manager on a variety of campus sustainability projects which can be tailored to their skills and interests. Upcoming initiatives at the Office of Sustainability include

• Energy Conservation Contest
• Sustainability Orientation
• Bicycle Plan
• Trash-to-Treasure Sale
• Environmental Conference
• Recyclemania
• Renewable Energy
• Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The position will unpaid but students are able to earn academic credit or obtain funding through work-study. Interested students should fill out the Sustainability Intern Application and send it to Clara Fang at cfang@towson.edu or campus mail to Clara Fang, Facilities Management. Review of applications begins May 1.

Volunteers Needed for Towson’s Trash to Treasure Fundraiser!

Do you like free stuff? Do you hate to see good things thrown away? Volunteer for the Towson Trash-to Treasure Sale! Each spring, students leave behind tons of good stuff when they move out of the residence halls. Towson is planning a sale of items donated by students at the end of the semester. The sale takes place Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25. Volunteers are needed to help collect, sort, and sell Towson’s reusable goods starting May 5. Please click here to sign up or to submit a question.