Letter from President Kelley regarding a green campus Dear Campus Community: I'm asking for your help to make the University of North Dakota an even greener campus. UND has done much to diminish its carbon footprint and to become environmentally friendly. In addition to signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, UND already has several strategies in place to make a difference: * University Place, an apartment-style student housing complex, was the first campus building in North Dakota built to LEED's standards. Among many "green" features, it was built with recycled bricks, along with ceiling tiles, steel columns, and carpet that included recycle content. * A comprehensive energy efficiency improvement program saves $500,000 a year. * A lighting efficiency program with energy savings equivalent to 164,610 100-watt bulbs. * The University has a number of environmental programs, including a wide variety at the Energy & Environmental Research Center. Research in the School of Engineering and Mines and in EERC focuses on the use of bio-fuels and other energy and environmental protection projects. * UND also has programs in areas such as environmental engineering, environmental geoscience, and environmental management and is home to the Environmental Training Institute and the Tribal Environmental Law Project. * UND's recycling program keeps nearly 500 tons out of area landfills each year. We can do a lot more. As a member of the campus community, I invite you to get involved. The UND Council on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability is looking for members in a number of areas. The Council has a large task ahead of it: to complete a climate action plan by Jan. 2010. Already, the University has completed a GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions inventory, thanks to the Earth System Science and Policy (ESSP) 501 class, which performed the first inventory and developed the methodology and protocol that will be used in future inventories. They were assisted in preparation of the inventory by individuals in Facilities Management and the academic departments of Chemical Engineering, Technology, and ESSP. The climate action plan is dependent on the results of this inventory. It is clear that the entire campus, faculty, staff, students and administrators, must be involved in helping the University move along the path to climate neutrality. In fact, it is critical. While some expensive changes could make a big difference in reducing the campus' carbon footprint, many modest and inexpensive changes in individual behaviors help to move the University in the right direction. Similarly, the best ideas and recommendations for change come from individuals closest to the work environment that can be changed. I hope you will get involved. -- President Robert O. Kelley P.S.: To learn more or to get involved with one of the Council's subcommittees, contact one of the following subcommittee chairs: * Community Outreach: Yvette Halverson, director, Wellness Facilities, 777-0729, yvettehalverson@mail.und.edu. Meets every other Thursday starting Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m., Wellness Center Conference Room. * Education: William (Will) Gosnold, professor and chair, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, 777-2631, willgosnold@mail.und.edu * Energy: Randall (Randy) Bohlman, Facilities Management, 777-2333, randybohlman@mail.und.edu * Procurement: Scott Schreiner, director of Purchasing, 777-2681, scottschreiner@mail.und.edu. Subcommittee meets Tuesday, Sept. 1, and every other Tuesday thereafter, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Governor's Room, Memorial Union. * Research: Michael (Mike) Mann, professor and chair, Department of Chemical Engineering, 777-3852, mikemann@mail.und.edu * Recycling/Environment: Orlynn Rosaasen, director of Dining Services, 777-3823, orlynnrosaasen@mail.und.edu. Meets Sept. 1, 1:30 p.m., President's Room, Memorial Union and every other Tuesday thereafter. * Transportation: (vacant)