December Council Meeting Coverage |
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December 10, 2013, Volume 60, No. 16
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After Provost Vincent Price convened the December 4 Council meeting, the first portion was devoted to climate change and the second portion focused on Penn’s reaccreditation.
Penn’s efforts and plans to combat climate change were discussed by four speakers. Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services Anne Papageorge described numerous initiatives recommended by the Climate Action Plan.
As for learning sustainability and integrating it in the curriculum, there is now a course inventory with more than 100 courses. Since 2010, 27 undergraduates have received funding from FRES grants and new courses have been developed utilizing the Benjamin Franklin Scholars Course Development Grants.
Building a culture of sustainability at Penn has resulted in 66 Green Office Certifications; 47 Green Fund Grants, numerous sustainability coordinators as well as the Power Down Challenge and Rethink Your Footprint.
In order to reduce operating energy (by 17% by 2014, relative to the 2007 baseline), there is a multi-year meter installation project and the recommissioning of buildings that need HVAC upgrades and energy efficient improvements.
Designing Green has led to six buildings that have received LEED certification. The storm water master plan has been completed.
Minimizing waste is a challenge that involves improving the percentage of recycled materials from 17% in 2007 to 40% by 2014; currently 31% of paper, cardboard and comingled materials are being diverted from the waste stream.
Reducing emissions of vehicles is another goal which has prompted the creation of several conveniences such as the emergency ride home, Enterprise CareShare and the propane fueling stations.
Jane Dmochowski, the managing director of the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) spoke about Climate Change in the Curriculum which involves SAS, SEAS and Wharton. There are majors, minors and concentrations pertaining to environmental studies, environmental policy and management, sustainability and energy. VIPER is a new dual undergraduate degree (SAS/SEAS). Integrating sustainability across the curriculum (ISAC) and PennSustains also promote research in these areas.
Sara Allan, a junior majoring in environmental studies, co-chair of SSAP, the umbrella group for sustainability and an eco-rep, described some of the efforts like the mini-bin project where students have carried around a small trash can to generate discussions about trash.
William Braham, director of the TC Chan Center, director of the Master of Environmental Building Design Program and associate professor of architecture, noted that much of what they do is in conjunction with FRES. He also stressed that they also hold events that are open to the community such as an event in January.
Vice Provost for Education Andrew Binns discussed the Self-Study Report on undergraduate education (Almanac November 12, 2013). The report is for Penn’s reaccreditation process by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). It draws on the work of groups—composed of faculty, staff and students—who examined key aspects of undergraduate education. Comments and suggestions should be submitted via https://provost.upenn.edu/initiatives/reaccreditation by December 20.
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