Renewing a pledge for the future

Drake University recently renewed its environmental sustainability commitment by launching Blue is Green. The Blue is Green program is a formal way of acknowledging current University sustainability efforts while engaging the campus community in responsible best practices that support human well-being, environmental compatibility and a healthy earth for future generations.

President Maxwell is a charter signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment on behalf of the University.

ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES

• Drake joined national effort to cut greenhouse-gas emissions
• Re-engineered and replaced underground heating/cooling pipes, boilers and chillers, heating plant, HVAC control system
• Installed motion sensors to control lighting in most administrative and academic buildings
• Installed vending misers on all vending machines
• Converted to compact fluorescent lighting throughout most of the campus
  
  As a result of these measures, gas usage (MMBtu) has been reduced by 27 percent and electric usage (KWH) has been reduced by 15 percent since 2001
• DEAL, the student-run Drake Environmental Action League, introduced a major Earth Week event for 2008 which included:
  • Donating more than 1,000 CFL’s to students and faculty
  • Sponsoring a sustainable picnic featuring locally grown foods

ENERGY-STAR APPLIANCES

• Installed new energy-star washers and dryers in all residence halls

VEHICLES

• Employees and students receive unlimited, free bus transportation on Des Moines public transportation (DART) buses
• Campus operations such as security, facilities and dinner services, now use more golf carts instead of cars or trucks
• Campus lawn mowers use bio diesel fuel

CHEMICALS

• Initiated a program to reduce hazardous chemicals in labs and to reduce the volume of stored chemicals
• "Green" chemicals are used by custodians for cleaning and disinfecting

RECYCLING & REUSE

• Offices have implemented a single-stream recycling program
• Residence halls have an active recycling program
• Dining operations use napkins and cups made from recycled paper
• Campus recycles everything from e-waste to scrap metals to toner cartridges
• Plant and landscaping materials are moved and reused throughout the campus
• Old furniture is donated to charitable organizations
• Developers and community members are invited to salvage or move existing houses slated for demolition

ACADEMICS

• Students restored a large campus prairie area as part of Drake’s environmental science and policy major
• Drake’s MBA program offers sustainability focused curriculum
• Drake has an Eco-house on campus which houses students committed to environmentally friendly living
• Journalism students launched THiNK, an environmentally friendly news magazine focusing on topics aimed at socially conscious "20-something" Iowans

PAPERLESS

• Faculty use electronic, downloadable documents, e-reserves, and email to reduce paper consumption
• Both the faculty and staff handbooks are online
• The staff performance evaluation system is completely online

MARKETING

• Major recruitment publications as well as other pieces are printed on FSC certified paper
• FSC printer vendors are used for the majority of projects
• Drake Blue magazine will be FSC certified beginning June 1, 2008