Division of Administration and Finance
University Services
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lindsay Marshall
University Services Communications Coordinator
832.842.4722
lmmarshall@uh.edu
GET IN ON THE GREEN EXCITEMENT AT THE EARTH DAY CARNIVAL
Houston, April 13, 2011 – It’s been a
year of great “green” accomplishments
and it’s time to celebrate all of UH’s hard
work at the Earth Day Carnival on April
21. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Butler
Plaza, students can come by for some
games, giveaways and fun to
commemorate the campus’s sustainable
efforts.
“People should come out and celebrate
Earth Day, an event that initiated a
world-wide sustainability movement and
also see how UH has become one of
the leaders in sustainability amongst the
nation’s universities,” said Billy Garner,
Marketing Coordinator for University Services.
UH has made strides in encouraging green practices and programs on campus through
accomplishments like the establishment of a campus sustainability policy, installing Big Belly
Solar trash compactors, and cutting out Styrofoam in the dining halls by offering reusable to go
containers. This year UH improved its score to a B+ on the Campus Sustainability Report Card
and earned a silver STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in
Higher Education.
UH will make an exciting announcement about a new, valuable partnership. Green Mountain
Energy Company will present a check to the university for UH’s first solar array and reveal the
establishment of the Green Mountain Energy Company Solar Internship Program. During the
presentation, UH will also divulge the naming of the Green Mountain Energy Company Private
Dining Room. This partnership will make UH a more sustainable campus as well as provide the
university with a teaching tool that will educate and encourage green practices to our students.
Results from this year’s RecycleMania national competition will also be announced during the
carnival. Green UH will have games made of recyclables for students to put their skills to the test
to win prizes. Students can choose from the tic-tac-toe toss, skee ball, oversized horseshoes,
ring toss and clothes line trivia. Community Learning Agricultural Sustainability Program
(C.L.A.S.P.) will have the second installment of the C.L.A.S.P. interns’ art exhibit, “Wasteful
Ways: Food System”, on display throughout the day and also have signups for volunteers to help
out in the campus community garden.
Students can stop by the UH Bookstore tabling to purchase the new Green UH T-shirt. Freshman
business major David Delgado won the T-shirt design contest to have his artwork proudly
displayed on a green Alta Gracia shirt on sale to the UH community.
Stop by for some face painting at the UH IT tent or sign up for a giveaway of free moving service
at the UH Property Management table. UH Parking and Transportation will teach students how to
become a green commuter and METRO representatives will be on site. UH Department of Public
Safety, Dining Services, Campus Recreation and Wellness Center and the Library will also be set
up to showcase and provide information on their green initiatives.
Take advantage of some samplings and giveaways from university partners such as Honest Tea,
Vitamin Water and Monster. Today’s Business Solutions will also be available to encourage
paper shredding and their green business practices.
Come out and join us in celebrating the sustainability movement and all the achievements our
university has made this year. For more information about green initiatives, visit
www.uh.edu/green.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a comprehensive national research institution serving the globally
competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning
and strategic industry partnerships. UH serves more than 38,500 students in the nation’s fourthlargest city, located in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region of the country.