Sierra magazine’s 2011 “coolest schools” questionnaire
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10 COOLEST SCHOOLS
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We at Sierra, the award-winning magazine of the Sierra Club, are compiling information for
our fifth annual “Coolest Schools” issue, which will rate American colleges and universities
according to their environmental practices, green initiatives, and caliber of sustainabilityoriented education.
Schools that score highly in these realms may be contacted for further discussion and will
receive recognition in the magazine’s September/October issue. Please download this
interactive PDF and fill it out as thoroughly as possible. Save it with your responses as 2011_
coolschools_your school’s name and email it to cool.schools@sierraclub.org no later
than April 20, 2011.
Note that this questionnaire will become a public document and that we will not be altering
your responses before publishing them online. Questions left blank will receive no credit,
and if a question requests a percentage, you must provide a number to receive a score. If you
need more space to answer a question, you may attach pages. The scoring key will be available
online once the issue is published.
As the magazine of the nation’s oldest and largest environmental nonprofit, Sierra has a
readership of more than 1 million engaged and educated citizens.
Many thanks for your participation.
School name: Drexel University
Contact name and title: James R. Tucker, Senior Vice President, Student Life & Administrative Ser
Contact phone: 215-895-2800
Contact email: jrt55@drexel.edu
School city and state: Philadelphia, PA
Number of students: 22,000
HONOR PLEDGE: By completing and submitting this questionnaire, you are certifying that
all statements in this document are true to the best of your knowledge.
22,000
4/18/11
INITIAL: ______________
DATE: ______________
Category 1: Energy Supply
1. Please break down the energy types that your campus uses for electricity by percentage.
If your school purchases its electricity from a utility company, this information should be
available from that company. If you insert a number into the “other” category, specify the
energy source.
50.3 Coal ____%
.7
____%
Wind
10.1 Natural gas
____%
<.1
____%
Solar 35.8 Nuclear ____%
,.1
____%
Biomass
2
____%
Hydro
____% Geothermal
.2% landfill gas
____% Other _____________________
Drexel buys wind offsets fro 100% of its electrical usage
2. What type(s) of energy does your campus use for heating buildings? If you insert a number
into the “other” category, specify the energy source.
<1
____%
Electricity
____% Coal ____% Biomass
32.2 Natural gas
____%
____% Geothermal ____ % Fuel oil
66.7 Other _____________________
Veolia steam produced using natural gas and fuel oil
____%
If cogeneration, please explain.
Drexel purchases Renewable Energy Certificates equal to 100 percent of its energy use,
making Drexel one of the top 50 purchasers of wind energy in the nation. This purchase also
places Drexel 3rd among the top five university purchasers in the nation, according to the
current Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership rankings. Drexel's
Renewable Energy Certificate purchase will ensure that 84,268 megawatt hours of electricity
will be matched annually with wind energy entering the electricity grid in the United States. The
Renewable Energy Credits will be supplied by renewable energy marketer and developer
Community Energy. Compared to the average generation mix in the national electric grid, the
environmental benefit from this purchase is equal to offsetting approximately 60,518 metric tons
of carbon dioxide per year, the annual impact of which is equivalent to the carbon sequestered
by 12,904 acres of trees or removing 11,571 passenger vehicles from the road, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator.
Drexel was an early supporter of renewable energy and has been purchasing wind renewable
energy credits since 2002. This commitment has steadily increased over the years culminating
in the 100 percent purchase.
Category 2: Efficiency
1. What percentage of campus buildings completed within the past five years have a LEED
certification of at least silver, or an equivalent rating from another certifier? (If an equivalent
rating, please specify which rating and certifier.)
Drexel University was the first university to adopt Green Globes and is using
100
_______%
LEED for its Papadakis Integrated Science Building. Millennium Hall was
awarded 2 Green Globes, Drexels new Recreation Center was awarded 2
2. What percentage
of waterand
used
campus landscaping
is from recovered,
or
Green Globes,
thefor
Papadakis
Integrated Sciences
Building isreclaimed,
using LEED
untreated sources?
and was designed for LEED Silver but could achieve LEED Gold.
5
_______%

In FY 2009 water consumption went down 20%.
In FY 2010 Water
Consumption
was reduced
an additional
13.5%indoor
while and
Drexel’s
occupied
space
3. What percentage
of campus
lighting fixtures,
including
outdoor,
are energy
increased
square
feet.
new
recreating
using
storewater
efficient (e.g.,
compact263,601
fluorescent,
LED,
orDrexels
equipped
with
motion center
sensors,
automatic
daylight
managment
systems
to
provide
water
for
tolets
shutoff, or other energy-conserving features)?
90
_______%
Drexel University is the first institution in the country to deploy Viridity’s VPower
System™ energy monitoring system on its main campus, located in
4. What percentage
of campus
appliances
Energy
Philadelphia’s
University
City are
District.
TheStar–rated?
system provides real-time
measurements of University power usage. This technologies allows
Appliances purchased for for new buildings and to replace old appliances are
n/a
_______%
independence from the national grid and significantly reduce energy waste by
energy star rated but the actual percentage of appliances on campus is not
using computer monitoring to allocate energy systems.
able to be calculated at this time.
5. Does your school have in place energy-efficiency retrofitting programs, such as improving
building insulation or sealing ducts? If yes, by what percentage have these programs reduced
(or will they reduce) consumption over a three-year period?
____No
Average energy consumption for universities with similar
classification as Drexel is 163,000 BTU/GSF, Drexel operates at
30
✔
____Yes
_______% 93,105 BTU/GSF. Drexel is not resting on with its below average
consumption and is seeking to further improve its efficiency and has
recently completed an integrated energy master plan utilizing and
international
team
of professionals
applying
standards.and
6. Does your school have
a program
to monitor,
record, and
assessinternational
patterns of electricity
The
goal
is
to
save
energy
and
reduce
green
house
gas
emissions.
water consumption as a means of regularly evaluating and improving buildings’ environmental
When implemented
theofplan
could reduce
consumption
30%.describe the
performance? If yes, provide
the percentage
buildings
monitored
for each and
program.
Electricity:
____No
✔
____Yes
_______%
____Yes
_______%
Water:
____No
33
✔
____Yes
_______%
Drexel also installed low flow shower heads in campus building and
dormitories, heat recovery air handlers in a 500 bed dormitory were
replaced
withocupied
more efficient
units,
and recreation
replaced steam
87% of the
space in
the new
centerlines
usesreducing
consumption
dramatically
in
these
areas
of
campus.
daylighting. Installing controls on large motors led to sharp
reductions in electrical consumption.

In FY 2009 water consumption went down 20%

In FY 2010 Water Consumption was reduced an additional 13.5%
while Drexel’s occupied space increased 263,601 square feet
Category 3: Food
1. What percentage (in dollars) of food served at cafeterias is grown or raised within 100 miles
of campus?
15
_______%
2. What percentage (in dollars) of food served at campus cafeterias is USDA-certified organic?
5
_______%
3. Do campus cafeterias source seafood that is deemed sustainable by the Marine Stewardship
Council, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program, or a similar program?
Yes, Sodexo utilizes two certifications to identify sustainable fish and seafood for purchase the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC).
4. What is the dollar amount spent on all cafeteria meat purchases per year? What is the total
number of cafeteria meals served? If the meat is produced sustainably (for example, free-range
or grass-fed), please explain.
Annual dollar amount on meat purchases $1,750,000
$750,00 meat produce sustainably
5. Are nutritionally complete vegetarian and/or vegan options available at every meal?
Yes, through our Basil or Passports brands
6. Is bottled water sold or distributed on campus?
Yes, Members of the Drexel community are also encouraged to carry their reusable water
bottles with them when traveling on campus to take advantage of Drexel's many Hydration
Stations. The Stations dispense water into a bottle, glass or other container, processing tap
water by using filtration technologies. Hydration Stations eliminate the need for bottled water.
7. Does your school maintain a campus farm or garden on which students can work?
No, Drexel is an urban campus. Instead of a campus farm Drexel Green and Drexel Business
Services host a farmer's market every to provide the Drexel community with the opportunity
to purchase fresh and locally grown food from King's Dutch Country Goods. A variety of
fruits, vegetables, baked goods, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, as well as
yogurt will be offered.
Category 4: Academics
1. Does your school offer environment- and/or sustainability-related majors, such as
environmental studies, ecology, or sustainable agriculture? If so, list up to six.
BS, MS, PhD - Environmental Engineering
BS, MS, PhD - Environmental Science
MS - Environmental Policy
2.BSDoes
your school Studies
offer classes about clean technologies, including topics such as energy
- Environmental
efficiency
and
solar-wind
If so, list up to
five.
Certificate in Sustainabilityengineering?
and Green Construction
- Construction
Management
Civil Engineering 380 - Sustainable Water Resources Engineering
Construction Management 546 - Sustainable Technologies
Engineering Technology 755 - Sustainable and Green Manufacturing
3.
Does your school
provideTechnology
students with
of environmental
Manufacturing
Engineering
409a -list
Green
Manufacturingand/or sustainability classes
Materials
Engineering
495 to
- Electronic
and Photonic
to
make such
courses easy
identify? Please
provideMaterials
a link, if available.
Mechanical Engineering and Materials 380 Solar Energy - Fundamentals and Applications
Yes.
The list is posted on the Drexel Green website, at this link:
http://www.drexel.edu/green/research/courses.htm
4. Please provide names of up to four standout professors who work on environmental and/
or sustainability issues. List their primary accomplishments, including awards, honors, and
noteworthy publications.
Charles N Haas, L.D. Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering and Department Head
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering; Fellow, American Association for the
Advancement of Science; Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology; Fellow, Society for
Risk Analysis; Lifetime National Associate, National Academies; Malcolm Pirnie Award of
the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors; Harvey Rosen
Award of the International Ozone Association: research in water treatment, risk
assessment, bioterrorism, environmental modeling and statistics, microbiology,
environmental health.
5. Is your school associated with any environment- and/or sustainability-related centers,
Patricia M.or
Gallagher,
Associate Professor
of Civil
Engineering
and Provost’s
Fellow in
programs,
research institutions?
If so, please
provide
their names
and a description.
Sustainability; Co-director, Drexel Engineering Cities Initiative, U.S. National Science
Foundation
Faculty Early
Development
AllanofRothwarf
Excellence
in
Drexel Engineering
CitiesCareer
Initiative
(DECI) - theAward,
foundation
a new approach
to studying
Teaching
Award;
research
in
life
cycle
assessment
methods
to
incorporate
sustainability
urban systems focusing on the engineering of cities, policy development, and the creation
metrics
in geoenvironmental
and
geotechnical
engineering,
remediation
contaminated
of environmentally
sustainable
urban
habitats that
function for
people andofsociety.
The
soil
and
groundiswater,
and beneficial reuse of recycled materials.
DECI
website
http://www.drexel.edu/cities/
6.
Is an Green
environment-themed
class
a coreby
curriculum
requirement?
If yes,
please to
provide the
Drexel
Initiative - created
in 2008
students, faculty,
and staff
dedicated
James
Spotila,
Professor
of Biology
Betz Chairleader.
Professor
Environmental
transforming
campus
into a and
sustainability
The of
initiative
covers allScience:
aspects
name(s)
of theDrexel's
course(s).
National
Outdoor
Book Award
(Nature
and theand
Environment
and Professional
of operations,
buildings,
academic
initiatives,
student lifeCategory)
and is responsible
for the
Drexel
University
does
not
have
a
formal
"core"
curriculum.
At
this
time,
University
101,
and
Scholarly
Publishing
Book
Award
in
Biological
Sciences
for
"Sea
Turtles:
A
Complete
strategic plan to further sustainable practices and policies. The Drexel Green website
is a
at:
required
freshman-year
course
that
orients
new
students
to
Drexel
University
and
the
City
Guide
to their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation": research in environmental science.
http://www.drexel.edu/sustainability/.
of Philadelphia, is being modified to include environmental sustainability principles.
Robert
Brulle, House
Professor
of Sociology
and Environmental
Science,
Drexel Smart
(DSH)
- a student-led,
multidisciplinary
projectDepartment
to constructofanCulture
urban
7.
What
percentage ofmulti-disciplinary
academic
departments
offer environmentorU.S.
sustainability-related
and
Communication:
environmental
research
environmental
home
to serve as a “living
laboratory” for
exploring cutting
edgeand
design
and
technology.
classes?
movement
worldviews
and dynamics.
The DSH website
is http://www.drexelsmarthouse.com/
At this time approximately 40% of the academic departments offer environment
or stainability related classes.
40
_______%
Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment (CAMRA) http://camra.msu.edu/
http://www.drexel.edu/green/research/courses.htmFor a complete list go to:
Ecology, Earth and Environmental Science group of the Department of Biology
http://www.drexel.edu/envscience/
Department of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering http://www.cae.drexel.edu/
Category 5: Purchasing
1. Does your school have a university-wide sustainable-purchasing policy? If yes, briefly
explain.
Drexel University is committed to protecting the needs of future generations, promoting
excellence in environmental stewardship and sustainability, and encouraging individual
members of the University community to develop approaches to their work and lifestyles that
improve the Earth’s health. Advancing Sustainability requires education, research, planning,
action, accountability, and leadership.
Therefore, Drexel University’s policies, practices, and curricula whenever possible will
reflect approaches that encourage reductions in life cycle costs, safeguard or restore
functioning natural systems, and enhance human well being.
2. What percentage of paper used on campus is made from at least 30% postconsumer recycled
content?
78
_______%
3. Does your school purchase paper that is Forest Stewardship Council–certified?
Yes
4. Does your school have a policy to purchase electronics that have Electronic Product
Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certification (or similar)? If yes, please describe.
Yes, Drexel's specifications for Faculty refresh and standard configuratins for computer
purchases are based on EPEAT Standards and RFP's for equipment and appliances
include Energy Star specifications. Drexel recently purchased 50 Modllets from thinkeco, inc
to pilot a solution to plug load management. Plugged‐in devices are a major energy drain in
offices and growing. Though plug in devices are a major energy drain solutions to managing
plug
load
are school
often difficult
to includeagreements
in building’swith
energy
management
plan. Working
with
5.
Does
your
have packaging
suppliers
that minimize
waste? If
yes,
thinkeco's
modlet
devices
will
help
Drexel
address
plug‐load
energy
managementi
n
its
please describe.
sustainability efforts. Refer to www.thinkeco.com for device details.
No, but Drexel
6. Does your school specify in its purchasing contracts that products with energy-saving
features be installed or delivered with these features enabled?
Yes
Category 6: Transportation
1. Does your school provide a free shuttle service around campus and town? If yes, briefly
explain.
Yes, Drexel University has free Campus Bus Service to students, faculty, and staff,
operating three separate routes from 5:45 am to 12:00 am Monday to Friday. Weekend
service from 4:00pm to 12:00 am for route information visit www.drexel.edu/facilities.
For the fiscal year FY 09 the campus bus service transported 343,634 passengers.
All Drexel buses operate on bio diesel fuel, 20% soy blend.
2. What percentage of your school’s vehicle fleet is hybrid or electric or uses sustainable
biofuels?
28
_______%
3. List specific steps your school has taken to promote walking and bicycling as transportation
methods.
Drexel Bike Share is available to all students and employees. There is no rental fee to use a
Drexel
Bike Share bike. The use of a Drexel Bike Share bike includes a helmet, u-lock, cable and
lock key.
Bikes may be shared one day at a time or for a weekend. For more information visit:
www.drexel.edu/parkingServices/bikeShare/
4. Does your school offer its students and employees incentives to carpool, take public transit,
University
alsoof
works
closely transportation?
with the StudentIfGovernment
to identify areas for
or
use someFacilities
other form
communal
yes, please describe.
additional bike racks each year. All residence halls also have indoor bike storage facilities.
Yes, employees are eligible to have monies deducted from their pay-check on a pre-tax
basis to cover
expenses for parking facilities as well as mass transit (train passes, tokens, etc.). Full-time
students and employees are eligible for a 10% discount on monthly commuter passes
through SEPTA (Southeastern Transportation Authority) on trailpasses and transpasses that
are University subsidized. Full-time students are also eligible to purchase a rail, bus, or light
rail monthly pass at 25% off of the regular monthly pass price through a partnership with the
Transit .
5.NJApproximately
what percentage of students commute to school in a car?
Drexel Parking
alsoishas
car pooling
permits.
A car sharing
partnership
ThisServices
information
not available
readily available
as we
are currently
conducting
a student
50
_______%
through non-profit
PhillyCarShare
also
makes cars
available toof
students,
faculty
andversus
staff.
and employee
survey to
determine
the percentage
people who
drive
uses public transportation.
6. Approximately what percentage of faculty and staff commute to work in a car?
This information is not readily available as we are currently conducting a student
40
_______%
and employee survey to determine the percentage of people who drive versus
uses public transportation. The survey will be completed in June 2011.
Category 7: Waste Management
1. What is your campus’s current waste-diversion rate (i.e., percentage of campus waste being
diverted from landfills)?
In addition to Recycling Paper, Cans, Bottles, and Printer Cartridges Drexel
Recycles…
Aluminum, Glass, Steel, Printer Cartridges
Cardboard
Plastics
2. Are recycling
receptacles readily available throughout campus? If yes, please describe.
Batteries
Auto and generator batteries are reused for their housings and lead content
YES, we standardized the Big Belly units for our outside locations- 18 in total. We have
Light Bulbs/Ballast
numerous containers inside our buildings including 10 lobby multi-unit containers, each
Computers & Other Electronics
classroom has a recycling container, each office station has a paper recycling container,
Refrigerators
each office suite has a recycling container to co-mingle aluminum, glass and plastic
Motor Oil
containers. For University Housing containers are setup on each floor to recycle paper and
Tires
co-mingle aluminum, glass and plastic. Cardboard is requested to be broken down and
Landscape Debris
placed
on building
loading
3.
Are recycling
bins
readilydock.
available at large events such as football games?
Ceiling
Tiles
34
_______%
Drexel does not have football but recycling containers are setup at basketball games and at
our Vidas Complex for large events.
4. Does your school compost? If yes, are compost receptacles available at all or most oncampus dining locations? Are compost receptacles available at all or most food-preparation
facilities (i.e., cafeteria and restaurant kitchens)?
The composting for now is grass, leaves and wood chips. We are currently working with
Sodexo to setup food composting system for Handschumacher Dining Center, expect to
have this in place by June 1, 2011.
5. Does your school have a stated commitment to waste-reduction goals, such as zero waste? If
applicable, briefly explain the plan of action.
Yes for construction and renovation projects.
Drexel University is committed to protecting the needs of future generations, promoting
excellence in environmental stewardship and sustainability, and encouraging individual
members of the University community to develop approaches to their work and lifestyles that
improve the Earth’s health. Advancing Sustainability requires education, research,
planning, action, accountability, and leadership.
Therefore,
practices,
whenever
possible
willwhen
6. Does
your Drexel
school University’s
administer apolicies,
donation
programand
for curricula
clothing and
other used
goods
reflect approaches that encourage reductions in life cycle costs, safeguard or restore
students are moving out of campus housing? If so, are bins placed in every dormitory?
functioning natural systems, and enhance human well being.
Yes,
rexel recycles everything that can be recycled from used furniture, beds, carpets etc.
Students at resident halls submit a work order to University Facilities and items are picked
up on site. At end of each semester local charities set up bins to collect unwanted clothing
and furniture/household items. Throughout the year there are clothing, coats, books, and
shoe drives.
Drexel also has a program for University Departmentss called the Drexel Surplus exchange.
The mission of the Drexel Surplus Exchange is to help departments find a new home for
their no longer needed computer equipment, office supplies, lab equipment and furniture by
Category 8: Administration
1. Is environmental sustainability part of your institution’s mission statement or guiding
principles? If so, please provide the text or a link.
Drexel University is committed to protecting the needs of future generations, promoting
excellence in environmental stewardship and sustainability, and encouraging individual
members of the University community to develop approaches to their work and lifestyles
that improve the Earth’s health. Advancing Sustainability requires education, research,
planning, action, accountability, and leadership.
Therefore, Drexel University’s policies, practices, and curricula whenever possible will
reflect
encourage
in dedicated
life cycle costs,
safeguard
or restore
2. Doesapproaches
your schoolthat
employ
at leastreductions
one person
to overseeing
campus
environmental
functioning
natural
systems,
and
enhance
human
well
being.
initiatives, such as a sustainability coordinator, or have a sustainability task force or committee?
Is the coordinator position part-time or full-time?
Yes, Drexel has an extensive structure that includes Board, Faculty, Students,
Executives, University Community Members, and Staff.
THE DREXEL GREEN INITIATIVE at Drexel University was created in 2008 by students,
faculty, and staff dedicated to transforming Drexel's campus into a sustainability leader.
The
initiative
covers have
all aspects
of operations,
buildings,
academic
andplans
student
3. Does
your school
a formal
policy to integrate
life-cycle
costinitiatives,
analysis into
for
life and is responsible
for the
strategic If
plan
furtherexplain.
sustainable practices and policies.
constructing
or renovating
buildings?
yes,toplease
Yes:
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEES
In addition to using LEED certification, Drexel University was the first University in the
country
to commit
to using
Green Globes.
Drexel Green
Steering
Committee:
Millennium
Awarded 2 Green Globes
John A. FryHall
President
James Tucker Senior Vice President Student Life & Administrative Services
Recreation
Awarded
2 Senior
Greencommitment
Globes
Mark
Provost
andofficial
Vice
President
Affairs
4.
HasGreenberg
your Center
school
made an
to Academic
reducing its
impact on climate change by
Joe
Campbell
Sr
Associate
Vice
President
for
Administrative
Operations
setting goals of emissions reductions by a certain date? If yes, does your school have a plan for
Papadakis
Integrated
Sciences
Building will use
LEED and
is seeking LEED Gold
Patricia Gallagher
Associate
Architecture
achieving
these reductions?
IfProfessor
so, brieflyCivil
explain
the plan.& Environmental Engineering
Chuck Haas Professor Civil Architecture & Environmental Engineering
Rita LaRue
Gollotti
Associate
Vice President
Business
Services
Yes,
President
JohnSenior
Fry signed
the ACUPCC
in December
of 2010.
Drexel’s Recreation Center was designed to light 87% of interior occupied space using
daylighting.
Academic
Committee:
Through itsSustainability
electrical procurement
beginning January 2011 Drexel is 100% Wind Powered.
With 100% Wind Power Drexel's current operations will reduce Drexel's carbon footprint
Drexel’s
Papdakis
Integrated
Science Building
include
a the 140,000-square-foot,
Patricia
Co-Chair
Associate
Professor
Civil
Architecture
& Environmental
81% in Gallagher,
2011
exceeding
the ACUPCC
goal
for will
2050.
multi-story
living
Bio
Wall
operating
in
conjunction
with
the
building’s
system
Engineering
5.
Has your school conducted a complete greenhouse-gas-emissionsmechanical
audit of its campus?
using
the
natural
respiratory
properties
of
plants
to
cool
the
indoor
air
in
summer,
and
Chuck Haas,
Co-Chair
Professor
Civil
Architecture
& Environmental
Engineering
Through
Drexel's
Integrated
Energy
Master
Plan and
current efforts update
its Climate
Yes
and
Drexel
is
currently
updating
the
inventory
and
its
Climate
Action
Plan
function
like
a
humidifier
in
the
winter.
Elizabeth
Blankenhorn
Professor
Medicine
Action Plan
Drexel is actively
working
to achieve neutrality in the very near future.
Robert Brulle Professor Arts & Sciences
6.
Has your
schoolofachieved
a reduction
in
totalreducing
annual carbon consumption
emissions? Ifby
yes,
please explain
During
the
winter
2007,
Drexel
embarked
installing
Richard
Cairncross
Associate
Professor
Engineering
EPA recognized
Drexel
University
as one
ofon
the Nation’swater
Top 50 Leading Green
Power
and
provide
benchmark
year
percentage.
restricted-flow
shower
andand
aerators
in allHealth
facilities
across
which
immediately
Ferne
Cohenthe
Assistant
Professor
Nursing
and
Professions
Purchasers,
3rd
amongheads
all Colleges
and
Universities,
and
1st in campus,
the Colonial
Athletic
starting
showing
significant
reductions
in
water
consumption.
These
highly
effective
water
Arthur
Franks Professor Public Health
Association
Since
2008, Drexel
has
reduced itstwo
greenhouse
gas
emissions
81% steps
(not including
tier
3
conservation
efforts
demonstrated
simple
and
fairly
inexpensive
that
can
be
Peter Franks Associate Vice Provost Steinbright Career Development Center
emissions
such
as
commuting
and
air
travel)
from
41,369
metric
tons
to
7,880
mT.
taken
to save
water.
Alex
Geisinger
Professor
Beginning
January
2011 Law
Drexelopportunities,beginning
100% Wind Powered. January
According
to the
Environmental
Utilizing
electrical
procurement
2011
Drexel
is 100% Wind
Kelsey
Gibbons
Student
Arts
&
Sciences
ProtectionTherefore
Agency’s in
greenhouse
gas
equivalencies
calculator,
the
environmental
benefits
Powered.
2011
over
60,518
metric
tons
of
CO2
will
be
avoided
annually
Drexel
has taken
additional
measuresand
to reduce
Paul
Hirshorn
Professor
Architecture
Designwater consumption, which include the
are:
through Drexel's
purchase
WindBird
Generated
With measures
100% Wind
Power
Drexel
campus-wide
of of
a&
Rain
irrigationElectricity.
system which
the
moisture
in
Susan Kilhaminstallation
Professor Arts
Sciences
cuurent
operations
will
reduce
the
University's
carbon
footprint
81%
in
2011
exceeding
the
the
soil
to
activate
zoned
sprinklers
without
the
use
of
automatic
timers;
and
the
treatment
Alison
Lewis
Professor
iSchool
Equivalent
to Assistant
the
carbon
sequestered
by 12,904 acres of trees
ACUPCC
goal
for
2050.
and
reuse
of rainwater
for flushing
toilets
in the new Recreation Center.The University’s
Hazem
Maragah
Associate
Professor
Business
efforts
have
demonstrated
42%
July
2009
July 2007
water use.
Donna
Murasko
Dean Arts
& Sciences
Equivalent
to Removing
11,571
passengervs.
vehicles
fromreduction
the road,inaccording
to In
theFY 2010
Water
Consumption
was Student,
reduced
additional
13.5%
while
Drexel’s
occupied space
Katy
Travaline
Graduate
Ph.D.
Environmental
Science
Environmental
Protection
Agency’san
greenhouse
gas equivalencies
calculator.
Category 9: Financial Investments
1. Is all information about your school’s endowment fund publicly available? Briefly explain.
The University's endowment is transparent to its Board of Trustees, which includes faculty
representatives. Additionally, student representatives attend board meetings where reports,
including investment manager and performance information, are presented. They are also
privy to the deliberations of the Investment Committee. All endowment information is
published on a secured web site for Trustees and designated staff to review and download.
2. Does your school have an investment-responsibility committee that considers and acts on
environmental issues? If so, provide key examples of actions it has taken.
Not at this time
3. Does your school have, or is it planning to implement, a formal policy that restricts or
prohibits investments in fossil fuels? If yes, briefly explain.
Not at this time
4. What percentage of your school’s overall endowment is invested in companies or funds that
further renewable energy and clean technology?
_______%
Information is not public
Category 10: Other Initiatives
1. Have any of your school’s students effected positive environmental change on a campus,
state, or national level? If so, please describe. (To nominate a specific student for greater
attention in our coverage, please email cool.schools@sierraclub.org with his or her name,
accomplishments, and contact information. For privacy reasons, please do not include
students’ contact information here).
A joint ECE/MEM Senior Design team won the Solar Power "Prototype" Category race at the
Shell Eco Marathon. Drexel's team was the only one of the five teams in the prototype vehicle
category to complete a valid run—generating more energy from their solar panels than they
used to complete the six-mile track. Their result of 90 miles (144 kilometers) per kilowatt hour
was the equivalent of 3,033 mpg.
2. Have students participated in regional or national environmental challenges or events such
as the Solar Decathlon or environmental design contests? If so, which events and how did they
do?
Recycle Mania and Powershift
3. Has your school set aside part of its campus as natural habitat, stipulated limited campus
development, or enacted programs preserving its land? If so, please explain.
DREXEL PARK
32nd Street and Powelton Avenue
Brownfield Redevelopment: The former Consolidated Laundry industrial site was
redeveloped into open green space serving as a recreational facility for both Drexel’s students
and the Powelton community. Construction on the 2.5 acres, $500,000 project includes more
4.
Does
adhere
an indoor
than
45 your
trees,school
walking
paths,tolighting,
andair-quality
benches. policy (e.g., the mandated use of nontoxic
cleaning supplies or paints)? If yes, describe the policy.
In 2010 Race Street was closed vehicular traffic to allow for future development of a north
campus green way.
5. Does your school offer outdoor- or field-based classes or academic programs? If so, please
list and describe up to three. (To nominate a specific program for greater attention in our
coverage, please email cool.schools@sierraclub.org with a detailed description and the
program coordinator’s contact information.)
Environmental Science 323 - Tropical Field Studies Ecology of tropical rain forests and dry
forests. We will explore physical and biological factors that result in formation of these forests,
effect of human impacts on these forests, effectiveness of management of these forests, and
the future of these forests in Costa Rica in the field. Some or all pre-requisites may be taken
6.
school offerorcampus-sponsored,
nature-based extracurricular activities to students
asDoes
eitheryour
a pre-requisite
co-requisite.
and/or faculty? If yes, please list and describe up to three.
Environmental Science 344 - Equatorial Guinea: Field Research An intensive research course
that takes advantage of the unspoiled rainforest adjacent to the Moka Wildlife Center, a
university-affiliated research station located in the highlands of Bioko Island, Equatorial
Guinea (Central/West Africa). Opportunities exist for student research on topics including
primates, antelope, birds, chameleons, butterflies and plants.
Environmental Science 388 - Marine Field Methods Course focus is on the ecology of local
marine environments. Students learn marine field survey methods, identification of marine
organisms, habitat analyses, and use of equipment for measuring abiotic variables. Students
Category 10: Other Initiatives {continued}
7. What specific actions, if any, has your school taken to improve its environmental
sustainability since spring 2010? Please list and describe.
> In 2011 over 60,518 metric tons of CO2 will be avoided annually through purchase of Wind
Generated Electricity
> Over 1,802,087 pounds of CO2 avoided annually through reductions in electric
consumption utilizing building automation systems and upgrading building equipment
> Greenhouse Gas Inventory update and Climate action plan
> 5-Story Bio Filter Wall
> Green Roofs
>Recycling Cooking Oil in Dining Locations
>Construction Waste Management Specifications
>Diverting Waste Stream From Landfills
>Composting
>“Tray
lessspace
Tuesdays”
8.
Use this
to address any other unique or interesting sustainability initiatives at your
>Hydration
Stations
school that have not already been mentioned:
> Solar Trash Compactors and Recycling Units
1. Drexel University's President signed the ACUPCC in December of 2010. In January 2011
Drexel's Green Power Purchase of over 84 million killowatt-hours of green power to meet
100% of the University's annual electricity use began. The result is that Drexel is operating at
a 81% reduction in its carbon footprint which will exceed the ACUPCC 2050 goal of a 80%
reduction 39 years early!
2. Drexel and the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Parks and Recreation are embarking
on a multi-faceted partnership aimed at greening the West Philadelphia community
surrounding the University. Program elements include the greening of several playgrounds,
the giveaway of trees to employees living in the City, and the creation of new storm water
treatment systems designed and implemented by environmental engineering students for
local parks and playgrounds.
3. Over 160 essays were submitted in the Drexel Green Grants contest by members of the
Drexel University community explaining how sustainability is being incorporated into daily life
at work, home, and/or recreation. Drexel Green awarded $23,000 in grants to 23 current
full-time and part-time students and $2,500 in Barnes & Noble gift cards to five faculty, staff
and alumni. A staff member of the Student Counseling Center on the Center City Hahnemann
Campus and associate professor of psychology, was recognized by the Drexel Sustainability
Council and Drexel Green for ideas on increasing sustainability at Drexel and at home. In
June, she received a Drexel Green Grant Award for her essay “Driving the Point Home,”
which discussed her efforts to promote sustainability as well as instill a value system of
sustainability in her two young sons. The essay described how she and her husband, a local
sculptor and faculty member at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, capitalized on
their children’s broad definition of toys and their creative behavior in order to reinforce the
daily practice of the “3 R’s” through a “family truck project. A sample of the toy trucks (made
from a variety of household objects that would otherwise have been recycled or discarded),
were on display in the Creese Student Center.
Please save this PDF with your answers and email it to cool.schools@sierraclub.org
no later
than
April
20,the
2011.
Thank
youWest
veryPhilly
much
for your
participation.
4. A Drexel
alumni
was
one of
leaders
for the
Hybrid
X Team
(EVX) that
advanced to the final stages of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize (PIAXP)
competition for a $10 million award. The inner city team that's partnered with Philadelphia
Academies, Inc. passed the shakedown stage of the competition to build the best 100 MPG
vehicle. The original 111 teams from around the world were reduced to 22 teams including
teams from universities, venture capitalists and automotive industries. The EVX Team was
the only high school in the competition. EVX's hybrid car is currently being voted on for style.