Sustainability
February 24, 2011
GC Composting presented nationally
Hannah Eberly, a second-year, and David Zwier, a junior, represented Goshen College at the United States Composting Conference (USCC) in San Jose and Santa Clara, Calif. last month. Eberly and Zwier have worked extensively with Goshen College composting throughout the past summer and school year. Lewis Naylor, a Chemistry professor and composting adviser, suggested that they apply to present at the conference. “Hannah and I never imagined that our proposal would be accepted,” said Zwier, “much less that we would be the only college-aged presenters at the conference.” Board members of the USCC organized the 19th annual conference, which took place...
November 10, 2010
GC continues climate commitment pledge
Some say that becoming a “climate neutral” campus is impossible. “So is world peace,” responds Glenn Gilbert, Goshen College utilities manager. Despite skepticism, GC has continued decreasing its carbon footprint. Three years ago, President Brenneman signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment and pledged to become a “climate neutral” college. The term “climate neutral” means that the amount of the campus’ net carbon emission would not add any carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Gilbert agrees that this seems like an unattainable goal—but nonetheless worth working towards. With the construction of buildings like the Rec-Fitness and Music Centers in...
November 10, 2010
Grass-fed steer raised at Merry Lea
What does a Swiss steer have in common with a species of tallgrass? A steer, known as Big Blue, was fed solely on a native prairie grass for a research project this summer led by Ryan Sensenig, associate professor of Biology and Environmental Science. He was assisted by four students at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. The steer's name came from the species of native tallgrass, Big Blue Stem, that it was primarily fed. These grasses originally dominated the Great Plains and evolved to the Midwest climate. The main purpose of Sensenig's research was to honor the natural agricultural model...
November 2, 2010
Wes Jackson to speak on agriculture measured by nature
Wes Jackson, an activist for sustainable agriculture and president of The Land Institute, will speak in Sauder Concert Hall November 9th at 7p.m. Recognized by Smithsonian as one of “35 that made a difference,” Jackson will lecture about "The Necessity and Possibility of an Agriculture Where Nature is the Measure." There is no cost to attend. Jackson seeks to address the future of agriculture by looking at the past. Years ago, a variety of plants and insects could be found in prairies. But now in fields across North America, farmers are growing only a single crop, a practice called...
October 14, 2010
Vermicomposting comes to senior apartments
Two years ago, when Goshen was considering food service companies to contract out its dining facilities, one aspect that helped AVI Fresh stand out was it's record of sustainability at other colleges and universities. Here at Goshen, one manifestation of this commitment is the composting process. Composting at Goshen is not only done by AVI Fresh, but also by smaller groups such as individual houses and the senior apartments. Howell House, an off campus house that is co-ed this year, takes their compost to the bin behind the dining hall, and the senior apartments recently began using vermiculture to compost...
October 13, 2010
Why Mac-minis?
According to Glenn Gilbert, utilities manager and sustainability coordinator, the computer lab in the Union has normally been air-conditioned year-round to compensate for the heat generated by the computers. Since the Mac-minis have been installed, said Gilbert, "We are now hoping that when the outdoor temperature falls below the mid-forties, we won't have to air condition." Although it is difficult to know for sure exactly how much energy will be saved, two large pumps necessary to distribute chilled water will be turned off, resulting in a conservative estimated saving of at least $3,000 this winter on energy bills, on top...
September 9, 2010
Native landscaping to overtake turf
In an effort to reduce its mowed lawns, the campus is planning to introduce native grasses and wild flowers to replace seven acres of the current turf on campus. The areas to be converted include the entire railroad corridor, the large lawn north of the Kratz and Miller dorms, much of the lawn west of the Music Center, areas along 12th Street and the east border of the athletic fields. Currently, the physical plant is mowing 55 acres of grass, including athletic fields. According to Glenn Gilbert, the sustainability coordinator, the plan to reduce this area by 12 percent will...
March 25, 2010
Don’t Drive Day a response to creating a climate neutral campus
On Monday, March 22, participating students, faculty and staff showed their concern and love for the earth by walking, biking, carpooling or traveling by trolley in observation of Don’t Drive Day. In an attempt to decrease Goshen’s Carbon footprint because of a national commitment signed by President Brenneman, the idea for Don’t Drive Day was created. President Brenneman signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in the spring of 2007 and joined 175 other higher education institutions in a quest to achieve neutralization of our campus’ greenhouse gas emissions. According to the goGreen section of Goshen’s Web page,...
February 12, 2010
New campus committee to speak for the trees
On a campus which has already participated in 350, started a Re-Use Thrift store and proposed a composting program for the cafeteria, environmental concerns are certainly active at Goshen College. But many Goshen College students are looking for another way to remain good stewards to the environment—only this time they aim to speak for the trees. This semester, the college began the process of qualifying for Tree Campus USA, a national program supported by the Arbor Day foundation. It recognizes colleges and universities that are encouraging conscientious action about tree planting and preservation within their communities. The college will work to...
January 27, 2010
GC Weighs Options for Environmental Sustainability
On Monday afternoon, eight Goshen College faculty and staff members met to learn about Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Jim Weingart of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management led the presentation. He assists organizations to meet codes implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA mandated that Goshen College be inspected every three years, or an EMS should be put in place. In response, the college is weighing all options. EMS is a process of planning out a sustainable routine, then evaluating and carrying out that plan. “EMS goes above and beyond simple compliance to government standards,” said Weingardt. Environmental impacts...
January 20, 2010
Reuse Center changes idea of trash
Looking to buy used three-ring binders, half-empty shampoo bottles, gently used Sega games or a 2003-4 Nintendo calendar? Eco-Pax has the place for you, right on campus. Last week, Eco-Pax began the semester by opening the Student Reuse Center (SRC). Located in the formally vacant coatroom right outside West Lawn Dining Hall, the SRC provides a new opportunity for students to purchase used school supplies, bathroom necessities, and a wide assortment of items for low, low prices. “Lots of people think it’s the men’s restroom,” said Ross Weaver, one of the Eco-Pax members in charge of this project, “but it’s...
December 2, 2009
Dining Hall to Compost Next Semester
The student body of Goshen College wastes about 950 pounds of compostable material every day. This material all goes to a landfill, where the valuable nutrients are trapped among tin cans and sofa cushions, never again to fertilize the earth. Starting next semester, EcoPax, Goshen College's environmental group, will implement a plan to collect this waste and compost it. The four currently empty bins in the Rott's dish return area will be turned into compost receptacles. Signs by the bins will direct all diners to scrape their compostable waste, noting what is compostable and what must be thrown out. The...
November 11, 2009
Ugandan Environmental Activist Addresses Students
Sara Kaweesa, a creation care advocate from Uganda, spoke to students on climate change in the Communicating Across Cultures class on Monday evening. She is from the A Rocha Uganda Initiative, touring the midwest with Reverend Tafue Lusama, who is speaking about the effect climate change is having on his home country of Tuvalu. The two spoke last week at the Goshen Theater as part of their "Ankle Deep in Reality" tour through Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Of the effects of rising carbon dioxide emissions, Kaweesa said, “Forgive me, but Africa bears the brunt, but has not been the source.”...
November 11, 2009
Gilbert Explores Coal Usage, Ancient Lighting
Students were held rapt during Monday's convocation as Glenn Gilbert, Goshen College's Utilities Manager and sustainability coordinater, walked onstage wearing a conductor's hat and poured roughly fifty pounds of coal from a metal trashcan. He strode forward and announced: “This is coal.” He then turned off all of the lights in the chapel and opened the blinds, allowing the current-day sunshine to break in and provide all of the light. Why use ancient sunlight when we can use today's? Gilbert then proceeded to illustrate Goshen College's addiction to coal both historically and in the present day, using easily understandable examples....
October 28, 2009
GC community rallies behind 350
Goshen College students and community members sorted trash, ate together, drummed, and marched to the Goshen courthouse despite wind and rain to show their support of international climate action last Saturday. Goshen was one of 5,245 places in 181 countries across the world that helped spread the message on Oct. 24th: 350 is the limit of carbon dioxide in parts per million that is safe in our atmosphere. GC began the day with a trash audit behind the physical plant. In three days, the college produced approximately 32 cubic yards of trash, which was sorted by hand. After opening up...