Campus green scene

While New Paltz proudly displays its school spirit with orange and blue, the people who live, work and study on campus have also begun to embrace the spirit of green.

There are many environmentally and energy-conscious campus initiatives under way, but what follows is a sampling of some of the more recent efforts that have bloomed on our campus:

Energy-saving collaborations
New Paltz partners with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Star and the State Electronics Challenge.
• New Paltz President Steven Poskanzer signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment on August 15, 2008.
• The college voluntarily reduced its energy usage during the 2009 summer cooling season and received a cash award.
• A system was installed to optimize the college’s information technology (IT) infrastructure, reduce costs and increase efficiency. Logiqool requires no power or additional infrastructure/HVAC units in order to reduce temperatures surrounding computer servers and, therefore, reduce heating and cooling costs.

Recycling reaps rewards
• Students helped raise awareness by participating in a national competition, RecycleMania, where recyclable waste was weighed over a 10-week period.
• Additionally, campus construction projects recycle or reuse building materials and recycling containers can be seen in every building across campus.

Yummy and good for the planet
• Collaborating with local organic farms, the Environmental Task Force organized a weekly outdoor farmers market on campus from September to November. Local farmers brought fresh, organic produce and treats like honey and hot sauce for members of the campus community to purchase.

Lighting the way
• An off-grid, solar-illuminated map was installed at the west entrance of the campus (near the Athletic and Wellness Center) last June. LED lights are charged by the sun.

Paperless practices
• Departments, such as Student Accounts and Mail Services, are distributing notices and forms electronically to reduce their use of paper.

Green means go
• Facilities Design and Construction staff members are driving two 2009 Nissan Altima hybrid vehicles around campus. The hybrid vehicles join a fleet of eight battery-operated Global Electric Motorcars (GEMs) vehicles and one all-electric pickup truck used by Facilities Maintenance and Operations.

By taking steps to reduce waste, reuse materials and save energy, New Paltz is helping to build a more clean, green and sustainable future.