Did you know that Fairfield recently replaced 77,000 fluorescent lighting fixtures with energy efficient ones?
Or that last year Fairfield bought its first hybrid vehicle?
If not, a new guide to environmentally friendly changes being made on campus will soon
By February, students, faculty and staff will have access to these “green” accomplishments as well as upcoming environmental initiatives in the publication “From Red to Green: A Fairfield Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living.”
“The purpose of the handbook is to make people aware of the green initiatives the University has undertaken over the last several years and how people can further those initiatives,” said Ric Taylor, associate vice president of campus planning and operations.
Fairfield joins a growing number of universities throughout the country that created environmental handbooks, better known as “sustainable living guides.”
Bates College, Princeton University and Clemson University are some schools that have already created and maintained sustainable living guides, according to the Association of the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Since September 2006, faculty and student members of the Environmental Steering Committee compiled and edited the guide. An anonymous donor funded the publication of “From Red to Green,” according to Dina Franceschi, associate professor of economics.
Besides providing contact information, green living tips and future campus environmental activities, the guide itself is eco-friendly. “From Red to Green” will be double-sided and printed on recycled paper with soy ink.
“We expect them to be substantial enough to not go in the trash,” said Franceschi. “Hopefully, it will be useful.”
Franceschi also said the guide is meant to be a reference text and will be free of charge.
Every faculty member will have a copy of the guide by February. Details for student distribution are still to be determined.
Eventually, the guide will be available and updated online, much like Connecticut College’s handbook “Green Living at Connecticut College.” Maintaining the guide on a Web site will minimize paper and ink use and be cost effective.
While the guide could draw prospective students and parents, both Taylor and Franceschi agree that the ultimate goal is to provide environmental awareness.
“Students and their parents are much more environmentally aware, so demonstrating the University’s commitment may have an effect,” said Taylor.
“However, our primary objective is to ‘do the right thing’ by continuing our green initiatives,” he added.
The true test will be what students think of the guide and if students will utilize it.
“I always hear people asking about recycling,” said Ashley Toombs ’07, FUSA Secretary of academics and member of the Environmental Steering Committee. “This will be a great opportunity for them to find out how they can participate at Fairfield.”
Sam Mullaney ’09 thinks the handbook may only be read by those who already have an interest in environmental issues but still remains optimistic.
“I think that there might be some challenges in getting the student body to read the handbook,” said Mullaney.
She added, “But maybe if it is talked up and students understand the importance of their relationship to the environment and what they can be doing around campus then they might read it.”
In addition to the guide, students and faculty interested in future green initiatives can visit the Environmental Studies bulletin board located on the third floor of Donnarumma Hall, attend Student Environmental Assocation meetings as well as read future “green” campus announcements.
“We don’t just want you to learn facts and figures but learn things that apply to everyday life,” said Franceschi.
Leave a Reply