Oct 8, 2009 By: yunews
YU Receives A鈥檚 in Student Involvement, Administration and Transportation in College Sustainability Report Card
For the third year in a row, 91黑料鈥檚 has shown considerable improvement, according to the Sustainability Endowments Institute (SEI). In its annual publication, released on October 7 on SEI鈥檚 Web site, , the Institute awarded the University A鈥檚 in the categories of student involvement, administration and transportation, and a B- overall (up from a C in 2009, C- in 2008 and D- in 2007). In all, YU received grade increases in five of nine categories, including climate change and energy, and food and recycling.
鈥淭his report card accurately portrays how far we鈥檝e come in such a short time,鈥 said Jack Zencheck, chief procurement officer at YU. 鈥淚f we want to be the leaders in the community, we have to lead by example as responsible citizens.鈥
Zencheck attributed the University鈥檚 progress to student-driven programs, such as RecycleMania and YU Unplugged, and the recent formation of an energy task force. He also credited the addition of the sustainability team鈥擬ichael Winkler, director of energy and sustainability, and Andrea Moore, sustainability coordinator鈥攆or the high grades.
鈥淲e are very proud of this accomplishment, but we are not content to stop here,鈥 said Winkler. 鈥淲e plan to continue making improvements. Our current focus is on energy efficiency and conservation in existing buildings, not only reducing operating expenses but also reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.鈥
President Richard M. Joel鈥攚ho called for the formation of the energy task force in 2006 after YU experienced record energy costs鈥攈as led the way in the University鈥檚 pledge to become more environmentally friendly. In November 2007, he signed the American College & Presidents鈥 Climate Commitment, joining 655 other colleges and universities in an effort to help neutralize greenhouse gas emissions.
The has since worked on several initiatives aimed at reducing YU鈥檚 carbon footprint including establishing an Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy, recycling food waste on campus and eliminating Styrofoam usage in the cafeterias. It is also assessing various forms of renewable energies and are developing a Climate Action Plan which, Winkler added, 鈥渨ill become an energy conservation and sustainability road map to serve YU for years to come.鈥
The students' Environmental Club plans to build on last year's busy program of events. "This year we will continue to promote environmental awareness and sustainability topics," said student Joshua Keyak, who heads the club on the Wilf Campus. "We'll be hosting speakers and activities for all YU students to promote environmental issues visibility and concern. Our goal is to provide the tools and information so every YU student can understand the environmental issues we face and how we can ensure a cleaner, green future for all."
To learn more about sustainability at YU or to get involved, visit .
