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Progress on Recommendations

In June 2007, the Sustainability Task Force released its first Annual Report which included more than 30 specific, effective policy and project recommendations for the university administration. In September, Executive Vice President Michael Alfano set out five major priorities in a Memo to the NYU community, incorporating many of the subcommittees' recommendations.

We are continuing to work with every area of the university to implement the Sustainability Task Force's recommendations. Here you can follow our progress.

Completed / Successful and Ongoing

  1. Plan Educating for Sustainability Lecture Series: Series complete; first lecture was held on September 11; second on October 15; two more lectures and events followed in the spring. Continuation of the highly successful series is being discussed.
  2. Reathorize the Wind Power Purchase for 2007-08 Year: We have renewed our commitment to green energy. Our Fiscal Year 2008 Renewable Energy Credit (REC) purchase totals 132,000,000 MWh and will offset 100% of our expected consumption of purchased electricity.
  3. Expand Scope and Funding of NYU's Garden Shop: Alison Leary announced that the department is becoming Sustainable Landscaping, reporting to Director of Energy and Sustainability Cecil Scheib. NYU gardener George Reis has helped to expand its scope - one recent project included the planting of more than 100 shrubs (most of them native and all non-invasive species) in raised garden beds alongside the lobbies of Washington Square Village. The NYU Garden Shop arranged for organic arborist James Sottilo of Treewise Organics to treat campus cherry and oak trees using specially formulated compost that encourages the development of healthy soil and eliminates the need for toxic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. NYU Garden Shop will next compile a database of the surprisingly large number of green areas on campus in order to plan improvements to the level of horticulture in our open spaces.
  4. Institute a Sustainability Advocate Program:The Sustainability Advocate Program has launched, with great success! More than 75 Sustainability Advocates have received training and resources, and are now leading sustainability efforts in their individual departments and work spaces. For a map of Advocate locations on campus, click here. The program is expected to grow in the coming semester.
  5. Begin Tracking Water Consumption in all Buildings: NYU is now tracking water consumption along with billing records; we've received digital records from the DEP, and are working to input past consumption data into a database, which will be included in our Environmental Assessment this year.
  6. Run a Residence Hall Conservation Contest: NYUnplugged, the residence hall energy conservation competition, is underway throughout April 2008, with most Washington Square Campus dorms participating. The project is led by a student team and sponsored through a 2007-2008 Green Grant.
  7. Implement a Comprehensive NYU Sustainability Website: Website planning meetings were held August-October, and Web Communications developed designs throughout the fall and early winter. This site was launched in January 2008. Site continues to expand and is maintained primarily by Jeremy Friedman and Evrim Sahin.
  8. Increase Local and Organic Food Options in Residence Halls: Dining Services launched the Hayden "green" dining hall, featuring significant increases in local and organic food, reduced packaging and waste, and other upgrades. Dining is considering additional locations for the coming year.
  9. Conduct a Characterization Study of NYU’s Waste Stream: Recycling Services has completed a characterization study, and will be sharing the results as part of the overall Environmental Assessment effort. The study will help to direct future programs and expansion of recycling coverage on campus.

In Progress / Underway

  1. Implement a Composting Pilot Project: The NYU Recycling and Dining Departments are actively investigating hauling companies that will accept and process compostable food waste from dining halls, and partnering with a student group to plan a pilot project for fall 2008.
  2. Develop Local and Organic Food Options for Catering: Aramark is now offering an organic catering option; the Food and Purchasing Subcommittee has developed a full suite of recommendations to support and expand organic catering options on campus, including criteria for sustainable catering.
  3. Review and Assess Rooftop Space, Resources, Access: NYU's Strategic Assessment, Planning and Design department is exploring rooftop resources through the NYU Plans 2031 initiative. The Sustainability Task Force is engaged in active discussion of issues surrounding roof access policies.
  4. Expand Storage Space for Asset Management: Asset Management has secured additional space, but it's temporary. Thousands of dollars of usable equipment may still be discarded annually.
  5. Develop a Wind and Solar Electricity Microgeneration Project: Several faculty-led renewable research and generation projects are underway, including several sponsored through the Green Grants.
  6. Require Recycled Paper Purchasing for all NYU Departments: With the strong endorsement of the university leadership (and previously, the University Senate), the purchase of at least 30% post-consumer recycled paper is the common standard for NYU's central administration. Individual NYU colleges are beginning to develop a similar standard, in conjunction with the Sustainability Task Force and Purchasing Services Department.
  7. Develop a Guide to Green Living for NYU Students: Guide still in progress, as part of Green Grant project. Content will be featured in student Housing move-in materials for Fall 2008.
  8. Conduct Efficiency Review of Bus Fleet: Part of overall Sustainability Assessment effort this year.
  9. Track Mileage and Fuel Purchases for all Depts. w/ Vehicles: Part of overall Sustainability Assessment effort this year.

Not Currently Underway

  1. Implement a Printing Standard for All University Publications: Task Force must first evaluate which departments handle publications; what standards exist already.
  2. Explore Partnership of Dining Services and the Wash. Sq. CSA: Has not yet been discussed with NYU Card staff, Washington Sq. CSA, etc.
  3. Implement an Alternative Fuel Vehicle Pilot Project: STF Fund Project ($5000). Pending suitable vehicle for replacement or suitable stationary generator, technical issues.
  4. Establish an Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund: No EERF is underway for now - given investments in wind power and sustainability, the administration is not prepared to establish a separate fund. However, it will work to aggressively support specific energy efficiency demonstration projects, and/or creatively allocating eventual cost savings to show EERF potential.