News
Annual Commons Unplugged Week Celebrates Sustainability
Oct. 29, 2019—The sixth annual Commons Unplugged environmental awareness week, from Sunday, November 3 to Saturday, November 9 will celebrate sustainability, natural resource conservation and energy conservation through various events focusing on Vanderbilt’s first-year student population. These events are presented by The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, in partnership with the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office, the School for Science and...
Al Gore to hold ‘24 Hours of Reality’ global climate crisis presentation at Vanderbilt
Oct. 28, 2019—Former Vice President Al Gore will return to Vanderbilt University Nov. 20 for a global conversation on the climate crisis and its solutions. The presentation—part of a worldwide event called “24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action,” led by Gore and The Climate Reality Project, which he founded and chairs—will be in partnership with the Vanderbilt...
Suzanne Herron wins title of Greenest Group on Campus
Oct. 24, 2019—Suzanne Herron, the sustainability coordinator for Campus Dining, has been named the 2019 Greenest Commodore on Campus. Suzanne’s achievement was celebrated at the Vanderbilt vs. Missouri Homecoming game on Oct. 19 with a catered tailgate event, tickets to the game, a special prize of Vandy merchandise, and an on-field award presentation. Accepting the award on...
Transportation engineers put sophisticated eyes on campus mobility and air quality
Oct. 14, 2019—Do riders of bicycles and scooters dismount before crossing the pedestrian bridge over Hillsboro Road, as they should? How does the air quality at 21st and Broadway compare to campus areas with more tree cover? What are the pedestrian, bicycle, scooter and automobile traffic patterns at 21st and West End Avenue? The data is coming....
Sustainability efforts must address social inequalities first, environmental justice scholar says
Oct. 7, 2019—Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University, spoke to Vanderbilt community members Oct. 1 in the Wyatt Center Rotunda. (Susan Urmy/Vanderbilt) Robert Bullard, an award-winning author and distinguished professor of urban planning and environmental policy at Texas Southern University, described the economic and racial disparities inherent in environmental...
E. Bronson Ingram College receives LEED Gold certification
Sep. 30, 2019—E. Bronson Ingram College (John Russell/Vanderbilt) Vanderbilt’s E. Bronson Ingram College has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. Organizations must apply for the certification, which is recognized...
West End Neighborhood transforms with new green spaces
Sep. 26, 2019—The Vanderbilt community can now enjoy new green spaces in the West End Neighborhood following a year of construction in the area. Photo of the West End Neighborhood before construction. (Vanderbilt University Once covered with asphalt and concrete, the newly transformed Green and Kensington Promenade now feature fresh landscaping as well as pedestrian- and bike-friendly...
Vanderbilt celebrates PARK(ing) Day
Sep. 23, 2019—Faculty, staff and students participated in PARK(ing) Day—an internationally recognized event that features parking spaces turned into “pocket parks”—on Sept. 20. This year’s park focused on transportation and sustainability efforts underway on campus. The area in front of the Law School along 21st Avenue South was transformed into an outdoor space featuring hammocks, games, displays and giveaways. Members of...
Robert Bullard, ‘father of environmental justice,’ to give keynote lecture Oct. 1
Sep. 19, 2019—The Chancellor’s Lecture Series and Peabody College Dean’s Diversity Lecture Series will host Robert Bullard, the “father of environmental justice,” on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Wyatt Center Rotunda. Robert Bullard, an award-winning author and Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University, will give a lecture to the Vanderbilt community...
Community collaboration leads to redesigned Fleming Yard
Sep. 16, 2019—by Alexandra Valnoski Sep. 11, 2019, 3:28 AM When the new academic year began, students, faculty and staff filled the university’s classrooms, residence halls, and centers, as well as a dynamic, newly redesigned space: Fleming Yard. The redesign of the outdoor space, located between Alumni Lawn and Sarratt Student Center, was the culmination of collaborative initiatives among...
Experience PARK(ing) Day Sept. 20
Sep. 10, 2019—The campus community is invited to experience PARK(ing) Day 2019 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, in front of the Law School along 21st Avenue South. This year’s park will focus on transportation and sustainability efforts underway on campus. This is the third year that Vanderbilt is participating in the national PARK(ing)...
Are you the Greenest Commodore on Campus?
Sep. 10, 2019—Waste Management has teamed up with FutureVU Sustainability to challenge Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff to show how they are being sustainable on campus. Recycling, composting, using a reusable water bottle, taking alternative transportation and using energy efficient products are all examples of the many ways you can be sustainable on campus SHOW US BY...
Free bike safety class, guided city bus trip scheduled for Saturday
Sep. 9, 2019—Whether you’re a beginner or experienced bike rider, do your part to keep the Vanderbilt campus safe by participating in a free safety class taught by Vanderbilt University Public Safety bike officers. The ins and outs of safe bike riding will be covered in this course designed by the League of American Bicyclists. The class is...
Vanderbilt Divinity School expansion features water, wood and light
Sep. 6, 2019—Faculty, staff, students and friends gathered at the Vanderbilt Divinity School to witness the dedication and ribbon cutting for the school’s much anticipated new expansion. The $11.5 million three-year renovation project includes a 13,641-square-foot addition that is fully accessible and awash with natural light. The three-story addition has five new classrooms with smart technology, expanded and updated...
University eliminates single-use plastic water and soda bottles in operations on campus
Aug. 28, 2019—As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Vanderbilt University announced today it will eliminate all single-use plastic water and soda bottles in its operations throughout dining facilities, markets and vending machines. The collaborative effort—which involved the student organizations Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility (SPEAR) and Vanderbilt Student Government and will save more than 430,000 plastic...