News
Slay Energy Vampires this Halloween
Oct. 29, 2018—As little ghosts and ghouls prepare to come out in search of Halloween treats, be sure you don’t have any silent menaces lurking around your office or home tricking you into using extra energy! Energy vampires are electronic devices that slowly suck energy when they are turned off but still plugged in. They provide no...
2018 Commons Unplugged week celebrates sustainability
Oct. 24, 2018—The fifth annual Commons Unplugged environmental awareness week, from Sunday, Oct. 28, to Saturday, Nov. 3, 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 Math...
Vanderbilt ranked 21st among top ‘green’ colleges and universities
Oct. 24, 2018—Vanderbilt University has been named one of the most environmentally responsible colleges by The Princeton Review. Vanderbilt is No. 21 among the “Top 50 Green Colleges” for 2018. Schools on the list share “superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus,” according to The...
Nashville Commuter Challenge is this week
Oct. 23, 2018—Vanderbilt faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in this week’s Commuter Challenge by registering and trying at least one new commuting option Oct. 22-28. The challenge, hosted by Nashville Connector, includes all Middle Tennessee employers and employees, including all of downtown Nashville. Employees can participate in a variety of ways, including carpooling, biking, walking or...
Vanderbilt wins PARK(ing) Day awards from Nashville Civic Design Center
Oct. 10, 2018—Read the MyVU article here. Vanderbilt University was recognized by the Nashville Civic Design Center for its participation in PARK(ing) Day 2018. The university won the “Best Use of Space” award and “Golden Phone” award for the most text-in votes by visitors. “I am so proud of this team,” said Eric Kopstain, vice chancellor for administration....
Hafkenschiel to lead new university transportation office
Oct. 2, 2018—Erin Hafkenschiel Read the myVU story here. Erin Hafkenschiel has been appointed executive director of mobility in the Division of Administration effective Oct. 1. Reporting to Vice Chancellor for Administration Eric Kopstain, Hafkenschiel will lead and oversee FutureVU mobility and transportation efforts at Vanderbilt. “Erin’s experience in sustainable mobility strategy is remarkable,” said Kopstain. “She knows the city,...
Are YOU the greenest group on campus?
Sep. 28, 2018—Waste Management, Inc., the Vanderbilt Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO), and VU Athletics, are looking for the greenest group on campus during this year’s Vanderbilt Football Sustainability competition. Your group could win a catered VIP hospitality event, 25 tickets to the game, and on-field recognition at the Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss football game on...
Campus celebrates PARK(ing) Day
Sep. 25, 2018—Read the myVU story here. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members enjoyed Vanderbilt’s “parklet” during last week’s PARK(ing) Day 2018. Hosted by the Division of Administration and supported by the Nashville Civic Design Center, 18 parking spaces located at the corner of Broadway and 20th Avenue were transformed into a temporary park highlighting sustainable features and materials...
Chancellor’s Charter explores sustainability across Nashville
Sep. 20, 2018—Read the MyVU story here. Faculty, staff and students joined Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos last week on a Chancellor’s Charter tour to explore sustainability, a fundamental FutureVU guiding principle and initiative. (Anne Rayner/Vanderbilt University) Designed to focus on community engagement and lifelong education, the Chancellor’s Charter tours take place throughout the year and examine significant values, themes and topics...
University’s bike-share pilot wins TN Sustainable Transportation Award
Sep. 19, 2018— Read the myVU story here. Vanderbilt University’s pilot of the bike-sharing service ofo has won a Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Award from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. TDEC presented the award to university representatives on Sept. 18. “We are honored to be recognized by the state for our efforts in sustainability,” said Eric Kopstain, vice chancellor...
Campus community invited to PARK(ing) Day on Sept. 21
Sep. 12, 2018—The Division of Administration invites the campus community to participate in and enjoy PARK(ing) Day 2018. The university’s park, comprising 18 parking spaces located at the corner of Broadway and 20th Avenue, will highlight aspects of FutureVU and its guiding principles. The park will feature sustainable features and materials and demonstrate how land used for parking...
Facilities invests in sustainable technologies across campus
Sep. 12, 2018—The Division of Administration’s Facilities department has invested in two new sustainable technologies for the 2018-19 academic year. Integrating sustainable practices throughout campus is a fundamental element of FutureVU. Seven Bigbelly solar-powered compacting trash cans and recycling bin units were installed around Rand Hall and one at the new Hank Ingram VandyVans shelter. The units...
Vanderbilt to offer dockless bike and scooter options on campus
Sep. 5, 2018—Read the myVU story here. Following Metro Nashville’s ordinance establishing a one-year pilot to allow dockless bike, electric bike and electric scooter companies to operate in Nashville, Vanderbilt will allow the same companies that obtain Metro certificates and also agree to Vanderbilt-specific guidelines to operate on campus starting Sept. 6. “We worked closely with Metro on...
FutureVU lecture and visioning session focuses on sustainability
Aug. 31, 2018—More than 150 community members participated in a two-day series of events focusing on FutureVU’s BlueSky Vision, the university’s strategic planning and implementation initiative to re-envision campus energy infrastructure. Jason F. McLennan In collaboration with students, faculty and staff, the Division of Administrationhosted consulting partners from HDR, McLennan Design and Integral Group for the second planned visioning...
First sustainable, app-based VandyVans shelter launched
Aug. 29, 2018—Read the MyVU Story here. Students can now follow their VandyVans route and van in real time at the new shelter located at the Hank Ingram stop near The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Designed by undergraduates in the School of Engineering* and partially funded through the Vanderbilt Green Fund, which provides seed funding for student ideas that improve...