News
Second Annual Commons Unplugged: October 25-31
Sep. 29, 2015—The second annual Commons Unplugged environmental awareness week, from Sunday, October 25 to Saturday, October 31, 2015 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 and...
Are YOU the greenest group on campus?
Sep. 28, 2015—VU Athletics, the Vanderbilt Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and Waste Management, Inc. are looking for the greenest group on campus during this year’s Football Athletics Sustainability competition. Your group could win a catered VIP tailgate event for 20 people, 20 tickets to the game, an autographed item from Vanderbilt athletics, and on-field recognition...
Life Phase Series: ‘Composting and Need to Know for Successful Gardening’
Sep. 24, 2015—Originally published by MyVU. The Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center presents the next installment in its Life Phase Series on Thursday, Oct. 8. “Composting and Need to Know for Successful Gardening” is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. at the VRWC. Feel free to bring your lunch to the event. Guest speaker Ryan Cooper, an...
Vanderbilt Campus Dining & Coca-Cola Bring OCRA Digester to Campus
Sep. 15, 2015—Nashville, TN, September, 2015 – Organic food waste and overburdened landfills have long been an issue in food service, and developing “zero waste” initiatives is key to stopping landfilling organic waste. The Organic Refuse Conversion Alternative (ORCA) machine can be a significant component to these initiatives. The ORCA offers a method to digest food waste...
Eight Vanderbilt researchers named ‘Inspiring Women in STEM’
Aug. 17, 2015—Originally published by MyVU. Eight Vanderbilt professors are recipients of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 100 Inspiring Women in STEM Award. The award honors highly accomplished women working in science, technology, engineering or mathematics who have made a positive impact on the trajectories of other women thinking about or newly embarking on STEM careers. “For many...
Earth-Friendly Move In Tips for Students
Aug. 4, 2015—Whether you’re a first-year or returning Commodore, we are excited to have you back on campus! While moving in, try to minimize waste and recycle. The VU Cardboard Crew will assist first-year students at the Commons with recycling their cardboard, Styrofoam, and plastic film wrapping. SustainVU will also host a booth at the University Resources...
Enjoy Tennessee’s local produce during National Farmers’ Market Week!
Aug. 3, 2015—Read the MyVU story here. Celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week August 2 through August 8 by taking advantage of the Vanderbilt Farmers’ Market on Thursday August 6 from 3pm to 6pm or checking out one of The Nashville Farmers’ Market (NFM) events discussed below. Aug. 3: Look for the green “LOCAL” signs at the Nashville Farmers’...
Public Meetings Scheduled for Nashville MTA/RTA transit system
Jul. 30, 2015—To weigh in on Nashville’s strategic transit plan, join Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Nashville Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for a public discussion on the future of Nashville’s transit system at two public meetings in August. Tuesday, August 11 at 5:30-7pm East Park Community Center 600 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206 Wednesday, August 12...
NACUBO members tour campus sustainability features
Jul. 22, 2015—Read the MyVU article here. Vanderbilt University played host Monday to about 100 members of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), which held its annual meeting in Nashville July 18-21. NACUBO represents more than 2,500 colleges, universities and higher education service providers across the country and worldwide. NACUBO members toured...
Don’t forget to power down before leaving for the holiday!
Jul. 1, 2015—Read the MyVU story here. Please remember to power down before you leave the office or your home for an extended period over the holiday. Your reductions in energy use can have a large impact when aggregated across the entire university. Here are some things you can do to help conserve energy while you are...
VU now a sponsor of B-cycle station near campus
Jun. 25, 2015—Originally published by MyVU. Vanderbilt University is now a sponsor of the Nashville B-Cycle station located near the intersection of 21st Avenue South and Wedgewood and Blakemore avenues in Hillsboro Village, adjacent to campus. Nashville B-cycle is a bike share program that allows riders to rent bicycles using an automated kiosk at one station and...
Unclaimed bicycles donated to neighborhood youth organization
Jun. 2, 2015—See the Tennessean article here. In the Edgehill community, Terry Key and his tight-knit group of neighborhood kids have a new batch of bicycles, thanks to Vanderbilt University! The Vanderbilt Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and Plant Operations arranged to donate bicycles to the Edgehill Bike Club that went unclaimed from campus and were...
Deciphering clues to prehistoric climate changes locked in cave deposits
May. 27, 2015—Watch the VU Inside on Jessica Oster here. Read the Vanderbilt News story here. When the conversation turns to the weather and the climate, most people’s thoughts naturally drift upward toward the clouds, but Jessica Oster’s sink down into the subterranean world of stalactites and stalagmites. That is because the assistant professor of earth and...
Vanderbilt power plant exhaust stack demolition is complete
May. 22, 2015—Read the MyVU story here. The Vanderbilt power plant has a dramatic new look. Demolition of the brick exhaust stack, which once stretched more than 200 feet tall, is now complete. The plant’s conversion from using both coal and natural gas to exclusively natural gas has been underway since fall 2013 and included the...
Commencement strawberries donated to Nashville Zoo and Walden’s Puddle
May. 14, 2015—Read the MyVU Story here. Animals at the Nashville Zoo and Walden’s Puddle recently enjoyed a sweet treat, thanks to Vanderbilt’s Office of the Chancellor and Commencement Office. The university donated strawberries left over from the Strawberries and Champagne celebration at Commencement to the two Nashville organizations again this year. Since fresh produce cannot be...