News
July SustainVU Newsletter Now Available
Jul. 3, 2013—Check out what’s going on this month in the July SustainVU newsletter! In this month’s issue, check out tips to conserve energy at work during the hot summer months and read about President Obama’s speech regarding his plan to address climate change.The Vanderbilt Farmer’s Market is in full swing with lots of yummy fruits, veggies, breads, cheeses and...
As the weather gets hot, practice these tips to conserve energy
Jun. 17, 2013—[Originally posted by MyVU] Temperatures across the South are climbing into the 90s for the first time this summer. As one of the largest energy consumers in Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students are encouraged to do their part to reduce energy consumption on campus and at the medical center. Slight modifications to energy...
Yeu-Matchuc observes World Environment Day with Vanderbilt performance
Jun. 6, 2013—[Originally posted by Vanderbilt News] Indigenous Yoreme dancers from Sinaloa, Mexico, constructed a ceremonial hut on Library Lawn and performed songs and dances in a sacred ceremony to mark World Environment Day June 5. About 100 people enjoyed the colorful lunchtime performance by Yeu-Matchuc. Through the ancient deer dance, the performers transform into deer to...
Eat Green Tennessee event promotes table-to-farm support
May. 30, 2013—[Originally posted by The Tennessean] As the weather heats up for summer, we’re headed toward peak season for fresh vegetables and fruits in Middle Tennessee. We can help make sure those veggies keep coming by supporting local farmers with Community Supported Agriculture programs and by buying from growers at local farmers markets to make dishes...
May 17 is National Bike to Work Day
May. 15, 2013—Celebrate Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17. Amenities for bikers on campus include shower areas and bike racks. In addition to being a healthy and cost-effective mode of transportation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that biking one mile saves almost one pound of greenhouse gas from being produced. By biking to work,...
Commencement strawberries donated to Nashville Zoo
May. 14, 2013—The Vanderbilt Chancellor’s Office donated leftover strawberries from the 2013 Strawberries and Champagne Commencement event for the first time to the Nashville Zoo. Staff from the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) organized the donation and delivered the strawberries to the zoo after Commencement events concluded. The Zoo’s elephants and lemurs enjoyed the strawberries at...
Clean Air Week events informed, entertained
May. 7, 2013—[Originally posted by MyVU] Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and the Clean Air Partnership of Middle Tennessee hosted a Clean Air Week scavenger hunt near Vanderbilt’s Central Library on May 1. This and other activities were held to celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week April 29–May 3. At the events, Vanderbilt employees and students...
VANTAGE Lab’s Gold LEED certification is 14th Certified Project at Vanderbilt
Apr. 29, 2013—The Vanderbilt Technologies for Advanced Genomics (VANTAGE) laboratory, located in the basement of Medical Center North, recently achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the14th certified project and the first laboratory renovation to achieve LEED certification at Vanderbilt. Designed by Donald Blair Architects from...
Don’t Toss it!—Vanderbilt’s Earth Friendly Move Out Tips
Apr. 29, 2013—With the hustle and bustle of finishing up the semester, moving out can be a hectic process of trying to fit a year’s worth of stuff into cars, suitcases, and storage. For all the stuff that doesn’t fit, Vanderbilt’s Earth Friendly Move Out provides opportunities to keep a large volume of material out of the...
Science and math students take green campus tour
Apr. 29, 2013—[Originally published by MyVU] On April 8, first-year students in the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) participated in the annual “Earth, Wind and Fire” tour to learn about energy production and the sustainable features of Vanderbilt’s campus. The Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and Plant Operations act as hosts each year....
Vanderbilt profiled in USA Today for Princeton Review Green Honor Roll
Apr. 23, 2013—[Originally published by USA Today] The Princeton Review released its Green Honor Roll, which recognizes schools that received a green rating of 99, just in time for Earth Day. The publication’s fifth annual green ratings measured the environmental friendliness of 806 institutions nationwide on a scale of 60 to 99. Vanderbilt was one of only...
VU Power Plant to Convert to All-Natural Gas
Apr. 22, 2013—As of November 19, 2014, Vanderbilt is coal free! Vanderbilt University currently has an on-campus co-generation, natural gas-fueled power plant which produces 23% of our electricity and 100% of our steam, servicing 12 million square feet of building space. This steam is then used for 90% of campus heating, sterilization, and 40% of campus cooling....
Vanderbilt featured in Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges
Apr. 17, 2013—[Originally posted by Vanderbilt News] Vanderbilt has been included in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013. The book is available as a free download. The Princeton Review chose schools according to their course offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation to measure their commitment to the environment and to sustainability. Vanderbilt’s multiple...
SustainVU presents Earth Day Happy Hour and The Lorax for Earth Day 2013
Apr. 16, 2013— Join SustainVU as we celebrate Earth Day 2013 on Monday, April 22! Stop by Rand Wall from noon to 1pm for Earth Day Happy Hour! Bring a non-traditional recyclable, and you will get a snack and a gift! *Non-traditional recyclables include batteries, electronics, cell phones, ink and toner...
Nashville residents, visitors taking advantage of bike sharing programs
Apr. 15, 2013—[Originally posted by WSMV] Reported by Jennifer Johnson Apr 12, 2013 5:54 p.m. If you’ve noticed a lot of green and red bikes around town lately, it’s not your imagination. Nashville now has two different bike sharing services that you can take advantage of, but there’s one huge difference: one’s free and the other isn’t....