Renewing a pledge for the future

Drake University recently renewed its environmental sustainability commitment by launching Blue is Green. The Blue is Green program is a formal way of acknowledging current University sustainability efforts while engaging the campus community in responsible best practices that support human well-being, environmental compatibility and a healthy earth for future generations.

President Maxwell is a charter signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment on behalf of the University.

 
ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES
  • Drake joined national effort to cut greenhouse-gas emissions
  • Re-engineered and replaced underground heating/cooling pipes, boilers and chillers, heating plant, HVAC control system
  • Installed motion sensors to control lighting in most administrative and academic buildings
  • Installed vending misers on all vending machines
  • Converted to compact fluorescent lighting throughout most of the campus

    As a result of these measures, gas usage (MMBtu) has been reduced by 27 percent and electric usage (KWH) has been reduced by 15 percent since 2001
  • DEAL, the student-run Drake Environmental Action League, introduced a major Earth Week event for 2008 which included:
    • Donating more than 1,000 CFL’s to students and faculty
    • Sponsoring a sustainable picnic featuring locally grown foods
ENERGY-STAR APPLIANCES
  • Installed new energy-star washers and dryers in all residence halls
VEHICLES
  • Employees and students receive unlimited, free bus transportation on Des Moines public transportation (DART) buses
  • Campus operations such as security, facilities and dinner services, now use more golf carts instead of cars or trucks
  • Campus lawn mowers use bio diesel fuel
CHEMICALS
  • Initiated a program to reduce hazardous chemicals in labs and to reduce the volume of stored chemicals
  • "Green" chemicals are used by custodians for cleaning and disinfecting
RECYCLING & REUSE
  • Residence halls have an active recycling program
  • Dining operations use napkins and cups made from recycled paper
  • Campus recycles everything from e-waste to scrap metals to toner cartridges
  • Plant and landscaping materials are moved and reused throughout the campus
  • Old furniture is donated to charitable organizations
  • Developers and community members are invited to salvage or move existing houses slated for demolition
ACADEMICS
  • Students restored a large campus prairie area as part of Drake’s environmental science and policy major
  • Drake’s MBA program offers sustainability focused curriculum
  • Drake has an Eco-house on campus which houses students committed to environmentally friendly living
  • Journalism students launched THiNK, an environmentally friendly news magazine focusing on topics aimed at socially conscious "20-something" Iowans
PAPERLESS
  • Faculty use electronic, downloadable documents, e-reserves, and email to reduce paper consumption
  • Both the faculty and staff handbooks are online
  • The staff performance evaluation system is completely online
MARKETING
  • Major recruitment publications as well as other pieces are printed on
  • FSC printer vendors are used for the majority of projects
  • Drake Blue magazine will be FSC certified beginning June 1, 2008