Eastern Connecticut State University
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

Each year, for one week, the dining hall challenges students to “clean their plate” by entering students that eat everything on their plate into a drawing for a prize.

The Hurley Hall Clean Plate Campaign resulted in a reduction of food waste of 20%.

The President of the university made a commitment in 2015 for Eastern to participate in the CT Green Bank's pilot "SolarizeU" program. Through this program, the Green Campus Committee held a number of outreach events to encourage Eastern employees and students' families to take advantage of Connecticut's incentives to install solar PV on their homes. Employees explored the benefits of solar energy for their homes using through an online solar marketplace called EnergySage. By registering with EnergySage employees benefit from: • Competitive pricing from pre-screened solar installers • Access to a range of financing alternatives, including $0-down options • Impartial assistance from Solar Advisors

Since January Eastern has held 6 informational workshops including talks from Home Energy Solutions Vendors, Solar Contractors and others who have already had solar installed on their home. There have been 55 employee properties registered, 40 received quotes from solar installers, and as of 7/31/15 there have been two solar contracts signed with the average system size of 6.50 KW.

Each year the residence halls compete for the Dean’s cup for the best residence hall. One competition involves residence halls competing to see which hall can conserve the most energy. The dorm that has the greatest percent decrease in energy use compared to their baseline months of energy usage wins the competition. For the past three years, 2012 – 2015, Eastern Connecticut State University has been reducing the amount of waste entering the dormitory trash cans during spring student move out. Collaborating with local community organizations, Eastern has been able to donate a large number of items, including clothing, furniture, and non-perishable items. In order to determine the value of items the Salvation Army's valuation guide was consulted as well as notes from the Center for Community Engagement. Price amounts were taking from the lower side of the ranges because most of the donated goods were not high quality. • In 2012 $3,057 worth of items were donated • In 2013 $2,327 worth of items were donated • In 2014 $2117 worth of items were donated • In 2015 $4,160 worth of items were donated. As can be seen Eastern has been ramping up efforts to encourage more students to donate items to reduce waste disposal. With increased outreach, staffing, and collaboration with housing departments and community engagement we hope to see this program continue to increase. https://www.facebook.com/ise.easternct/photos/a.245192392332334.1073741828.211482729036634/405856352932603/?type=1&theater

This information was added based on information provided by staff of ISE as well as information about residence halls competitions from hall directors Josh Sumrell and Emily Blandford.