Indiana University Indianapolis
ER-T2-6: Sustainability Events

Earth Month 2012 IUPUI professor says Earth Month events bring needed focus to environment http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5588/IUPUI-Professor-Says-Earth-Month-Events-Brings-Needed-Focus-to-Environment Earth Month deserves a multitude of “hoorays,” as it casts attention on environmental concerns that contemporary colleges and universities can no longer afford to overlook. Pamela Martin, associate professor in the Departments of Earth Sciences and Geography as well as the director of the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at IUPUI supports this stance. Martin has said that environmental focus “is needed now more than ever.” At IUPUI, Earth Day 2012 brought a month of events to incite environmental consciousness. Such on-campus events occurring in April were a ToxAway Day, Garden Fun Days, a Sustainability Panel discussion, and an off-campus symposium presented by the aforementioned Martin on the connection between urban food systems and environmental outcomes. As many have speculated on the significance of Earth Month to the modern environmental movement, maintaining its momentum is critical for moving sustainability forward at IUPUI and on campuses around the globe. Arbor Day 2012 Tree planting parties scheduled to promote urban sustainability http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5623/Treeplanting-parties-scheduled-to-promote-urban-sustainability Last April, IUPUI spotlighted Arbor Day 2012 by hosting its first tree-planting parties on campus. Such events not only advance IUPUI’s efforts to obtain Tree Campus USA designation—a program with five standards, including Arbor Day observance and service learning projects—but also demonstrate the environmental esteem of incorporating more trees in an urban environment. Tree planters consisted of volunteers from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and IUPUI faculty, staff, and students; they labored in numerous locations around campus from the Administration Building to the Schools of Engineering and Technology and Science. Given the energy saving benefits that trees provide, particularly through their role as cooling agents, the new trees are a more than welcome addition to the university. Colleen McCormick, who leads the IUPUI’s Office of Sustainability, agrees. She affirmed that “Obtaining the Tree Campus USA designation will reinforce our commitment to making IUPUI a leader in urban sustainability initiatives.” Green Generation Fair focuses on sustainability, environment – August 23rd, 2012 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5751/Green-Generation-Fair-focuses-on-sustainability-environment IUPUI’s 2012 Green Generation Fair, held on August 23rd, gave patrons of all sorts a chance to interact with green experts from both IUPUI and local organizations. Now in its third year, this Weeks of Welcome event cosponsored by the IUPUI Office of Sustainability and the Student Sustainability Council is intended to engage new and returning IUPUI students in exploring the impact of sustainability efforts across campus while also piquing their interest in sustainability studies and careers. Green representatives featured at the recent fair included SustainIndy, IndyGo, the IUPUI School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Developing IUPUI Gardens Sustainably, and the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy—just to name a few. Campus Sustainability Day – October 24th, 2012 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5822/IUPUI-sustainability-day-set-for-Oct-24 Sustainability day will feature a film screening, bike demonstration, speaker panels, Yoga, traffic safety, spinning, urban agriculture, transportation, e-waste recycling, and a dumpster dive. The Student Sustainability Council at IUPUI collaborated with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI, the IUPUI Office of Sustainability and campus and community organizations to plan the day-long celebration. “The day will showcase sustainable actions taking place at IUPUI and enable people to engage in activities and learn ways where we each can do our part to be sustainable,” said Steve Godanis, a Student Sustainability Council member. “We also will be kicking off our chosen theme which we lovingly call ‘Year of the Bike!” Godanis said. IUPUI Events Going Green Workshop Series – Beginning October 18th, 2012 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5801/IUPUI-Events-Going-Green-workshop-series-begins-Oct-18 The IUPUI Going Green workshops are sponsored by a Greening IUPUI Grant. As grant recipients, lecturer Susie Benko and Amanda Cecil, an associate professor with the Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management, planned the workshops. The workshops provide an opportunity to explore green best practices when planning and organizing campus events. Individuals can qualify for the recognition program IUPUI Green Event Professional by attending three of the four educational workshops and submitting a portfolio demonstrating implementation and measurement of a minimum of three sustainable best practices. Events and "Green" Cuisine, November 28th, Noon - 1:30 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5834/Green-cuisine Events and “Green” Cuisine “Green” Cuisine is the second workshop in the IUPUI “Events Going Green” educational series. This educational session is being held on Wednesday, November 28 at the IUPUI Campus Center, Room 405 from 12:00 noon -1:30pm. Chef Thom England, from Ivy Tech, will be presenting on the topic of sustainable foods. The program will include a food tasting and a light lunch. The maximum number that we are able to accommodate is 50 attendees. There is no charge for this event. Following the session, learners will be able to: • source foods that are ethical, local, and seasonal • coordinate sustainable menus with caterers and chefs • communicate the value of sustainable food presentation • minimize food and drink packaging waste IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Receives Grant to Help ‘Green’ IUPUI Campus – August 9th, 2012 http://indylaw.indiana.edu/news/current.cfm?nid=619 http://events.iupui.edu/event/?event_id=6953 The effort proposed by Professor Dannenmaier and ENR students is called “Promoting Green Purchasing at IUPUI.” This project will promote environmentally responsible purchasing decisions through the development of a “green purchasing guide,” and educational initiatives including workshops/roundtable sessions for purchasing officers. The OPT Green Workshop will be held at the Law School from 12:00 - 2:30 pm on August 9th. This event, which is co-sponsored by the Law School's Environmental and Natural Resource program and IUPUI's Office of Sustainability as well as supported by Greening IUPUI grant funds, will promote the advantages of green purchasing, while specifically highlighting the financial and institutional considerations involved in making fiscal decisions that facilitate campus sustainability. Featured speakers will include: Andrew Klein, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor; Camy Broeker, Associate Vice Chancellor, Finance; Rob Halter, Executive Director, Purchasing Services, IUPUI Office of Purchasing; John Kamman II, Energy Engineer, IUPUI Campus Facility Services; Colleen McCormick, Director, Office of Sustainability, IUPUI; Susan T. Benko, Lecturer, Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management; Eric Dannenmaier, Professor of Law and Dean's Fellow, Director, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program Green purchasing is critical to energy efficiency, reductions in maintenance costs, and increases in product longevity. Financial decisions that correspond with the campus’ sustainability endeavors also demonstrate our university’s value of educational programs and initiatives that prepare leaders, engineers, and health professionals for global environmental concerns and challenges. If you’re a fiscal officer at IUPUI or a staff member involved in making purchasing decisions for your unit, please plan to attend this working lunch so you can join the discussion about why and how to align your bottom line with greening IUPUI objectives.