UCSD Sustainability Leaders to be Recognized
April 16 During Earth Week Activities on Campus
April 16, 2007
By Pat JaCoby
From supporting a 100% biodiesel shuttle bus test program to an ongoing quest for energy efficient buildings, students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the University of California, San Diego are engaged in all-out sustainability efforts.
An awards ceremony to honor leaders in these sustainability endeavors will be held at noon April 16 in the Price Center on the UCSD campus to mark the beginning of Earth Week April 16-20.
UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox will present 10 recycled glass trophies to the award winners, including a leadership in sustainability champion and undergraduate students, graduate students, staff individuals and staff teams, faculty, and alumni.
The winners were selected under the auspices of the UCSD Advisory Committee on Sustainability, chaired by George Tynan, UCSD professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. More than 30 individuals and groups were nominated. Award winners are:
The Leadership in Sustainability Award will be presented to Gary Matthews, assistant vice chancellor, Auxiliary and Plant services. Proactive in terms of becoming green before it is required, Matthews is open to exploring new ideas. He is working with the Biofuels Awareness and Action Network (BAAN) student organization, through a Chancellor’s Interdisciplinary Collaboratories Grant, to run one campus bus with 100 % biodiesel and to do an economic and emissions study on it. Called the “Greenline,” the bus serves the Hillcrest Medical Center shuttle route. Matthews also works closely with the UC Office of the President in sustainability related areas.
Student Tim Haag, an economics major and environmental studies minor, has analyzed the benefits of sending food wastes from UCSD dining halls to the city of San Diego to be composted. His findings are being examined by a group of UCSD senior managers and directors and his research is considered a crucial beginning point.
Student Ellie Kim is majoring in environmental systems with a focus on ecology, behavior, and evolution. Passionate about conservation as a form of sustainability, Kim has created statistical banners for UCSD Dining Halls and informational signage in campus laundry rooms. She worked with Affiliate Housing to develop an informational brochure for residents explaining the different ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
The UCSD Chapter of Net Impact, a global organization that strives to use the power of business to positively affect the environment, actively organizes local outreach and informational events, including panel discussions on new technologies, community volunteer activities, and site visits to local environmental and sustainable businesses. Chapter members are graduate students at the Rady School of Management and International Relations and Pacific Studies.
Dave Decaro, principle public coordinator of UCSD Dining Services, came up with the idea and created the original artwork for Major Planet and Toby the Wonder Dog, sustainability mascots for Housing & Dining Services. The mascots act as spokespersons on energy conservation and sustainability goals.
Jim Ruby, garage manager, Fleet Services, has guided the transition to 20% biodiesel on all diesel campus shuttles and is working to get electric vehicles powered by solar panels on the roof of the Fleet Services Campus Garage. Along with Assistant Vice Chancellor Matthews, he is supporting the “Greenline” 100% biodiesel shuttle bus test program.
The staff team from UCSD Housing and Dining Maintenance Division recognizes the need and importance of conservation efforts and the efficient use of resources during its every day operation. It strives to minimize the consumption of energy, water and other resources by eliminating wasteful practices and promoting efficient use. For example, motion sensors have been installed in common areas like restrooms so that lights are only on where there are people. Participating in the San Diego Gas and Electric energy-efficient equipment replacement program in 2006, the Maintenance Division received rebates totaling $26,950. Older, inefficient electrical equipment is being replaced with energy-saving appliances such as refrigerators. Materials are recycled as much as possible and there are ongoing efforts to explore new areas for conservation.
Through Rideshare Operations, the UCSD/MTS has subsidized the Free Bus Zone (FBZ) that provides unlimited free rides to faculty, staff, and students on all MTS routes serving UCSD. The FBZ has become UCSD’s most popular sustainable transportation program enabling riders to reach numerous city destinations.
UCSD Alumna Nicole Kennard is the president of New Leaf Biofuel, a local biodiesel company that uses recycled oil as the main raw material. She is a community advisor of the UCSD student organization, the Biofuels Awareness and Action Network, and is helping San Diego become more sustainable by reducing the amount of waste that goes into the landfill.
Paul Linden, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and currently chair of the department, is a main proponent of the environmental engineering program. His research is in the area of making energy efficient buildings and environmental flows and his motto is that “all engineers should be environmental engineers.”
Media Contacts:
Krista Francis, 858-534-7139
Dolores Davies, 858-534-5994
Pat JaCoby, 858-534-7404