St. John's News

Since St. John’s President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., signed the “Mayor’s Challenge 30 in 10” in June 2007, many University departments and offices on the University’s three New York City campuses have enthusiastically joined the effort to promote a sustainable future. Just one year after the agreement was signed, efforts are moving forward to improve St. John’s energy performance and reduce its carbon emissions.

The focus in the Office of Design & Construction presently includes operational and life-cycle costing, efficient technologies and environmentally conscious materials selection. For example, the concrete mixture for the new University Center/Academic Center building contains fly ash, a product from coal combustion, that when added reduces some of the need for mining Portland cement. Energy savings are also being realized in the renovations in St. Augustine Library and St. Vincent Hall. Additionally, with the use of locally manufactured materials, daylight harvesting, metal recycling, ceiling tiles made from recycled materials, and energy-efficient valance heating/cooling, the University wins and the environment wins! 

The Office of Purchasing is now utilizing the program, “Procuring Green with Educational & Institutional Cooperative Purchasing.” Through this program, the University was recently able to purchase a large order of new furniture manufactured from environmentally farmed timber for the Founder’s Village townhouses and some of the other student residences. Purchasing also keeps gasoline-burning cars off the road by contracting for shuttle bus service to and from public transportation hubs, and is purchasing 10 new hybrid vehicles for Public Safety.

Through the “Procuring Green” program, employees can—and are encouraged to—recycle their printer toner ink cartridges, and should contact the Office of Printing and Distribution to arrange.

The Office of Auxiliary Services is also promoting environmental stewardship through Chartwells, Follett Stores, and ASI Campus Laundry Solutions. Dining services features eggs from cage-free chickens, antibiotic-free chicken and pork, and trans-fat-free cooking oil and oil recycling. Their program, “Clean Plate for Student Dining,” reduces food waste scraps. And, during the summer and fall seasons, produce is purchased from local farms. In Fall 2008, St. John’s Bookstore will have a special section featuring merchandise manufactured from recycled content.

The Office of Residential Life’s packet of information for all incoming students now includes information on New York City recycling laws along with St. John’s recycling instructions and water- and energy-conservation tips. In addition, laundry facilities in Residential Village have been upgraded with new water- and energy-efficient machinery. Residential Life also facilitates sustainable move-out with a food/clothing drive. New for 2009, all six dormitories in the University’s Residential Village will register to compete in the 2009 RecycleMania, a 10-week recycle competition with over 400 universities nation-wide participating, sponsored by U.S. EPA and the National Recycling Coalition (NRC).

The Department of Facilities Services manages St. John’s participation in the Mayor’s Challenge for carbon-footprint reduction, energy- and water-consumption tracking and numerous energy-conservation projects, energy procurement, and waste management and recycling.  They also provide communication, outreach and involvement on campus, and partner with New York City and the EPA in sustainability efforts. Facilities Services has also hired seven student workers as Sustainability Coordinators.

Throughout the University, it’s encouraging to see so many departments are engaged. Staff and administrators are using desk-side containers for recycling all types of paper and everyone is making good use of the new recycling containers located in public corridors. Human Resources now includes sustainability in its New Employee Orientation; Conference Services provides a recycling and energy/water tip sheet for summer guests staying in the Residence Village; summer tennis players are using the new recycling containers; School of Law faculty took interest in recycling container selection and placement; and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Frank Cantelmo, Ph.D., acts as a liaison to the student environmental club.

For more information about the University’s efforts to improve energy performance and reduce its carbon emissions, visit St. John's Sustainability Initiative.