St. John’s Offices and Departments
On-Board with University’s Sustainability Efforts
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.