Environmental Stewardship
The Environmental Stewardship Key Initiative carries over from the previous strategic plan. In the past three years it has taken major steps to improve environmental consciousness among students, as well as attract national recognition for the University’s commitment to green practices.
Although many of these practices have been successfully set in motion, there is still more that this initiative plans to accomplish. Minimizing the use of energy and other resources remains a key goal, and becoming a role model for other universities continues to be an objective.
Vision
The Environmental Stewardship Initiative strives to identify specific actions and objectives aimed at conducting the University's business in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and moves the University toward sustainable practices.
Accomplishments
- Multiple awards and recognitions in the area of environmental stewardship.
- Use of biofuels and other alternative fuels in our service fleet.
- Numerous partnerships with student and research efforts to develop new technologies focused on emission reductions.
- Adoption of a new LEED policy for all new buildings.
- Development of an aggressive campus-wide awareness effort—the Take Charge program.
- Development and use of the first biodegradable hydraulic fluid recognized by the Department of Environmental Protection.
- Development and maintenance of a Greenhouse Gap calculator.
- Establishment of a University goal for overall greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
- Development of a bicycle masterplan.
- Incorporation of environmental stewardship into the masterplanning process.
- Development of the Green-PSU web site that integrates all things green at Penn State.
- Increased effectiveness of the recycling efforts resulting in over 50 percent recycling of all Penn State waste.
Goals
- Be leaders in environmental stewardship and institute the best management practices.
- Establish environmentally-responsible purchasing policies.
- Ensure efficient use and conservation of energy, water, and other resources.
- Minimize solid waste production.
- Minimize hazardous waste and toxic materials on campus.
- Establish environmentally-responsible transportation practices.
- Establish environmentally-responsible campus design and planning principles and practices.
- Ensure regulatory compliance.
Metrics and Timeline
- Greenhouse gas emissions - Update calculator to include air travel.
- Greenhouse gas reductions - Annual update in July, along with mitigation plan if annual goals are not achieved.
- Practices - Measure quantities of environmentally-responsible purchases versus standard purchases annually.
Key Initiative Manager
Steve Maruszewski — Office of Physical Plant
814-865-4402 - sxm37@psu.edu
Team Members
Steve Blazer — Auxiliary & Business Services - scb2@psu.edu
Mark Bodenschatz — Intercollegiate Athletics - mab163@psu.edu
Duane Bullock — Auxiliary & Business Services - dmb5@psu.edu
Maurine Claver — Office of Physical Plant - mgc3@psu.edu
Rob Cooper — Office of Physical Plant - rec3@psu.edu
Ed Dankanich — Penn State Harrisburg - epd1@psu.edu
Teresa Davis — Auxiliary & Business Services - tad6@psu.edu
Lee Erwin — Auxiliary & Business Services - lxe1@psu.edu
Erik Foley — Office of Physical Plant - ebf3@psu.edu
Joyce Haney — Auxiliary & Business Services - jzh8@psu.edu
Wendy Jones — Auxiliary & Business Services - wxj6@psu.edu
David Manos — Auxiliary & Business Services - dfm4@psu.edu
Al Matyasovsky — Office of Physical Plant - aem3@psu.edu
Lloyd Rhoades — Office of Physical Plant - lar2@psu.edu
Paul Ruskin — Office of Physical Plant - pdr2@psu.edu
Gordon Turow — Office of Physical Plant - get10@psu.edu
