Archive | March, 2010

Web-Based Benefits Enrollment…Priceless

By on March 31, 2010 in APUS Sustainability Efforts

by Amy Panzarella

Putting pen to paper to process the annual benefits open enrollment is a thing of the past!  Many companies, including American Public University System (APUS), have reverted to the more environmentally friendly and efficient method of processing benefits on-line.  This process affords employees the luxury of completing their benefits enrollment at their convenience.  Additionally, it affords the company a significant cost savings.  Take into consideration the following facts:

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Commissioning of Building Energy Systems

By on March 30, 2010 in Environmental Protection, Uncategorized

By: Wesley Holmes

EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems -Required

Intent- To verify that the project’s energy-related systems are installed, and calibrated to perform according to the owner’s project requirements, basis of design and construction documents.

 

EA Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning – 2 Points

Intent- To begin the commissioning process early in the design process and execute additional activities after systems performance verification is completed.

Recently the Academic Center project achieved a milestone with the setting of the last steel girder.… Read the rest

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Adopt-A-Highway

By on March 29, 2010 in APUS Sustainability Efforts

APUS Adopt-A-Highway Volunteersby Ashley Adams

In West Virginia, Adopt-A-Highway is co-sponsored by the Division of Highways and the Department of Environmental Protection, Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP).  Adopt-A-Highway was developed in the 1980’s to promote community participation and awareness of the state’s environment by actively removing highway litter.  American Public University System (APUS) joined this program in 2004 and since has picked up trash along a two mile stretch of a local highway three times a year.  An email goes out to staff asking for volunteers to participate in the roadside cleanup.… Read the rest

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Fuel Efficient Vehicles

By on March 26, 2010 in Sustainability General

by Jennifer Lefebvre

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, why not consider a more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicle?  In the past, hybrid vehicles tended to cost more and many people did not feel the savings up front equaled the fuel savings over the life of the vehicle.  However, costs are coming down and many of these vehicles are even affordable, starting well below $20,000.  There is no question that vehicles have enhanced the quality of our lives since their inception.  However, the increased use of gasoline by our ever-growing and ever-mobile population has added contaminants to our environment that have now affected our air quality.  Vehicles contribute some of the most significant greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution (25 percent of total GHG pollution).… Read the rest

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A Helpful Sustainability Resource for Leaders in Higher Education: Second Nature

By on March 24, 2010 in Sustainability in Higher Education, Sustainability Resources

Second Nature is an organization based in Boston, Massachusetts dedicated to providing helpful resources to leaders in higher education seeking to create a more sustainable future.  Second Nature’s mission is to “accelerate movement toward a sustainable future by serving and supporting senior college and university leaders in making healthy, just, and sustainable living the foundation of all learning and practice in higher education.”  Second Nature supports the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) as well as other initiatives including Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC).  The organization’s website provides a variety of resources related to financing sustainability in higher education, integrating sustainability into higher education curriculums, and green building practices.  For college and university leaders working towards greater sustainability in their organizations, Second Nature’s website can serve as a helpful and worthwhile resource.… Read the rest

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The Campus Sustainability Movement

By on March 22, 2010 in Environmental Protection

By Wesley Holmes

As APUS has grown and expanded it has consistently embraced an environmentally conscious business model. The decision to achieve LEED Gold standards of performance for the new Academic Center is a continuation of this sustainable philosophy and representative of a collective movement among colleges and universities across North America to make our educational institutions more environmentally sound and economically sustainable. A quick Google Scholar search of “greening our academic institutions” reveals that the idea of colleges and universities taking a lead role in environmental sustainability emerged in the early 1990’s and has been steadily gaining in momentum over the past two decades.… Read the rest

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Using Native Plants to Green Your Landscaping

By on March 22, 2010 in Sustainability General

by Jennifer Lefebvre

Did you know that even your garden could benefit from being “green”?  One of the most sustainable ways to green your landscaping is to use native plants.  Native plants are species that have naturally grown and survived in a particular environment.  These plants have evolved and adapted over many years and have shown to be resilient and vigorous.  They enjoy the soil in which they grow and have survived on the water supply they naturally receive.  They’ve survived diseases and pests that have come and gone which may have afflicted other species of plants.  In essence, they are low maintenance and thrive with the least amount of care.… Read the rest

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Eco-Friendly Gifts

By on March 17, 2010 in Sustainability General

by Jennifer Lefebvre

These days, almost everyone is trying to make a conscious effort to “go green.”  Those efforts may include recycling, carpooling, using less paper, less water, less plastic; thankfully, the list is vast and goes on and on.  However, sometimes many of us tend to forget that going green encompasses every aspect of our lives – including gift giving.  If you’re shopping for a gift, why not consider something that is eco-friendly?    Living a green lifestyle or giving a green gift doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the quality of a gift or the price you’d hope to pay.   Many new eco-friendly products are being created and introduced to the consumer market every day.  Some may cater to the practical person on your list while others may appeal to the fun-loving person.  No matter the reason or to whom you choose to give, these items have a common goal in mind:  helping promote the “going green” lifestyle.… Read the rest

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Reclaimed or Recycled Wood Products

By on March 15, 2010 in APUS Sustainability Efforts, LEED Building

by Ashley Adams

Are you thinking about putting in new floors, buying new furniture, or switching to wood for any other item in your home? Purchasing products crafted from reclaimed wood is one way to dress up your home without negatively impacting the environment.  There are many companies that specialize in reclaimed wood which includes wood that is no longer suitable in its current state and turned it into something functional.

For example, Centennial Woods uses old snow fences from Wyoming to create beautiful interior and exterior home products.  This company has been able to repurpose over five million feet of snow fence that would otherwise have gone to waste.… Read the rest

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The Eco-Benefits of Online Learning

By on March 12, 2010 in Sustainability in Higher Education

by Jessica Stasiw

“Being green” starts at home. From the items you throw into the trash, to the amount of time you spend in the shower, it all adds up to an increased overall carbon footprint. Gas is one thing that is constantly a hot button topic for discussion in regards to the environment. With daily commutes to work and school, lately it seems better for everyone, especially the environment, to just stay home. If you’re interested in returning to school, however, there are eco-friendly ways of doing so, the most obvious one being attending an online school.… Read the rest

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