Projects Funded
Spring 2010
The following are the projects funded by COS for spring 2010.
1. Earth Day 2011-$2,725 to Emily Sample, Samantha Lockhart, Caroline Cress, Matt Burlingham, Adam Stackhouse and Bernice Chu (students):
The Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) partnered with COS's Do One Thing (DOT) campaign and the Reves' Center Global Mercury Inquiry Group to celebrate William and Mary's progress toward sustainability at Earth Day on April 24, 2010. The 40th anniversary of Earth Day was celebrated in style with various speakers, including President Reveley, bands, a vegetarian cookout provided by Dining Services and giveaways including frisbees and T-shirts made of 100% recycled material.
2. LED Lamposts-$28,000 to Dan Patterson (Energy Manager):
Fifty-two exterior lamp posts surrounding William and Mary Hall and the Rec Center will be converted from high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps (150 watt) to LED (48 watt) fixtures, which will improve visibility while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.
3. EcoHouse Garden-$520 to Judi Sclafani (student):
Members of the EcoHouse Resources Subcommittee will establish and maintain a vegetable garden on the Integrated Science Center field to provide food for EcoHouse members. The garden will be managed with sustainable growing practices and will increase the visibility of EcoHouse on campus as well as highlight the importance of buying local and organic produce.
4. Environmental Improv Workshop-$300 to Shelly Holder (student):
The student organization Improvisational Theater held an innovative "enviro-improv" show followed by a workshop examining various environmental issues (coal-fired power plants, water bottles, compost, recycling, etc.) in a new, interactive approach to examining sustainability on campus. The event was held on April 24, 2010 in conjunction with the College's Earth Day festivities.
5. Lodges Utility Metering-$28,000 to Dan Patterson (Energy Manager):
Individual water and electric meters will be installed on the seven lodge buildings in preparation for the EcoVillage project. The meters will provide a baseline against which to measure improvements in efficiency after the lodges have been renovated. The data will be available through the campus network for any interested party to observe.
6. Public Transportation Awareness-$1,225 to Judi Sclafani and Doug Rowland (students):
In a recently conducted survey of public transportation use on campus, only 40% of William and Mary students reported that they currently use Williamsburg public transportation. The most cited reason for avoidance of the public transportation system was lack of information, so Judi Sclafani and Doug Rowland will begin to rectify this situation with a campus-wide education campaign and promotional event. Judi and Doug will partner with SEAC to advertise the Williamsburg Trolley; its short, convenient routes could be the answer to students' transportation needs. The project will culminate in a one night promotional event where students ride public transportation to either Newtown or High Street and receive discounts at local businesses.
7. Sustainable Energy from Exercise-$600 to Matthew McMillan and John Kirn (students):
With the COS grant, the Kinesiology Department will purchase an exercise bike which generates electricity when ridden. A group of kinesiology students will moniter the total electricity and savings generated by the bike, with the idea that if the electricity produced and the savings are large enough, more bikes could be purchased for either the Kinesiology Department or the Rec Center.
8. Tailgate Recycling Kit-$2,500 to Michael Pritchett, Becky Koenig and Steve Cole (students and staff):
Every year the athletic department hosts numerous events, including 5 to 6 home football games that attract an average of 9 to 10 thousand spectators per game. Prior to the game, many of them tailgate in specific parking areas and generate a sizable amount of waste. While recycling is encouraged in the residence halls, classrooms and office buildings on campus, there is currently no outlet for responsible disposal or waste in parking areas. Therefore, the athletic department will use the COS grant to provide a Tailgate Recycling Kit (using ClearStream recycling disposal containers) to those interested in tailgaiting before athletic events.
9. Energy Reduction Campaign-$700 to Dylan Scarton (student):
COS volunteers will organize an energy reduction competition between students living in the Randolph Complex and the EcoHouse to educate students on practical ways to reduce energy use on campus and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The volunteers will evaluate the competition using survey data from the experiment. Participating residents will receive tips about reducing energy use and the winners will receive eco-friendly prizes.
10. Change Exchange-$800 to Jane Gray (student):
On November 7, 2010, members of the W&M community will be able to participate in a large scale clothing swap to raise awareness about responsible consumerism. Students are invited to bring clothes that they no longer want (but that are in good condition) and a donation of $5 to the Little Theatre in the Campus Center from 5 to 8 pm, and then get the chance to swap what they bring with other students, thereby creating a whole new wardrobe in an environmentally friendly manner. The event will also include refreshments and entertainment and clothing left over after the swap will be donated to Goodwill.
