News
Vanderbilt University commits to achieving zero waste goal by 2030
Jan. 13, 2020—Vanderbilt has announced its commitment to achieving zero waste by the year 2030 as part of the university’s comprehensive long-term strategy to significantly reduce its environmental footprint and drive positive change in the world. Zero waste is defined as a 90% diversion rate from the landfill, acknowledging that no institution is completely waste-free. Vanderbilt additionally has...
Vanderbilt mechanical engineers earn top materials research awards
Dec. 20, 2019—Vanderbilt mechanical engineers took home top awards at the Dec. 6 meeting of the Materials Research Society in Boston, Massachusetts. Kelsey Hatzell Mechanical engineering professor Kelsey Hatzell received the Materials Research Society Nelson “Buck” Robinson Science and Technology Award for Renewable Energy. Hatzell was selected from more than 25 candidates for her research contributions to...
Don’t Forget to Power Down Before Leaving for Winter Break!
Dec. 11, 2019—Please remember to power down before you leave the office or your home for an extended period over Winter Break. Your reductions in energy use can have a large impact when aggregated across the entire university. Here are some things you can do to help conserve energy while you are away: Turn off lights in...
Little, Pinker and Zimmer to discuss global challenges at Chancellor’s Lecture
Nov. 27, 2019—by Ann Marie Deer Owens Nov. 20, 2019, 9:36 AM A cognitive psychologist and two investigative writers—all of whom are noted for their deep focus on the future of our planet—will come together for a Chancellor’s Lecture Series event at Vanderbilt University on Dec. 3. Amanda Little, Steven Pinker and Carl Zimmer will sit down with moderator Jon Meacham to consider “2020 and...
Al Gore leads off 24 Hours of Reality climate crisis events at Vanderbilt
Nov. 22, 2019—by Ann Marie Deer Owens Nov. 22, 2019, 12:34 PM During former Vice President Al Gore’s presentation at Vanderbilt University on the global climate crisis and solutions, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said he remains optimistic about policy change—given not only the economics of renewable energy but also the determination he has observed in “the voices, the...
Division of Administration issues FutureVU progress report
Nov. 22, 2019—Sustainable building and landscape projects, safety and accessibility improvements and transportation and mobility accomplishments are just a few of the many achievements outlined in the first FutureVU progress report, released online by the Division of Administration. FutureVU is the overarching campus planning process that considers core themes including connectivity and community enhancement, diversity and inclusion,...
Annual Commons Unplugged Week Celebrates Sustainability
Oct. 29, 2019—The sixth annual Commons Unplugged environmental awareness week, from Sunday, November 3 to Saturday, November 9 will celebrate sustainability, natural resource conservation and energy conservation through various events focusing on Vanderbilt’s first-year student population. These events are presented by The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, in partnership with the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office, the School for Science and...
Al Gore to hold ‘24 Hours of Reality’ global climate crisis presentation at Vanderbilt
Oct. 28, 2019—Former Vice President Al Gore will return to Vanderbilt University Nov. 20 for a global conversation on the climate crisis and its solutions. The presentation—part of a worldwide event called “24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action,” led by Gore and The Climate Reality Project, which he founded and chairs—will be in partnership with the Vanderbilt...
Suzanne Herron wins title of Greenest Group on Campus
Oct. 24, 2019—Suzanne Herron, the sustainability coordinator for Campus Dining, has been named the 2019 Greenest Commodore on Campus. Suzanne’s achievement was celebrated at the Vanderbilt vs. Missouri Homecoming game on Oct. 19 with a catered tailgate event, tickets to the game, a special prize of Vandy merchandise, and an on-field award presentation. Accepting the award on...
Transportation engineers put sophisticated eyes on campus mobility and air quality
Oct. 14, 2019—Do riders of bicycles and scooters dismount before crossing the pedestrian bridge over Hillsboro Road, as they should? How does the air quality at 21st and Broadway compare to campus areas with more tree cover? What are the pedestrian, bicycle, scooter and automobile traffic patterns at 21st and West End Avenue? The data is coming....
Sustainability efforts must address social inequalities first, environmental justice scholar says
Oct. 7, 2019—Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University, spoke to Vanderbilt community members Oct. 1 in the Wyatt Center Rotunda. (Susan Urmy/Vanderbilt) Robert Bullard, an award-winning author and distinguished professor of urban planning and environmental policy at Texas Southern University, described the economic and racial disparities inherent in environmental...
E. Bronson Ingram College receives LEED Gold certification
Sep. 30, 2019—E. Bronson Ingram College (John Russell/Vanderbilt) Vanderbilt’s E. Bronson Ingram College has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. Organizations must apply for the certification, which is recognized...
West End Neighborhood transforms with new green spaces
Sep. 26, 2019—The Vanderbilt community can now enjoy new green spaces in the West End Neighborhood following a year of construction in the area. Photo of the West End Neighborhood before construction. (Vanderbilt University Once covered with asphalt and concrete, the newly transformed Green and Kensington Promenade now feature fresh landscaping as well as pedestrian- and bike-friendly...
Vanderbilt celebrates PARK(ing) Day
Sep. 23, 2019—Faculty, staff and students participated in PARK(ing) Day—an internationally recognized event that features parking spaces turned into “pocket parks”—on Sept. 20. This year’s park focused on transportation and sustainability efforts underway on campus. The area in front of the Law School along 21st Avenue South was transformed into an outdoor space featuring hammocks, games, displays and giveaways. Members of...
Robert Bullard, ‘father of environmental justice,’ to give keynote lecture Oct. 1
Sep. 19, 2019—The Chancellor’s Lecture Series and Peabody College Dean’s Diversity Lecture Series will host Robert Bullard, the “father of environmental justice,” on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Wyatt Center Rotunda. Robert Bullard, an award-winning author and Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University, will give a lecture to the Vanderbilt community...