FYI presents

Going Green at USFby FYI Members:

Melisa Wilmot - Writer, DirectorSebastian Blumberg - Designer, Specialist

Travis Tornga - Lead ResearcherBrandon Dorney - Lead Interviewer

Jakub Garbacz - Lead Editor

Prepared for: Dr. Francis Tobienne Jr.ENC 3250: Professional Writing

Table of Contents

1

Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................

Introduction: History of Environmental Awareness ............................................................

The Donora Death Fog ......................................................................................................

Environmental Activism and Sustainability .........................................................................

USFSP Joins the “Going Green” Movement ......................................................................

USFSP’s Points of Focus 2009-2013 ................................................................................

Goal Five: Environmental Stewardship ..............................................................................

Enhance Sustainability Through Energy Conservation and Recycling ..............................

USFSP Students and Staff Make Proposals to Aid Energy Conservation .........................

USFSP Receives LEED Certification .................................................................................

USFSP Recycles ...............................................................................................................

Create a Community that Champions Evironmental Awareness and Sustainable Living ..

Student Organizations Engaged in Environmental Awareness ..........................................

USFSP’s Student Green Energy Fund...............................................................................

Conclusion .........................................................................................................................

Glossary .............................................................................................................................

Annotated Bibliography........................................................................................................

Works Cited.........................................................................................................................

2

2

3

3-4

4-5

5

6

6

7-9

9-10

11-12

13

13-14

14-17

18-19

20-21

22-24

25-26

In December of 2009 the St. Petersburg campus of the University of South Florida published a revised and extended strategic five-year plan for 2009-2013 called Points of Focus. This new pamphlet was created to provide the university with modified Goals and Objectives for 2009-2013, along with detailed implementation strategies. Goal five under this new plan is: Environmental Stewardship.

The detailed implementation strategies for this Goal could be utilized to evaluate whether or not USFSP’s green initiatives have been effective over the five-year period. It was based on this idea that our group believed it was important to research and write about the following information.

The most important information we will provide are: examples concerning the progress of the environmental awareness and sustainability aspects of USFSP’s strategic five-year plan, data on the fees collected for the university’s green initiatives, and evaluations concerning whether or not USFSP’s environmental efforts have been effective and beneficial to the university and those on campus, the community at large, and the environment itself.

At the beginning of the 1860’s, the US government had started to take steps in conserving nature. They sought to create national parks as wild woods to never be touched by order of United States law.Yosemite National Park was one of the first claimed in 1864. This gave an immediate respect to environmentalism and appreciation of nature – effectively laying the groundwork for environmental awareness (webecoist).

Executive Summary

Introduction: History of Environmental Awareness

2

http://sellmyoldtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Recycle_Logo_by_Har1.png

A US Steel Corporation in the town of Donora had released a fluoride noxious cloud of emissions, which headed straight into the residences. Hundreds were affected and 20 people died from the fumes. This was recorded as one of the worst industrial air pollution accidents in history.

The US Steel Corporation spent quite some time covering up the story and attempting to force the US Public Health Service to keep quiet about the whole ordeal. Instead, this incident helped to bring environmental awareness to the forefront (Bryson).

People started to believe other things besides just conserving plants and wildlife were important, and it was necessary to use this new feeling of environmental awareness to keep a check on companies who released consumer products.

The Donora Death Fog

Environmental Activism and SustainabilityIn the 1970’s environmental awareness turned into activism and came directly into play in cleaning up the environment. Some of the first signs of sustainability include the creation of the EPA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which were established in 1970 (US Environmental Protection Agency 1). President Richard Nixon had a direct import in this by proposing the establishment of a US Environmental Protection Agency as a federal branch of government.

3

http://chenected.aiche.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/WireMill.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Map_of_Dono-ra_PA_1901.jpg

The Environmental Protection Agency was created and assumed responsibility to protect the environment by law. This was an active attempt to preserve and sustain the environment on a national and global scale.

The list of environmental and sustainability related laws passed after this multiplied.

From, the Clean Air Act, The National Environmental Policy Act, Earth Day, and the banning of DDT insecticide, the list continues to go on. Today we can see it has spread out even further, becoming a movement now known as, “going green” (Petronis 108). However, as we see more and more climate change, record-breaking temperatures and weather events, we are now starting to see the validity of global warming.

USFSP Joins the “Going Green” MovementFor the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus joining the “going green” movement began as most of these things do- gradually. The recorded minutes from a General Staff Council meeting in June 2008 reports: “Recycle bins for paper, plastic, cans, etc. have been setup in front of the Library building. The maintenance and custodial departments have implemented ‘Going Green’ in the chemicals and products usage” (New Business 3).

Even though the start was gradual, a year later, in 2009, USFSP was committed to the movement. They first proved this commitment by incorporating Environmental Stewardship and sustainability into the university’s six core strategic goals (Green Initiatives).

4

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njIyNXF_FGY/URQwhsfDmZI/AAAAAAAAAHw/Y6BA63cSMsw/s1600/nixon+victory.jpg

http://www.plasticwastebin.com/photo/pl285374-outdoor_green_50l_100l_120l_240l_plastic_waste_container_wheel-ie_recycle_bins.jpg

Being newer in their dedicated efforts to aid the “going green” movement makes USFSP an easier target for critics who may not believe the university’s green initiatives are truly effective or beneficial. Again, this is why our group felt it was important to research the progress of USFSP’s environmental efforts.

USFSP’s Points of Focus 2009-2013In order to review the progress USFSP has made in environmental awareness and sustainability since 2009 it is first important to fully explain why USFSP created the Points of Focus pamphlet. In light of the continued economic downturn the country was facing at the end of 2008 the University of Florida’s St Petersburg campus decided it would be most effective to revise their strategic plans for the future to best suit the needs of the school.

What was developed became a five-year strategic plan called: Points of Focus 2009-2013. This plan is used to guide the university for the future, and was developed by a committee created to enhance the planning process, called the Planning, Effectiveness and Budget Committee (PEBC).

Under the heading, “Strategic Goals and Objectives 2009-2013”, Goal five is: “Environmental Stewardship”. After researching further into this topic we learned this is how the university committed itself to the “going green” movement, by incorporating environmental awareness and sustainability into their new strategic five-year plan; Points of Focus 2009-2013.

5

http://www.usfsp.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/USFSPBayboroHarbor.jpg

Goal Five: Environmental StewardshipThe University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Points of Focus 2009-2013 provides the following description under the goal of Environmental Stewardship: “Foster stewardship of the environment and embody the values of sustainability” (29). In pursuance of this primary goal of Environmental Stewardship USFSP developed implementation startegies to serve as guidelines as each year of the strategic five-year plan progressed.

Enhance Sustainability Through Energy Conservation and RecyclingThe university’s beginnings in energy conservation may have also been gradual, but the results they produced proved “going green” could be beneficial. USFSP’s 2010-2011 Annual Report states: “USFSP has continued to reduce its energy consumption and now consumes 11% less energy than in 2007, which has saved nearly $175,000 annually” (11).

As well, in the same report they explain the cost-effective methods they used to accomplish these annual savings: nighttime setback of HVAC; increasing the cooling…and decreasing the heating set point on all thermometers…;

installing motion sensors on lights…; installing solar reflective film on windows; and reducing lighting…” (11). The university makes it clear they have committed themselves to enhancing sustainability, even if they began small.

6

http://www.daviscofoods.com/images/iStock_000011606573Small.jpg

http://www.clker.com/cliparts/4/b/1/1/1356604566202265989dollar%20symbol1.jpg

USFSP Students and Staff Make Proposals to Aid Energy ConservationA key factor in the university’s efforts to, “continue the development of energy saving initiatives and the greening of facilities on campus” (Points of Focus 29), has been the projects financed by the Student Green Energy Fund Committee. It is through the proposals this committee accepts and subsequently votes on, that projects are determined. Since the beginning of 2012 several projects have been proposed to lessen USFSP’s energy use and help advance the greening of campus facilities.

For those proposed, many projects have already been approved to aid USFSP’s goal of Environmental Stewardship, such as the Hybrid Truck Project. Proposed in spring of 2012 and completed in spring of 2013, this proposal aimed at both saving money and reducing USFSP’s share in greenhouse gas emissions. The university was previously renting vehicles for various sponsored trips or activities around the state such as canoe trips or sailboat regatta, until early 2013 when the hybrid truck was purchased (SGEF).

Using the Student Green Energy Fund the university purchased a Chevy Silverado Hybrid truck to fulfill the needs of these activities and organizations.

This truck will essentially save the university 323 gallons of gas a year, at a savings cost of roughly $1300. This project lowers USFSP’s CO2 emissions by 35% per year (SGEF).

The spring of 2013 welcomed the completion of an additional project, The Solar-Doks and the Solstice. Created by Joe Kobus of Enerfusion, Inc. The Solar-Doks are benches with an umbrella attached that allow students to plug portable electronics into an off the grid power source (SGEF).

The umbrella gathers energy from the sun using four solar panels that have a combined capacity of 435 watts power energy, which is also stored for nighttime, or inclement weather use (Enerfusion).

7

http://www.solarlightsandpower.com/files/3454409/uploaded/GS-63%20white%20umbrella%20solar%20closeup.jpg

This energy also powers a high intensity LED lighting system for some late night studying. The bench is made from recycled materials and seats up to eight people with four power outlets and two USB power outlets. The Solstice is similar, however is a more simple post that can be located near pre-existing seating areas (Enerfusion).

The Solar-Doks and Solstice allow for students that may not be fully aware of USFSP’s “going green” initiatives to get hands-on interaction with a useful green energy structure, urging the student body to become more aware, excited, and involved with the “going green” movement.

Just in time for students to do their cardio routines inside the air-conditioned USFSP Fitness Center, rather than outside as the FL weather heats back up, the university completed the Green Cardio Loft in the spring of 2013. This loft, on the second floor of the fitness center, contains cardiovascular exercise machines that are powered completely by the user (SGEF).

The loft houses Woodway Curve treadmills, elliptical machines and Green Machine bikes. While the treadmills use absolutely no electricity, to the elliptical machines and Green Machine bikes actually add power to the grid. Currently, the Green Cardio Loft is generating about 45 kw/h. In February and March of 2013, the inaugural “Race for the Watts” challenge was held. The challenge involved teams of students, representing different campus organizations, using the machines to see who could generate the most watts for the power grid. The winning team generated 507.6 watts while the combined total produced wattage for the challenge was 1538.51 watts. This contest was sponsored by the Student Green Energy Fund, and was created to promote student awareness of the green fitness equipment and how they can personally contribute to the school’s “going green” initiative (SGEF).

The most recently proposed project is the push to make the USFSP parking garage the first net-zero building on campus, and only the second in the city of St. Petersburg. A proposal made in fall 2013 is asking for the replacement of the remaining lights in the parking garage.

8

http://usfspconnect.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Fitness-Cen-ter-equipment.jpg

The initial phase of retrofitting the lights in the parking garage was completed earlier in the fall 2013. In an interview with FYI team member Brandon Dorney, Student Green Energy Fund Committee Chair Michael Leggett clarified, “Phase 2 will finish the LED lights, and Phase 3 will put solar panels on the roof. ‘Net-zero’ means that it uses as much energy as it produces. It is extremely good for climate control.” These new LED, motion sensitive lights increase safety due to brighter light output, consume 75% less energy and lower the cost of replacement and maintenance by boasting a ten times longer life than the replaced lights (SGEF).

While still under review, if the project were to be approved, this would further lower the energy use. The combination of these products would be aneffective way for USFSP to benefit the environment by conserving energy and aiding in climate control.

USFSP Receives LEED CertificationA recent accomplishment the university has made in energy conservation has been in the greening of its facilities. There are two buildings on USFSP’s campus that have focused on being LEED certified. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a nationally accepted benchmark rating system for green buildings run by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The LEED Green Building Certification System provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health.

9

http://www.elteccorp.com/images/Solar%20Powered%20LED%20Light%20walkway.jpg

Their grading system allows a range from 1 to 100, placing the building in one of four certification groups. LEED certification and level of certification is given by assigning grades to a building’s: • Sustainable Sites • Water Efficiency • Energy & Atmosphere • Material and Resources • Indoor Environmental Quality • Innovation • Regional Priority Credits (USGBC)

The Student Services building on the USFSP campus is making continuous upgrades to become LEED certified and is currently two points away from the first rank in LEED certification (USFSP). In her blog posting, “Science and Technology Building Earns LEED Certification”, Melanie Marquez states: “Because of [USF St. Petersburg’s new Science and Technology building] planning, construction materials and design, the building earned enough credits for Gold LEED certification (1).

The various benefits of being LEED certified include: lower costs of running and maintaining the building; power and water efficiency; healthier and safer environment for occupants; a higher lease-up rate; and direct reflection and representation of some of the values that the owning company holds.

The Gold LEED certified Science and Technology building came to the benefit of the USFSP campus at no cost to the students, faculty or staff. Marquez explains, “The $12 million dollar facility was funded by PECO, the state program that funds education construction through taxes on utility services” (2).

10

USFSP RecyclesAnother way the USF St. Petersburg campus has been able to enhance sustainability according to their goal of Environmental Stewardship is through recycling. While the campus has been introducing recycling efforts since at least 2008, recycling programs themselves were not as concentrated in their efforts as they have been since the implementation of the strategic five-year plan.

Although you can now find numerous recycling bins spread throughout the USFSP campus, the university also provides a destination for anyone in need of help disposing of their recyclables.

The Office of Campus Computing webpage states: “Any items that do not have an appropriate recycling bin can be brought to the Campus Computing Help Desk (BAY 226) for recycling or for direction on how to recycle. For more information, you can call the Help Desk.” Furthermore, on their webpage they give many examples of their own efforts in helping USFSP attain the goal Environmental Stewardship. Some of The Office of Campus Computing’s diverse recycling examples include:

• Battery disposal at local battery recycling centers • Disposal of our computer parts at local recycling centers • Mobile phone, battery and print cartridge recycling • Purchasing recycled paper and recycling used paper for all Campus Computing needs, including student pay-for-print printers

They also work to foster environmental responsibility by creating green initiatives in partnership with USFSP to help reduce their own carbon footprint and offer a more environmentally-friendly computing experience.

11

http://sellmyoldtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Recycle_Logo_by_Har1.png

While The Office of Campus Computing can help direct you to an appropriate recycling bin, and the university has ensured placement of numerous recycling bins around the entire campus, one USFSP student felt recycling could be taken yet another step closer toward convenience. In a guest column she wrote for USFSP’s campus newspaper, student Sophia Constantine states, “I was the last person I ever suspected to propose a sustainable initiative to the

Student Green Energy Fund” (7). However, this is exactly what she did. For the students who may not go out of their way to recycle when they find themselves outside with only a trashcan around, Constantine considered the idea that by attaching a recycling bin to a trashcan, they may be more inclined to. With this idea in mind she said, “I ventured to take on campus sustainability and implement an outdoor recycling program” (7).

Constatine’s outdoor recycling program is known as, “Don’t Be Trashy.” USFSP and the SGEF distributed more than twenty recycle bins around campus, attached to traditional trashcans, for the items that cannot be recycled. Each receptacle is made in the United States from recycled materials, which come from 937 recycled milk jugs (SGEF). After approval came from the Student Green Energy Fund Committee she knew the effort put into the proposal process was worth it, “I believed in the positive impact recycling would bring to our campus, and because I’ve found so many others who believe the same thing, we stand as one; a united front” (Constantine 7).

Constantine’s plan helped the university reach many goals. The outdoor recycling program enhances sustainability through recycling, and also shows how USFSP supports student organizations in raising environmental awareness about reducing and recycling.

12

http://alcoa.typepad.com/.a/6a00e553e967d588340112790ed71c28a4-pi

Create a Community that Champions Evironmental Awareness and Sustainable LivingThe aforementioned experience of USFSP student Sophia Constantine offers a prime example of the next goal under Environmental Stewardship from the university’s strategic five-year plan. USFSP hopes to: “engage students, student organizations and residence halls in environmental awareness” (Points of Focus 29).

Constantine’s choice to champion campus sustainability and raise environmental awareness with “Don’t Be Trashy” is a representation of how the university was able to engage students, along with student organizations on campus, in order to develop a program that will raise environmental awareness and promote recycling.

Student Organizations Engaged in Environmental AwarenessThe University of South Florida St. Petersburg has many student organizations engaged with caring for the environment, which also do many things to raise environmental awareness around campus. As well, the university is not only open to student suggestions regarding “going green” it actually encourages them to propose them and become involved. Leggett states, “Empowering students is my main objective because once you give them a task they really step up.”

According to the Green Initiatives webpage the students play the main role in green initiatives on campus. This indicates the campus’ student body is largely environmentally conscious and willing to take the initiative to work in partnership with USFSP, and the community, to champion environmental awareness and

sustainable living.Legget confirms this, “Recently we passed out a survey to the campus and...all the responses were positive when asked to respond with one word to sustainability.”

13

http://www.post-gazette.com/image/2013/10/26/ca40,26,2400,1600/20131026ttGardenLocal01-1.jpg

The Student Environmental Awareness Society, also know as SEAS, is a USFSP student organization that engages in many outdoor environmental activities. The SEAS website states, “SEAS promotes environmental awareness on campus, preserving the well-working ecosystems, and is open to the students, faculty, campus employees, and even the community.”

A very important initiative promoted by this student organization in partnership with the university and community is the, Native Trees & Plants initiative. The Green Initiatives webpage explains that they act on this initiative mainly during Earth Day and Week, yet plant about 200 native plants each year. On campus, students and non-profit organizations planted trees behind Davis Hall in order to: “promote a sustainable and educational ecosystem that reduces erosion”.

SEAS helps to cleanup the harbor as well, organizing beach cleanups and plantings in Bayboro Harbor and the surrounding area the first Friday of every month at 10am. In addition to their activities promoting environmental awareness the organization also incorporates leisure activities, which allows participants to enjoy the natural environment, like hiking, camping, fishing, and others (SEAS).

USFSP’s Student Green Energy FundOne of the university’s most influential student organizations in the “Going Green” movement is the Student Green Energy Fund. Approved by the Florida Board of Governors and students on March 24, 2011, the SGEF is funded by a student fee of $1.00 per credit hour (SGEF). As mentioned briefly, the SGEF finances many projects that enable USFSP to continue their environmental efforts - assisting them in accomplishing goal five of Environmental Stewardship from their strategic five-year plan.

The Student Green Energy Fund Committee, which votes on the proposed projects that may be financed by the SGEF, is made up of eight voting members and one chair. In order to ensure that students have an equal say in voting upon the SGEF project proposals the committee is compromised of four students and four USF employees. Leggett explains this is another responsibility of his position, “As Committee Chair I facilitate meetings with people so everyone has an equal say in things.”

14

There are two cycles per academic year. Any actively enrolled students or current USF staff can submit a proposal to the committee. These occur during spring and fall and must be submitted by the indicated deadlines in order to be accepted.

As well, proposals must adhere to all instructions, include all appropriate forms and documentation, and be filled out correctly, or the proposal may have to wait until the next cycle submission. Even though the task sounds tedious, there are many helpful links on the SGEF website to assist students during the proposal process.

Another comment from Constantine’s column reminisced about the proposal process, “Then, Lauren was the Student Government Director of Sustainability and took me under her wing to serve as my mentor while I worked on [my] SGEF proposal” (7).

A significant project the SGEF funded involved the installation of nine water bottle filling stations throughout the USFSP campus. These filling stations promote the direct recycling of water bottles by allowing students to refill their used water bottles in a much more convenient way than traditional drinking fountains.

Each station also has a digital counter on top, which shows how many disposable plastic bottles that particular station has saved from disposal (SGEF). This project is proposed to be ongoing, adding to the number of filling stations into the future.

This promotes environmental awareness, sustainable living and gives the user a personal sense of participation in the “going green” movement. Leggett proposed this project to the council himself.

He emphasizes: “turn the corner and you see a water fountain that refills your bottle and counts the amount of water bottles saved…they can actually witness the changes they have paid for. The students feel good about contributing to sustainability.”

15

http://www.interplas.com/product_images/1000/5.5x10-Pack-ing-List-Envelope-Instructions-Enclosed-Back-Loading.jpg

Some of the proposed future projects listed on the SGEF website include:

Greywater Recycling System: The water used to flush toilets would be directly recycled from used water in nearby sinks. This project promotes fresh water conservation and boasts a large, immediate return on investment.

Rainwater Harvesting: This project proposal would be focused on water conservation as well. Rainwater would be caught from roofs and the water stored in drums to be used for campus irrigation and eventually other non-potable water applications.

Value-Bulls Thrift Shop: This proposal would institute a campus thrift shop housing useable goods saved from the landfill. Each semester, upon move-in and move-out dates, on campus students discard many useable items away, saving and selling these items at a low cost to students would decrease waste.

Solar Car Charging Stations: While USFSP is currently experimenting with several free electric car charging parking spaces, this proposal plans on making more stations and taking the chargers off the grid. Placing a full row of solar powered electric or hybrid car charging stations would mitigate energy costs and promote green transportation and lessen the reliance on fossil fuels (Saleh).

When you stop to consider the scale of some the projects the SGEF has put into action, or has in review, it is rational to wonder: how can the SGEF afford to finance all these projects on such a nominal fee? After researching through the proposal documents on the SGEF website, and reviewing data on the fees collected, we uncovered interesting information to answer this question.

16

http://unprme.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/img_2434.jpg

Anyone submitting a proposal must include detailed suggestions for how they believe their project can be funded, which is not always limited to financing from the SGEF. In some cases the SGEF is simply where students hope to gain additional funds needed to complete their project.

For her, “Don’t Be Trashy” outdoor recycling program, Constantine also received funding from the Student Government’s Clean Energy and Research Commission Coalition Fund. As well, the nominal $1.00 per credit hour student fee is not the only source of revenue, and the SGEF even earns services from certain completed projects.

From Phase One of the Parking Facility Lighting Upgrade project, which was financed by the SGEF, a rebate from Duke Energy for $555.00 was returned to the fund. It is also projected to receive approximately $13,000.00 in tax incentives for the design team, which will be available to the SGEF as services credits (LED). Further, it is clear in the SGEF Bylaws, and confirmed in our interview with Leggett: “The Green Fee money is mandated by state law and cannot go to anything but projects.”

The SGEF Committee meets every other week to keep current with the business they must attend to, and be certain they are prepared for upcoming proposals. When asked what are the most important changes the SGEF has made on campus, Leggett responded, “We’re witnessing a cultural shift, students who used to looked at sustainability on campus and didn’t think much about it are now seeing the recycle bins and the water bottle refill stations and they think about it more.”

17

ConclusionDuring the course of our research and evaluation of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s strategic five-year plan, which detailed the university’s goal for Environmental Stewardship, we were able to determine the university has implemented each of the strategies listed in the Points of Focus 2009-2013 pamphlet.

USFSP met each expectation for Environmental Stewardship ourlined within the strategic five-year plan to be through environmental efforts that were both beneficial and effective. USFSP students, faculty and staff, and members of the community committed to these efforts with the goal of Environmental Stewardship in mind. The SGEF’s inclusion of students at every point of each “going green” project on campus continually encourages them to become involved in sustainability. Leggett validates this statement by stating: “The way we’re running SGEF is allowing students to lead our campus into sustainability and innovation.” With projects in progress, proposals in review and coming in every cycle, student involvement appears guaranteed.

Our research also found the university only uses funding collected for green initiatives to meet their goal of Environmental Stewardship. Moreover, the SGEF is able to help sustain itself by garnering rebates and tax incentives from certain projects. Student organizations are not the only ones involved in supporting USFSP in reaching their goals either.

The USFSP 2010-2011 Annual report proves even behind the scenes the university community is championing environmental awareness and sustainable living: “environmentally friendly practices such as reduced paper consumption, and conversion to eco-friendly cleaning products and maintenance have resulted in more effective operations consistent with USFSP’s strategic goal of Environmental Stewardship.”

18

http://1bog.org/files/2013/04/Solar_panels_on_a_roof.jpg

In order to continue serving their goal of Environmental Stewardship the university will need to maintain the support of the campus community, and continue to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable living.

19

20

GlossaryEnvironmental Stewardship - Responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment.

Sustainability – Maintaining, supporting and enduring the natural world; contributing to and prolonging the environment.

Green Initiatives – Focusing on offsetting the greenhouse gases emitted by human activities that can range from complex industrial production processes to simply driving a car, with reforestation projects in riparian areas that need to be recovered.

Greenhouse Gas - A gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range.

Environmentalism - Advocacy for or work toward protecting the natural environment from destruction or pollution.

“Going Green” Movement – Activities and actions taken by a person or organization that promotes a cleaner ecosystem.

Clean Air Act – An act established in 1970 that requires factories, power plants, etc. to use the newest technology available in order to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses.

The National Environmental Policy Act – Also known as NEPA, this law requires an organization to fill out a universal environmental impact form, which will be reviewed and voted upon by the Council of Environmental Quality before proposing any new projects.

Earth Day – During the turbulent political times of 1970, Earth Day was started and used to put environmental issues in the public eye. Earth Day is a day that promotes awareness and encourages involvement in environmentally friendly activities.

21

Environmental Protection Agency – The EPA is a government agency that writes and enforces environmental laws and regulations in order to maintain human and ecosystem health.

Global Warming – The rise in temperature of Earth’s oceans and atmosphere, thought to be sharply effected by greenhouse gas emissions and other man made environmental hazards.

Regional Priority Credits (LEED) – Used in the scoring system for LEED certified buildings, these are bonus points an establishment can earn by addressing environmental issues that are more specific for their region.

Indoor Environmental Quality (LEED) – One of the seven areas a building is given a score on in order to give a LEED certified ranking.

Ecosystems – A community of animals and plants that interact with non-living things in their environment. The reliance on animals and their environment is reciprocal.

Fossil Fuels – Non-renewable resources formed by natural processes and used by humans (mostly acquired through mining.)

Solar powered – Conversion of sunlight into useable electric energy.

Hybrid Vehicle – A vehicle that uses two or more power sources to generate movement.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles – A vehicle that combines both an internal combustion engine and one or more rechargeable battery powered motors to generate movement.

22

FYI Annotated Bibliography The issues we are reviewing concern whether or not the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus has met their goals for Environmental Stewardship listed in the Points of Focus 2009-2013, which is their strategic five-year plan for 2009-2013. To do this we plan to examine and evaluate the environmental awareness and sustainability aspects of this plan, as well as data on the usage of funds collected for the university’s green initiatives. The following sources provide valuable information for evaluating USFSP’s environmental efforts. While these sources are simply a starting point, they have allowed us to better assess if USFSP’s green initiatives have been effective and beneficial to the university and those on campus, the community at large, and the environment itself.

Constantine, Sophia. “Reflections on bringing recycling to USFSP.” The Crow’s Nest

[St. Petersburg, FL] 14 Oct. 2013: 7. Print.

Constantine’s article provides direct input from a University of South Florida St. Petersburg student explaining how she developed and helped implement an outside recycling program to further campus sustainability efforts. Her honest perspective will deliver encouraging supporting evidence on the benefits of USFSP’s recycling programs, as well as examples of how the campus has enhanced sustainability through recycling.

“Green Initiatives.” University of South Florida St. Petersburg. N.p., n.d. Web.

13 Nov 2013.

This webpage gives general information on many USFSP green initiatives to promote sustainability and “going green”. Some useful parts are the student initiatives, including the Student Green Energy Fund and Native Trees & Plants. This webpage will serve mainly as a secondary, supporting source, because it does not contain primary information. We can use this source to gain basic ideas and to know what to look for and research next.

Leggett, Michael. Personal interview. 6 Nov. 2013.

23

Leggett is the Committee Chair of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Student Green Energy Fund. The SGEF strives to make USFSP’s campus more environmentally sustainable. Through the process of student proposals and presentations, the SGEF Committee decides which projects to fund and which projects will need a little of work first. The information from this interview will be used to illustrate the current “going green” movement on campus and how students have helped in it.

Marquez, Melanie. “Science & Technology Building Earns LEED Certification.” USFSP News Center.

USFSP News Center, 22 Jan. 2010. Blog Posting. 2 Nov. 2013.

This source focuses on the construction of USFSP’s Science and Technology building. This building was the first in the USF system to earn LEED certification. It earned Gold LEED certification, which is the second highest level of certification. Marquez’s post will be useful as it shows the groundbreaking building projected as the standard for all USF buildings in the future. Her post lays out specifics on how the building is indeed “green”, such as the recycled materials, and water and energy conversation factors built into the structure.

Petronis, Lexi. 47 Things YOU Can Do For The Environment. San Francico: Zest Books, 2012. Print. Petronis’ book offers examples of 47 ways anyone can help the environment. She demonstrates how by incorporating ways the ideas will effect the environment so readers may fully realize the benefits reaped by each action. This book will be utilized in many ways: as a reference tool for explaining the benefits as they correlate with our paper, as supporting evidence for the information we use, and for the numerous sources provided within the Source Notes section of the book.

Saleh, Maryam. “Student Green Energy Fee Sees Second Round of Proposals.”

The Oracle [Tampa, FL] 6 Mar. 2012. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.

This source shows what projects the Student Green Energy Fund has completed and is proposing to complete in the future. It focuses on the 12 new project proposals for the 2012 proposal cycle.

Continued...

24

It also breaks down specific dollar amounts some of these projects have cost, as well as some of the projected proposal amounts. Saleh’s article will be useful since it digs fairly deep into details of the SGEF’s proposals, costs, and specifics on the fund itself and how its committee works. “SEAS Student Environmental Awareness Society at USF St. Petersburg.” University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Student Environmental Awareness Society, n.d. Web. 13 Nov 2013. This source focuses on one specific organization and initiative: the Student Environmental Awareness Society and its Native Trees & Plants initiative. It includes information about the general goal of the organization, its leaders, some of its activities, and contact info. We can use it as a starting point to help further explore this particular student organization. It does not contain more details, but fortunately the contact info can be used to reach the leaders of SEAS.

University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Points of Focus 2009-2013. St. Petersburg: USFSP, Dec.

2009. PDF file.

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Points of Focus pamphlet was created to provide the university with a revised and extended strategic five-year plan for 2009-2013. Goal Five under this new plan is: Environmental Stewardship. The descriptions under this heading provide guidelines that can be utilized to evaluate whether or not USFSP’s green initiatives have been effective over the five-year period.

Bryson, Chris. The Donora Fluoride Fog. Fall 1996. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.

EnerFusion, Inc. Solar-Dok. n.d. 13 Nov. 2013.

EnerFusion, Inc. Solstice. n.d. 13 Nov. 2013.

EPA. About EPA. “Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970”, 9 Jul. 1970. Web. 18 Nov. 2013

Green Initiatives. University of South Florida St. Petersburg. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

LEED. Green Building Certification System. U.S. Green Building Council. n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

LEED. About. U.S. Green Building Council. n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.

Marquez, Melanie. “Science & Technology Building Earns LEED Certification.” USFSP News Center

USFSP News Center, 22 Jan. 2010. Blog Posting. 2 Nov. 2013.

New Business. Staff Council General Meeting. St. Petersburg: USFSP, 2008. Print.

Office of Campus Reporting. University of South Florida St. Petersburg. n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013

SGEF. Student Green Energy Fund. “LED Phase 2”. University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 31

Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

SGEF. Student Green Energy Fund. “Don’t Be Trashy”. University of South Florida St. Petersburg,

31 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

SGEF. Student Green Energy Fund. “Completed Projects”. University of South Florida St.

Petersburg, 31 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.

SGEF. Student Green Energy Fund. “Project Monitoring”. University of South Florida St. Petersburg,

31 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

SGEF. Student Green Energy Fund. “SGEF Bylaws”. University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 31

Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

SGEF. Student Green Energy Fund. “Race for the Watts”. University of South Florida St. Petersburg,

31 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.

25

Works Cited

26

SGEF. Student Green Energy Fund. “SGEF in the News”. University of South Florida St. Petersburg,

31 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.

SEAS. Student Environmental Awareness Society at USF St. Petersburg. University of

South Florida St. Petersburg. Student Environmental Awareness Society, n.d. Web. 13 Nov

2013.

USFSP. 2010-2011 Annual Report. St. Petersburg: USFSP, 2011. Print.

USFSP. Multipurpose Student Center. U.S. Green Building Council, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.

WebEcoist, Sara of. A Brief History of the Modern Green Movement in America. n.d. 8 Nov. 2013.

Copyright © 2013 FYI Group. All Rights Reserved.