Sustainability
Efforts at Tufts
Academic
Programs and Research Centers
Applied Sustainability: Programs, Departments & Organisations involved
in changing the campus
| |
What
is Sustainability?
A succinct essay by Walter Simpson, Energy Officer, University
at Buffalo State University of New York (January 2005) |
Tufts
University
has a long history of leadership in action, from its various environmental
commitments to the programs that make the day-to-day operations of the
university more sustainable. Alongside the activities happening on Tufts’
three campuses, faculty and staff scholarship has also contributed to
not only Tufts, but other institutions around the world. In the past
fifteen years of environmental citizenship, more than 1,500 students
have participated in campus projects related to campus sustainability.
Policy,
Commitments, and Goals
The
Tufts
University Environmental Policy, was the first in the country.
This policy is a strong statement of intent to conduct university research,
education, and operations in a manner that safeguards the environment.
The university is also a signatory to, and the originator of the
Talloires Declaration. This international campus sustainability
declaration has been signed by the presidents and chancellors of more
than 300 institutions worldwide. These two statements address the broad
realm of issues relating to sustainability and dictate the general environmental
policy of the university.
In
addition, the university has made two other specific commitments. The
university is a signatory to the Kyoto
Protocol as well as the New
England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan.
These two commitments require the university to reduce its climate-altering
emissions to target levels in the next decade. Finally, the university
has joined other institutions and governments in various local, state,
and national goals. One example of such a goal is the university’s
participation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ waste reduction
program that calls for a 70% waste reduction rate. Lastly, the master
plan for the Medford Campus includes specific sustainability goals.
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Institutionalization
There
are many ongoing programs that support the university’s environmental
citizenship. Before examining the ongoing programs, it is useful to
understand the footprint of the university. The following information
is just a brief look at some of the ways the university activities impact
the communities and the environment around us. All numbers are per annum:
In
the face of this, there are many programs that are working to reduce
this footprint. Below are two lists of Tufts organizations that work
on sustainability:
Academic
Programs and Research Centers
Applied Sustainability Programs
Applied
Sustainability:
Programs,
Departments & Organizations involved in changing the campus
Tufts
Climate Initiative
http://www.tufts.edu/tci
The
Tufts Climate Initiative (TCI) is the pioneer in the field of climate
change mitigation at institutions of higher learning.
Tufts
University was among the very first to make sustainability a high priority
in its teaching, planning, and operations. TCI is continuing this tradition
of being a forerunner by choosing the ambitious approach of fostering
change on a university wide level. In 2005, Tufts and TCI won the prestigious
EPA Climate Protection Award.
Tufts
Division of Operations
http://www.tufts.edu/central/operations/
Tufts
Facilities Department
http://www.tufts.edu/central/facilities
Tufts
Department of Public & Environmental Safety
http://www.tufts.edu/central/pubsafe/
EHS oversees the universities compliance. Over the last 15
years they have increased training and awareness, implemented improved
procedures for hazardous materials handling and disposal. Unlike most
other area research universities, Tufts has not had major violations.
University
College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS)
http://uccps.tufts.edu/
UCCPS' mission is to ensure that students graduate from Tufts prepared
to be committed public citizens and leaders who take an active role
in building stronger communities and societies.
Tufts Recycles
http://www.tufts.edu/tuftsrecycles/
The
Tufts University recycling program was established in 1990 to promote
recycling awareness and participation in a broad range of related environmental
issues. Tufts
Recycles is a program of the Facilities
Department. The program works closely with the custodial
staff at One Source and our recycling contractor, Conigliaro
Industries, to ensure that recycling at Tufts is carried
out to its fullest potential. Our goal is to be at the forefront of
new innovations that promote the wise use and conservation of resources.
The
WaterSHED Center
http://www.tufts.edu/watershed/
A center for water research and the associated health of ecosystems,
people and animals.
Environmental
Conciousness Outreach (ECO)
http://ase.tufts.edu/eco/
Environmental student group run by Tufts Undergraduates
Greening
Initiatives on the Grafton Campus
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/green/
This committee represents a campus wide initiative
to address the environmental impact of activities occurring on the Grafton
Campus. The committee strives to be responsive to the community as a
whole and welcomes any suggestions that members of the community bring
to the committee's attention.
feast
(Food Education and Action for Sustainability at Tufts)
http://www.tufts.edu/programs/feast
feast
(formerly TFAP)is a partnership between Tufts students, The Center for
International Environment and Resource Policy at The Fletcher School,
Tufts Institute of the Environment, Tufts Dining Services, and food
service operations on all Tufts campuses. feast
is devoted to educating the Tufts community about the environmental,
social, and health challenges associated with food production, and promoting
the benefits of local farms, organic growing methods, and Fair Trade.
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Academic
Programs and Research Centers
University
College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS)
http://uccps.tufts.edu/
UCCPS' mission is to ensure that students graduate from Tufts prepared
to be committed public citizens and leaders who take an active role
in building stronger communities and societies.
Tufts
Institute of the Environment
http://www.tufts.edu/tie
Tufts
Institute of the Environment (TIE) is an interdisciplinary, university-wide
education and research institute which facilitates and coordinates environmental
programs at the University. TIE helps to coordinate environmental education,
research and outreach at Tufts. Provides a calendar of environmental
events, and organizes numerous environmental conferences and lectures.
Supports a grants program for faculty and students.
Global Development And Environment Institute
http://www.ase.tufts.edu/gdae/
The
Global Development and Environment Institute (GDAE) is a research institute
at Tufts University dedicated to promoting a better understanding of
how societies can pursue their economic and community goals in an environmentally
and socially sustainable manner. GDAE pursues its mission through original
research, policy work, publication projects, curriculum development,
conferences and other activities.
Center
for Environmental and Resource Policy
http://fletcher.tufts.edu/ierp/
Established
in 1990 to support the growing demand for international environmental
leaders, the Center for Environmental and Resource Policy, CIERP, provides
an interdisciplinary approach to educate graduate students at The
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. The program integrates
emerging science, engineering, and business concepts with more traditional
subjects such as economics, international law and policy, negotiation,
diplomacy, resource management and governance systems.
The
WaterSHED Center
http://www.tufts.edu/watershed/
A center for water research and the associated health of ecosystems,
people and animals.
Water:
Systems, Science, and Society (WSSS)
http://www.tufts.edu/water/
To develop an integrated approach across the disciplines to understand
the complexity of water issues worldwide, Tufts University has established
the Water: Systems, Science, and Society (WSSS) Ph.D. and MA/MS Program.
The purpose of the WSSS program is to provide the multidisciplinary
perspectives and tools to manage water related problems.
Urban
and Environmental Policy and Planning
http://ase.tufts.edu/uep/
Master's program in environmental policy and planning program with a
focus on environmental management skills and urban studies. Most courses
address U.S. issues.
Civil
and Environmental Engineering
http://www.ase.tufts.edu/cee/graduate/ms-ewre.asp
Master's
program in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering. The program
prepares engineers and scientists for careers which focus on the environmental
science, engineering and management aspects of water resources.
Environmental
Studies
http://www.tufts.edu/tie/EnvStudies/
Environmental
Studies is a multidisciplinary program created to promote the study
of our natural surroundings, designs that help minimize degradation
of those surroundings, and the social and political tools needed to
preserve and improve the environment. The program provides training
in social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and humanities.
Begun
in 1984, the Tufts Environmental Studies program was one of the first
multidisciplinary environmental programs in the United States.
Environmental
Studies is offered as a second major in conjunction with any departmental
major in the School of Arts and sciences and the School of Engineering–normally
excluding interdisciplinary programs.
Biology
Department
http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/
In an era of accelerated specialization,
the Tufts Biology Department is unusual in providing a broad and comprehensive
approach to study and research in the biosciences. Biochemists, developmental
biologists and immunologists interact daily with ecologists, evolutionary
biologists and conservation biologists in a single unified department.
Because technological, environmental, and social challenges of the future
will transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, Tufts also encourages
education and research that are interdisciplinary. The Biology Department
has maintained a strong commitment to environmental literacy and to
helping students understand the social dimensions of health care. Many
biology majors are also involved in either the Environmental Studies
program or the Community Health Program.
School
Of Medicine
http://
www.tufts.edu/med/gpph
M.P.H / M.D. in Public Health, concentration in Environmental Health
Friedman
School of Nutrition, Science & Policy
http://nutrition.tufts.edu/programs/afe
The
Agriculture, Food and Environment (AFE) program within the Friedman
School of Nutrition Science and Policy fuses the disciplines of nutrition,
agricultural science, environmental studies, and public policy.
Center
for Animals and Public Policy at The Cummings Veterinary School
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa
In 1995, Tufts University established the first graduate degree program
in the United States in the field of human/animal relationships and
related public policies, the M.S. in Animals and Public Policy. The
Center administers this unique program as well as the Signature Program
in Ethics and Values, an innovative element of D.V.M. training at Tufts.
Each year, the Center sponsors workshops and lectures, many of which
are open to the public, on issues such as these. Periodically, we organize
major national or international conferences.
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