Early 2009 Update

After a lengthy holiday, the Sustainability Committee is revving back up for a productive spring semester. First off, we should mention that the College will celebrate homecoming the week of January 26-30, and there will be events taking place all week, beginning with the screening of a compelling documentary film: "Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars," on Monday at 7:00 p.m. in Maybank Hall. Staff from the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League will lead a discussion afterward about local efforts to stop the building of a coal-fired power plant in Florence County.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, staff members from The Sustainability Institute will be on campus to host an energy conservation training session. The event runs from 7:00 to 9:00 in the Admissions Auditorium in the Robert Scott Small building. 

Then on Thursday, the Green Fair takes place, which will feature exhibits and demonstrations by sustainable businesses and environmental organizations from all around the Lowcountry. The Green Fair is scheduled to be held on the Cistern yard, on George St., and in the Stern Center Gardens. Enjoy free food, fun and art from 11:00 to 3:00 and take a moment to talk to the folks who represent these sustainable organizations and businesses. 

The current semester offers numerous opportunities for students, faculty and staff to get involved in sustainability. One easy opportunity is Recyclemania, which began on January 16. This is a nationwide competition among colleges and universities to see which ones can be most effective at reducing their waste streams and increasing their recycling efforts. The College has participated for the past two years, but we've not done very well. So, 2009 is a big opportunity for the College to make a statement about the importance of recycling on campus. Nikki Seibert (an MES student) is in charge of the event for the College, so get in touch if you'd like to help out (seibertn@gmail.com). Recyclemania runs for 10 weeks.

Remember, there are lots of ways for individuals to get active and support the many sustainable initiatives that are in motion here at the College. If you want to participate in the Sustainability Committee's work, contact one of the task force leaders and they'll get you plugged in:

Policy task force.....Burton Callicott callicottb@cofc.edu

Education and Marketing task force.......Dan Dickison dickisond@cofc.edu

Waste Stream task force.......Amy Pierson piersona@cofc.edu

Buildings and Energy task force......Madison Hohman mlhohman@edisto.cofc.edu