Incorporating green chemistry into the campus sustainability initiatives at St. Olaf College

CHED 14

Paul T. Jackson, jackson@stolaf.edu1, Gary O. Spessard, spessard@stolaf.edu1, Robert M. Hanson, hansonr@stolaf.edu1, Marc A. Klingshirn, mklin2@uis.edu2, Peter Sandberg, sandberg@stolaf.edu3, and James Farrell, farrellj@stolaf.edu4. (1) Department of Chemistry, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057, (2) Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois - Springfield, One University Plaza, MS HSB 314, Springfield, IL 62703, (3) Assistant Vice President for Facilities, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057, (4) Department of History, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057
Throughout its history groups of students, faculty and staff at St. Olaf College have led various efforts to promote long-term sustainability while simultaneously using those activities to provide a dynamic liberal arts learning environment. Over the past 20 years the institution has invested in a highly collaborative restoration of campus lands, including prairie, wetland and forests totaling nearly 240 acres, construction of an on-campus utility scale wind turbine, an industrial composting system for food wastes and a commitment to green building principles. With support from the W. M. Keck Foundation, St. Olaf College is developing and implementing green chemistry in the first three years of its chemistry curriculum. Not only has the green chemistry effort led to enhanced resource stewardship, but it has informed the collaborative design and construction of a new science facility. Continued campus conversations are maintained through a sustainability task force and a committed community.
 

Green Chemistry as an Integral Component of Academic Sustainability Centers
8:30 AM-11:35 AM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 Seaport -- Plaza A, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007