Vassar has done a good job recently by allocating money to making the campus more sustainable, and should continue to do this

Composting all food; no straws anywhere on campus; compostable cups

Composting and providing compostable materials. I’d like to see more in dorm composting, clearer distinguishing between what is trash and plastic in NY.

composting -- make available in the TH and TAs

Composting, in deece and compostable containers

We are moving towards a carbon neutral campus.

Its good that recycling and compost bins are provided across campus, but it would also be nice to know where the recycling goes and where the compost goes. So that we know that our recycling is actually recycled.

serving locally-sourced food, not aggressively spraying/watering/mowing the lawns, planting indigenous trees

composting, energy-saving (motion detection) lights

Composting

Composting, expanding green spaces (like where Mudd used to be), use of bees to pollinate local ecosystems, all great initiatives.

Trying to improve.

Carbon Neutrality by 2030 is good, but I think we should set ambitious goals for zero emissions; more transparency and dedication to Farm to Fork; more transparency about how to recycle and where our recycling is going; more trees, fewer flowers and no golf courses

nothing that i am aware of

Compostable plastics, approval of $13 million plan to replace central heating with biofuel, increasing awareness on campus about sustainability and climate change. Vassar is the most sustainable institution that I’ve ever been a part of.

Having compost and recycling (somewhat) available; it would be great to know whether we're supposed to clean out recyclable containers before throwing them in the recycling bin and where our recycling and compost actually goes, or if it's just thrown in the trash anyway

cutting emissions

fundraising

i honestly don’t see a lot of good stuff in this area (im sure there have been some improvements over the years, but the flaws jump out to me)

recycling bins as well as trash at most large hub locations.

Solar power and green energy

climate strike, organising rallies

The water-saving toilets, composting

Compost bins at retreat/deece.

accessible recycling bins

divestment!

The compostable cutlery is a pretty good start, as is the toilet flushing option that uses less water

Composting, minimizing waste used in the first place, such as in how Retreat packaging goes, the choice of disposable utensils in the dining hall.

Creating a carbon neutrality plan, the ecological preserve, zipcars

Clearly advertising compost and recycling bins, as well as suggestions for saving power (e.g. “shut off the lights” signs).

Automatic lights in the bathrooms, free market/ reusing objects, having compost bins accessible on campus and mostly compostable boxes at to-go dining options.

The energy consumption data analysis work done as part of URSI this year should definitely continue; announced plans for divestment must come to fruition; reassessing disposable food packaging (i.e. replacing deece paper cups with biodegradable ones) is a step in the right direction

Involving students in sustainability decisions has been crucial to the climate initiatives taken on campus. Since admin, and facilities staff have major priorities other than sustainability to consider when it comes to running the school, it is important to have people who prioritize sustainability on CASC for balance (other than the sustainability director, who can only advocate so much as just one person). Communication between these groups within CASC is crucial, and I think it could be made better by more transparency on the part of the faculty. I think students are often the last to figure out the details behind processes (for example, the Inn and Institute, or the unsaid reservations that admins had about putting solar on the golf course when students presented the idea), and this means we are often spinning our wheels or too late to make meaningful change.

Recycling

Composting, Recycling, no plastic straws, vegetarian dietary options

Moving towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

Water Fillers as by Main Express; heat controls in some rooms; double paned windows as in Davi

Increase composting, waste management education, building efficiency. Hiring Micah.

Composting

I think that carbon neutral by 2030 is a great goal

It's good that we have compost and compostable containers but we should expand the compost program to be more comprehensive, while also limiting the use of single-use containers completely.

Waste management - separating waste into trash, recycling, and compost.

Composting, recycling

Making compost/recycling options easily accessible

Attention to the issue, having a climate forum

The effort to have compostable single-use products in food service is good, but sorting needs to be improved so things are actually composted. Also, in general, moving away from single-use products as much as possible is more sustainable. Could we do something similar to what UC Merced did with reusable takeout containers? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=54&v=5qx2WFpNTPs&feature=emb_logo) Seeing a real effort from dining services on this- even if the solutions aren't perfect at first- would be a nice change.

Composting, low waste options

Deece food sourcing, sorting recycling and trash, compostable food packaging

good access for kids with bikes

sourcing local ingredients/businesses

You are devising a climate action plan. The farm and other places for natural habitat are great. The system implemented where the old science building used to be, (I think it's a rainwater garden?) and other green stormwater infrastructure is fantastic.

Please more compost containers, and clearer instructions on what is compostable for those who do not know. I want compost in dorms and in academic buildings. Information on how Vassar deals with its trash should be more widely accessible.

carbon neutrality by 2030 plan, sourcing local renewable energy

Compost/recycling integration -minimal waste producing products

Using compostable materials in Express/Retreat, promoting recycling and composting, promoting use of reusable water bottles

Having compost and recycling bins along with trash cans. Could specify more on requirements of what belongs to which so there are no mix-ups and have a larger distribution of recycling bins across campus (ie in classrooms)

removing parking from the center of campus

There are a lot of options on campus to recycle plastic and cans. Also sustainability measures in Gordon Commons are really great--with composting and recycling option and sustainable food sourcing. However, I think it would be helpful to give more description of things that can be recycled or composted so that people aren't unsure. Also, I appreciate that the toilets have two levels of flushing strength to conserve water.

Compostable utensils, reducing food waste

composting and community supported agriculture at the vassar farm.

(I do love vassar) (I just dont have a good answer for this)

make composting and recycling more real, more accessible, and actually educate students staff and faculty on what can be composted or recycled.

Composting facilities and items.

I appreciate that Vassar uses compostable materials when possible, and there are many receptacles for compostable and recyclable waste around campus, though there could be more compost receptacles. I also think sustainability orgs on campus do a good job with education campaigns, but we could be doing even more and finding more effective ways to spread knowledge.

planting more trees on campus & ecological preserve

reducing our carbon footprint

The waste reduction at Gordon Commons is wonderful.

installing solar panels, putting in electric car charging stations

focusing on building efficiency

composting

Some reductions to carbon footprint

renovating older buildings to increase energy efficiency, improved stormwater management

Focused dining on a cafeteria instead of many sources of prepacked foods, investigating solar options

Dining Hall - Compost, Recycle, Trash

Landscaping with native plants, creating "natural" precincts, reducing manicured, pesticide-dependent environment.

Not very much.

we are making some good policy decisions--commitments to 2030, commitment of $13 million, inviting ideas in this survey, finally improving the web site and visibility in the Misc

not sure

Unknown

love the upcoming carbon neutrality commitment.

Maybe expand electric car charging stations? I think it's great that the campus has compost/recycle bins and bowls/utensils made out of recyclable materials.

Recycling/Compost Centers

Using biodegradable and recycled paper products for food service and catered events

more electric car chargers on campus; more hybrid shuttles for students and staff instead of everyone parking their car close to Main etc.; more xeriscaping type plants and landscape design, if possible.

Being open to suggestions and feedback.

using compostable cups, etc. whenever possible

renewable energy usage - upgrading inefficient lighting on campus and drafty/uninsulated spaces

Recycling program. But we still need to supply labeled containers throughout campus to minimize garbage being thrown in wrong places.

conserve on oil,gas,and electric.

changing of lightbulbs, installing automatic movement sensors to switch lights on/off in rooms, bring back reusable to go food containers

Eliminating plastic containers

change light fixtures and bulbs to more efficient models.

Vassar is currently doing well with creating new ideas for better climate here on campus.

no water bottles

Have a sustainability committee.

I think we hired a new person to oversee these goals

Did a survey this summer to look at energy usage.

Using compostables in dining areas"

Retrofitting buildings for efficiency and augmenting renewable energy sources.

I'm glad the inn & institute will be carbon neutral!

Beginning to address food waste. Need a more well-communicated plan.

Reducing waste, decreasing energy use

Plans for carbon neutrality

Having started a plan!

Recycling efforts, especially in Gordon Commons. Could be expanded

good practices on recycling computer hardware, plentiful singe stream recycling containers

food composting; using compostable plates, etc; using local food when possible; we have a few electric car chargers

Vassar is at least thinking about how to reduce their impact. This should continue to expand in many ways over the next several years.

recycling, education, farm

Improving heat plant and energy sources

Divesting from fossil fuels, being more energy responsible.

Alternative fuel and energy reduction

Decreasing impervious surfaces on campus, increasing renewable sources of energy.

Event supplies appear to be mostly, if not all, made from recycled materials.

Recycling, providing excellent recycle flatware, and raising employee awareness

Building engagement through taking advantage of the Farm & Preserve

Vassar needs to declare a climate emergency and needs to fully divest to be considered a leader in sustainability. Middlebury, Columbia, and many other institutions are fully divested, and better for it.

Make itself more prominent in social media and the news; Vassar isn't that well known name-wise across the US & the world

Implement the OZZI system in dining venues on campus (see: https://www.planetozzi.com/)

Solar panels, more food production on campus or locally sourced, reduction in prices of washing and laundry at night to reduce peak demand for electricity. No single use plastics in the express.

update heating and cooling systems in all buildings!! this will save so much energy and also so much money in the long run!! it will pay for itself in a matter of years!

Serving more sustainable food options, less meat

Fewer cars on campus

More transparency about where recycled and composted waste goes

Having more recycling and compost bins on campus

Improving the heating and electricity in dorms to be more sustainable"

Integrate green energy and turn off dorm lights during winter intersession in the houses that are not being used

The deece uses way too much meat on a daily basis. Home has a meat option for each meal, the grill is constantly putting out chicken and hamburgers. It's extremely non-sustainable to provide meat everyday and all-day, considering the meat industry is one of the most polluting industries in the US and the world.

solar panels, buying our power from renewable sources, abolishing paper handouts wherever possible, actually composting instead of putting everything from the Deece and College Center into the same bin at the end of the day, serving fewer meat options, DIVESTING FROM FOSSIL FUELS

Energy conservation

Stop using carbon credits to continually put off necessary infrastructure upgrades that will take real steps to reduce our carbon footprint.

I have a strong hunch that none of the compost from Gordon Commons is actually composted, and similarly for the recycling. There should be better transparency about what happens with Vassar's waste.

FOSSIL FUEL DIVESTMENT

eliminate the all access meal plan, eliminate/greatly reduce single use foodware - express/retreat, reduce car usage on/around campus, eliminate the golf course, reduce public trash cans, install electricity/water meters in houses/apts to track usage, eliminate dryers, implement infrastructure for line drying, solar!, divest from fossil fuels, rain water collection?, rethink the use of lawns/quads/lawn mowing, implement a forest management plan, reduce meat/animal products, improve compost infrastructure,

· Though the current plan is a big step in the right direction, biofuel is not a very good way of going carbon neutral. Biofuels require the production of large amounts of crops, which causes the destruction of forests and requires lots of energy and water to produce. To be a leader in sustainability, Vassar should try to go carbon neutral in a way that would scale up well if many institutions started doing it.

turn off lights and other energy-using things when no one is using them, reduce litter on campus, use sustainable methods of fertilization and gardening (perennial flowers?) and keeping snow/ice off paths

cut emissions

student-focus, particularly heating etc

trash management!! especially in the deece, there needs to be a shift in culture when it comes to food waste and trash sorting in the whole campus. also less disposables at the retreat and express

Perhaps adding some more compost bins in places near food, not only deece and college center.

Waste! Actually composting the deece trash and recycling. Reducing the packaging of places like express and the retreat.

promoting environmental consciousness in daily life (eg. less single-use plastics in dining halls)

LED lights, not running the heater constantly. Dorm rooms can get so hot that I open the windows to let the cold in which seems really counterintuitive.

More explicit directions on what is trash vs recycling vs compostable--photos to go along with the most commons items at express/retreat/deece. More compost bins throughout campus. Get rid of golf course! Buy food from local farms.

Become carbon neutral

decreased landscaping, all the machines seem to run on gas and this seems unnecessary, also we could do things to reduce water use with regards to campus beauty. we could also stop using disposable containers for food locations, institue hand dryers instead of paper towels

The paper straws in the Retreat are the absolute worst- plastic straws make up a negligible percentage of the world's pollution, and language like ""the distance from the cup to your mouth isn't that far"" shames and actively harms people who may need to use single-use plastic; for some people with disabilities, plastic straws can be seen as medical devices. That said, maybe there's a way to incentivize people to make small changes- e.g., if you bring your own tupperware to the retreat ten times, you get a free Nilda's? Also the screens that are always on in the Retreat, CC, etc. are probably not sustainable lmao

Beyond that, I don't know much about Vassar's practices re: waste disposal and emissions. However, those are definitely bigger issues than the plastic containers at Express.

Further committing to carbon neutrality across campus -- not only new buildings like the Vassar Inn

stop watering the grass all the time in the summer, plant native plants in landscaping instead of plants that require constant upkeep, and actually compost the food from the deece

Declare a climate emergency, promote ecological health on campus

Completely divesting from fossil fuels, investing on renewable energy infrastructure (such as solar panels) on our ample campus, phasing out all single use products (cups, plates, utensils, napkins, paper towels - even compostable ones, even ones made out of recycled products) and actively promoting reusable alternatives, and stop serving all animal products. This I includes dairy! And eggs! And especially (and I cannot emphasize this enough) MEAT - NO MEAT whatsoever. It’s not necessary for anyone’s nutrition, and it is a proven, completely avoidable scourge on our environment. Vassar can never be a “leader in sustainability” while it continues the inhumane and dangerous practice of carnism.

Reduce plastic (primarily in the Retreat, Express, and the Bridge Cafe); offer more vegan and vegetarian options in the Deece/generally reduce meat intake

This is a small idea but if the dorm bathroom toiletry cubbies had hooks for hand towels, students wouldn't have to use paper towels every time we use the restrooms and the school would contribute less waste.

Also, it feels wasteful when the Deece uses the plastic utensils or paper cups, especially at late night.

Sustainability (as it relates to communal living on a college campus) could be more integrated into freshman orientation.

It should be easier to rent and sell books for classes; the books that are not reused often end up getting thrown away."

Divest ASAP; eschew all disposable food packaging and utensils (the deece switches to paper and plastic dishes and utensils every night!), and encourage students to carry their own utensils with them; counsel students on making plans for travel to and from vassar so as to minimize carbon footprint (many domestic students fly a long way to get here...maybe we could help to organize many-student carpools or train-riding groups); please dim the lights in the deece! (the deece gets so much natural light, and many students complain that the artificial lighting there hurts their eyes anyways)

It seems as through the 2030 target has not spurred Vassar to put sustainability as a number one priority, and the school is thus failing to lead in any sustainability metrics. I think the school MUST revisit the CAP and outline incremental targets for 2022, 2025, etc so that there are incentives to actually move forward with greening the campus rather than putting it off till, say, the NY grid gets cleaner and absolves us of responsibility.

Leave less lights on during the nights when no one is there, e.g in academic buildings etc.

Less disposable cups and cutlery - students just waste them.

Make more of an effort to lessen the use of plastic, use sustainable energy

Completely divest from fossil fuels.

It's good that there are compostable containers, but would be better if there were no containers at all (reusable or some other way). There is a lot of packaging/containers wasted at Express and Retreat, and even though they are compostable (how many of those get composted anyway?) it would be better if there were no single use containers at all. The college should promote low waste living more. Instead of focusing on switching to compostable products, switch off single use products all together (like in the Deece, most of the coffee cups are compostable rather than reusable!). Vassar can also do a lot to reduce contamination rates. Also expand composting to dorms and senior housing. Do more to educate students and staff on ways to live more sustainably (buy less stuff!, buy used rather than new, take public transport rather than own car, less meat, TURN OFF LIGHTS, wash clothes less often and on cold, FLY LESS, ). Solar panels. Better covered bike storage options (ex for when it rains). More transparency generally or make it easy to find information (what happens to all the old furniture when buildings are renovated?) Also increase building efficiency like with heat. Some of this stuff might not be showy or "sexy", but sustainability should be about appearing sustainable or having a sustainable facade to get more donations, but it should be about our actual impact on the environment.

Less plastic use and food waste

Employ meatless mondays. As you know the meat industry is a huge catalyst for climate change. I think a great idea is for every monday to have no meat served at any campus dining location- essentially a one less for meat. Also I think there should be a sustainability class and maybe even a major as this is going to be THE prevalent issue as us students are entering the job market.

We need to DIVEST! Campuses across the country have done it, Smith College JUST did it. In order to call ourselves leaders of sustainability, divesting from fossil fuels is the single most important step.

Solar panels, other renewable energy (wind, etc)

Highlight more of the little actions students can do to be sustainable (turn off lights when you aren't in the room, don't leave showers running when you aren't in them etc.)

That this survey is being sent out and that sustainability is increasingly becoming a primary issue of concern is good, but the means in which sustainability is being implemented definitely needs improvement.

In the past there seems to be well intended efforts at ""going green"" such as using compostable utensils and packaging at Express. However, these are still single use items that take energy to produce and transport, regardless of them being biodegradable. The danger with these simple replacement solutions is that they do nothing to change the problematic culture of mindless consumption undergirding unsustainable practice while maintaining the guise that the college the college is pro sustainability leading to potential apathy around the issue.

The sort of thinking manifests is other areas as well. Just because lights are LED or power saving does not give the go ahead to keep on all night long even if the building is not in use. Just because the plans for a new building is LEED certified does not automatically make it better than retrofitting and renovating what we already have. "

Take big steps first. Don't be followers, be leaders. Divest from fossil fuels because it's what we should be doing, don't wait to do it until the trustees see it as something that's ok to do because other schools are doing it now. As an institution, Vassar needs to be willing to prioritize sustainability so it can be a leader of sustainable institutions and so it can survive in the future.

Clean energy

Make the Inn & Institute carbon neutral, solar panels and renewable energy, renovate dorms to be more energy efficient

Improvement of heating capabilities in older buildings, improved efficacy of composting/recycling systems, divesting from fossil fuels

commit to completing these goals before the deadline. most deadlines in these situations are not met. make realistic and impactful goals and actually meet them.

Buildings can be renovated to have thicker walls and better circulation to regulate heat. Heat losses in the winter and sleepless nights in the summer months due to the heat from poor circulation is a big problem. All buildings undergoing renovations should have passive housing incorporated into them, and people in charge of maintenance should have more foresight in

All sidewalks/pavement undergoing maintenance should be updated with permeable/porous pavement, which will help re-incorporate water into the groundwater. This will also help with accessibility and safety– no more puddles after a rain or ice on the sidewalk. I was surprised to see that the sidewalk in front of Jewett had been repaved with impermeable pavement over the summer, so it lost the permeable brick lattice on the sides. I’m sure there were reasons to repave and widen the sidewalk, but already there are problems with drainage and there are puddles and ice over the entire sidewalk when it rains. Requiring that updates have porous/permeable pavement would save on maintenance costs overtime.

The Deece needs to have more mugs/cups/silverware. They always run out of mugs and silverware especially, and the only options are one-time-use compostable materials. Using one-time-use materials is against my belief system, but I sometimes use them because there is no other option. Now I always carry a reusable mug, spoon, and fork, but lots of students are accustomed to the to-go items. It is difficult to limit the one-time-use items if the Deece is understaffed and cannot keep up with the number of students it is supposed to accommodate, especially given that they downscaled Express this year. Deece employees are under too much pressure because they are understaffed, so they can’t do things like replacing reusable silverware or serving dinner for the full hours on the dinner schedule. Maybe Vassar could provide to-go mugs within the house fellows budget to provide for students? Vassar can encourage students to take ownership over their own waste by doing the same with its dining.

There can be more natural meadows on campus. We have the asset of having space, so we should use it for animal and plant habitat that makes the whole ecosystem on campus healthier, less resource-consuming to maintain, and self-regulating. While sports teams require grass fields for practices/games, and I love lying on the grass on the quad, there are plenty of smaller spaces (around the Deece, near the library, etc) that could be restored to native, unmowed meadows.

Vassar should incorporate principles of sustainability into the future planning of the campus. The Inn and Institute stands out as a plan that undermines any effort to be sustainable, to reuse instead of consume more. The project does not reflect my values, nor the values of my friends on campus. No matter how good the Transitions program is, no matter how many services the college provides, students will still have a hard time transitioning into life at Vassar because of the elite nature of Vassar’s decisions. The decision-making process seemed to have very little democracy in it and students are never going to feel like they are a part of a community at Vassar if decisions are made by higher-ups that impose them on the student body. As a consequence, students don’t feel like they can contribute to Vassar, and a lot students’ relationship to Vassar becomes extractive, along the lines of “I’m going to take as much from this institution as I can.” Students’ (and staffs’) own belief systems about sustainability and community are compromised by decisions like this.

They should figure out how to eliminate waste from bathroom hand drying if possible. Please be carbon neutral.

carbon neutrality, divestment of fossil fuels, minimize shortcuts (ie carbon trade offs like buying forests)

Further integration of current tangible applications seen above

Firstly, encouraging and enabling students to use fewer single-waste materials, especially in Express and Retreat. Along with this is actually composting and recycling items in the respective bins instead of just throwing everything away. Additionally, almost every main entree at the Deece is essentially a slab of meat - it would be so great to see vegetarian main dishes at least half the time, especially because it is not hard to make delicious vegetarian meals.

Solar farm built where the golf course is - i heard golf course is too small for even the golf team to use/it’s rarely in use

Institute a climate change class freshman year, look into insulation strategies to reduce heat usage? Encourage more student involvement in climate change research and proposals for Vassar. Hire more faculty for ENST or STS department that have specialized in climate change. Promote science research geared towards engineering energy smart solutions applicable at Vassar.

make it more difficult to have a car on campus

Would it ever be possible for Vassar to use energy from burning its garbage or compost? Vassar could also participate more in climate rallies/host a climate rally or "fridays for the future." Maybe the campus could use fossil-free shuttles and all energy-saving lightbulbs.

Solar panels on all buildings!!

Our current landscaping practices are some of the worst I have ever seen. We spend absurd amounts of money for landscaping, but the flowers and plants are not native to the northeast and die within a few weeks. To remedy this problem, the college simply plants more flowers and waits for them to die. I simply fail to understand why this practice continues. Vassar needs to employ native plants in order to rebuild the ecosystem that was destroyed when the land was developed to build the college. Why not create sustainable gardens of native plants which foster the growth of native animal communities such as birds, bees, and other forms of wildlife? I come from California where such practices are already in place. My elementary school had a butterfly garden filled with native plants to which the butterflies were accustomed. Each year, thousands of butterflies would stop in the garden to rest during their migrations. Vassar could easily spend its landscaping budget on creating sustainable gardens given the current wasteful practices. From a fiscal perspective sustainable gardens of native plants also prove to be superior. Native plants are adapted to the ecological conditions present at Vassar and require less upkeep compared to non-native plants.

unnecessary lights on, water waste, food waste, too many cars

Vassar must divest from funding climate death, put a student on the board of trustees, stop encouraging study abroad, stop class trips that use air travel, convert the golf course as soon as possible, tell the truth about the climate and ecological emergency, acknowledge that the institution is founded on stolen land, declare a climate emergency, and endorse civil disobedience, as well as institutionalize it (fieldwork)

actually compost in the retreat please

make the golf course a solar farm

stop updating and redecorating buildings that dont actually need it - ""greening"" a building still leads to massive amounts of waste. things dont actually need to always be new - we should just be using what we have

more washable cups/plates/utensils in the deece. it is absurd how much waste there is on campus now with the new meal plan.

fossil fuel divestment

Smarter use of energy: Turn off lights in deece when not in use.

Recycling bins are not clearly marked. Even if they are, they aren’t next to normal bins so people throw rubbish in marked recycling bins.

Better infrastructure. I think Vassar could do a much better job at being energy efficient. Many of the appliances on campus could be energy star, and we should ideally divest from fossil fuels as soon as possible.

get rid of bottled water on campus

Improve the thermostats and heating in Skinner (and maybe other old buildings). At the start of the cold season we were way way overheated, and some of the building is still. Also, I wonder if the signage for where recyclables go could be improved in the Retreat. Most people just select “Trash” because they are unsure.

not sure how green we are at ACDC, the Retreat etc

More recycle containers at athletic facilities where members outside Vassar are often in attendance.

no plastic bottles and more water stations; provide faculty with large tablets so we can grade on them instead of asking students to print out papers

reduce the use of gas-powered machinery (gold carts, lawn equipment) and increase the use of mow-free landscaping

getting rid of fossil-fueled landscaping and snow-removal(leaf blowers, power mowers, snowblowers). Also, greening vehicle fleet and reducing dependence on flying.

heating buildings

Electrify everything! Especially HVAC on campus, and vehicle fleet. We need to show that we can move way from combustion as a source of power, fast!

get more of the campus involved and aware of what is happening

Move students away from cars and to bicycles by banning student cars on campus for able bodied students, renovate old buildings for energy efficiency instead of building more buildings, reward faculty and staff for car pooling or living close to campus, stop the waste of having food at every event

New Health & Wellness Center to make Walker Fieldhouse more energy efficient

Go solar. Replace internal combustion college-owned and operated vehicles with electric, incl. security and grounds crew vehicles.

Reduce cars on campus, especially from the center of campus. Turn out the lights in buildings overnight (Library and others). Repair ancient heating systems that blast hot air into the winter night from the dorms, where windows have to be opened to cool down the room. Be more active about handling recycling v. trash v. compost.

Several thing.

• o Hire an energy manager who understands data and energy systems.

• o Invite more people to the conversation--recognize efforts and encourage participation (in decision making and in curriculum) beyond the usual suspects, because I think there is lots of untapped enthusiasm in the community.

• o To support #2, appoint less and elect/solicit volunteers more for committees and working groups.

• o In planning projects like the athletics facility or redoing Baldwin, share information with the whole college, not just with members of those programs, to support more complete/inclusive thinking and planning.

• o Have planning and P&P committees report at least annually to the college community, since plans affect us all and also may determine our ability or failure to meet 2030 goals.

This is a very difficult issue, but I think Vassar should seriously think about whether the way it evaluates scholarship is in conflict with sustainability. I personally maintain both domestic and international collaborations, and travel by air regularly to conferences/workshops/colloquia. I view this as a positive for my career, and for my tenure and pre-tenure reviews. Therefore, I am unlikely to feel motivated to change these habits unless Vassar explicitly addresses issues of sustainability in their criteria for review. I think Vassar could really think creatively and be a leader by tackling this issue head-on.

emphasize recycling and turn off lights in areas when they are unused

Energy efficient lighting and reusable supplies

Something that utterly puzzles me is the focus on carbon neutrality and divestment while there's a huge amount of single use food stuff being used. Yes, it's compostable, but there's a reason why "reduce" comes before reuse and recycle.

Keep reducing litter around areas of campus--Litter is often left at Sunset Lake. Despite the existing trash cans at Sunset Lake, I, as a staff member, have picked up numerous pieces of plastic/wrapping, plastic bottles, glass bottles, and even rubber gloves left around the lake and I have properly disposed of them. All of those items are harmful and dangerous to the existing wildlife at the lake and it is also unappealing to visitors. Maybe the campus can further reduce the use of plastic bottles or encourage B & G to regularly pick up litter left behind. I also think it would be great if all golf carts were electrically powered instead of gas in order to reduce gas emissions.

Paper Reduction (Textbook usage, printer usage)

We have a huge food waste issue here. I see it everyday when I work. Students and employees throwing out whole plates of food or leaving half eaten plates. It's a tough issue to tackle but it needs to be addressed.

More organic products for campus landscaping, if feasible; more online learning instead of travel; less food waste: how can we serve food at meetings without having it go into the garbage? A desktop scanner for every person: scan more, print less. Get rid of computer mice that still use batteries.

More easy wins! Garbage/recycling/compost cans need to be properly labeled. Cans near the Villard Room are all unmarked. Signage about what is compostable, etc.

To look for simpler solutions to environmental problems like planting many more trees. We used to have many more on campus. It used to look so much nicer. They shaded our buildings and cars, provided wind breaks, and helped absorb stormwater. Also, just designing and orientating new buildings and renovations that integrate passive solar principles would be a huge help.

just be more aggressive on renewables and efficiency

The renovation projects previously mentioned to help older building keep in the cool in summer and heat in winter. More recycling containers.

I think one initiative could be to use all that flat vacant land across the road near the farm to put in a solar array. Such an array could power a lot of the campus buildings. It's also a good public relation which the students could be involved to get real world example of a major initiative.

add more electric car charging stations

Use a company like https://energywatch-inc.com

conserve electricity by reducing lights left on all night in acdc, athletic buildings, classroom buildings, chapel and main. use sensors to turn lights on and off automatically when someone enters a space.

Share ideas with other colleges

all other beverages are still in plastic. are there any beverages that come in glass bottles that we make available instead?

CONSISTENCY - there is NO consistency around campus on sustainable practices.

No guidelines set by the committee sent to people who buy things - what to buy, what not to.

Basically - we need to start with consistent communication of our goals across campus. It can't just be high and mighty talk at meetings. "

Vassar must rid itself of fossil fuel stocks and investments. No matter what infrastructural developments take place on campus over the coming years, an institution can never be truly carbon-neutral if it financially supports (and benefits from) the industries that have precipitated the crisis that the new Climate Action Plan seeks to address.

I know it is never a popular suggestion, but drastically cutting back the amount of red meat served in Campus Dining Facilities would go a long way to reducing the carbon footprint of the college.

Fleet of electric or biofuel service and security vehicles. More electric plug-in stations for cars. Substantially reduce the burning of fossil fuels in all buildings. Replace old windows with triple pane insulated.

Continue to update buildings and make them greener and more energy efficient.

More LEED certified buildings, and consideration of LEED for future construction projects

Introduce solar panels on as many rooftops as possible.

improve efficiency of buildings (windows, heating etc)

Solar power, mandated coffee pod recycling service (some offices use, others don't), convert to bio fuel http://www.middlebury.edu/sustainability/operations-and-action/biomass-gasification

the bathrooms in the library waste SO MUCH WATER - every fawcet drips; the library also needs LED lighting; we also have antiquated heating in some sections

There are may things to help conserve resources and energy and utilize what the campus already has. Cutting back on things and reusing as much material as possible. Making some/all of the buildings more green so that energy/heat doesn't literally go right out the window. The list goes on.

better ac and heating efficiency, more access to recycling containers

Reduce consumption, reduce waste

solar. I was actually surprised that the Bridge building didn't have any panels.

More solar

More solar

Figure out a way to make our old buildings more energy efficient, while keeping their historic ""charm"".

Realizing the benefits of having a 400-acre nature preserve as part of out campus and the carbon sequestration that this provides. This would include investing in the education programs happening at the preserve and making the preserve more accessible to pedestrians (not cars).

Improving our recycling and composting on campus"

Evaluate water usage. Many older bathrooms on campus have leaky faucets.

During a Sustainability Day, encourage departments to showcase their efforts via

Comprehensive review of power usage and retrofitting of buildings/fixtures

Divest.

More Solar Panels maybe?

removal of cars from central campus and increased shuttle service/transportation infrastructure from central campus to outer areas as well as increased accessibility for all.

Solar powered, maybe geothermal, more renewable energy, education initiatives on how we as students can effectively limit our waste. Programs encouraging public transportation more (ie shuttles to and from train station more frequently and later at night). Better insulation in windows in dorms.

AC/heating updates

compostable everything, and more compost receptacles available"

A lot of people take ubers to get places, or drive their car. I’d like to see easier and more accessible ways to use public transportation (I’ve taken the city bus, but it doesn’t get directly to anywhere I need to go). Shuttles on days other than Saturdays would be nice so we don’t have to drive to the store or order things on amazon

I would like to see more sustainability programs that link the athletics department and sustainability issues together.

I would like to see an "eat less meat" initiative within the deece and other dining options. Not completely eliminating meat as an option, but to not have it provided every single day at every single meal. Maybe only providing meat only 3 or 4 days a week, or just not having meet provided with every meal. Providing more veggie options at home, and improving the quality of root would help as well. And most importantly making the meat at grill made to order, so the excess doesn't just go to waste. We really consume far too much meat here at Vassar to be considered sustainable at any level.

Solar array, actual composting (maybe tied in with community gardens), divesting from fossil fuels

Being more mindful about how much energy the campus uses everyday, especially in respect to keeping the lights on brightly all the time in the dorms and very late in academic buildings.

Introduce any type of renewable energy? Vassar could be a huge local producer if they created a solar farm on the big parking lot in the Vassar Farm, would benefit the whole Poughkeepsie community.

Provide more food from the Farm (e.g. honey, lettuce, vegetables).

Food donation, Green Fund, renewable energy generation on campus, better waste management

local food - 100%/100 miles, developing a self-sustaining campus agriculture system

I would like to see Vassar establish a green fund that alumni can donate to and savings from sustainability upgrades is put into. I would also like to see Vassar eventually transition to a more sustainable way of going carbon neutral such as heat pumps.

cut emissions

using less plastic, particularly in retreat/express ? heating conscientiousness (ie tell people how their radiators work in dorms, turn down thermostats during winter all around)

100% sustainable and clean energy, eating our own fresh produce from the farm

Green energy. Limits on flying using Vassar funds. Focusing on REDUCTION not just offsets.

Solar panels. Better insulation in dorm houses to decrease heat lose

Solar panel on golf course. Declare climate emergency.

Zero-waste, Solar

Again, I don't know what the **big ticket** issues are- more transparency would be helpful

Divest from fossil fuels

Solar power. Hook up as much of the college as possible to solar grids. It would do so much, and it's getting increasingly affordable as time goes on. First US college to go fully solar? Seems good.

solar panels on the golf course!

Locally source food, get rid of one use containers on campus including recyclables and compostables, get rid of lawns and replace with native meadow and grassland plants

Completely divesting from fossil fuels, investing on renewable energy infrastructure (such as solar panels) on our ample campus, phasing out all single use products (cups, plates, utensils, napkins, paper towels - even compostable ones, even ones made out of recycled products) and actively promoting reusable alternatives, and stop serving all animal products. This I includes dairy! And eggs! And especially (and I cannot emphasize this enough) MEAT - NO MEAT whatsoever. It’s not necessary for anyone’s nutrition, and it is a proven, completely avoidable scourge on our environment. Vassar can never be a “leader in sustainability” while it continues the inhumane and dangerous practice of carnism.

I've heard a rumor (?) of turning the golf courses into solar panel fields or installing geothermal technology. As a student I feel that the golf course is a waste of space which could be used better.

I'd really love to see initiatives to help students and faculty minimize the carbon footprint of their travel

While solar may not make sense on campus, several schools have invested in off-campus solar (which will save the school money), and Vassar should seriously consider it. In addition, better monitoring of campus energy use will be crucial to achieving carbon neutrality. For example, many schools have implemented heat sensors in the dorms to regulate temperature and reduce heat (and therefore, fossil fuel use) where applicable, and this is also inexpensive. Finally, what's most important right now is overhauling the central heating plant. While people at Vassar may deal only with the colder/longer winters caused by the climate crisis, poorer people (and disproportionately people of color and indigenous people) are dying, right now, so that more privileged people can live in more luxury. Vassar must do everything it can to right the wrongs of fossil fuel usage and years of pollution, and converting the central heating plant is where we can make the most immediate and drastic change. It is not just a question of feasibility and affordability but of justice within a school that has, in its past, catered to the economically-privileged. Remedying that is not just about need-blind emissions, it's about taking responsibility for the harm we are inflicting upon people and the planet.

Solar power and energy saving mechanisms

Solar power, compostable containers, greater awareness

Getting food from local farms, installing LED lights in all buildings on campus, declaring a climate emergency, increasing education on climate change and sustainability.

More options similar to Saturday Shuttle, cut down on student car trips/reliance.

Divest, convert golf course, really work to reduce overall waste, reduce single use items and food packaging, source more food from Poughkeepsie Farm Project, reduce carbon emissions from travel/commuting, increase awareness that we are in a CLIMATE EMERGENCY and that people need to take action. Get students more politically involved.

Solar energy

Divestment from fossil fuels, turning the golf course into a solar field, have all new buildings be lead platinum

Again, divestment from fossil fuels! More solar power. Using more food from the farm as there is an excess of produce at the Vassar Farm. Also, I think we should have Meatless Mondays at the Deece, where we decide to limit our campus-wide consumption of meat by cutting it out of the Deece on one day.

Updating the dorm heating and cooling systems to save energy.

Solar panels, more/better climate activism groups

Meatless Mondays (or some other day, just in general large scale reduction of meat consumption for just one day a week) in the dining centre

Especially in regards to PR and media attention, it would be really tempting to come up with these big flashy solutions. Obviously, the college needs light and heat to operate, and to source this energy from renewables and to replace current systems with more efficient ones is desirable. But again, as mentioned earlier, this doesn't warrant building entirely new LEED certified building. I would suggest experimenting with some low tech solutions.

First of all, entrenched change though takes bottom up cultural shift in addition to top down institutional changes. This can be done with a combination eduction (such as with orientation week) and an incentive system. For example:

If you bring your own silverware, cup, bag to Express/Retreat you get a free cookie, or a free drink. Or make the cup, utensils, and bag cost extra money.

Does late night at the Deece have to use single items?

Invest in some share drying racks in the dorms, encourage people to hang dry their clothes, make the dryers more expensive

Add towel hooks in the dorm bathrooms so people can hang their own hand towels and use them instead of paper towels

Have a stash of plates, cups, utensils people can borrow via a deposit system (you put money in, but get it back when you return the stuff) for parties, instead of buying single use things. You could do this similarly with other things in order to encourage a more shared/circular economy.

Advertise the Vassar Free Market. Add a student run mending services component!

Composting and Terra cycle in the dorms.

Tell people about the public transportation options. Encourage this over ubering or driving a car

These are just my suggestions, I would suggest systematically looking at: what the majority of our waste is, is it being sorted properly, and where is it ending up; where's the most energy being used, etc etc

These are also more internal solutions. As far as Vassar's powers for advocacy and influence outside of this ""bubble"", pressure on the trustees to divest from fossil fuels, pressure on Bon appetite to source sustainably."

Eliminate 90% of single-use items in dining and catering services. Offer incentives for students, faculty, staff, etc to use less carbon-intensive modes of travel while on and off campus (maybe some sort of program that supports students while traveling to/from campus for breaks, because the climate impacts of those flights add up fast- a good first step could be doing more frequent shuttles to/from Boston for breaks perhaps). Make the Inn&Institute as green/environmentally friendly as it can be, and have Vassar admin active in this effort- don't outsource it and use that as an excuse. Provide sustainability training for faculty/staff/admin who aren't aware of the climate emergency we are currently in. Show them the urgency!

Full clean energy (solar on the golf course) and no plastic waste

More investment and advocacy for Poughkeepsie public transportation, disincentivize cars on campus

DIVESTING FROM FOSSIL FUELS

renovating the dorms so that they can be more sustainable, putting more recycling bins around campus, putting more renewable energy sources in visible places on campus.

I'd like to see more student involvement in executing sustainable action on campus. If the building of new buildings can be not only carbon neutral, but use green materials that would be excellent. http://www.bullittcenter.org/building/red-list-compliant-products/ I know Vassar has a relationship with the Bullitts, perhaps you can reach out to them and partner in creating green buildings, since that is something they emphasize.

campus-wide composting, any repair work on buildings should be done with making those buildings "green" in mind, I'd love to see some renewable energy production on campus (solar panels, wind turbines--they can be small...)

Local outreach channels within the community that help promote sustainable business/waste disposal practices

Solar farm built where the golf course is

Deece greens imported from closer

Start farming coop for students

switch to alternative heating system

Make the deece meat free (except for students who must eat meat)

forbid freshmen from having cars, start ticketing people who park in ways that violate vassar's parking regulations

I would love to see more participation of students and administration in climate action rallies, of course, but on a more concrete level, moving toward being a zero waste campus is really important.

No sure

As per the answer above, I believe an expansion of ecological preserves would greatly benefit Vassar. The ecological preserve by the Shakespeare garden and the pollinator habitat by Ely are good starts, but why not go further? Garden areas outside the deece and the dorms should have their flowers removed and replaced with perennial shrubs or other low-maintenance/ non-resource intensive plants. As an earth science major, I can confidently say that our planet is headed for a sixth mass extinction event at almost 70 times faster than non-human caused extinctions. If we want to save our planet, we need to act to now doing whatever we can. I believe the reintroduction of native plants and creation of sustainable gardens would show that Vassar recognizes the upcoming disaster and is fighting to make a difference.

instituting electricity/water conservation incentives for the TAs/THs/SoCos

grapple with what is the responsibility of an elite institution in a time of crisis, and strategize how to efficiently allocate resources to address the climate emergency, care for community members that are most vulnerable and fund emissions reductions projects in Poughkeepsie. Vassar should also hold a citizens assembly (Extinction Rebellion's idea)

solar power

fossil fuel divestment"

Facilitate sharing of items between graduating seniors and incoming freshmen.

Car free campus.

No disposable utensils

I would like to see Vassar extending SWAPR to include dorm supplies, and possibly distribute dorm supplies that is still in good shape to incoming transitions students. I also think that Vassar should plant more perennials and leave certain lawns less manicured. The golf course could also be repurposed as farming space or an extension of the Poughkeepsie Farm Project.

generating solar on campus, e.g. "roofing" parking lots; restricting vehicle access on campus; buying much more locally produce food for dining services

becoming carbon neutral as swiftly as possible

Another institution I was at closed on Friday in the summer to reduce the cost of cooling and electrics.

solar/geo

incentive to reduce car travel to/from campus

retro-fitting buildings so they are zero emission

Geo-thermal

I'd like to see a clear roadmap/timeline to ZERO COMBUSTION on campus.

Rethinking how we use the land the golf course is on - could it be repurposed for renewables?? Planted with trees to offset our carbon footprint for travel? Solar over parking lots and on buildings? Renovating dorms for better energy efficiency - trying to stop the need to open windows in the winter to cool dorm rooms. Consolidating housing - so remove temporary housing like the TH's and SoCo's - how much would that help our carbon footprint?

Parking and transportation plan that reduces car trips around campus - reduce food waste including packaging

Create a renewable energy test center at the Farm - Wind, Solar, Hydro to help power the campus

Solar arrays at Vassar farm. Permeable pavements throughout campus. Bio-swales in all parking lots.

Solar power; wind power; all electric vehicles that are college-owned.

Numerous things:

• o Provide training/continuing education programs for Facilities staff to enable them to plan better energy systems, building management systems, building energy monitoring, and so on. We have committed $5 million to faculty housing improvements. What have we committed to staff training/continuing education?

• o Ask Communications to participate in communicating to the community about issues, best practices, efforts, etc. Consider designating a Communications person to Sustainability (I think that individually Communications staff care a lot about sustainability, but collectively they do less than most of our peers.)

• o Collaborate with CIS and possibly the library on management of data and records.

• o Negotiate with Bon Apetit to reduce waste.

• o Add and Environmental Impact Statement to plans and purchasing requests (right now we are rewarded for being demanding and have no incentive for considering larger needs when making classroom requests, etc).

• o Form a community sustainability committee and ask all operations departments (e.g. CIS, library, dining, purchasing) to designate a staff person and hours to it, so that sustainability has a voice in these different departments and vice versa. Currently CASC has supplanted CCS, and that is good but perhaps not sufficient.

• o Give recognition and visibility to courses that focus on sustainability in student projects, e.g. Monika Hu and Jason Waterman's course in data analysis next semester.

Thinking beyond the campus bubble, I think the fact that it is so difficult to use alternative forms of transportation to campus is a huge black mark on our sustainability. While many could in theory travel by bicycle close to campus via the rail trail, the route from the rail trail to campus is not safe, and is difficult to follow. It doesn't seem impossible to me that Vassar could create a safe connection between the rail trail and campus. I also think Vassar could work with the broader community to see if there are ways to make the Walkway available after dark for walking or biking commuters. Similarly, it is ridiculous that the transportation to and from the Amtrak/MTA station is so poor, and mostly done by single-rider Uber and taxis. I suspect that many more people would commute by train (me included for some days) if it weren't such a headache to get to/from that station. I think it would be wonderful to have safe, fast transportation between Arlington and the station, with stops in Poughkeepsie downtown. This would not only increase public transportation use, but continue to connect us with our local city.

renovate older buildings to better retain heat (winter) or keep out heat (summer)

Refuse of water more recycling

My dream is for offices to go paper-free, but I think that's just a dream. Beyond that it would be amazing if Vassar was not only carbon neutral, but carbon negative.

Movement towards solar powered energy (ie: lighting, etc.)

Transportation. Provide electric car chargers on campus. Promote our public transit options. Provide alternate options to keeping a car on campus (ie. ZipCar, Community Bikes, Carpool/Ride Share)

Going solar power, if possible.

We still generate a lot of waste and it would seem to make the most sense to explore ways for converting college-produced waste into energy.

100% LEDs, maybe look into geothermal for campus?

A solar garden, geothermal heating, water flow control in bathroom sinks (you are not cleaning a casserole dish - you just want some warm water to wash your hands. You don't need a lot or a powerful stream which wastes water, to wash up.) Educational signage about where your wastes go - garbage to a dump or landfill, waste water to the watershed, Hudson River, estuaries and ocean or ground water, etc. The U.N. has the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including the "Lazy Person's Guide to Saving the World" with easy tips (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/takeaction/)

To maximize efficiency within buildings, realign thermostat zone. For instance, the thermostat for the second floor of Main-North is located on the first floor near the Dean of Faculty office.

store rainwater from rooftops in tanks, have paper shredding days on campus

Use a company like https://energywatch-inc.com

reduce waste in all areas of business, reduce consumption

not sure

More water fountains that are filtered. Solar panels.

Energy usage - what can we do? I have no idea!

Look at our existing plant and see what maintenance/upgrades would help for long term goals - it's much more sustainable then inevitably rebuilding.

Compost bins around campus - it doesn't do much if they're only in the dining areas. It means if I use those products in another building, I need to carry them over. Most only compost when in the heated compost systems we send our stuff to (like cutlery)."

All night, every night, lightbulbs are on in campus buildings. Even in buildings that are locked. Being able to, for instance, dim the lights in the Gordon Commons --- or simply leave fewer on --- would provide the illumination necessary for security while cutting unnecessary electricity consumption in half.

See above. I mean, in my dream world the college would be vegan, but if there were a significant campaign to reduce meat consumption across the college that would be wonderful.

A more intuitive and comprehensive recycling program in all buildings.

Build a large parking structure (maybe near the farm) and offer shuttle rides to main campus. That will create a pedestrian campus while meeting the needs of employees/visitors who live all over the Hudson Valley and need to use their own vehicles to get here.

It's not big, but I think it could have big impact: teach people how to recycle, and provide appropriate receptacles across campus, from public spaces to administrative offices to residence halls. Outdated recycle bins don't signify single stream availability and deter people from making the right choices about what goes where.

The plan seems focused on reducing carbon and paying for offsets. I'd love to see a plan for water consumption on campus and a reduction in waste water.

Create a solar farm on available land, to facilitate a surplus of energy to sell back to Central Hudson

An integrated program that includes things everyone can easily help with (like the recycling piece)

Follow as much as possible in the footsteps of American University as they are the first carbon neutral university in the US https://www.american.edu/about/sustainability/

incentives for electric car purchase/lease; some kind of incentive for walking to work - I've seen people drive from THE WATSONS to their office

Rain water collection. Collect water that can be used to help take care of the grounds as well as possibly be used for other things on campus.

Making the buildings more green. More insulation, solar panels, energy efficient windows... etc

Recycling/Composting. I know that it seems like this is already in place in some dining areas, but the custodians that visit our offices do not take recycling and I'm not sure if when I separate my recycling, it is actually recycled. Composting as much as can be composted and using it on the Vassar grounds and at the farm.

Make certain lighting fixtures/light-bulbs be standard if they are more energy smart.

Reducing food waste. Better management of how much food is needed for events, meal times, etc, so that not as much is potentially thrown out OR bringing any leftovers to a homeless shelter so that it doesn't go to waste.

Encourage meatless Mondays or something that helps to reduce the amount of meat that is consumed, and bringing awareness to all the different options there are for vegetarians/vegans/pescatarians that are actually really tasty to eat.

Encouraging people to bring their own mugs/cups/water bottles to meetings/classes or around campus in general rather than using disposable cups.

Encouraging more ride-sharing/carpooling or riding a bike to work/class instead of driving if the distance and other circumstances are reasonable.

Many ideas."

Zero waste. Car free campus.

"Solar farming; Either lease the land to a 3rd party or direct use.

Remove printing from the campus.

Remove plastics from food services, including vending machines."

Make all current buildings more energy efficient with tighter building envelopes to reduce energy needs,ex. windows ,doors, weatherstrip,lights ,insulation

Creating and education center on the Preserve, at the Vassar Barns that would be a resource for students and the community to learn about sustainability, conservation, public health, and our connection to nature in a holistic way.

Upgrade bathrooms with efficient faucet aerators, low flow toilets, and water saving shower heads.

To change, lawn equipment from gas to electric or battery operated

Electric vehicle incentives for employees

The sooner Vassar divests from fossil fuels and becomes a flagship for environmentalism, the better.

Nope, that's it!

We are on the right path!

If I do, I'll share them at one of the scheduled climate forums.

Less meat please

I feel that the Vassar community is being lied to about the recycling/composting programs. We are very conscientious in the Deece and College Center about separating our trash out into recycling and compost, but then all of these trash bins are just emptied into the same place at the end of the day.

not right now

Just a couple of brief thoughts:

• 1) I'd like to see more of a consciousness around the grounds. They are beautiful! But every year I walk by Ely Hall, where there is a "pollinator habitat," and inevitably across the walkway there is a small sign indicating that pesticides have been applied. I'm not saying all pesticides are inappropriate, but I do find that dichotomy jarring.

• 2) I'd be interested in seeing a discussion on food waste. As an administrative assistant, a part of what I do is planning and ordering food for a variety of meetings and events. While it is a very nice thing to have, I worry about if there is too much food how collectively we deal with that (not enough food is also an issue but not for this discussion :)). I wonder, actually, how much food ends up in the garbage.

Better recycle options in office buildings

I think its great that Vassar is doing its part to become a sustainable institution.

More lectures that are climate-action related for everyone, more speakers and writers talking about the climate emergency; have we added climate-related / sustainability courses to our curriculum? Are our students studying this? Have we hired new faculty who are experts in the field?

Students should be allowed more meaningful say in the direction of the college towards sustainability

the more collaborative the College effort the better

Thank you for all of your hard work!

i think you should cut emissions

I'm excited to see that this seems to be taking off. Excited to see what happens!

N/a

I think the environment needs to be everyone's number one concern. Without a decent environment, the economy, healthcare, human rights, etc. will fall into shambles. People worry about leaving their kids an inheritance but the best legacy we can leave for the next generation is clean air, unpolluted water and land that isn't destroyed by overpopulation.

Nope!

The lack of transparency in the deece is a major issue, we deserve to know exactly where our food is coming from

Stop serving meat. Stop offering single use bags at Express. Fix all faucets! You’d be shocked at the immense number of faucets I’ve seen on this campus that are constantly, even inexorably leaking. They need to be fixed. Install timed motion sensors on restroom lights. Oh, and stop serving meat.

Vassar needs to be a bigger stakeholder/influencer in local initiatives for Dutchess County and NY State to enact climate action initiatives

Cutting our emissions in a drastic way does not have to be a financial hit to the school. Like Middlebury, positioning ourselves as a school uniquely catered to environmental studies and environmental justice at a time when more and more students (especially STEM students) are interested in environmental studies/science will only boost the school's recognition, application rates, and donations/funding. Right now, there are hundreds of small liberal arts schools in the country (and the Northeast especially). Vassar can distinguish itself by being at the forefront of sustainability and attract bright minds and budding activists (at a time when climate activism is also taking the world by storm).

Always

The THs and TAs in particular could use more easily accessible composting. Students who don’t care enough to take it to a compost bin will just throw it in the garbage

Compost in the bathrooms for paper towels!

Rumors have been going around that compost waste is not actually composted and that everything just goes to the trash. This should be addressed and it should be confirmed that the compost waste does get composted.

Not at the moment.

"Whenever I see the leafblowers I worry. Can we ban the use of 2 stroke leaf blowers on campus? https://sustainability.wustl.edu/rethinking-lawn-equipment/

Also, when I'm on campus sometimes in the evening (particalarly Sanders classroom) I see giant tvs projecting into empty rooms all the time. Can we get more energy responsible classrooms setup that don't stay on forever?"

All Vassar vehicles be either electric or hybrid

plz compost in academic buildings and dorms.

I think divestiture of fossil fuels is a poor plan of action. Vassar should maintain it’s position as an environmentally conscious shareholder in these organizations.

It will have little notable impact on the market given firms will identify the under valuation and buy up the positions.

Even if it were to depress stock prices - it wouldn't change their current book value (stock can be a $0 and the company can still operate effectively).

Finally, given most of these companies are mature they will likely be looking to debt markets to raise capital so it likely wouldn't put pressure on their access to additional capital for growth.

I would rather have a thriving/diverse student body with Vassar as a environmentally conscious shareholder, than a struggling organization with additional fees incurred,allowing profit seekers to take the helm in such environmental impactful situations."

none.

Vassar is great about talking the talk on sustainability, but it doesn't back it up by spending $$ or thinking through its (many) initiatives. Much fanfare, then the noise dies down and it goes nowhere. VC needs a sustained, systematic, coordinated effort, campus-wide, supported by money, not talk.

thank you for conducting this survey and the community planning sessions

set lofty goals, get students involved in achieving them and give awards for recycling and reducing consumption of water and electricity in dorms, departments, etc.

Whatever you guys decide, please atleast do something promptly so we can make a difference whatever it is.

thanks

I know there are some new initiatives but I'm leary. Fracking is a poisonous process and if this new initiative has any hidden poisonous elements, then that would be a huge mistake.

i think that Vassar's plan is not aggressive enough. we are at a crisis point and what is needed is drastic action, and a drastic reformulation of how vassar relates the environment. getting fancy new chairs in the rose parlor was completely unnecessary, and the entire ideological shift towards sustainability now that it is chic to be sustainable is really sad. Where was this plan 10 years ago? Why is Vassar demolishing the faculty housing to build a hotel? These are not the actions of an institution actually committed to sustainability and building a better future.

More environmental than climate - but can we please get the RoundUp off campus? There's got to be another way to keep up on the weeds. I know we're short staffed, but is killing birds and people a slow painful death really worth it for beauty?

Hope college can be more upfront about why divestment isn’t financially viable.

Behavioural changes are important but college should focus on putting in place systems and infrastructure to make behaving in a sustainable way easy.