Boston College is always looking for ways to strengthen its role as a leader in environmental stewardship. Sustainability factors are considered at every stage of development as the university advances into the twenty-first century. Below are ideas and events in the making.
The Master Plan
Boston College recently filed The Institutional Master Plan Notification Form with the Boston Redevelopment Authority, outlining the schools vision for growth over the next decade. Chapter 10 of this form presents an overview of the sustainable principles and design goals that have guided development of Boston College’s long-term planning. It also reports on the University’s current on-campus sustainable practices. For more information, visit the Institutional Master Plan’s web site
Do you think Boston College should incorporate more sustainable requirements into the Master Plan? Sign the petition to voice your opinion.
Find out more about the Master Plan by reading the following articles:
The Boston Globe: Dec. 5, 2007 - Grand Expansion at BC
The Boston Herald: Dec. 5, 2007 – Eagles Let Fly $1.6B Plan
USA Today: Dec. 5, 2007 - Boston College Makes Plans for Church Land
NPR: Dec. 5, 2007 – BC Expansion Plan
South Coast Today: Dec. 5, 2007 – Boston College Unveils 10-year Plan, $1.6B Expansion Plan
Bloomberg: Dec. 5, 2007 – Boston College Embarks on $1.6 Billion Growth Plan
The New York Times: Dec. 5, 2007 – Massachusetts: College Expansion
The Heights: Dec. 3, 2007 – BC Unveils $1.6 Billion Strategic Plan
Boston Business Journal: Dec. 5, 2007 – Boston College Plans $1.6B Expansion
Additionally, in 2006 the city of Boston passed legislation regarding sustainability related issues for construction of any new buildings 50,000 square feet or larger, which impacts the Master Plan. Article 37 details the specifics of this legislation. BlueWave Strategies, LLC answers some frequently asked questions concerning Article 37.
Interested in learning more about Boston’s sustainability requirements for new buildings?
Find out more about Boston’s Green Building Task Force or read their Executive Summary.
Read Mayor Menino’s official announcement for the New Green Building Standards
See responses from the Boston Globe in the article Boston Ready to go Green.
Renewable Energy
A long-term plan for energy generation is under investigation at Boston College. Projects being considered are combined heat and power plants, and using solar power from rooftop sources. Investigations are also being made on the potential of geothermal power and the conversion of dining hall waste into diesel fuel.
As for reducing energy used in transportation, hybrid vehicles save on fuel, and one is on order to replace the Environmental Health & Safety van.
Student Initiatives
Students are always seeking new ways to increase campus awareness and promote active participation in sustainability efforts. Showing of environmental documentaries are being planned, and a “Bulb Brigade” designed to increase the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs is in the works. See our Student Initiatives Page for additional information.
Nature
Boston College is planning to implement the practices and ideology of xeriscaping into its ground efforts in the form of natural landscaping. This process is designed to utilize more native plant specifies and other gardening techniques to reduce the use of water while still creating a lush garden. Also, a sustainable organic garden is currently being planned for the yard behind the Connolly House on Hammond Street. See our Nature Page for further reading.
A campus wide tree inventory is being contemplated by the university. The measurement and data collection would be done by trained employees in conjunction with the Urban Ecology Institute to assess tree health. This would also complement calculating the school’s carbon footprint by monetizing and computing tree carbon sequestration from Boston College’s campus.
Expansion of Current Efforts
Although there are many initiatives already enacted to encourage sustainability throughout campus, they could always use an update to further Boston College’s environmental mission.
The bookstore currently supplies compact fluorescent light bulbs, yet a wider range of sustainable and energy efficient products are needed.
As seen on our Research & Academics Page, Boston College has a number of programs and research projects underway that support and promote sustainability. More courses are needed to increase awareness and potentially influence behavior. Nursing students could study the effects of pollution and green house gasses on health. Students in the Carroll School of Management could study the impact of energy prices on corporate profits, while the Chemistry Department could study the potential of converting frying oil to bio-diesel fuel, just to name a few of the subjects under consideration.
BC Dining initiated a fall farmers market this year. The program was a success and projects are being designed to further incorporate the use of local produce to support small farmers within the dining halls.