News
Climate Change Committee
When Simmons signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in the fall, it pledged to meet a challenging set of requirements aimed at making the College a leader in sustainability. These include selecting two immediate tangible actions to reduce greenhouse emissions, completing an inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions within one year and updating this analysis annually, and developing a comprehensive climate neutrality action plan within two years. More »
Green Giving: Anonymous $500k Gift Funds SOM/Academic Building Roof
An anonymous donor has given $500k towards the cost of a landscaped, environmentally-friendly rooftop terrace for the new SOM/Academic building. The gift was made in acknowledgement of the College’s continuing commitment to “green” its operations. More »
From Cups to Cleaners: Chemistry Students Develop New Way to Recycle
Assistant Professor Rich Gurney of the chemistry department has been instrumental in bringing green chemistry to campus over the last four years, and his students have taken his crusade to both the national and international arenas. More »
Eco-friendly Fens Expansion Construction Begins
Fens Expansion construction is under way. The project will utilize environmentally sound construction practices by using recycled building materials and minimizing impact to the construction site. To lessen the building’s consumption of carbon energy, the finished space will feature energy-efficient kitchen equipment, floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize natural light, and solar paneling on the facade to help regulate the interior temperature. More »
Technology Meets Ecology
Over the last several years, the Technology department has made a number of changes that reduce our energy use (and by extension, carbon emissions), and the amount of computer equipment that goes to the landfill. Though each change, in itself, is fairly small, together they really add up! More »
Recycling: The Business Facts from Bill Concannon
Had we been asked to report on this in 1998, there would have been no story. We recycled nothing at Simmons. No paper, bottles or cans. Today, we are in the top 3% of organizations in the Boston area. And we are poised to do more. More »
RecycleMania -- Volunteers Needed!
Are you concerned about recycling efforts on campus? Come take an active role in recycling through Recyclemania! RecycleMania is a friendly competition among college and university recycling programs in the United States that provides the campus community with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. More »
Project Move Out
Save that item! The Sustainability Committee sponsors Simmons Project Move-Out, a program to collect students' discarded dorm room items and donate them to local non-profit organizations. Project Move-Out is designed to decrease campus waste during move-out while benefiting a variety of programs, including domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, and rape crisis and sexual assault programs. More »
Get a Free Energy-Efficient Lightbulb!
A recent study in Mesick Hall found that if the 317 incandescent bulbs used by residents were replaced with Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs), based upon current energy rates, Simmons could save more than $32,286 over the lifetime of these CFLs. Facilities has already replaced over 80% of its lighting with energy-efficient bulbs. Now it’s our turn to do our part! Read on to learn more about the Simmons "Switch Your Bulb" Program. More »
About the Sustainability Committee
The College's Sustainability Committee has 20 active student members -- advised by Sue Stafford, professor of philosophy -- who have taken recycling initiatives to a new level. Learn more about this group's efforts. More »
Facilities Update
Facilities continues to make progress on their sustainability goals. Click through for all the nitty gritty details! More »
Lefavour Hall Renovation
The Lefavour Hall renovation that the College recently completed incorporated a number of the criteria that would qualify for LEED Certification. More »
