Facilities

Presidents Climate Commitment

Dear members of the Rosemont College community,

Rosemont College has always, and will always, be committed by its mission to develop open and critical minds. In May, 2007, President Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, Ph.D. ’70 signed The America Colleges and Universities Presidential Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). As a charter signatory, President Hirsh pledged Rosemont’s commitment to work toward transforming our campus culture and striving to accomplish carbon-neutrality in the future. At that time, President Hirsh was also asked to serve as a member of the Leadership Circle, helping to lead and promote the efforts of ACUPCC.

Colleges and universities have a commitment to their communities to exercise leadership by modeling ways to minimize global warming emissions and to provide the necessary knowledge to achieve climate neutrality. To date over 500 college presidents across the nation have signed the agreement representing 3.8 million students. Rosemont College is pleased to be at the forefront of this critical issue facing our nation and our world. By joining ACUPCC, the College has made the commitment to provide its community of learners with the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to address the critical and systemic challenges faced by the world in this new century.

Many actions have been taken to facilitate Rosemont’s move to becoming carbon neutral. In addition an energy conservation program, Rosemont has chosen two tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases: the purchasing of energy star certified products and participation in Recyclemania, a national competition which minimizes waste through recycling. The Climate Commitment Advisory Committee has also been formed on campus and has been charged with developing a master plan to transform Rosemont into becoming a carbon neutral campus.

The entire Rosemont College community must work together to conserve all forms of energy, one of our most precious, yet under-appreciated, commodities. Each person within Rosemont’s many buildings plays a vital role in helping to control energy costs through deliberate, continued conservation.

The success of ACUPCC depends upon the concerted effort, dedication, and determination of all faculty, staff, and students. If you have any questions about ACUPCC or would like to become involved, please contact Tom Szatkowski at extension 2152 or email  HYPERLINK "mailto:tszatkowski@rosemont.edu" tszatkowski@rosemont.edu.

Together we can make a difference,

The Climate Commitment Advisory Committee

Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, Ph.D. ‘70, President
Jeanne Marie Hatch, SHCJ, Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Courtney E. Leik, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology
Tony Wolcott, Assistant Director of Facility Services
Rick Cuba, General Manager Dining Services
Tom Szatkowski, Director of Facility Services, Committee Chair

Open Position, Student Representative
Open Position, Board of Trusties

A Message About Sustainability

What is Sustainability?
 
Put in simpler terms, sustainability is providing the best for people and the environment both now and in the indefinite future. In terms of the 1987 Brundtland Report, sustainability is “Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”.
 
One of the most important goals of the Presidents Commitment is to reduce the carbon footprint of the College. Some of the ways to do this include increased recycling, use of public transportation, Energy Star products, and compact fluorescent bulbs. The Energy Tip of the Week is distributed to all to enhance awareness of energy conservation and suggest ways to do this.
 
What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is defined as:
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
In other words: When you drive a car, the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. (CO2 is the chemical symbol for carbon dioxide). When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you also generate CO2. Even if you heat your house with electricity, the generation of the electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also emitted some quantities of CO2.
 
For more information about Rosemont’s sustainability efforts, contact Tom Szatkowski, Director of Facilities, at ext. 2152. 
 
Thomas Szatkowski
Director of Facilities
Rosemont College
P 610-527-0200 X 2152
F 610-526-2954

President Hirsh signed the Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007.  

This commitment is very important to Rosemont College, the Community & the World.   

The commitment: Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible (Global Warming).  

The college has created institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan. 

We have completed a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting, and air travel) and update the inventory every other year. 

We have developed policies and are working on an institutional action plan to reduce harmful gases to the atmosphere as we strive to become carbon neutral. 


NO MOW ZONE

CONSERVATION TEST AREA

Why is the grass longer here?

Rosemont is testing out this area as a no mow zone. It has been selected to:

• Prevent Sediment Runoff • Increase Wildlife Habitat

• Improve Air Quality by Reducing • Act as a Natural Filter to

CO2 Emissions from Mowers Capture Pollutants


Facilities expands the No Mow Zone along the creek behind Mayfield Hall. 

Recycle Mania Competition 2011 - 630 Colleges and Universities Nationwide Competed to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.  The spirit of friendly competition sparked huge environmental gains. The total amount of recyclables and organic materials recovered during the 2011 competition added up to 91 million pounds, which in turn prevented the release of nearly 270 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E). 

In real-world terms, this reduction in greenhouse gases is equivalent to the annual emissions from 52.8 million passenger cars; electricity use of 32.7 million homes; or the burning of 1.5 million railcars’ worth of coal.  New for 2011 Rosemont expanded our recycling efforts by partnering with The Funding Factory for recycling of printer cartridges. 

      Recycle Mania Competition 2011 Rosemont College Results
Nationally 
29 th in Waste Minimization Category: cumulative waste lbs/person 21.11.  
191 rd in Grand Champion Category: cumulative recycle rate 23.24 %.  
292 nd in Per Capita Category: cumulative lbs/person 4.91. 
Statewide
2 nd in Waste Minimization Category: out of 15 participants 
16 th in Grand Champion Category: out of 23 participants 
23 th in Per Capita Category: out of 28 participants 
To become involved and or for information concerning the Presidents Climate Commitment contact Tom Szatkowski @ X 2152.

Make the Switch to Conserve Energy
• Set your computer to sleep mode 
• Shut your computer down overnight 
• Turn off lights, television and stereo when you leave a room 
• Hang your clothes to dry 
• Take shorter, cooler showers 
• Keep your thermostat low and wear layers 
• Buy Energy Star® appliances 
• Unplug electronics when not in use 
• Use natural lighting 
• Use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
• Don't block heat registers or radiators with drapes, furniture or appliances. This prevents even distribution of heat in rooms and causes the heating system to work harder to compensate.
• Make a sign to remind yourself to turn off the lights, computer and other appliances when you leave the room. It will work really well if you put it in a conspicuous place such as your doorknob.





                                 


Presidents Climate Commitment List of Initiatives

 

Presidents Climate Commitment List of Initiatives

January 2007 - Rosemont establishes Rosie Goes Green, an Energy Conservation at Rosemont poster. The poster gives tips on energy conservation and is updated as required.

May 2007 - President Hirsh signs the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

November 2007 – Rosemont establishes 2 tangible action items.
Energy Star Procurement Policy. This policy establishes criteria on purchasing Energy Star Rated items.
Waste Minimization Policy. This policy establishes our commitment to Waste Minimization & Recycling.

November 2007 – Work begins on data collection for our Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.  Data includes tracking the greenhouse gas emissions from all fossil fuses used on campus for heating. Electricity used to power & air-condition our buildings. Gasoline consumption from all college owned vehicles, air travel on college business and student, faculty & staff commuting habits. Refrigerants, fertilizers & solid waste on the campus.

January 2008 – Rosemont establishes an Indoor Space Temperature Policy. This policy establishes indoor space temperature guidelines for winter & summer to conserve energy.

January 2008 – Rosemont hosts Focus the Nation Teach In on Global Warming. The event had several key speakers & faculty members giving presentations.

February 2008 – Energy Tip of the Week. Facilities introduced a weekly energy tip that is sent to the campus community. 

February & March 2008 – Rosemont enters the National RecycleMania Competition; we ultimately finish in the Top 10 at # 9 for Waste Minimization.

April 2008 – Rosemont enters Lower Merion Townships “Go for the Green” award. We are not selected as a winner but are recognized for our efforts.
Rosemont celebrates Earth Day with an additional awareness campaign.

June 2008 – Rosemont creates a No Mow Zone between Cardinal Hall & Alumni Hall along the creek bed. The no mow zone conservation area prevents sediment run off, increases wildlife habitat, Improve air quality by reducing CO2 emissions from mowers & act as a natural buffer to capture pollutants.

August 2008 – Rosemont introduces trayless dinning. This measure reduced the food waste from 6 bags to 1 ¼ bags daily.
Rosemont introduces single stream recycling. We now can recycle more items and can commingle the items in the same container, no need to sort items anymore.

November 2008 – Rosemont completes Peterson’s Survey of Sustainable Efforts in Higher Education for publication in Petersons Green Guide to Colleges.

December 2008 – Rosemont completes its first ever Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. 
Space is dedicated to Sustainability in the Campus Newsletter.

February & March 2009 – Rosemont enters the National RecycleMania Competition for the second year, we ultimately finish in the Top 10 at # 7 for Waste Minimization & #1 in the State.

July 2009 – Rosemont continues collecting GHG for our Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

February & March 2010 – Rosemont enters the National RecycleMania Competition for the third year. Our best category is Waste Minimization &our ranking is Nationally # 30 & in t he State #1.

July 2010 – Facilities replaces over 400 incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient Compact Fluorescent  Lamps (CFL).

July 2010 – Rosemont participates in the Apple Recycling program for a third year in a row. Each year we recycle approximately 7 pallets filled with computer, monitor & printers.

August 2010 – Green Stakes Commitment. Green Stakes is Green Cleaning, Energy Conservation & Water Conservation.

January 2011 - Rosemont completes its second Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. 

February & March 2011 – Rosemont enters the National Recyclemania Competition for the forth year. This year over 630 schools participate in the national event. Our best category is Waste Minimization & our ranking is Nationally # 29 & in the State #2

June 2011 – Facilities expands the No Mow Zone along the creek behind Mayfield.