Environmental sustainability

In May 2007, Hollins University became a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Agreement. As such, Hollins has documented its greenhouse gas emissions and developed a plan in May 2009 for reducing campus carbon emissions Strategic Plan for Carbon Reduction (PDF). This plan sets a target of 15% reduction of greenhouse gases over the next five years with an annual goal of 3%.

In 2010-11, Hollins made a commitment to meter major buildings on campus to provide data comparisons and identify trends in usage and reduce energy. We began bringing the buildings on line as of February 2010 and to date 12 energy meters have been installed. You can view usage month by month here.

Priorities for 2011-12 include:

• Reduce paper use on campus
• Promote sustainable transportation options
• Support community garden efforts
• Highlight water initiative

Hollins encourages the use of public and/or shared transportation for faculty, staff, and students. Carpooling opportunities for employees are available through RIDE Solutions, a regionally sponsored carpooling network. Students have access to a Ride Board Program and Weekend Shuttle Service through the office of Student Affairs.

Energy manager

Hollins University and Emory & Henry College have named Jesse Freedman as energy manager for both institutions, a key component of a joint, three-year energy conservation project intended to foster a culture of sustainability. Freedman comes to Hollins and Emory & Henry from Bloomington, Indiana, where he worked with Indiana University’s Office of Sustainability and the City of Bloomington Engineering Division. Read more about the project »

• Jesse Freedman's blog page »

Hollins featured in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Green Colleges

Hollins University is one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the United States and Canada, according to the second annual edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Colleges: 2011 Edition. Created by The Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the guidebook profiles institutions of higher learning that demonstrate a notable commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities, and career preparation. The Princeton Review chose the schools for this guide based on a survey of administrators at hundreds of colleges that the company polled in 2010 about their school’s sustainability initiatives. Hollins’ recognition in the guide comes as the university installs the first solar panels on campus. The panels will directly convert the sun’s energy into electricity, reducing the amount of non-green energy Hollins must purchase. The project is made possible by a $30,000 grant from a new initiative established by The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Richmond-based Dominion Resources, one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy.