Environmental Stewardship
Hofstra University has a longstanding commitment to the care and preservation of the environment. Through sustainable ecological practices, education and research on environmental issues it will continue to play an important role as a steward of the environment. If you have suggestions, ideas or a question about Hofstra’s sustainability practices and environmental stewardship, please send them to sustainability@hofstra.edu.
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Hofstra University installed solar panels on a campus residence hall in August 2011. The Rensselaer House, located within the Netherlands Complex, houses the University's "Living Green" Themed Community. The project features a 9 KW photovoltaic (PV) system to produce electricity for the needs of the residents. This is just one of many efforts that Hofstra University has done in recent years to reduce its carbon footprint and become a more environmentally friendly campus. To learn more about the solar project, read real-time statistics, see environmental benefits, and view photos, you can visit Hofstra Solar Energy.
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- Recycling - Hofstra's recycling program includes the recycling of bottles, cans, and glass, which are separated from the general waste stream, as well as university-wide efforts to recycle lightbulbs, white paper, cardboard, batteries, e-waste, cooking oil and grease, and silver used in the development of photographs. Computers are reused.
- Minimizing waste - Initiatives aimed at minimizing waste include:
- A plate first policy under which food service personnel offer customers china plates where possible, to reduce the use of disposable plates.
- Hofstra promotes the use of reusable mugs rather than disposable cups.
- Going paperless: The University's efforts to reduce the use of paper include the Hofcast network, which broadcasts information on LCD screens located throughout campus, reducing the need for flyers; electronic bulletins, class schedule, and Guide to Pride; and online applications.
- Using environmentally friendly products
- Hofstra promotes the use of paper rather than Styrofoam cups and aims to create a Styrofoam-free campus.
- The majority of the fertilizers used on the Hofstra campus are organic.
- Almost all the cleaning supplies purchased by Hofstra meet Green Seal standards for environmental responsibility.
- Making energy-efficient choices
- Cogeneration plant - Hofstra's cogeneration plant, which was operational in 1990, is one of the most successful such efforts on Long Island. The plant produces electricity and captures the steam byproduct for use in heat, hot water and air conditioning.
- Hofstra buys only Energy Star products.
- The University is replacing single-pane windows with energy-efficient double-pane windows.
- New construction - The University works closely with LIPA to ensure that the designs for all our new buildings meet the highest standards for energy efficiency.
- Transportation - Hofstra encourages the use of public transportation, including courtesy buses and Hofstra's Blue Beetle, to decrease congestion and reduce our carbon footprint.
- Buying locally - The food services at Hofstra purchase produce grown locally when possible, both to support the local economy and to reduce the energy used in transportation.
- Public Safety - Public Safety officers patrol the campus on bicycles and on foot as well as in patrol vehicles.
- Preserving the natural environment
- The Hofstra Arboretum - Hofstra's entire 240-acre campus is an arboretum registered with the American Public Gardens Association, one of only 430 such arboreta in the country. More than 12,000 evergreen and deciduous trees as well as a wide variety of flowers, shrubs and grasses can be found on the campus.
- Bird Sanctuary - Hofstra maintains a two-acre bird sanctuary within the arboretum, which serves as a habitat for a broad range of bird species and provides a great resource for environmental studies.
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- Discovery Program (Hofstra.edu/discovery)- The Hofstra Discovery Program is a dynamic interactive program designed for incoming first-year students who wishto be actively engaged through service-learning, adventure and discovery. Participants choose a path of discovery - compassion or sustainability - and are led by upper-class discovery student-leaders. This is an opportunity to build connections, hone leadership skills and begin the transition to college life and learning.
- Sustainability Path- This path allows students to gain an understanding of what it means to preserve and protect the earth. Participants explore issues of energy and resource conservation and both current and future impacts. Students engage in hands-on-experiences that prepare them to make eco-friendly decisions and participate in environmental stewardship efforts in their community. Activities are threaded with discussions about the local and global impact of promoting sustainability.
Participants may:
- Visit the first solar-powered installation on a municipal building in the local community.
- Learn about Long Island's natural resources. Study the operation of a local organic farm or visit a recycling center.
- Participate in an on-site visit with the waste management organization that partners with Hofstra's recycling efforts.
- Examine energy use in Hofstra's co-generation plant.
- Visit and explore Hofstra's Bird Sanctuary - an example of conservation in our own backyard.
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- Faculty research and development grants and presidential research awards help to fund research on environmental issues.
- Academic courses - An expanding list of geology, biology and philosophy courses offers students a solid base of knowledge about the environment.
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The Career Center: The Career Center offers opportunities for students to meet with a variety of environment-related and/or "green" organizations and companies on campus for the purpose of obtaining internship, volunteer and paid positions. Additionally, students can find these opportunities posted on The Career Center’s Pride-Career Management System on the Hofstra portal.
- Events - Hofstra hosts numerous events designed to preserve the environment and raise awareness of environmental issues. These include:
- Climate Change - Hofstra hosted four days of events about global warming in January 2008 as part of a nationwide educational initiative organized by Focus the Nation.
- Earth Day - Each year, the University presents a series of "green" events, such as a cleanup of the bird sanctuary, to celebrate Earth Day.
The festival began with free food, activities, contests, vendors and music for Hofstra students, and continued in the evening with four panelists discussing Long Island’s Environmental Future. Earth Day is intended to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.
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