Greening the

Commencement

Experience at

Clarkson University

Presenter:

Christina Lesyk,

LMSW, CSEP

Director of University

Events

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• Nationally ranked research university offering more than 50 comprehensive

programs in business, engineering, science, liberal arts, health sciences and

environmental studies at the undergraduate and graduate level

• The Clarkson School, an early college entrance program

• University Honors Program for highly gifted students from all majors

• International reputation in the fields of advanced materials science, biotechnology,

environmental and energy, entrepreneurship and global supply chain management

• 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students and 270 faculty

• 19 varsity sports: two Division I (Men’s and Women’s Hockey) and 17 Division III

• Located in Potsdam, N.Y., the quintessential college town with four higher education

institutions within a 10-mile radius, at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains

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Clarkson University

is among the nation’s most

environmentally

responsible colleges.

Princeton Review’s Guide to

322 Green Colleges, 2012

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Being sustainable is:

* BORING

*EXPENSIVE

*NOT WORTH IT

*IS SUCH A “DOWNER”

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The experience at Clarkson proves

that these are not only myths, but

that being sustainable can

improve and add value to one of

the most important events at a

college or university.

If we can do it, so can you!

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Eco-Accommodations

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Residence Hall Rentals

- Park the car for free

- You can walk from venue to venue – easy access to

entertainment, the fitness center, dining, etc.; Great for the

elderly and disabled

- No worries about drinking and driving

- A lot less expensive than hotels

From the guests’ standpoint:

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Residence Hall Rentals

- Guests use eco-friendly accommodations and often don’t even realize it because it’s easy, free, and unobtrusive.

- Low-flow shower heads

- Small gallon toilets that use recycled rainwater

- Use of natural lighting, supplemented by energy-efficient lighting

From Clarkson’s standpoint:

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Residence Hall Rentals

- Lighting sensors in common areas

- Low-emission glass

- Solar-panel heated sink water

- White rooftops

- Water bottle fill stations

From Clarkson’s standpoint (continued):

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Residence Hall Rentals

- Only 1 set of linens – guests have to request extras

- Blankets for as long as you can – turn thermostat down

- Eco-friendly paints

- Eco-friendly cleansers

AND: It’s a solid source of revenue!

And:

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Eco-Cuisine

Star Trek scene about macrobiotic meals

Initial forays into vegetarianism

- unimaginative; afterthoughts; unbalanced nutritionally;

guest deprivation (including their aesthetic senses)

From Then to Now:

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What does it mean now?

Eco-Cuisine

GORGEOUS meals using:

Local foods – Black Angus beef, baked goods, chocolates,

our own herbs and vegetables

Organic options – including beers and wines

Seasonal foods, Fair Trade coffee

No controversial meats or seafood from unsustainable

sources; Cruelty-Free meats

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Eco-Dining

Beautiful, functional and intriguing as well as

eco-friendly:

- No cafeteria trays

- Cornstarch-based utensils and “glassware”

- China service; using “real” utensils instead of

disposables

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Eco-Dining

- PVC take-out clamshell containers that can be

sanitized

- Edible garnishes; fewer or no garnishes

- Vegetarian meal options that are just as nice as

meat-based meals

- Not pouring beverages until asked for

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Eco-Dining

- Classy water carafes and hydrating stations;

decreased use of bottled water

- Natural fabric linens; less usage of linens

- Serving condiments in bulk or from pretty dishes or

bowls

- Discounts if you use your own mug

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Eco-Dining

Donating leftover and/or unused food to food banks?

- Depends on your local health regulations

- Need to train dining services staff

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Eco-Dining

Super Bowl organizers plan for this as well as for

the retrieval and recycling of all kinds of materials

used.

- Plywood, cardboard, fabric, plastic, paper,

office supplies

- NFL has a sports equipment and book

redemption project that helps local schools –

Clarkson just had a massive sale of sports

equipment and donated items

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Eco-Regalia

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Some companies:

Josten’s

Herff Jones

Oak Hall

Eco-Regalia

Transporting gowns?

Cleaning gowns?

Designing and owning gowns?

Buy or Rent?

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Eco-Jewelry

Conflict Free Gold & Jewels

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Eco-Gifting

Experiences (or food!) instead of “stuff” –

ski passes; hockey tickets, scholarships

Useful items (ex. thumb drives, refillable

water bottles) instead of useless ones

Do you have to give a gift or swag at all?

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Eco-Publications

- Permanent namebadges instead of paper ones

- Retrieving and recycling namebadges

- Cornstarch laminate namebadge holders

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Eco-Publications

- Recycled paperstock, even for diplomas

- Printing viewbooks on organic cotton t-shirts and

sending them instead of paper catalogs

- Putting programs, lay-outs, maps and other info in

electronic form (ex. a Commencement website)

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Eco-Publications

- Double-sided printing

- Use an Energy Star printer

- Estimating your needs better (ex. based on past history,

how many programs should you order?)

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Eco-Publications

- Can you register guests online?

- In Commencement meetings, can you project your agenda instead of printing them? Can you use dry-erase boards and photograph them instead of paper flip charts?

- Don’t provide notepads unless they’re requested.

- Question if you need to print something to begin with!

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Eco-Publications

- Check-in apps - Social media

- Smartphone ticketing - Soy/vegetable inks

- Water-based adhesives - Non-metallic paperstock

- Undated signage, banners; digital signage

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Eco-Publications

Design Apps – ex. Penultimate

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Eco-Decor

- Reusable centerpieces and other floral décor – ex. sunflower centerpiece, donations to organizations to sell for fundraisers or donating to a good cause

- Recycled glass containers – even if they don’t match!

- Recycled wreath rings

- Consider if you need that much décor if your venue is unique

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Eco-Decor

- Using compostable receptacles/plant pots

- Edible centerpieces – ex. beautiful breads, fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs

- Plantable centerpieces – ex. tree seedlings, trees, shrubs, herbs, wildflowers

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Eco-Decor

- Using sturdy floral species that can last through several events

- Using seasonal items

- Using items that are suitable for your area (no hibiscus for us!)

- Renting from local landscapers

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Eco-Transportation

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Eco-Transportation

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- Web-streaming the ceremony

- Stay on campus, park and walk

- Don’t let vehicles idle

- Carbon-offsets

Eco-Transportation

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- Encourage people to car-pool

- Shuttles

- Bicycles to borrow; Bicycle racks

Eco-Transportation

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- Designate hybrid/alternative fuel parking spaces

- Make it fun – see who’s traveled the longest

distance the most sustainable way!

Eco-Entertainment

One way to lose weight:

Bike Powered Movies! 2/18/2013 36

Eco-Entertainment

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Eco-Waste Management

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Recycling

Dump & Run Program;

Auctions

Digester

Waste Heat for Warmth

Eco-Waste Management

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Recycling

- Having staff instruct

guests

- Having staff sort food

and other waste

Eco-Waste Management

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Reusing

- packaging (ex. to move out with),

- donating regalia to fellow college

students or high schools)

Reducing

Everyone can do better.

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Start Somewhere!

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Presentation available at:

www.slideshare.com

under “2013 NAACO”