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William Paterson University: An Array of Sustainable Initiatives
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This video is an entry in a contest we’ve launched with Second Nature’s Climate Leadership Awards. See below for how you can vote for it.
See more entries in this contest
William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, is committed to environmental sustainability and is proud to provide a positive example for its 11,500 students while leading by example for our surrounding community and beyond.
William Paterson’s campus-wide solar panel installation is a dramatic and visible sign of the University’s commitment to the environment. The solar initiative, with phase one completed in 2010 and phase two beginning in spring 2012, ranks among the top ten largest installations at higher education institutions in the United States.
The University targets carbon neutrality as a goal and includes conservation efforts that integrate sustainability across the curriculum, such as a new bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability. This degree will unite areas of tangible study and research, and include courses in environmental science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, law, political science, and economics. Graduates will be prepared with the interdisciplinary skills needed for careers in sustainability to meet the growing demands in academia, business, and government.
The conversion to smart buildings via upgraded energy management systems and use of electric maintenance vehicles has vastly reduced the University’s total energy consumption, as well as energy costs. In the past decade, the size of the physical plant has increased by 16.5 percent, while electric energy consumption was reduced by 30 percent and natural gas consumption by 50 percent.
In addition to this significant reduction in carbon gas emissions, the University has saved more than $17 million over the same time period through cost avoidance.
William Paterson University continues to vigorously pursue energy efficiency initiatives and educational programs with the strong support of students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and community leaders.
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On March 14th, 2012 at 5:38 pm Sandra Miller Said:
Great job! WPU really cares!
On March 14th, 2012 at 5:44 pm Theresa Cruz Paul Said:
Woohoo WPU is going green!
On March 14th, 2012 at 8:01 pm Chani Cohn Said:
Way to go WPU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Job!
On March 14th, 2012 at 10:54 pm Luis Meneses Said:
Way to go Willy P. !
On March 14th, 2012 at 11:52 pm John Said:
We are the Pioneers for a reason… That’s right America…
On March 15th, 2012 at 8:11 am Michelle Drame Said:
Outstanding premise. I vote for William Paterson University
On March 15th, 2012 at 10:19 am Rodney P. Cauthen Said:
As William Paterson has done in so many other areas, we are leading the way, for not only other universities to follow, but corporate America as well. I am so PROUD of my alma mater!
On March 15th, 2012 at 2:41 pm Donna John Said:
Wonderful job William Paterson. You are a great model for other universities.
On March 15th, 2012 at 10:23 pm Monica Ibanez Said:
I really love this project and the effort behind it, it’s a pleasure to be part of this big family at William Paterson.
On March 16th, 2012 at 8:03 am Lou Poandl Said:
We have a right to be proud of our climate leadership. It is accomplished through teamwork and collaboration, and benefits campus, community, county, state, nation, and world.
On March 16th, 2012 at 12:20 pm Roger grier Said:
Great !!!!!!!
On March 16th, 2012 at 3:39 pm kelly boulton Said:
Hi from Allegheny College! It’s great to see all the wonderful work happening at campuses around the country, you included! Good luck in the competition!
On March 19th, 2012 at 11:56 am Kia Smith Said:
Great work! Best of luck to you all!
On March 21st, 2012 at 8:03 am Suzie Said:
Willy P does it again with innovative actions that benefit both Environment and Finances.
On March 21st, 2012 at 9:53 pm Rochelle Brooks Said:
Wow, Awesome this is perfect sutff
[img]http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u476/marry38382/xray.jpg[/img]
On March 23rd, 2012 at 12:17 pm Michael Ehlers Said:
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.
- Maori Proverb
On March 26th, 2012 at 1:57 pm Lisa Wright Said:
Way to Go Willy P!!
On March 26th, 2012 at 7:08 pm Marlene MQ Beckmann Said:
Excellent job, well done! We really have to take care of our ONLY earth! Prof. Sabogal’s Racism and sexism class also touched on energy waste and conservation, great class! Dr. Callahan looked great in the video too! mmqb
On March 27th, 2012 at 3:29 pm Stephanie Koprowski-McGowan Said:
Outstanding job! WPU does it again!
On March 27th, 2012 at 7:32 pm Judy Leckburg Said:
This is a cutting edge move that should spread ASAP! Congratulations
On March 28th, 2012 at 9:25 am Lea Mueller Said:
Willy P – a great “green” place to work! Keep up the good work.
On March 29th, 2012 at 1:58 pm Hasan albashjawish Said:
Willy P absolutely deserve the climate leadership award for its green campus
On March 30th, 2012 at 8:15 am Lou P. Said:
I also posted a comment on the collective page ( the one for seeing all CLA candidate videos.) At this writing, we have second most votes, with Allegheny far ahead. I congratulate them for their video, but so much more for their Sustainability efforts. However, this is not a consession note; let’s put on a vote blitz these last two weeks.
On April 9th, 2012 at 7:42 am Lou P. Said:
Two weeks ago, I said that we were in second place and requested a blitz in pursuit of first. I want to thank all of you who gave us that boost. As of this writing, we are in first place.
On April 9th, 2012 at 9:40 am Christine Kelly Said:
Social responsibility means Green responsibility.
WPU should be proud of its solar panels…
On April 9th, 2012 at 9:42 am Christine Kelly Said:
Social responsibility means Green responsibility…WPU should be proud of its solar panel leadership.
On April 9th, 2012 at 1:33 pm Mark Farrell Said:
WPU…way to trail blaze!
On April 9th, 2012 at 1:34 pm Mark Farrell Said:
Way to trail blaze WPU!
On April 11th, 2012 at 12:07 am Marie Friquegnon Said:
Good work, William Paterson, for providing an enlightened environment.
Marie Friquegnon
On April 11th, 2012 at 6:28 pm Shannon Maddolin Said:
Even our cap and gown are eco friendly! Go Willy P!
On April 11th, 2012 at 9:40 pm Ana Evans Said:
This is why I am so proud of my school! “go green WP”
On April 13th, 2012 at 11:17 am Claudette Khoneisser Said:
this is why I love WP. Good Luck
On April 13th, 2012 at 1:51 pm Natalie Patasaw Said:
Great Job! Congratulations to all involved.
On April 20th, 2012 at 10:42 am John Pumilio Said:
Congratulations WPU from your friends at Colgate University. Keep up the great work.
On April 20th, 2012 at 4:01 pm Donald R. Vardiman, Ph.D. Said:
We don’t have to worry about saving the Earth. The planet wi ll outlast us. We have to worry about saving ourselves. A poem I wrote captures my feelings about this.
Without Us
How can it be that the birds still see
And apples rippen in the tree
W here is the rumble, where’s the fuss
How can they do this without us
Did they not hear the bomb go boom
Don’t they know we’ve left the room
Don’t they know we’re not about
Don’t they know we lost the bout
How can a termite be a termite still
And flowers blossom on the hill
Oh where’s the rummble, where’s the fuss
How can they do this without us?
But they will do it without us. And the world might be a better place for all it’s inhabitants.