Saint Joseph’s Named Green College by the Princeton Review

Saint Joseph’s Named Green College by the Princeton Review

Saint Joseph’s College has been recognized by The Princeton Review for its environmental responsibility. The education services company known for its test prep and tutoring services, books, and college rankings features Saint Joseph’s College in the 2018 edition of its book, The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges. Sustainability at Saint Joseph’s College encompasses human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for future generations. Building and modeling sustainability practices cultivates an ethic of sustainability among graduates and the broader campus community, reflective of the College’s core values and the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concern for Earth. All students at Saint Joseph’s are required to take a course called Ecology and the Environmental Challenge.

 

The Princeton Review developed the ranking list using data from its institutional survey for its Green Rating and its surveys of student attending the colleges. Ten data points from the institutional survey were factored into the assessment. Data from the student survey included student ratings of how sustainability issues influenced their education and life on campus; administration and student support for environmental awareness and conservation efforts and the visibility and impact of student environmental groups.

 

Through the College’s new Institute for Local Food Systems Innovation (ILFSI),  students can grow lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, edible flowers, and spring mix year-round in a Freight Farm—an indoor hydroponics growing facility inside the body of a freight truck. Additionally, a hydroponic greenhouse, 3,400 square foot community kitchen, and livestock barn will offer agricultural and food industry programming. ILFSI is designed to support New England’s capacity to produce at least 50% of food consumed, help double the region’s food manufacturing employment over ten years, and provide critically needed workforce training through courses and certificates in hydroponics, food manufacturing, food branding and merchandising, and agritourism.

 

princeton review - guide to green schools

Re-thinking Coffee at College

Re-thinking Coffee at College

In an effort to reduce single-use cups, Brewed Awakenings (the College’s coffee station located in Alfond Hall) now offers free coffee to students and employees who bring their own reusable cups. Faculty and staff members are also offered free coffee in Pearson’s Dining Hall if they bring a reusable cup. This initiative aims at reducing the number of individual coffee-makers operating in offices across campus and efforts are underway to eliminate all K-Cup Pods, which are not only expensive but are extremely harmful to the environment. By offering coffee in communal spaces, students and colleagues are encouraged to step away from their desks for a short break, stretch, and fuel up!

College Implements Biodegradable Straws Across Campus

College Implements Biodegradable Straws Across Campus

Baggot biodegradable straws

New biodegradable straws on the Saint Joseph’s College campus.

Saint Joseph’s College recently switched from plastic straws to biodegradable straws through an agreement between Student Government, the College’s Mission-Aligned Businesses, and Sustainable Enterprises. Student Government President Ray Mosca ’19 said, “In Student Government, our primary focus is ensuring the highest quality service to the student body in all aspects of campus life. Recognizing the critical role of sustainability on campus and in the greater community, we decided that switching to biodegradable straws combined our interests of promoting high quality service with improving our environmental impact. The Student Government Board recommended this change to the Director of Mission-Aligned Business and Sustainable Enterprises, and biodegradable straws were soon implemented into regular dining services operations. Across the country, companies such as Starbucks, Hyatt, and American Airlines have abandoned plastic straws to find more sustainable alternatives. We wanted to bring this national trend home to Saint Joseph’s, leading the way for colleges in Maine.”

Baggot biodegradable straws

Straw Made From Plants, ECO-PRODUCTS, 100% Compostable.

 

Sustainability Festival Announced

Saint Joseph’s College’s Sustainability Festival turns 11! Join us for:

🌸Flower Power🌼

Sustainability in Action

Thursday, April 25th

11:00 am — 2:00 pm

…and the debut of our very own Community Pollinator Garden! The day will include live music, public art demonstrations, lawn games, animals, food, local vendors, and more! The festival will be located on the Saint Joseph’s College campus at 278 Whites Bridge Road Standish, ME.

Presentation By Saint Joseph’s Students at Statewide Water Challenge Overviews Dangers of Invasive Species

Presentation By Saint Joseph’s Students at Statewide Water Challenge Overviews Dangers of Invasive Species

Saint Joseph’s College students Priscilla Carnaroli ’22 and Shaylee Davis ’21 delivered a presentation about invasive species at Maine Campus Compact’s 2nd Annual Maine Student Water Challenge in December 2018. Priscilla is studying medical biology and minoring in sustainability, while Shaylee is majoring in environmental science.

Saint Joseph’s College students Priscilla Carnaroli ’22 & Shaylee Davis ’21 delivered a presentation about invasive species at Maine Campus Compact’s 2nd Annual Maine Student Water Challenge in December 2018.

The Challenge brought together higher education students to discuss solutions to water-related problems in the state and was supported by a National Science Foundation award to Maine’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) at the University of Maine. Maine Campus Compact is a coalition of 18 member campuses whose purpose is to catalyze and lead a movement to reinvigorate the public purposes and civic mission of higher education.

“Chemicals in invasive plants can change water quality,” explained Shaylee. Aided by a teaching kit from the Lake Stewards of Maine, the students held up models of invasive species like milfoil, Brazilian waterweed, eelgrass, fanwort, and coontail, while detailing their harmful effects. They touched upon the challenges regarding prevention, identification, and disposal.

“It’s important to spread the word about invasive species, especially to tourists, because they might not be as aware of the issues as locals,” said Priscilla. Although only a freshman, Priscilla is exploring the possibility of veterinary school and enjoys animal science. She is most drawn to “the wonder of science–testing out new ways to do things.” Priscilla was selected as a CASE Scholar, part of the College’s Community-Based Learning Program, which supports students who demonstrate a sustained commitment to environmental issues and community service.

Shaylee envisions a future career in water toxicology, testing water supplies. During the fall she participated in the College’s Environmental Science Semester, a ten-week immersive program through which sophomores and juniors conduct field research in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. Shaylee learned about climate change, glacial geography, marine ecology, and oceanography through experiential travel and field methods training.