Energy efficiency pays
The University of Saskatchewan is proving itself a leader in green campus initiatives. A project is underway to replace lighting systems in 26 campus buildings to save energy, and a boat load of money. Only three buildings have been retrofitted with compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy efficient ballasts, but those buildings will save the university about $1 million in electricity costs over 10 years. U of S is also testing the use of compostable take-out containers in cafeterias across campus, and working on a compost system for both containers and food waste.
Bedtime reading
Students at seven Canadian universities recently took part in Live-In for Literacy, a nationwide project aimed at raising $40,000 to construct nine school libraries in India through world-renowned charity Room to Read. Students from U of T, Memorial, Concordia, McMaster, Queen’s, Laurentian and UBC pitched tents in campus libraries and slept-over for 10 days. In the past, the event has raised funds to build computer labs and libraries in Cambodia and Nepal. Toronto administrators freeze pay
Senior administrators at the University of Toronto are taking a stand against the tough economic times ahead. The president, vice-presidents, vice-provosts, principals, deans and senior administrative staff advocated the freezing of their salaries for the year ahead, foregoing across-the-board and merit increases for the 2009-10 school year. President David Naylor thanked the administration for their efforts, and hopes that the entire university community can work together to control expenses in the face of tough financial times. 911 agency for the environment
In response to British Columbia’s Bill-44, which requires public-sector organizations to be carbon neutral by 2010, Simon Fraser University has created the Environmental Comfort Response Team. The team will make repairs and upgrades to structural problems in order to save energy and reduce SFU’s carbon footprint by properly controlling building temperature. The university has asked faculty and staff to keep windows shut, unplug personal heaters and keep their thermostats between 21 and 22 degrees, among other things. Survival of the fittest idea
To mark the 200th birthday of evolutionist Charles Darwin, and the 150th anniversary of his controversial work, “On the Origin of Species”, McGill University plans to hold a Darwin Day celebration on February 12. With a series of events and presentations, the university and the Redpath Museum are expected to commemorate the life and discoveries related to human evolution and natural selection. Darwin celebrations are also planned across the United Kingdom, including a special Darwin 2009 two-pound coin. Blindness works recognized
University of British Columbia eye doctors Dr. Paul Courtright and Dr. Susan Lewallen were recently awarded the 2008 International Blindness Prevention Award by the American Academy of Ophthamology. The doctors, husband and wife, established an eye-care research and training facility in Moshi, Tanzania in 2001. Since then, they have been working to study, treat and prevent blindness for 18 countries in Eastern Africa by training and establishing eye-care programs that could bring better treatment to 210 million people. Learning to appreciate faith
A group at the University of Guelph is working to promote understanding and friendship between all religious faiths. The Multi-Faith Resource Team brings most of the world’s leading religions together under one roof to encourage peace and unity on campus. The week of January 18-23 was declared Faith Week at U of G, and the group hosted a Faith Fair, lectures, panel discussions and tours of places of worship to help university students understand and appreciate all religions and cultures.
Compiled by Jesse Reynolds from university newspapers and websites