Tuesday, October 6, 2015

UNC-Chapel Hill Ranks 15th Globally for Innovation

Thomson Reuters recently ranked the “Top 100 Innovative Universities.” Stanford University was ranked 1st globally, UNC-Chapel Hill was ranked 15th, and Duke University followed at 17th. Carolina received $792 million in research grants and contracts in fiscal year 2014. Students and faculty have launched more than 150 businesses, creating 38,000 jobs worldwide and generating more than $7 billion in annual revenue. Read more »

Carolina Listed in “75 Best Colleges for Food in America”

Carolina Dining Services (CDS) serves more than 4 million meals a year and is always on the look-out for food from local and organic producers. Nearly 30% of all food served comes from within 150 miles of campus and nearly 20% is ecologically sound, fair, and humane. Local foods purchased from within 250 miles of campus are available daily and include fresh produce, dairy products, and baked goods. CDS was also recently awarded a Gold Medal from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) for outstanding performance in sustainability education and Grand Prize for Excellence in Sustainability for its inaugural “Feeding the 5,000” event. Other CDS sustainability initiatives include a reusable container program, tray-free dining, fryer oil recycling, and weekly food donations to food banks. Read more » 
Keep your room naturally clean with a sustainable, non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner. Instead of using chemical-based products, make a simple mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and water. Add essential oils for a mild, clean fragrance. Read more »

The Center for Design Innovation Expands

The Center for Design Innovation (CDI), a multi-campus research center within the University of North Carolina system, catalyzes economic transformation through design-focused activity and digital technologies. A recent move to a new building in the Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem comes with expanded labs, classrooms, and meeting rooms for entrepreneurs, inventors, and designers. “The Center for Design Innovation blends the arts, technology, and science of creativity to inspire entrepreneurial enterprise and the next generation of the 21st Century workforce,” says Pamela L. Jennings, CDI’s executive director. Read more »

New Program Promotes Pollinator Protection on College Campuses

Bee City USA, based in Asheville, NC, recently announced a new national program, Bee Campus USA, to protect pollinators and increase awareness about their benefits. Southern Oregon University has been named the first Bee Campus USA. Bee City USA director, Phyllis Stiles says, "Hard-working pollinators are responsible for about every third bite we eat, and 85 percent of the world’s flowering plant species need a pollinator’s help in order to reproduce. Recognizing the serious threats faced by the thousands of species of bees, butterflies, bats, beetles, and hummingbirds that make our planet bloom and fruit, we feel very fortunate to have found such an outstanding partner in pollinator protection.” Carrboro, NC, is the third city to be recognized as a Bee City. Read more »

Biennial UNC Social Innovation Challenge

Every two years, UNC's Social Innovation Initiative holds a pan-university challenge open to all students, faculty, and staff interested in launching social ventures. Ten ventures are selected for a two-year residency at CUBE, UNC’s social innovation incubator, and can receive up to $5,000 in seed funding. There are eight different tracks: environment, health, education, socio-economic development, technology, sports, arts, and food. A kickoff informational event will be held on Wednesday, October 7 from 6-7:30pm in the Campus Y, and will include an opportunity to meet this years mentors-in residence and receive feedback on your idea. Applications for the Challenge are due by December 27, 2015. Read more » 

Free Online Course in Sustainable Business

UNC and the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB), a top business school in India, are co-recipients of a 3-year grant to advance sustainability education in the US and India. As part of the collaboration, Professor PD Jose is offering a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Strategy and the Sustainable Enterprise,” which includes short videos about social entrepreneurship from UNC Professor Carol Hee’s BUSI 507 class. “Strategy and the Sustainable Enterprise” is packed with insightful lectures, case studies, interviews, and peer-group discussions to provide a competitive advantage. The free online course began September 29 but there is an option for late enrollment. Read more »

Students for Zero Waste Conference

The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) is hosting an upcoming conference for sustainability-minded students implementing waste reduction programs on their college and university campuses across the country. The Students for Zero Waste Conference will be held October 9-10 at the University of New Hampshire. Travel scholarships are available. Read more »

Apply Now to Work with Green Corps

Recent graduates receive hands-on experience while working to solve urgent environmental problems with Green Corps' year-long paid program. Green Corps connects graduates with environmental and progressive groups to help build their organizations, create social change, and protect the environment. The early application closes on October 11th. Read more »

UNC Sustainability Office – Website Developer and Design Internships – NC

UNC-Chapel Hill – Associate Director of Engineering Services –NC

WNC Green Building Council – Executive Director – NC

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association – Organic Research Coordinator and Farm Services Coordinator – NC

American University – Sustainability Coordinator – Washington, D.C.

American University – Sustainability Manager – Washington, D.C.

Lehigh University – Sustainability Program Manager – PA

Loyola University Chicago – Sustainability Specialist – IL

University of New Hampshire – Lecturer/Assistant Director, Sustainability Dual Major – NH

National Outdoor Leadership School – Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Internship – WY

Cal Poly – Sustainability Coordinator – CA