Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pennsylvania
www.rosemont.edu

Contact:
Thomas Szatkowski, Director of Facilities, Rosemont College, 1400 Montgomery Ave., Rosemont, PA 19010; 610-527-0200 X 2152; tszatkowski@rosemont.edu

Rosemont College President Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, Ph.D, was one of the original signatories to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and serves on the ACUPCC Leadership Circle. See http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/ Rosemont has completed a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory measuring its carbon footprint and is developing an action plan to become carbon neutral. A goal of the College Strategic Plan is to develop academic programs around three themes one of which is environmental sustainability.

As part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to work toward sustainability, Rosemont considers water use efficiency when planning renovations and new construction. Low flow showerheads have been installed throughout the campus and 1.6 gallons-per-flush toilets are required during renovations and as replacement toilets. Native plant species are used in landscaping to reduce water use for irrigation and vegetated areas are designed to filter sediment and pollutants in storm water runoff.

In an effort to increase energy use efficiency, Rosemont College has established targeted interior space temperature ranges, specific to season of the year, in temperature controlled areas for academic and administrative spaces, and residence halls (see http://www.rosemont.edu/uwc/studentlife/pdf/IndoorSpaceTemperaturePolicy.pdf). The college has also adopted an Energy Star Priority Purchasing policy that recommends that Energy Star equipment be purchased whenever financially possible (see http://www.rosemont.edu/uwc/studentlife/pdf/EnergyStarPolicy.pdf ). And, to encourage energy efficiency by students, the facilities department sends an Energy Tip of the Week by email to the campus community.

Rosemont offers online alternatives to minimize use of paper in course catalogs, registration materials, and campus directories.

Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and carpets are used to minimize outgassing as a way to enhance indoor environmental quality. Cleaning chemicals are Green Seal certified.

Rosemont incorporates experiential learning into campus sustainability innovations. The Department of Facilities introduced a "No Mow Zone" to Rosemont’s 56-acre campus in 2008. The area has been designated by educational signage along a campus creek to increase wildlife habitation, to improve ozone air quality and reduce campus contributions to global warming by reducing mower emissions, and to act as a natural filter to capture pollutants in surface water runoff.

The President’s Climate Committee meets regularly to advise the administration on environmental, human health, stewardship and related issues affecting the college and affected by the college. Members include the President, faculty, staff, students, and representation from the Board of Trustees. "Rosie Goes Green" Public Service Announcement using College Mascot Rosie as the spokesperson (see http://www.rosemont.edu/uwc/studentlife/facilities_green2.php). Energy Tip of the Week via e-mail. .

Connections between the operation of the college, care of creation, and Catholic social teaching are drawn through religious studies courses such as Christian Ethics, Contemporary Religious Issues, Understanding the Bible, Introduction to Catholic Thought, Religion in the News, and others.

Rosemont College works to minimize waste and recycle as much as possible to minimize the campus community’s lasting impression on the planet. Rosemont supports recycling through the avenues of separating and properly disposing mixed recyclables along with paper products, as well as purchasing items produced from recyclable materials to promote the use of previously recycled items, assuming cost-effective markets for recyclables exist. Rosemont’s goal is to minimize or eliminate waste, seek economies and efficiencies, and reduce the consumption of energy. See http://www.rosemont.edu/uwc/studentlife/pdf/RecyclingPolicy.pdf The college participates in the national RecycleMania competition each year (see http://recyclemania.org/). The college recycles all paper, all glass, selected plastics, metals, cardboard, batteries and electronics. In 2008, more than 190 computers were recycled. Nearly all yard and landscape waste is composted.

Rosemont found that a switch to trayless dining reduced food waste by 70%. Campus dining options use bulk condiment dispensers and decreased packaging for to-go food service purchases. Sustainable, organic, and/or locally produced foods are available in on-campus dining facilities all of which helps to reduce shipping costs and fuel emissions, enhance the environment in which the food is grown, and boost the local economy.

Transportation-related emissions are reduced through free on-campus shuttle transportation and free access to public transportation to local destinations.