Campus Environmental Awards (2004)

Sue Wallace, Department of Housing – Individual Achievement

Working for the Department of Housing, Sue is able to directly impact a number of environmental causes on campus. Sue continues to tirelessly champion all of these programs ensuring that Housing maximizes their opportunities to contribute to a green campus.  In addition to making many changes, Sue is spearheading the implementation Housing’s energy performance contract which features a new composting facility.  The composting program will utilize the many tons of food waste from the Housing dining centers, resulting in compost to be used for grounds and also sold.  Sue has increased Housing’s environmental commitment and changed the department’s culture to consider environmental issues.

Moe Tabrizi, Facilities Management – Honorable Mention

Moe has given the campus a new perspective on energy and water conservation.  Additionally, he has been able to obtain funding for these objectives, and has simultaneously moved forward dozens of projects of all sizes. Moe has also demonstrated great perseverance and enthusiasm for this work. Despite substantial growth in student population and research, the campus has had a reduction in energy consumption of about 2.2 percent per square foot of buildings, as well as 11 percent per square foot reduction in water consumption. 

Eugene Pearson, President of ASSG, 2nd Vice President of Legislative Council – Student Achievement

Eugene has authored and sponsored both the energy conservation fund resolution as well as the resolution to increase the amount of wind power purchased.  These measures will go far in increasing the sustainability of energy consumption on the CU-Boulder campus. Both of these initiatives were recently approved by the student union, and will go into effect next year.  Eugene has championed environmental issues in the UCSU and has raised the awareness of his peers in tackling challenging issues on many fronts. 

Energy Pledge Card Campaign – Energy Conservation

The CU-Boulder Vice Chancellor for Administration Paul Tabolt initiated the idea of using pledge cards as a tool to reduce energy consumption on the Boulder campus. Thanks to numerous staff, faculty, and students from all over the campus, the effort was a success.  Some staff and students went the extra mile. This team worked to put on an extensive campaign effort.  The initial results are that this team collected over 13,000 signatures, and raised over $65,000.  This was an amazing accomplishment considering this represents about 1/3 of the people on campus.

Ed von Bleichert, Facilities Management – Individual Achievement

Ed reduced the spread of West Nile Virus on campus and in the City last year by implementing an environmentally friendly, but very effective, mosquito population control program.  Long before the West Nile virus breakout during the summer of 2003, Ed was proactive by having an effective strategy already in place and maintaining open communication about it.  When other communities had simply resorted to spraying, Ed was able to provide evidence of his success through his monitoring efforts. 

Al Bartlett, Department of Physics – Lifetime Achievement

During his extended tenure at CU Boulder, Al Bartlett supported an environmentally sound long-term vision for the campus and community. He has concentrated on bringing the importance of the exponential function to light. His research and teachings on population growth and resource over-use have informed and inspired his students and important decision-makers. Professor Bartlett, though busy giving lectures and conducting his research, would always find time to meet with students about pressing environmental issues on campus.

Colorado Daily – Recycled Product Purchasing

At the start of 2004, the Colorado Daily began using 100 percent post-consumer content recycled newsprint. They are the first of many local newspapers to show such a strong commitment to the environment by using 100 percent post-consumer fibers. The Colorado Daily is also closing the recycling loop by purchasing its paper from the mill that receives and processes CU’s recycled materials.