Look Back at Campus Achievements 2000 -2021
Oct 29, 2021
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Tara A Gallagher
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Celebrate campus sustainability month by looking back at more than two decades of achievements at Salem State!
2021
- There are now 14 classes/sections directly addressing climate change, up from one in 2015
- Thanks to a $100,000 clean energy feasibility grant from the MA Department of Energy Resources, Salem State completes a decarbonization plan for north campus
- Salem State receives a $48,348 state grant to install a rooftop solar array on Meier Hall
- Vikings embrace new Bluebikes bike share and Salem Skipper on-demand van share city programs
- Sustainability social media accounts are launched: Instagram and Twitter: sustainable_ssu; Facebook: Salem State Sustainability
2020
- Sustainability Council Internship program begins, a collaboration between the Sustainability Office and the Geography and Sustainability Department
- Six dual-port EV charging stations are installed at O鈥橩eefe, using $116,204 in incentives from National Grid and the MA Department of Environmental Protection
2019
- Geography Department changes its name to Geography and Sustainability Department
- SSU Student Government Association passes sustainability resolution
- Rooftop solar arrays installed on Berry Library, Gassett Fitness and Marsh Hall bringing total solar capacity on campus to 599 KW. Project was supported by a $193,500 grant from the MA Department of Energy Resources
- SSU is the only school to divest of the participants in the Multi-School Fossil-Free Divestment Fund, thus winning $57,000 for scholarships and Sunrise Salem
- Carpooling network miles2share debuts, available exclusively to SSU community
- SSU begins textile recycling at three campus locations
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2018
- Board of Trustees votes to divest from fossil fuels
- Bookstore eliminates plastic bags
- MA Department of Energy Resources Leading by Example award for campus sustainability initiatives
- MA Department of Transportation Excellence in Commuting Options Award
2017
- Zagster bike share program launches in Salem and on campus; bikes are free to SSU community
- Sophia Gordon Center is renovated and in 2018 is certified LEED Gold
- President Keenan signs the 鈥淲e Are Still In鈥 the Paris Climate Accords declaration
- SSU commences single-stream recycling of metal, plastic, glass, as well as paper/cardboard
- MA Department of Transportation Excellence in Commuting Options Award
- EPA Food Recovery Challenge Certificate of Achievement
2016
- Six solar streetlights installed on College Drive
- The first water bottle refill stations are installed on campus, in response to requests from Student Government Association
- MA Department of Transportation Excellence in Commuting Options Leadership Award
- EPA Food Recovery Challenge Award
2015
- Students can take Global Climate Change class for the first time
- North Campus Parking Garage receives a Parksmart Award for its sustainable features
- Viking Hall receives LEED Gold certification
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge Award
2014
- 68 KW solar array installed on Atlantic Hall
- Composting starts at SSU dining halls
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge Award
2013
- Gassett Fitness Center is certified LEED Silver
- Berry Library is certified LEED Silver; geothermal system installed at the Library
2012
- 151 KW solar array is installed on O鈥橩eefe
2010
- Marsh Hall is certified LEED Gold
- SSU Center for Economic Development and Sustainability opens
2007
- SSU commits to carbon neutrality by 2050
2004
- Atlantic Hall opens. Building was designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Standards
2000
- First Earth Days celebration at Salem State