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8/10/2019 ENC3250 Team Green Scene

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Introduction

Universities have been pushing towards the going green movement to demonstrate

their care for the environment. Upon students and faculty members request, the University of

South Florida St. Petersburg campus started its own going green movement. Going green

movement necessitates sacrifices on altering the institutional function as to change the hiring

process of faculty members, procession of business such as payroll service, delivering method

of courses, and adopting the process of new technology.

The University of South Florida (USF) has been recognized in various sources. In The

Princeton Review's Guide to 286 Green Colleges, USF has been recognized for its successes:

Free bus rides, contribution to use of renewable energy, reduction of water usage time, and

offering environmentally-conscious educational courses. USF President Judy Ganshaft,

American College and University Presidents Climate commit to further the research on climate

change, to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental issues.

One of the most drastic and successful changes is introduced of online courses. The

virtual accessibility includes online lectures, electronic handouts, tests, and other online

sources. In addition, the appearance of social media, numerous students have meetings or

discussions outside the classroom such as Skype or online study groups. Moreover, under

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF), USF collected fees from students to fund energy monitoring

equipment, water fountain for water bottles, energy-saving LED lights, and manual treadmill.

These funds and contributions had been proudly displayed in numerous websites and school

buildings throughout the university.


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Executive Summary

The color of green and gold represents the University of South Florida as students

display creative posters with these colors everywhere around the campus. For some students,

green means more than a school spirit, and it indicates the environmental movement. Ever

since the University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft signed The American College and

University Presidents Climate Commitment, the university boasted their accomplishment of

enforcing going green movement.

The most obvious academic change for going green movement is online classes. Even

some may argue the environment is not the reason for the offer of online classes; these

paperless classes dramatically influence environmental movement within campus. Online

classes lessened the use of greenhouse gas emissions by providing paper-less and drive-free

setting. Distance learning also has drawbacks as some students do not learn as well through

online classes because of easiness of academic dishonesty and lack of memory recall.

Furthermore, Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) contributes to innovative sustainability

programs and technologies. Funded by students from fees, this green program faculty

members and students award different projects to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas

emissions. The evidences of the universitys effort are all over the campuses: lighting control

systems, water fountains for water bottles, energy saving lights, computers with sleep mode,

and energy efficient treadmills.

Despite of numerous advantages and disadvantages of USFs going green movement,

the green projects of university assist students to get educated on the ongoing issues of


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environment. Continuation of voting of

green energy fees, posters, and surrounding

projects will remind students of the going

green movement of USF.


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What is the Green Movement?

The green movement began to gain attention after World War II as the air and water

pollution dramatically increased due to negligence. In the late nineteenth century, the United

States joined the movement under protectionists and conservationists. They worked to save

wildlife and natural resources under the leadership of John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, Gifford

Pinchot, and other activists. The green movement is defined as a conservation of natural

habitat and resources. Environmentalists try to maximize the sustainability of resources by

creating environmental policies, cleaning the habitat directly, and other environmental

activities.

Why Should USF Go Green?

A university smaller than University of South Florida, University of Northern British

Columbia (UNBC), uses about 1.2-2.2 metric tons of waste per week. When UNBC decided to

improve sustainability of the campus waste management program, about 70% of wastes were

recycled or used for fertilization. The university recycled and fertilized mostly papers,

disposable drink bottles and biodegradable organic materials which reduced the waste

significantly. These activities save money, promote efficiency, and lessen the environmental

cost to improve not only the campus, but also the planet itself.


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Online Courses

The University of South Florida, along with just about every other university, gives

students a way to go green when it comes to taking classes. This opportunity is called online

learning. Participating in the online learning provides the ability to go completely paperless in

their studies. The majority of classes taught online are all based off of text documents and e-

books that promote paper-free education. This cuts down on the use of trees, which in turn

gives prolonged life to the very vessels that give us life. CollegeExpress gives some very

insightful pros to online learning. Telecommuting is a great feature to online learning; it reduces

the carbon footprint your car gives off when driving from your house to class. On top of being

environmentally friendly, online classes also give students

the convenience of flexible scheduling and pacing, that way

students can life their own lives and work on their classes

when they can.

Distance education has several drawbacks regardless

of its advantages. It is known to be paperless and gas-free;

therefore, it sounds very environmental friendly. Numerous

studies even show that both online and offline teaching

method produce similar quiz and test results to show its

effectiveness (Jensen, 300); however, there is a big potential

for cheating. Because of its easy access to Google,

Wikipedia, and other online sources, students often get


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tempted to do what they are not supposed to do: academic dishonesty. Even further, it can

result in decrease in learning opportunity due to lack of memory recall for students from

immediately referencing back to online sources and textbooks without rethinking answers. The

study shows significant numbers of students consider in-class lectures as the most helpful

course material (300). Online classes lack face-to-face interaction with the professor since

students who take online class cannot get immediate feedback or answers to their questions

regarding the courses exams.

Other reasons for the push towards online courses and the overall growth of the going

green movement is the increasing costs of education. As the demand for education grows,

digitally delivered courses that can provide information to students via the web or tablet are

becoming increasingly more sought after. With the realization that online courses dramatically

lower the price of education while creating easy accessibility, the future of online schooling that

points towards higher education that is completely online. Since the boom of online education

in 2012, about 30% of most college students in top universities take at least one online class. As

dependence on technology grows, an alternative to standard American four-year degree

course. Students could spend an introductory year learning via a MOOC, followed by two years

attending university and a final year starting part-time work while finishing their studies online

(The Digital Degree).


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Green System (Student Green Energy Fund)

University of South Florida started Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) to improve their

stand of Climate Action Plan. The goal of this plan is to ultimately eliminate greenhouse gas

emissions throughout the campus. A 58 percent fee per credit hour funds the SGEF for

undergraduate residents. It also is voted on by students every three years to confirm their

support.

Student Green Energy Fund supports numerous sustainability programs and initiatives.

The fitness center in both USF Tampa and USF St. Petersburg has a CURV manual treadmill that

does not use any electricity. The

treadmill itself is unusual and

unconventional at first, but once

users get used to its function, they

tend to use it more often. It

claims to be more effective on

burning calories since people do

not have to press speed buttons to

alter the speed manually in order

to slow down or speed up. Instead, the CURV manual treadmill changes its pace on speed

based on the users stride or speed of steps.


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Electronically controlled systems

also contribute to the energy

sustainability project of Student Green

Energy Fund. Cypress Hall installed

system that controls the brightness of

lights as it gets dim or bright depending

on the presence of people. Computers

were programmed to they go into sleep

mode when they are not in use. More than a dozen of water fountains are installed all over the

buildings as well. These water fountains have a special function of refilling water bottles, so

students and faculty members can reuse their bottles without buying another bottle. Therefore,

these fountains reduce consumption.


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What Do The Students Think?

A survey was given to 20 students at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

They were randomly asked in classes, hallways, a library, and a cafeteria. Each student was

asked to give an answer from three choices: Yes, No, or I Dont Know. The answers of Yes are

represented as the darker green, the No is represented as the medium green, and I Dont Know

is represented as light green.

The first question was:

Have you noticed any going green efforts the University of South Florida has put out

throughout the campus?

Question 1 Results

Yes No I don't know


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The second question was:

Do you think the going green movement has been successful?

The third question was:

Do you approve paying for the support of the going green movement as a part of tuition?

Question 2 Results

Yes No I don't Know

Question 3 Results

Yes No I Don't Know


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Most of students showed positive support for the going green movement, but number

of students who were not happy with the project was significant as well. They gave their

opinions on the fourth question for the improvement for the green movement, and two

students wrote that this project should be funded by donation such as having donation boxes in

the hallways. Four students stated that they did not even know that they pay for the Student

Green Energy Fee. Among students who strongly support the going green movement, few

suggested more advertisement should be done to raise the awareness of the movement. Some

recommended to increase the usage of renewable resources, and one student even advised to

use a school bus for nearby students.

Specific numbers for each question response are as follows.

1. Yes-14 No-4 I dont know-2




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Interviews

Kebreab Ghebremichael

Assistant Professor

Director, Office of Sustainability

Patel College of Global SustainabilityUniversity of South Florida

Phone: 813 974 9061

Email:[email protected]

1. Since applying more eco-friendly standards to USF campuses such as water bottle filling

stations and rainwater harvesting, what has proven to be the most well received change by

students so far?

The fact that students renewed the student green energy fund by a referendum is an

indication of their strong support to green initiatives on campus. The various student groups

actively work with the office of sustainability in initiating ideas and implementing sustainability

projects. The signage that we place on each of the student green energy funded projects and

the presentations we do in various occasions have increased awareness of students on such

initiatives. For examples the water refill stations have becomes very widely used; students are

actively engaged in a number of the large projects as members of project teams and leading

project proposals.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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2. Are there future plans to make more earth friendly changes to USF campuses? If so, what

are they?

There are four large projects that are in the pipeline and expected to be implemented in

the near future. 1. The biodiesel project is being piloted. This project will convert waste oil from

campus dining halls to biodiesel that will be used by the Bull Runner, 2) Smart bike sharing

program- this will bring in 100 GPS mounted bikes that will be used by university community.

Students can loan bikes from any location and leave them at any location on campus. This is

expected to start in Summer 2015, 3) Building monitoring system- this will monitor water

supply, electricity, hot water and chilled water to buildings. This will include 4-5 touch screens

located at strategically selected building on campus to display live data of resources use in the

buildings. This project will include 8 buildings in the first phase, 4 of which are student housing.

This project will generate competition between buildings and increase awareness as well as

efficiency, 4) Car parking guidance project- this will guide students to available parking spaces

in parking garages and lots. The initial phase of this project involves Collins garage and library

parking lots (29a and 29b)

3. Do USF students have an active input on how USF has changed/should change towards

becoming more eco-friendly.


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USF students play key roles in most of the green initiatives on campus. Students make

50% of the student green energy fund council, they are represented in the Sustainability

Initiatives Steering Committee (SCIS) and the Tree campus steering committee. Many of the

student green energy funded projects are led by students. Students are actively engaged in the

large fours projects. Most of the ground work( research) is done by students. Student

associations are very active and closely work with the office of sustainability in several

initiatives. The student Government works very closely with the office of sustainability in

organizing events, generating ideas and implementing student green energy fund projects.

4. What are some of the major setbacks USF and large universities in general face when

working towards going green?

Sustainability initiatives have strong support from the USF leadership and student body

and this has helped the university to achieve significant recognitions nationally. USF is one of

the small number of universities that to has the student green energy fund to support its green

initiatives. Hence, lack of funding is a major set back in most universities. The student green

energy at USF is key in helping the office of sustainability implement most of the green

initiatives. However, its objective is limited to energy efficient and renewable energy projects

according to its charter. This has largely excluded other green projects. The council plans to

expand the charter to include other green initiatives.


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Between 2010 and 2011, three new LEED-certified buildings were opened (CGS, ISA, and

MUS). In 2010, it was added to the Campus Master Plan that all future major

construction projects also be LEED-certified.

Student efforts for healthier foods and more sustainable practices have influenced how

USF Dining and Housing develop future programs and facilities.

Around 2011, Campus Rec launched the Borrow Our Bikes program, where students can

check out bicycles for the day. A Student Green Energy Fund project that will greatly

expand this program is in progress. Called Share-A-Bull Bikes, they hope to roll out this

new program in Spring 2015.

In 2010, the BullTracker system for the Bull Runner was launched, which made riding

the bus much easier. In 2012, HART launched a similar system, called One Bus Away.

Given the time frame within which all of this has happened, I believe students have embraced

the increasing opportunities to make more sustainable decisions in their own lives (e.g.,

minimizing automobile trips, using reusable water bottles, etc).

2. Are there future plans to make more earth friendly changes to USF campuses? If so, what

are they?

Of course!

Right now, the focus of project proposals for the Student Green Energy Fund seem to

focus around electric vehicle charging stations, more solar installations, and a smart

parking system that could inform students where vacant parking is located (to minimize

the time that cars drive around to look for a parking space).


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Anything innovative in the realm of sustainability requires a lot of support from the

administrative level. If that support isn't there, progress doesn't happen.

Some of the Student Green Energy Fund projects that have been funded have been met

with several roadblocks from university staff (e.g., Physical Plant, code compliance). Others

have been expedited by university staff simply because President Genshaft has given her stamp

of approval (e.g., smart parking, Share-A-Bull Bikes, the water bottle refilling stations).

One of the more notable issues is that renewable energy is very difficult to get on this

campus. University leaders do not want to install crystalline solar PV (the solid panels that you

think of when you hear the word "solar") on the rooftops of any buildings because any roof

penetrations would void the warranty (of the roof surfacing) and pose a risk of water intrusion,

mold, etc. As such, the solar on top of the Marshall Center are flexible, roll-out panels, adhered

with some sort of tar-like substance. These are less efficient than many other solar panels, but

it was the only option that the university would approve.


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Conclusion

In conclusion, USF has numerous options for going green, especially in their initiative for

online learning, although its not as refined as traditional in class courses, it is still a popular

means of education. With the going green movement, the University of South Florida reached

its influence and legacy throughout the campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. The

goal of this project is to help reduce the carbon footprint of USF students and faculty members.

Even the project has drawbacks and resistance. It still raises the awareness of individuals

actions on the environment. By recognizing and fixing problems of this green project, USF will

play a more critical role on environmental research.


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Annotated Bibliography

Dalgarno, Barney, et al. "On campus and distance student attitudes towards paperless

assessment and feedback." Proceedings of the ICT: Providing choices for learners and

learning. Proceedings ascilite Singapore(2007): 168-178.

Students received surveys to show their preference in school assignment, and an

overwhelming number of students confirmed their favor for online submission and online

feedback. Overall, distance learning can expedite the process of receiving or giving information

and saves costs of printing paper on top of saving trees.

The survey has a decent number of participants of around 100 people, but the author

never indicated that the study was conducted to randomly assigned students. Therefore, the

study itself can be biased as it was studied in only one place. Moreover, the chance of students

answers being dishonest cannot be ignored as they felt the need to say that they prefer online

process over paper submission because of peer pressure or to make themselves look or feel

better. The article is related to the white paper project because it reveals the students' attitude

of learning through online courses separating from the going green movement.

The online class itself will be ineffective if students do not learn any materials or prefer

online courses.

Lyke, Jennifer, and Michael Frank. "Comparison of Student Learning Outcomes in Online and

Traditional Classroom Environments in Psychology Course." Journal of Instructional

Psychology 39.3-4 (2012): 245-250. PsycINFO. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.


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regularly post and engage with online modules as compared to how students feel about posting

to online modules. The survey also concluded that students were experiencing problems with

socially engaging with their peers and adopting cultural and community norms of an online

learning environment. Students were recorded expressing concerns towards how the mix of

social and academic issues made them feel uncomfortable and that online forum posting

should be restricted to purely course related information. In terms of academic integration,

students voiced concerns that they felt ashamed to post questions about fundamental

misunderstandings about material to forums because of its public nature. This study suggested

that although potential exists in the use of large online forums for learning, this type of learning

can be detrimental to students in terms of learner engagement of course material and online

identity of students and how that translates to effective problem solving in real life situations.

Carr, Caleb T., et al. "Toward A Model Of Sources Of Influence In Online Education: Cognitive

Learning And The Effects Of Web 2.0." Communication Education62.1 (2013): 61-85. ERIC.

Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

This study took a random sample of 331 students from several sections of a single

undergraduate communication survey course at a Midwestern university. Students were

informed via email from their professor that an online video was distributed to them as

supplemental information for the difficult course material they were about to encounter.

Students were sent a link to the video which when clicked on redirected them to 4 variations of

the same video with different user comments after the video to manipulate their social

identification with an online forum. Once the 8-minute lecture was watched students were


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Works Cited

Cash, Jacqui. "USF One of Nation's Top Green Colleges." University of South Florida. N.p., 05

May 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2014. .

"Environmental Movement." Princeton University. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

.

Jensen, Scott A. "In-Class Versus Online Video Lectures: Similar Learning Outcomes, But A

Preference For In-Class." Teaching of Psychology 38.4 (2011): 298-302. Academic Search

Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.

Santos, Annette Taijeron. "Going green: the impact on higher education institutions." Journal of

International Business Research 8.SI. 2 (2009): 95+. Business Insights: Essentials. Web.

16 Nov. 2014.

http://bi.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/essentials/article/GALE%7CA229220659/2c

cd4dabd99d8bb156fa31f1b0c69a26?u=tamp44898.

Smyth, Danielle P., Arthur L. Fredeen, and Annie L. Booth. "Reducing Solid Waste In Higher

Education: The First Step Towards Greening A University Campus."Resources,

Conservation & Recycling 54.(2010): 1007-1016.ScienceDirect. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

"Sustainability Programs and Initiatives at USF and around the World."Patel School of Global

Sustainability RSS. University of South Florida, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.

.
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"The Digital Degree." The Future of Universities. The Economist, 28 June 2014. Web. 29 Oct.

2014. .
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21605899-staid-higher-education-business-about-experience-welcome-earthquake-digitalhttp://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21605899-staid-higher-education-business-about-experience-welcome-earthquake-digitalhttp://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21605899-staid-higher-education-business-about-experience-welcome-earthquake-digitalhttp://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21605899-staid-higher-education-business-about-experience-welcome-earthquake-digitalhttp://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21605899-staid-higher-education-business-about-experience-welcome-earthquake-digital

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