News from the Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

For the last two years and for years to come, UCF students, faculty and staff have made a commitment to be more environmentally aware and active in reducing our carbon footprint. Below are some of the initiatives that are happening here on our campus. You can become involved. Learn these facts and share them when you represent UCF—especially to Knights who need to know how committed UCF is to a sustainable environment!

  • Students and faculty developed a website where materials related to the environment and global climate change are posted. Students and faculty are blogging with each other on important environmental issues. Go to: www.unifyingtheme.ucf.edu (average hits per day = 230, range 50 – 1200 hits per day, 8 minutes per visit, 3 articles/pages viewed per visit). Twenty one countries are also using this website.
  • More than 120 faculty are involved in incorporating the Unifying Theme into the curriculum in a wide range of disciplines. Last semester alone 7,200 students were involved in classroom activities associated with the environment in general education courses. Several hundred more students took environmental courses.
  • 176 Residence Hall Associates are working to support sustainable living on campus, impacting over 9,000 students.
  • UCF invites 3 – 5 speakers per year who are nationally and internationally known for their interest and activity in developing a sustainable environment. Last year events co-sponsored by Global Perspectives, Student Development and Enrollment Services, and the Office of Undergraduate Studies included speakers such as Winona LaDuke, Native American Activist, and Jeff Corwin from Animal Planet. Keep checking our calendar at www.undergrad.ucf.edu for speakers, dates and times. Events are open to all students, faculty and staff.
  • During Spring 2008, Student, Faculty, and Staff Sustainability Alliances were formed. Go to www.sustainabilityalliance.ucf.edu to find out more about how you can get involved.

  • UCF RECYCLES! Visit www.pp.ucf.edu/ucfrecycles/index.htm. Recycling on campus went from 4% to 14% in one year – help us increase it to 20% this year by recycling your paper, aluminum, cardboard and plastics. Work with your faculty and departments to make sure your areas on campus are working toward this goal.

  • Check out the UCF Energy and Sustainability Management website with all of the activities related to energy management in buildings on campus. Go to: www.sustainable.ucf.edu. Find out how you can reduce the energy used by your computer, where solar panels are being installed on campus, how UCF reduced its energy consumption by 22% per square foot since the 2005-2006 school year, and track UCF’s energy consumption by building.

  • UCF has over 800-acres of natural lands on campus that protect native plants and animals. The Arboretum has over 3 miles of hiking and biking trails and also offers an educational disc golf course. Visit www.green.ucf.edu to learn more about the Environmental Initiative’s programs including the Arboretum, Land Management, and Environmental Sustainability.

Create your own Knight Fact related to the UT initiative—email us at us@mail.ucf.edu.
Alison Morrison-Shetlar
Dean, Undergraduate Studies