February 17, 2013 presentation at the 13th Annual Conference of the North American Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO) by Christina Lesyk, LMSW, CSEP, Director of University Events at Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York.

1. Greening the
Commencement
Experience at
Clarkson University
Presenter:
Christina Lesyk,
LMSW, CSEP
Director of University
Events
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2. • Nationally ranked research university offering more than 50 comprehensive
programs in business, engineering, science, liberal arts, health sciences and
environmental studies at the undergraduate and graduate level
• The Clarkson School, an early college entrance program
• University Honors Program for highly gifted students from all majors
• International reputation in the fields of advanced materials science, biotechnology,
environmental and energy, entrepreneurship and global supply chain management
• 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students and 270 faculty
• 19 varsity sports: two Division I (Men’s and Women’s Hockey) and 17 Division III
• Located in Potsdam, N.Y., the quintessential college town with four higher education
institutions within a 10-mile radius, at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains
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3. Clarkson University
is among the nation’s most
environmentally
responsible colleges.
Princeton Review’s Guide to
322 Green Colleges, 2012
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4. Being sustainable is:
* BORING
*EXPENSIVE
*NOT WORTH IT
*IS SUCH A “DOWNER”
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5. The experience at Clarkson proves
that these are not only myths, but
that being sustainable can
improve and add value to one of
the most important events at a
college or university.
If we can do it, so can you!
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6. Eco-Accommodations
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7. Residence Hall Rentals
From the guests’ standpoint:
- Park the car for free
- You can walk from venue to venue – easy access to
entertainment, the fitness center, dining, etc.; Great for the
elderly and disabled
- No worries about drinking and driving
- A lot less expensive than hotels
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8. Residence Hall Rentals
From Clarkson’s standpoint:
- Guests use eco-friendly accommodations and often
don’t even realize it because it’s easy, free, and
unobtrusive.
- Low-flow shower heads
- Small gallon toilets that use recycled rainwater
- Use of natural lighting, supplemented by energy-
efficient lighting
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9. Residence Hall Rentals
From Clarkson’s standpoint (continued):
- Lighting sensors in common areas
- Low-emission glass
- Solar-panel heated sink water
- White rooftops
- Water bottle fill stations
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10. Residence Hall Rentals
And:
- Only 1 set of linens – guests have to request extras
- Blankets for as long as you can – turn thermostat down
- Eco-friendly paints
- Eco-friendly cleansers
AND: It’s a solid source of revenue!
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11. Eco-Cuisine
From Then to Now:
Star Trek scene about macrobiotic meals
Initial forays into vegetarianism
- unimaginative; afterthoughts; unbalanced nutritionally;
guest deprivation (including their aesthetic senses)
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12. What does it mean now?
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13. Eco-Cuisine
GORGEOUS meals using:
Local foods – Black Angus beef, baked goods, chocolates,
our own herbs and vegetables
Organic options – including beers and wines
Seasonal foods, Fair Trade coffee
No controversial meats or seafood from unsustainable
sources; Cruelty-Free meats
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14. Eco-Dining
Beautiful, functional and intriguing as well as
eco-friendly:
- No cafeteria trays
- Cornstarch-based utensils and “glassware”
- China service; using “real” utensils instead of
disposables
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15. Eco-Dining
- PVC take-out clamshell containers that can be
sanitized
- Edible garnishes; fewer or no garnishes
- Vegetarian meal options that are just as nice as
meat-based meals
- Not pouring beverages until asked for
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16. Eco-Dining
- Classy water carafes and hydrating stations;
decreased use of bottled water
- Natural fabric linens; less usage of linens
- Serving condiments in bulk or from pretty dishes or
bowls
- Discounts if you use your own mug
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17. Eco-Dining
Donating leftover and/or unused food to food banks?
- Depends on your local health regulations
- Need to train dining services staff
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18. Eco-Dining
Super Bowl organizers plan for this as well as for
the retrieval and recycling of all kinds of materials
used.
- Plywood, cardboard, fabric, plastic, paper,
office supplies
- NFL has a sports equipment and book
redemption project that helps local schools –
Clarkson just had a massive sale of sports
equipment and donated items
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19. Eco-Regalia
Some companies:
Josten’s
Herff Jones
Oak Hall
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20. Eco-Regalia
Buy or Rent?
Transporting gowns?
Cleaning gowns?
Designing and owning gowns?
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21. Eco-Jewelry
Conflict Free Gold & Jewels
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22. Eco-Gifting
Experiences (or food!) instead of “stuff” –
ski passes; hockey tickets, scholarships
Useful items (ex. thumb drives, refillable
water bottles) instead of useless ones
Do you have to give a gift or swag at all?
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23. Eco-Publications
- Permanent namebadges instead of paper ones
- Retrieving and recycling namebadges
- Cornstarch laminate namebadge holders
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24. Eco-Publications
- Recycled paperstock, even for diplomas
- Printing viewbooks on organic cotton t-shirts and
sending them instead of paper catalogs
- Putting programs, lay-outs, maps and other info in
electronic form (ex. a Commencement website)
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25. Eco-Publications
- Double-sided printing
- Use an Energy Star printer
- Estimating your needs better (ex. based on past history,
how many programs should you order?)
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26. Eco-Publications
- Can you register guests online?
- In Commencement meetings, can you project your agenda
instead of printing them? Can you use dry-erase boards and
photograph them instead of paper flip charts?
- Don’t provide notepads unless they’re requested.
- Question if you need to print something to begin with!
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27. Eco-Publications
- Check-in apps - Social media
- Smartphone ticketing - Soy/vegetable inks
- Water-based adhesives - Non-metallic paperstock
- Undated signage, banners; digital signage
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28. Eco-Publications
Design Apps – ex. Penultimate
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29. Eco-Decor
- Reusable centerpieces and other floral décor – ex. sunflower
centerpiece, donations to organizations to sell for fundraisers
or donating to a good cause
- Recycled glass containers – even if they don’t match!
- Recycled wreath rings
- Consider if you need that much décor if your venue is unique
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30. Eco-Decor
- Using compostable
receptacles/plant pots
- Edible centerpieces – ex.
beautiful breads, fruits,
vegetables, nuts, herbs
- Plantable centerpieces –
ex. tree seedlings, trees,
shrubs, herbs, wildflowers
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31. Eco-Decor
- Using sturdy floral species that can last through several
events
- Using seasonal items
- Using items that are suitable for your area (no hibiscus
for us!)
- Renting from local landscapers
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32. Eco-Transportation
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33. Eco-Transportation
- Web-streaming the ceremony
- Stay on campus, park and walk
- Don’t let vehicles idle
- Carbon-offsets
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34. Eco-Transportation
- Encourage people to car-pool
- Shuttles
- Bicycles to borrow; Bicycle racks
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35. Eco-Transportation
- Designate hybrid/alternative fuel parking spaces
- Make it fun – see who’s traveled the longest
distance the most sustainable way!
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36. Eco-Entertainment
One way to lose weight:
Bike Powered Movies!
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37. Eco-Entertainment
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38. Eco-Waste Management
Recycling
Dump & Run Program;
Auctions
Digester
Waste Heat for Warmth
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39. Eco-Waste Management
Recycling
- Having staff instruct
guests
- Having staff sort food
and other waste
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40. Eco-Waste Management
Reusing
- packaging (ex. to move out with),
- donating regalia to fellow college
students or high schools)
Reducing
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41. Everyone can do better.
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42. Start Somewhere!
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43. Presentation available at:
www.slideshare.com
under “2013 NAACO”
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