In March 2007, those efforts took on a more public face when Belmont launched "Belmont Goes Green" to encourage greater environmental awareness on campus. Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher signed the Talloires Declaration of the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (USLF). In signing the declaration, the university presidents agreed to increase awareness of environmentally sustainable development, create an institutional culture of sustainability and educate for environmentally responsible citizenship, among other efforts.

1. natural awareness
campaign crown capital
eco management
Belmont Goes Green
Launched

2. In March 2007, those efforts took on a more
public face when Belmont launched "Belmont
Goes Green" to encourage greater environmental
awareness on campus. Belmont President Dr.
Bob Fisher signed the Talloires Declaration of the
Association of University Leaders for a
Sustainable Future (USLF). In signing the
declaration, the university presidents agreed to
increase awareness of environmentally
sustainable development, create an institutional
culture of sustainability and educate for
environmentally responsible citizenship, among
other efforts.

3. Since the declaration, Belmont has worked to
implement more eco-friendly initiatives. The
Belmont Environmental Initiative Council was
created to coordinate environmental efforts on
campus. Religion professor Dr. Judy Skeen,
founder and director of the BEI Council, said,
"My goal for the future is that everyone who
works and studies on Belmont's campus will
learn how to care for the earth, conserve
resources, consume responsibly and live in
sustainable ways. Belmont's community practices
are the best way to gain visibility and begin
behavior change."

4. Current Belmont Goes Green
endeavors:
The Randall and Sadie Baskin Center is LEED-certified at the Gold level.
Click here to read more.
BLINK Level 2 Wall Mount charging stations in the Curb and North
Garages. The electric vehicle chargers are free and open to the public.
Click here to read more.
Belmont puts "green roof" on McWhorter Hall: The only large extensive
green roof on an educational facility in Nashville, the green roof serves
several purposes including a reduction in the "heat island effect," which
refers to the trend of generally higher temperatures in urban areas as
opposed to more suburban areas. The green roof lowers air temperatures
which helps reduce that effect. Green roofs also provide natural habitats
for wildlife (birds, insects, etc.) and reduce pollution by holding pollutants
rather than washing into groundwater, sewer or drainage systems. In
addition, the green roof can retain some rainwater for irrigation and can
reduce the heating/cooling costs by providing lower temperatures around
air intake systems. McWhorter Hall is the Project Innovations 2011 Merit
Winner for New Construction.

5. ila D. Bunch Library boiler system upgraded to CREST Condensing
Boiler for an average monthly fuel savings of 24.5 percent
Belmont University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) developed
a business plan for the nonprofit Spring Back Recycling, which
employees homeless and former convicts to recycle mattresses.
In the first six months, more than 1,700 mattresses were
disassembled and recycled. Read more or view the WKRN-TV
report.
Sustainability Task Force formed in 2010, bringing together
student, faculty, staff and administrative leaders to implement
new initiatives to make Belmont a more green, sustainable
institution.
Reduced electricity usage by 9% over last year across campus
Recycling of office paper across campus
Removal of bottled water on campus
Composting all Belmont yard waste
Community garden initiative

6. Use of green cleaning products in Plant Ops
Sodexho's discontinuing use of trays in cafeteria ( for water conservation) and
ending use of non-recyclable plastics
New construction will include greener heating/cooling temperature control methods
and improved water conservation
Meters installed in all dorms to track electricity usage
Belmont was a lead university in Environmental Protection Agency effort to identify
and remediate potential sources of environmental problems on campus.
Environmental Management System (EMS) program instituted on campus. (This may
be Belmont's single most important initiative in reducing long-term environmental
damage.)
In partnership with Blessed Earth.org, we have hosted several Christian Faith
Development convocations on how to be good stewards of the Creation.
Additional recycling bins placed in Belmont apartment complexes; residents are
encouraged to take advantage of this and dramatically increase their volume of
recycling.
New student organization Slow Food Belmont formed to practice and educate about
urban gardening and so much more! See Slow Food Belmont's Facebook page for
more info.
Residence Life sold about $15,000 worth of energy star products to students. They
are looking to expand the product offering in the future.
Lights in vending machines have been turned off.
Belmont was published in the Green Awakenings report on sustainability at Christian
universities. The report was done by the nonprofit grassroots organization Renewal,
and the Belmont ONE Club wrote the section on Belmont.
WeCars are available for students to use. They are located in the parking spaces
between the Curb Event Center and Maddox/Wright Residence Halls.