Student proposals advance Virginia Tech’s sustainability initiatives
Continued restoration efforts of Stroubles Creek and LED lighting upgrades at Patton Hall are the latest student-proposed sustainability projects heading toward implementation on the Blacksburg campus.
Virginia Tech students are furthering the university’s sustainability initiatives and fueling universitywide collaboration using experiential learning through the Green Request for Proposal (RFP) Program.
At the start of each academic year, the Office of Sustainability seeks proposals from student groups for campus sustainability projects that support Virginia Tech’s Climate Action Commitment. Students are encouraged to work with subject matter experts at the university to develop their sustainability proposals.
Once submitted, a team of staff subject matter experts provides an initial review and offers recommendations. The proposals then go to the Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy Committee, where they are further reviewed and prioritized by a working group of faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students.
The committee provides guidance to university administration on the implementation of the Climate Action Commitment and identifies specific opportunities, such as the Green RFP Program, to enhance Virginia Tech's pursuit of environmental quality and social sustainability.
The committee prioritizes the proposals and forwards recommendations to the Office of Budget and Financial Planning for further review, approval, and funding consideration.
“These proposals are testaments to the success of partnerships between students, faculty, and staff coming together to improve campus,” said Nathan King, campus sustainability manager. “When implemented, students are ultimately leaving their sustainable legacy at Virginia Tech.”
Integrating green ideas
Since the Green RFP Program’s inception in 2010, professors have started to integrate the program into their curriculum.
The Division of Facilities' Office of Sustainability and Office of Energy Management staff partnered to mentor students in a class as they developed a proposal for an LED lighting upgrade in Patton Hall. The semester-long project was submitted and successfully funded through the Green RFP Program.
“These students used Patton Hall as a living learning laboratory,” said King. “They were able to evaluate the existing lighting in the building and collaborate with faculty, staff, and contractors to create their proposal.”
Students involved in the Patton Hall lighting upgrades presented their proposal at the Office of Sustainability's Climate Action Living Laboratory Showcase last spring as part of Earth Week 2024 activities.
Additionally, the Green RFP Program is enriching student learning and bolstering the awareness of sustainability efforts on the Blacksburg campus.
The Stroubles Creek riparian restoration project has served as a unique experiential learning experience for students. Professors use Stroubles Creek to educate students on topics introduced in class, such as ecological restoration and stream restoration.
Across the university, students have been involved in the Stroubles Creek project phases. Implementation of previous phases often tie into The Big Plant — a community event hosted by the Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech at which thousands of trees are planted on Virginia Tech’s campus and surrounding Blacksburg area — resulting in high levels of student involvement in the actual planting and maintenance of Stroubles Creek.
Increasing student engagement
The Patton Hall lighting upgrades and Stroubles Creek restoration proposals are examples of how student ideas can generate real sustainable change on the Blacksburg campus for future generations of Hokies.
Student engagement and universitywide partnerships introduced from the Green RFP Program have contributed to Virginia Tech’s highest Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) rating.
In the recent STARS rating, Virginia Tech received its highest marks in academics and engagement through longstanding programs that impact students in meaningful ways.
The Green RFP Program uses a holistic approach to sustainability when evaluating projects submitted.
“The program would love to broaden the scope of the kinds of projects funded and target areas that are not traditionally thought of as being sustainability oriented,” said King. “We want to encourage colleges and other units to feel welcome to participate in Green RFP too.”
The Office of Sustainability is currently seeking student proposals for campus sustainability projects for the 2024-25 academic year through the Green RFP Program.
