News from the Hill January 01, 2008 | back to index
Trustees vote to reduce energy consumption by 20% within 5 years
At their December meeting the Andover Newton’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to cut the School’s energy consumption by 20% within the next five years. They called upon the entire seminary community to join them in this effort which they have committed to monitor closely and publish progress reports annually.
Board Chair David Smith saluted the action and challenged everyone to use their creativity in meeting this new goal. “It is a great expression of our School’s core value of stewardship and I hope we will surprise ourselves with the innovations this commitment can generate,” Smith said.
The unprecedented action was taken upon the strong recommendation of the Board’s new Standing Committee on Buildings and Grounds, chaired by Trustee Rowland Bates. Other members of the committee include: Trustees Ted Murray, Judy Swahnberg, George Peters, and Russ MacPherson; faculty rep Brita-Gill Austern; student rep Cristina Cabrera; and staff Frank Cavaco, Nancy Nienhuis, Bob MacDonald and Nick Carter.
The Committee has taken several steps in its efforts to chart a comprehensive campus development plan that includes a proactive approach to ecological sustainability. They have committed examine how all new building projects are designed and executed; explore the development of new partnerships for developing a “green” campus, and launch several recycling projects. “We have a long way to go,” observed Committee Chair Bates, “but the steps we have taken recently are a great beginning. We thank the Ecology Ministry for their advocacy and witness.”