PSU is Taking the Bridge?

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At this point, most Penn Staters have probably heard about the coal plant retrofit that is the source of debate throughout the university and the State College community. For anyone who hasn’t, here’s the lowdown:

A new EPA policy on emission standards requires Penn State to reduce hazardous emissions by 2016. To respond to these regulations, Penn State has chosen to retrofit the west coal-powered steam plant to natural gas. The decision to renovate the west plant, which is a source of heat for the campus, is preferred over an expansion of the east steam plant, which already runs on natural gas. Expansion of the east steam plant would be significantly more costly than a retrofit of the west plant, but there remain serious concerns about the decision to convert to this “bridge technology.” The necessary pipeline that would supply natural gas to the west steam plant is proposed to run underneath the borough of State College, along Prospect Ave and Burrowes St. Residents have expressed concerns about the effects of the pipeline on property values as well as safety. Additionally, many people are questioning the sustainability of Penn State’s commitment to a natural gas infrastructure.

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Students and community members alike have been exploring alternatives to switching to natural gas. While there is still more research to be done on the economics and impacts of solutions to Penn State’s energy needs, there are some clear starting points. For one, the buildings on University Park’s campus can be retrofitted to be more energy-efficient. Deep retrofit and energy-saving measures within residence halls and classroom buildings alone have the potential to result in 50-60% energy savings.  Take a minute to think about that. Better buildings could cut energy costs by over half. As a large university expense (around $30 million) and percentage of tuition, energy costs are not a trivial finance at Penn State. In short, energy-saving retrofit is a no-brainer; it is the first best choice.

One of the primary renewable options being explored for Penn State is a geothermal system. While the price is high and the switch-over time is about ten to fifteen years, in the long-run, the new system is self-sufficient and will reduce university dependence on the an unpredictable energy market. For a more detailed description of some of the alternatives being explored for Penn State, visit this post from the Spring Creek Homesteading blog.

The decisions that are currently being made about Penn State’s energy future are some of the most important university decisions to be made within the next several decades. The reason for this is two-fold. Penn State’s choices will not only have significant economic and environmental impact on the students, community, and climate for years to come. The social implications of Penn State’s energy commitments will set an example for the state of Pennsylvania and other institutions throughout the world. If Penn State rises as a leader in sustainability, the nature of being a student, faculty member, or resident of State College will forever be changed.

As my last civic issues blog, I am going to make a statement that I would not typically make within the context of these blogs. As an issue that is close to home and so extraordinarily important, I personally advocate for student participation in this discussion. Any individuals, particularly students, who are interested in getting involved or learning more about the steam plant retrofit should attend a general meeting at 5PM on Sunday, April 21 in Hammond. Please bring information, opinions, and an enthusiasm to make change.

Additional information:

Design group reviews Penn State’s West Campus plant conversion plans

State College Borough Council opposes route of Penn State pipeline after residents object

State College Energy Sovereignty Task Force

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As a follow up, the Society of Energy Engineers is hosting a coal plant debate on Thursday, April 25 at 4PM in 157 Hosler. Join the forum and have your voice heard!

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/463917330354919/?notif_t=plan_admin_added

Best of…

In conclusion of Rhetoric and Civic Life, I am proud to present:

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Best of RCL Blogging

An Excellent Beginning

I couldn’t have asked for a better time to begin this civic issues blog, with the 57th inauguration of the United States President Barack Obama on January 21. Most will agree that the United States is at a pivotal point in its history. With the mounting environmental and energy crisis reaching its peak and worldwide economic conditions complicating foreign relations in unprecedented ways, the US has a lot on its plate within the upcoming decades…

New Passion: Philanthropy

I recently applied to the Student Philanthropy Council, a student group that aims to promote philanthropy at the Penn State. The SPC runs programs such as the Golden Lion Campaign for East Halls and the Day of Philanthropy at the HUB. My interview for the council is next week. Fingers crossed…

“The Anatomy of Hate”

…Our natural instincts demand that we survive. To do this, human beings have developed psychological mechanisms for ensuring individual survival, such as projecting personal insecurities and fears onto others. As a result of these survival tendencies, the possibility of indoctrination arises….

Do The Right Thing (1989)

…The importance of this movie though, does not lie exclusively in the examination of the individuals, but rather in the interaction among the individuals that make up the community. What this movie showed was that using fists instead of words will ultimately destroy a society. At the same time, however, this sophisticated film did not offer any firm answers to problems of misunderstanding and mistrust with respect to cultural differences. Rather, the subtleties of the film brought to light the complexities of diversity and gave viewers the sense that there was more to the conflict than just “talking it out…”

Orion

…Orion is an intensive camping experience that requires physical effort, an adventurous spirit, and a really, really good attitude. The program offers an unparallelled opportunity to meet new people and get involved in college life from the beginning. The days that I spent at Orion were some of the most memorable days of my life, though each of them posed their own challenges…

Philanthropist of the Year

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Edna Peterson Bennett Pierce

One of the ways in which Penn State recognizes the generous contributions of its donors is by giving three annual awards: Corporate Partner of the Year, Fundraising Volunteer of the Year, and Philanthropist of the Year. Edna Peterson Bennett Pierce was awarded the 2012 Philanthropist of the Year. A 1953 Penn State graduate, Bennett Pierce has worked to improve the University, particularly within the College of Health and Human Development. An advocate of children’s health, Bennet Pierce has funded several campus buildings, programs, and fellowships. Located off of Bigler Road, the Bennett Family Center offers on-campus child care. Additionally, a large portion of Bennett Pierce’s generous multi-million dollar endowment towards the College of Health and Human Development is used to support the Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development. The work of Bennett Pierce is a particularly compelling example of philanthropy at Penn State because it is such a strong reflection of her life-long passion for children’s health and disease research.

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Throughout the course of the semester, I have developed a true understanding of what it means to give back to a community from my writing on philanthropy at Penn State. While there are so many excellent and important ways to enhance the quality of education through financial support at a university, perhaps what has struck me the most about philanthropy is its importance on all levels. Indeed, the more generous a gift the more accessible change might be. This does not mean, however, that small gifts cannot have an equally significant impact. Philanthropy is not just about oversized checks and dressy dinners. Philanthropy is about honor, loyalty, and selflessness. With these values, it is not necessary to have a lot to be a philanthropist. Anyone who works to augment the quality of a community through personal initiative and dedication, in their own right, can become philanthropist of the year.

Penn State University honors the organizations, businesses, and individuals that support the institution and all of its talented students and faculty. I feel honored to be a part of such a strong community and look forward to spending the next three years making Penn State the very best it can be.

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Penn State Sustainability Institute

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The Penn State Sustainability Institute is one of Penn State’s newest and biggest sustainability initiatives. Comprised of the Office of Sustainability and the Center for Sustainability, and the institute is only about two years old. The goal of the Sustainability Institute is to unite students, faculty, and the entirety of Penn State in an immersive educational experience centered around community development, environmental consciousness, and economic well-being. The institute serves as a resource for students, faculty, and the community with interests in sustainability.

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The Penn State Center for Sustainability is active, with a diverse array of events and programs. The center is currently working to develop of an intercollege minor in sustainability leadership. The center also maintains a community garden, promotes the Green Energy Challenge competition, and sponsors many more projects geared towards student involvement in sustainability initiatives. For a complete list and descriptions of the programs  offered by the Center for Sustainability, visit their website.

As a new agency, the Sustainability Institute is seeking the support of sponsors and donors who are committed to the success of sustainability at Penn State. Philanthropists are encouraged to sponsor programs, donate to projects, and fund scholarships to support the students with educational pursuits in sustainability.

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The MorningStar house is an example of a project that flourished under the support of contributors. The team received funds from many generous businesses and donors, and it was due to their support that the house placed fourth internationally and is now located on campus for research purposes.

The Sustainability Institute is a remarkable undertaking for the university that is defining the future of Penn State. The institute’s mission to provide a well-rounded, socially responsible education to all students is truly a forward-thinking philosophy. For more information about the Center for Sustainability, visit the website.

 

Penn State Day of Philanthropy

DThe second annual Penn State Day of Philanthropy was held on November 15, 2012 across several Penn State campuses. The purpose of the Day of Philanthropy is to educate students and affiliates of Penn State on the importance of philanthropy at the university. Student philanthropic groups and other organizations that benefit from philanthropy are represented at the HUB on the Day of Philanthropy to inform the student body on the significance of donations and financial support to such a diverse research university.

In addition to raising awareness at Penn State about the role of philanthropy in the daily lives of the students and faculty, the Day of Philanthropy also encourages alumni and other Penn State supporters to donate to the school. All donations made on the Day of Philanthropy go towards For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. The campaign is the largest in the history of the university, with the aim of raising $2 billion by 2014. The goal of the campaign is to keep Penn State tuition affordable, while making Penn State the best research university for students in the country. Information on the  progress on the campaign can be found at the Giving to Penn State site.

The Day of Philanthropy is not only significant because it educates and encourages students, faculty, and alumni to be aware of philanthropy. The event also offers a unique opportunity for student groups to interact with other organizations and the student body. The Penn State community is enriched through the kind of outreach the Day of Philanthropy provides. In sum, the Day of Philanthropy showcases the best of what Penn State has to offer: a diverse group of ambitious students and a loyal support system.

Additional information about the 2012 Day of Philanthropy can be found at the Penn State philanthropy site. Most importantly, be sure to visit the HUB next semester for the 2013 Day of Philanthropy!

Energy-Efficient Housing

We’ve heard all about oil, natural gas, renewables, and climate change in the news. But how do all of these components fit together and effect our daily lives? The answer, in part, lies in the residential and commercial building sector. According to the US Energy Information Administration, 22% of US energy use is in the residential sector. Combined with 19% used commercially, the combined total is 41%, 9% more than is consumed by industrial processes in the US. In short, buildings use a lot of energy.

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It should be no surprise then, that energy-efficient housing is a growing field of research and practice. Energy-efficient codes and homeowner savings both incentivize and demand that developers and occupants monitor and regulate their energy use. The prevalence of energy-efficient appliances and energy auditing firms demonstrates the demand for the sustainability of buildings and houses. Changing energy standards is a further indication of a paradigm shift within architecture, construction, and occupancy.

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Many existing houses actually fall below current energy-efficiency codes due to rapidly changing standards. In conjunction with ever-improving efficiency guidelines, technology and design techniques are becoming more conscious of energy use and sustainability initiatives. While the housing market struggles, many people think it unwise to try to pursue energy-efficient housing. Others however, like researchers at the Rocky Mountain Institute, think the time to push energy standards is now:

If a builder, developer, or designer is going to learn or try something new—or build on                his/her brand with a new product offering, there’s really no better time than when the market is slow. You’re certainly not going to retool your design and construction approach when you’re really busy designing or building homes.

“Retooling” is a great word to describe the shift from a paradigm of viewing residences as products to viewing buildings as living, dynamic systems. The term does not, however, capture the sheer scale of this new shift, which is to say that research into sustainable design is actually a lot more complicated than meets the eye. Consideration of materials, life-cycle, type of construction, employment ethics, functionality, technological fixtures, and post-occupancy evaluation are essential aspects of sustainable design. Community effects of housing projects are as important as energy-efficiency, though are frequently overlooked due to a lack of any tried-and-true method for quantifying the social impacts of energy-efficient housing.

The relationship between energy-efficient housing and social sustainability is inseparable and deeply rooted in political and social advocacy. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development identifies social issues related to high utility costs as a major problem associated with affordable public housing. The cost of energy and materials proves detrimental to homeowners and in particular, low-income residents. Social concerns from criminal rehabilitation to quality of neighborhood, city, and community life are all related to energy costs and energy policy. The urgency of energy-efficient housing is national.

Changes in energy policy can be expected within the next several decades as energy costs rise and political dynamics alter the US energy portfolio. At the same time, leaders in social sustainability are placing stakes in the upcoming trends.

Penn State University Libraries

The Penn State University Library system consists of thirty-six libraries and boasts an impressive five million items. With twenty-four locations across Pennsylvania, the system is growing by about 100,000 volumes every year. The libraries serve the twenty Penn State campuses and are the result of centuries of generosity and philanthropy.

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The Penn State library system has its beginnings in an original collection of agriculture and science volumes located in Old Main during the first few decades following the university’s founding in 1865. Rapid expansion moved the library to the Carnegie Building in beginning of 20th century. Funded by Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Building had a capacity of around 50,000 books. With such rapid growth, the collection at University Park outgrew its library. From 1937 to 1940, a Public Works Administration General State Authority project built the Pattee Library. By the mid 1960s, the Pattee Library had been expanded three times with a collection of 800,000 books. Wishing to further grow the library, fundraising projects were undertaken. The Paterno Library, an addition to the Pattee Library, was dedicated in 2000 after contributions totaling $350,000 from Joe and Sue Paterno. In Joe Paterno’s words on the importance of libraries, “You cannot have a great university without an outstanding library and an outstanding liberal arts school.” The Pattee and Paterno Libraries now hold five subject libraries as well as workrooms and media resources.

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In addition to the Pattee-Paterno library, several smaller libraries on campus are available to students and faculty, including the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Library, the Schreyer Business Library, and the Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library. The Penn State University Library System also participates in an interlibrary loan for access to materials not in Penn State circulation.

Penn State’s broad and diverse library system is an asset to the thousands of students and faculty that study and research at Penn State. Thanks to hundreds of years of public and private contributions, the libraries at Penn State continue to grow each year.

History of Penn State Library System

Schreyer Honors College

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The Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University is ranked eighth in the nation for overall excellence and fourth in the nation among honors programs of over 1,800 students. A highly respected and prestigious program, The honors college at Penn State was founded in 1997 by a $30 million gift from William and Joan Schreyer. William Schreyer was a Penn State alumni and former CEO of Merrill Lynch & Co. The Schreyers remain the largest donors in Penn State history.

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William Schreyer was a commerce and finance major and member of the Penn State Class of 1948. Beginning his prosperous 45 year career as an intern at Merrill Lynch at the age of twenty, Schreyer eventually became CEO of the company. Schreyer was passionate about serving the Penn State community. Schreyer held three terms as president of the Penn State Board of Trustees. He also served as chairman of the “Campaign for Penn State” and honorary chairman of a two billion fundraising project called “For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.” The Schreyers made an additional $25 million gift in 2006 to the Schreyer Honors College.

The Schreyer Honors College offers excellent opportunities and support to its scholars. The college offers over 250 honors courses, yearly scholarships, advising, and student-faculty programs. The honors college bridges the gap between a large university and a small college experience.

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William Schreyer was a hardworking and tremendously influential figurehead. A successful businessman, Schreyer has left a legacy of success in the career world and his tremendous character has left an imprint on the entire Penn State University. In his memoirs, Still Bullish on America, William Schreyer expressed his goals for the Schreyer Honors College and scholars:

      …I want them to be leaders. Yes, to be good academics and scholars, but also to be          able to make a real difference out in the world, no matter what field they go into—               business, biochemistry, or whatever. To be the best.”

Persuasive Essays

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/opinion/god-is-an-argentine.html?ref=opinion&_r=0

A piece written by an Argentinian about the inauguration of Pope Francis, this NYT editorial is critical of the effect that an Argentine pope will have on the culture and politics of Argentina. Citing examples of past tensions between Cardinal Bergoglio and Argentinian president Nestor Kirchner as indications of a tough beginning, the author is concerned that Argentina will become fixated on an figurehead that will be detrimental to the liberties and progress of the country.

http://reason.com/archives/2011/05/19/plentiful-fuel

Plentiful Fuel is an article questioning the legitimacy of environmental claims against fracking and natural gas. Taking a more skeptical stance, the author questions all sides: leftist accusations of corporate corruption, economic interests, and lax regulations. John Stossel suggests that while natural gas is not perfect, no energy source is.

Krause Innovation Studio

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As a Penn State student, I am always discovering great new places on campus that I had never previously visited. The Krause Innovation Studio, a learning studio located in the Chambers Building, is one such location. The studio is the result of a $6.5 million gift from Gay and Bill Krause and was opened in March 12, 2012. The lab serves as a meeting space and research hub for students and faculty.

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The Innovation Studio was designed to promote research into the role of technology in the modern classroom. The studio is divided into three distinct areas. The open lounge is furnished with sound-mitigating couches and group study nooks. The private conference rooms can be reserved for maximum three-hour time slots either online or over the phone. The learn lab is the largest room, capable of seating twenty-five to thirty people. Faculty can request the learn lab for occasional classes or can submit a proposal requesting access to the learn lab for an entire semester. It is no surprise that the studio is technologically up-to-date; all three spaces are equipped with television monitors that can be connected to laptops to share information among groups.

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There is a variety of research being conducted at the studio, ranging from learning analytics to mapping the technology economy within academia. Students and faculty interested in getting involved with the Innovation Studio or research in pedagogy and technology can talk to one of the staff at the learning center or visit the Krause Innovation Studio website. There are plenty of other opportunities to get involved with the studio as well. The lab hosts symposiums and other forums throughout the year to encourage discussion of technology’s place in education and how to create more effective learning spaces. Even paying a visit to the symposium or scheduling group meetings in one of the conference rooms is a great way to support the studio’s mission.

A big thanks to the Krauses for their support of Penn State and modern education.