Until the end of July, UAA is recruiting nationally for a Director of Sustainability to develop and coordinate all of our efforts. 

Director of Sustainability PCN: 306337; Posting # 0055588

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) invites applications for the full-time position of Director of Sustainability. The University seeks an energetic Director with a strong working knowledge of, and a passion for, sustainability.  An awareness of the central issues and controversies related to sustainable development, including cross-cultural and social issues, is vital. The Director will lead UAA’s Office of Sustainability, report to UAA’s Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, consult with members of UAA’s executive leadership team, and work with UAA’s Sustainability Council which serves as an advisory board.

Please download the position description for the full description and list of requirements for the Director of Sustainability at UAA.

Review of applications will begin 07/22/2008and continue until the position is filled.  All applications must be submitted online at: www.uakjobs.com. 

Local music celebrities Jared Woods and Strept (click here for poster of event) will play Wednesday January 30 in the Gorsuch Commons from 4:00-7:00 pm in support of Focus the Nation:  Global Warming Solutions for America, a national teach-in engaging millions of students about solutions to global warming (see attached poster). Focus the Nation at UAA will combine learning about climate change solutions with student speakers, free food, organic and local choices at the Commons dining hall, prizes, a webcast from students across the nation, and great music by socially conscious bands. The event is co-sponsored by USUAA’s Committee on Sustainability, the Sustainability Club, the Bike Club, the UAA Council on Sustainability, the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence, and UAA Student Activities.

We stand at a unique moment in human history. Global warming is already impacting Alaska; we see it in warmer temperatures, melting permafrost, the erosion of coastal villages, anomalous migration patterns, and more. Global warming will affect our pocketbooks, our health, our future jobs, our ability to ski and have fun in the Alaskan outdoors – everything!  Decisions that are ours to make today – to stabilize global warming pollution and invest in clean energy solutions – will have a profound impact not only on our lives, but on the lives of every human being who will ever walk the face of the planet from now until the end of time. We have enormous power to make a positive impact on the future.  At this moment in time, we owe ourselves one day of focused discussion about global warming solutions for America

Focus the Nation is an unprecedented educational initiative, involving over a thousand colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools, faith groups, civic organizations and businesses to help shift the national conversation about global warming towards a determination to face this civilizational challenge.

For more information, contact:
 liisa@uaa.alaska.edu or marcuson2@uaa.alaska.edu      www.focusthenation.org.

In December 2007, the UAA Chancellor’s Cabinet approved a new Energy Policy for UAA. Many of its objectives are already being practiced at UAA, but this policy creates a systematic and focused approach to energy conservation and ultimately, environmental protection. UA spends $4-5 million annually on energy. Efficient use of these funds is imperative for the health of the university system as well as the environment.

Commitment to responsible energy and resource management is part of an overall environmental strategy that UAA addresses in its energy policy. UAA's new energy policy will result in a more sustainable campus with savings that can be reinvested in its infrastructure. The plan will undergo periodic reviews and updates as it fits into an even larger sustainability program for the entire university system, our local community and new state policies. 

For more information, see UAA's Energy Policy, UAA's Energy Procedures, and UAA's Conservation and Sustainability Tips or contact the Associate Director of Facilities and Campus Services at (907) 786-1110.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) holiday lights are the newest addition to the types of holiday lighting now available.

Advantages of LED Lights

LED holiday lights are a new application for a mature technology. LED lights have a number of benefits over conventional lighting:

• Energy-Efficient:  0.04 watts per bulb; mini-lights use ten times more energy and standard (C-7) bulbs use 100 times more energy
• Long Life Span: up to 200,000 hours used indoors, (20 years continuous use), and the manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty.
• Safety: no chance of combustion from the cool temperature bulbs.
• Sturdy Bulbs: the epoxy lenses are virtually indestructible.
• Easily Strung: up to 20 strings can be connected end-to-end without overloading a typical household's electrical circuit.
• Lamp Replacement: if a bulb does burn out, the other bulbs will stay lit, so you can easily replace the bad bulb.

Replacing standard holiday lights with LED lights reduces energy by 99%. This reduces your electric bill, the number of burned-out bulbs, and the hassle of replacing them. This also reduces the risk of fire.

Where to Buy LED Lights in Anchorage

These are some of the stores that will be selling LED lights. Call before you visit to make sure LED lights are in stock.

• Ace Hardware
• Costco
• Fred Meyer
• Home Depot
• True Value Hardware

Discover some of the environmentally friendly things going on around UAA:
Slide Show

What can you do?  More than you realize!

Visit the Campus Climate Challenge website

Learn more about Energy Action Coalition:  founded and led by youth to help support and strengthen the student and youth clean energy movement in North America

Margaret King
907-786-6372
anmjk@uaa.alaska.edu