Topic - Sustainability (139)

Iona University’s Composting Initiative Cultivates a Greener Future on Campus (News 5268)

jtarter1@gaels.iona.edu — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:52:44 +0000

Iona University’s Composting Initiative Cultivates a Greener Future on Campus (News 5268) jtarter1@gaels… Tue, 04/22/2025 - 12:52 Iona University’s Composting Initiative Cultivates a Greener Future on Campus April 22, 2025

New Rochelle, N.Y. – At Iona University, a transformative composting initiative has taken root, promising not only to reduce food waste but also to foster a culture of sustainability among students.

The initiative blossomed from a 2021 student survey led by Drs. Christina Andruk and Nilofer Naqvi, associate professors of biology and psychology, respectively, as part of the Hynes Faculty Fellow program. The survey identified food waste as the number one concern among students. This feedback underscored the need for improved waste management and sustainability practices, leading to the launch of the composting initiative.

Composting has since expanded under the guidance of professors Andruk and Naqvi, engaging students through coursework and service grants that offer hands-on learning experiences and promote sustainable lifestyle choices.

“The composting initiative at Iona isn’t just about managing waste — it’s a movement towards a greener future,” noted professors Andruk and Naqvi. “By involving students, fostering collaboration and breaking misconceptions about composting, Iona is paving the way for other sustainable practices on campus.”

Key items that can be composted include grass clippings, leaves, coffee grounds and grains, while materials to avoid include oil, meat and plastics. Composting is often perceived as complicated, but that is a myth; with a designated space and a little patience, anyone can create a thriving compost pile to contribute to a green future.

The Facilities Department also provided the composting initiative with leaves, wood chips and tools, while Chartwells staff work closely to collect food scraps from Vitanza, the on-campus dining hall.

“We are immensely grateful to the Facilities Department at Iona, whose partnership has been crucial,” said Naqvi. “They provided the Montgomery House garage space, helped transport compostable materials and actively participated in our efforts by providing us with shovels and wheelbarrows.”

Building on the foundation laid by faculty and staff, student involvement is at the heart of the composting initiative. Many students have expressed that this has become an enjoyable and educational experience that teaches practical skills while cultivating environmental consciousness and community spirit.

Students get to mix, turn and sift through the material, gaining hands-on experience that connects them to the purpose of the initiative. The finished product, a dark crumbly substance, is essential for enhancing soil health, improving water retention and reducing the need for commercial fertilizers and pesticides.

Thus far, Iona has established three large, aerated compost bins and five smaller ones that reduce food waste and generate nutrient-rich soil for campus projects. Last semester, the compost students made was returned to the earth during a tree-planting event, demonstrating the tangible difference these efforts are making.

“Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic materials,” said lead volunteer and campus minister Alina Denaut ’26. “I first participated in composting for extra credit but found the process so interesting that I wanted to learn more and encourage others to join.”

ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.

Iona College Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (News 3050)

ptascio — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:13:04 +0000

Iona College Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (News 3050) ptascio Wed, 11/17/2021 - 10:13 Iona College Installs Electric Vehicle Charging StationsNew charging stations promote environmental sustainability on campus November 17, 2021

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — As part of Iona University’s ongoing commitment to addressing and promoting environmental sustainability, three new “Level 1” electric vehicle charging stations are now open in the parking garage. Spearheaded by Iona’s Committee on Environmental Sustainability, the charging stations are available to support all students, faculty and staff who drive electric vehicles on campus.

“Electric vehicles provide less air pollution and essentially make our community a healthier place to live and visit,” said Nilofer Naqvi, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Iona and co-chair for the Committee on Environmental Sustainability. “Once my colleagues reached out to me about possibly having the charging stations on campus, we immediately figured out next steps to getting them installed. The committee fully supported this because we recognize the importance of supporting those who choose sustainability.”

The committee worked with Andrew Albrecht, associate director of Facilities Management, and members of the Facilities team to install the charging stations.

The new stations also act as a touchpoint for the committee’s commitment to making Iona a more sustainable campus through greening projects, academic opportunities and community partnerships, among other initiatives. Learn more about the Committee on Environmental Sustainability and get involved today.

“Eventually, we plan to write a proposal for more high-powered charging stations on campus,” said Christina Andruk, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and co-chair for the Committee on Environmental Sustainability. “As electric vehicles gain more popularity, we look forward to helping our community continue to effect change in lasting and impactful ways.”

Iona College Getting Greener (News 767)

ptascio — Fri, 22 May 2020 15:23:02 +0000

Iona College Getting Greener (News 767) ptascio Fri, 05/22/2020 - 11:23 Iona College Getting GreenerIn a move that will lessen Iona’s carbon footprint, the College is partnering with a leading energy conservation firm to help reduce consumption of oil, natural gas, water, and electricity on campus.May 22, 2019

College Partners with One of Nation’s Leading Energy-Efficiency Experts

Savings Expected to Exceed $2.5 Million, Reduce Energy Consumption 20 percent

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The Gaels are getting greener.

In a move that will lessen Iona’s carbon footprint, the College is partnering with a leading energy conservation firm to help reduce consumption of oil, natural gas, water, and electricity on campus.

By working with Cenergistic, Dallas-based energy-efficiency experts that partner with school districts, municipalities, universities, and health care facilities across the country, Iona expects to save over $2.5 million in energy costs over the next five years.

“For years, Iona has strived to make our campus a model of sustainability,” said Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., Iona College president. “This partnership takes our efforts to a new level, and ensures that we save energy, lower our costs, and foster a climate and appreciation of conservation on campus.”

Here’s how the program works: Cenergistic energy specialists will conduct a comprehensive energy audit across Iona’s 1.2 million square foot campus. The company will then optimize existing HVAC, water, and lighting systems and install cloud-based software that works in real time to ensure that buildings, facilities, and equipment such as computers, labs, and residence halls are running at peak efficiency, and not wasting energy when buildings are unoccupied, such as on holidays and breaks.

Iona expects to reduce its energy consumption by roughly 20 percent when energy specialists from Cenergistic, including a full-time staffer assigned to the Iona campus, work closely with the College’s facilities staff to ensure peak efficiency of all energy-using equipment across every campus building.

“The partnership complements Iona’s ongoing efforts to get greener by the day,” added Carl Procario-Foley, chair of the Iona College Committee on Environmental Sustainability, and pointed out that even the College’s commencement attire is made of 100 percent recycled materials. The College currently recycles its paper and non-toxic cleaners; uses programmable thermostats and eco-efficient bathroom fixtures; and uses LED lighting in its newly-constructed buildings across campus.

For 33 years, Cenergistic has helped over 1,450 Pre-K-12 districts, institutions of higher education, governments, and healthcare facilities find more than $5.4 billion in hidden electricity, natural gas, and water savings by applying advanced software platforms and sustainability-as-a-service solutions on their campuses.

“Superintendents, CFOs, COOs, and board members can reduce energy and water spending by 20-30 percent each year with no capital investment, while improving the comfort and quality of classroom and building environments,” said Cenergistic Vice Chairman, Dr. Randy Hoff. The company has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for 11 consecutive years.

Iona Graduates Going Green (News 772)

ptascio — Fri, 22 May 2020 16:20:43 +0000

Iona Graduates Going Green (News 772) ptascio Fri, 05/22/2020 - 12:20 Iona Graduates Going GreenIona’s graduates will prevent more than 20,000 plastic bottles from being sent to landfills when they don robes made of recyclable materials at commencement on Saturday. May 15, 2019

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - When the Iona College Class of 2019 marches for commencement on May 18, they will be earning their degrees as well as making a significant contribution to the greening of the environment.

According to The Guardian, a million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and that number is increasing. Instead of adding to the alarming statistic, Iona graduates will be doing their part to fight it; the gowns the students will be wearing are made of 100 percent recyclable materials.

Iona is working with Oak Hall Cap and Gown, the company that introduced sustainable caps and gowns to higher education in 2009 with their GreenWeaver wear. According to Oak Hall, it takes an average of 23 recycled bottles to make each gown. One hundred students wearing recycled gowns spare the ocean and landfills 2,300 bottles.

Unlike typical commencement gowns, these gowns are wrinkle resistant, lightweight, softer than traditional polyester and can be recycled after use.

“It is exciting to think that with more than 900 graduates donning these robes at the commencement exercises, Iona will be instrumental in preventing over 20,000 plastic bottles from being sent to landfills!” said Carl Procario-Foley, Ph.D., chair of the Iona College Committee on Environmental Sustainability.

Iona College challenges its community to Move the World — and to many, moving toward a greener world is a top priority. Through academic programs, research initiatives, co-curricular activities, campus greening, committee work, and community partnerships, Iona strives to cultivate a culture of stewardship that embraces environmental consciousness, social justice, and inclusivity.