College Earns Top Marks For 'Green' Efforts

FRANKLIN, Ind. -- It's not grades, but "green" that has earned Franklin College recognition from the state as a leader among Indiana campuses.

The private liberal arts college was honored last week with an Indiana Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in the recycling/reuse category for its development of a campus-wide composting system.

As part of the pilot initiative, yard and appropriate cafeteria food waste is collected in bins, which students track to determine the best formula to create nutrient-rich compost. The compost is then used in landscaping around the campus.

Franklin officials said the project has saved the college $6,550 from vendor fees and landscaping material purchases, while converting 50 tons of waste into useable compost.

The college's "green" mission came into focus after President James G. Moseley signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, in an effort to become climate neutral and educate students on the issue of climate change.

Since then, students, faculty and staff have worked together to study ways to "green" the campus, including installing energy-efficient lighting, replacing aging copiers with Energy Star-rated machines and going without trays at the cafeteria to cut down on water and energy consumption used in commercial washing.

"Franklin College is taking a holistic approach, rather than focusing on one individual 'green' initiative," said Thomas Patz, project manager for Franklin's Organizational Development & Safety. "Our campus Green Team is a wonderful example of the collaboration that occurs at Franklin College between an engaged, talented and active community of lifelong learners."

Six other Indiana colleges and universities have joined the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment: Ancilla College, Ball State University, DePauw University, Goshen College, Indiana State University and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

More Information:

Franklin College

Indiana Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment