Services

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), is a member organization of colleges and universities working to advance sustainability in higher education.

Everyone on campus is included under Hofstra's AASHE membership. The AASHE website is http://www.aashe.org.

You can log in from the home page by clicking on member login or following this link: http://www.aashe.org/members/membershiplogin.php. Click to create a new account.

Use your campus email address as your username. You will receive a password in the inbox of the email account you used for the username. Go back to the login page, enter your email in the username box and type or paste the password that was emailed to you in the password box. That should give you access to all the locked resources. All faculty, staff, and students on campus can use their own email to create login credentials for themselves.

Air Quality

Hofstra University is committed to protecting and improving indoor and outdoor air quality and minimizing atmospheric pollution in accordance with Title IV of the Clean Air Act from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The following addresses this goal:

• Identify concerns and problems regarding indoor and outdoor air pollution and implement effective and efficient programs and practices for addressing these issues.
• Minimize greenhouse gas emissions in activities, operations and services.
• Minimize the use of ozone-depleting substances

Construction

Hofstra University is committed to incorporating environmental considerations in the planning and design-making process for new construction. We are ensuring that all new buildings achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certifications. 

The following addresses this goal:

• Assure, where practical, that buildings and infrastructure are designed, constructed, and operated in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts and enhances environmental performance.
• Wherever possible, work with Architectural Engineers to upgrade new building designs above and beyond the New York State Building Code Energy Standards.

The following is a list of build that have LEED Silver certification:

• The New Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Building
• The New Frank G. Zarb School of Business Building
• Science & Innovation Center – School of Nursing and School of Engineering and Applied Science

Green Cleaning Policy

Green cleaning standards and best cleaning practices are implemented to ensure students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors are not exposed to potentially harmful chemicals, and to limit and/or minimize any potentially adverse effects on people and the environment.

The University uses green cleaning processes and procedures that consider the balance between cost, effectiveness, safety, environmental impact, equipment, industry standards, and final disposal of product.

Every effort is made to use third-party “certified green” cleaning products where and when chemicals, cleaning agents, and cleaning equipment are in use.

The University is committed to maintaining the highest level of environmental performance for campus custodial services by:

• Continually educating, training, and motivating our custodial staff to work in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Using cleaning products that meet Green Seal standard GS-37 or products with low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) whenever applicable. An allowance for cleaning chemicals otherwise prohibited may be made in cases where the product application or sanitation requirements (health care, food service) are such that there is no appropriate alternative green cleaning product available. We will limit disinfectant applications to the appropriate setting, amount, and target organism.
• Minimizing the use of aerosols.
• Using paper and plastic products that meet EPA standards with high post-consumer recycled content.
• Using concentrated cleaning products when available that are automatically and accurately diluted using cold water.
• Preventative products such as entrance matting shall be used where practical to minimize cleaning needs.
• Using cleaning systems such as microfiber mops and dust cloths where appropriate to clean without water or chemicals.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Hofstra University is committed to conserving natural resources and energy by managing materials more efficiently. Less waste can be produced by practicing the 3 R's - reduce, reuse, and recycle.

REDUCE

Waste prevention means consuming and throwing away less, along with reducing the toxicity of waste discarded (source reduction). The ways in which wastes are reduced include:

• Repair and maintenance of durable products
• Adapt practices that reduce waste toxicity (laboratory "waste minimization")

REUSE

Reusing products, when possible, is better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again. Examples of reuse on campus include:

• Donation of computer equipment
• Silver reclamation from the Photo Studio 

RECYCLE

The following items are sorted from the general waste stream on campus and recycled by various vendors:

• mixed paper
• cans and bottles
• cooking oil and grease
• used vehicle hydraulic/lubricant oils and filters
• antifreeze from vehicles and air conditioners
• fluorescent, metal halide, mercury vapor, and high pressure sodium light bulbs
• dry and wet cell batteries
• Freon refrigerants
• paint thinners

Mixed Paper Recycling Program

What can you do?

• Use the paper recycling containers whenever present
• Whenever at the eateries throughout the campus, ONLY take the items you need. Many unused napkins, plastic utensils, and food packets are discarded by diners. 

DONATIONS

• Two collection bins for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island (BBBSLI), are located at the Mack Sports Complex and the Student Center bus stop. The Hofstra Community is encouraged to donate unwanted clothing items. These bins are on the campus year-round.
• Every May, Hofstra implements a Green Move Out program. Students are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items to Island Harvest. Collection bins are located in each residence hall and at Hofstra USA – Dutch Treats. Collection bins from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island (BBBSLI) are placed at residence hall locations around campus. Students may donate unwanted clothing items.

Outdoor Environment and Natural Resources

Hofstra University recognizes the value of green space as a key component of a healthy campus. Well planned open space contributes to the quality of life on the campus by supporting its many social, educational, ecological, recreational, and aesthetic needs. The University is committed to preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the natural landscapes that contribute to a balanced open space system on campus.

Following Hofstra University’s commitments, we have been a registered arboretum since 1985 under the American Public Gardens Association. Campus is home to approximately 12,000 evergreen and deciduous trees. Hofstra has also received the distinction of a Tree Campus since 2015 under Tree Campus USA designated by the Arbor Day Foundation.

The University is also committed to supporting our various natural resources and habitats present on campus lands and waters. These goals are addressed by:

• "Right Plant in the Right Place" landscape design. This results in the eliminating of invasive species and reduces the energy required to maintain the grounds.
• An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program has been in use for over 20 years. IPM is an ecological approach that significantly reduces the use of pesticides by using "safety use" pest control measures.
• Organic fertilizers and slow-release nitrogen products are used in order to reduce water pollution sources and cut down on nitrogen and phosphate leaching.

There are many green spaces on campus for everyone to utilize:

• Bird Sanctuary- Recently reopened for guided tours, the Bird Sanctuary is a two acre site whose purpose is to recapture lost habitat for our avian friends. It was created from a New York State Department of Transportation recharge basin as a model to other communities. 
• Student Garden- Located next to Stuyvesant Hall and comprised of two raised beds; one of which is wheelchair accessible. We are undergoing projects to expand this space with more beds. 
• Sensory Garden- Located just outside of Au Bon Pain, stop by to relax by the bubbling fountain and watch the fish!
• Greenhouses- On the roof of Gittleson Hall we currently have two greenhouses that are used by our science departments and the LEAF Club to grow various types of plants. The geology department secretary on the first floor of Gittleson can provide a key to access them.

What can you do?

• Please refrain from littering on campus. Your can help to keep our environment clean and green.

Purchasing

Hofstra University is committed to purchasing products that consider environmental impacts, in addition to quality and cost.

The Physical Plant Department works closely with the Purchasing Department to ensure that the University uses "green" products whenever possible:

• The Custodial Department switched to using Green Seal certified products in 2006.

• Energy Star products purchased by Hofstra include, but are not limited to, computers, monitors, copy machines, air conditioners and lighting products.

• The University is looking into the purchase of "Green Energy" through the EPA's Green Power Partnership. Green energy offsets carbon dioxide and other emissions from power plants, supports the conservation of non-renewable fossil fuels-oils, coal and natural gas, and improves diversity, independence, and sustainability.

• Food services no longer uses polystyrene products (Styrofoam) and Hofstra no longer purchases any Styrofoam products, instead choosing products that may be recycled.

Transportation

Hofstra University recognizes the need to balance the demands of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles in its transportation management.

The following demonstrates Hofstra's commitment:

• The University provides courtesy buses for the convenience of the Hofstra community. Buses make a loop of the campus as well as providing transportation to and from the Hempstead and Mineola train stations. Regular trips are also made to Roosevelt Field mall and Pathmark food store in East Meadow.
• Hofstra has adopted a "no idle" policy for all its vehicles, along with requiring all delivery trucks arriving at the warehouse to comply to this policy.
• Hofstra provides numerous locations across campus for students to park and lock up bikes and scooters for safe keeping.
• Campus has been designed with walkability in mind, ensuring students are able to easily access all parts of campus on foot thus eliminating the need for transportation.

What can you do?

• Use alternate modes of transportation such as biking, walking, carpooling, and public transportation.

Solid and Hazardous Waste Minimization

The University is committed to minimizing the amount of solid and hazardous waste produced on campus.

This is addressed by the following:

• Support the practices of reuse, reduce, and recycle.
• Promote the philosophy that "less is better" when working in the science labs.
• Maintain a hazardous waste management and disposal tracking system.
• Promote the purchase of nonhazardous materials whenever possible.