Bowdoin College

Profile

Founded in 1796, Bowdoin is Maine’s oldest college. Located just outside downtown Brunswick, the main campus serves 1,600 undergraduate students and 650 faculty and staff members. Bowdoin is committed to sustainable policies and actions. The Bowdoin College Sustainability Office works with students, faculty and staff throughout the campus, and energy conservation is one of their larger focuses. Each academic year features various student-led initiatives for recycling, energy and water conservation, and other environmental issues, supported by Bowdoin’s Facility Management Department and coordinated in conjunction with the Sustainable Bowdoin Committee. Energy conservation initiatives in particular shown significant successful results. Visit Sustainable Bowdoin for more details.

Past Initiatives

From 1978 to 1984, Bowdoin received three grants from the United States Dept. of Energy for energy conservation measures. Approximately 62 campus structures were evaluated, and measures with a five-year return on investment from energy savings were implemented. The result was substantial fuel oil savings.

In 1991, annual electrical savings of 45,000 kilowatt-hours were realized from efficiency projects, including replacing inefficient electrical heating systems, converting to compact fluorescent lighting, upgrading energy and heat management systems, and updating equipment at the Central Heating Plant.

These successes led Bowdoin to mandate strict energy efficiency standards in the design of new buildings and building renovations. Among the features incorporated in new and renovated buildings are improved insulation, heat recovery systems in return air loops, building automation systems that constantly monitor peak performance, and high efficiency electric appliances.

In 1999, Sustainable Bowdoin hired Woodard & Curran Inc., of Portland, Maine to conduct an environ-mental impact audit of the College. The purpose of the audit was to detail the effects on air, water and land from all Bowdoin’s activities and programs. The comprehensive report included in its recommendations qualitative evaluations of advantages and disadvantages of particular initiatives. View the complete report and in depth descriptions and evaluations of past and recommended initiatives.

Current Initiatives

Bowdoin continues a commitment to responsible strategies for campus action. Sustainable Bowdoin Coordinator Keisha Payson is developing a "State of the Environment" report for Bowdoin College. Ryan Davis is working with the Campus Activities Board to have energy-efficient events, such as concerts run by solar generated power. He is also in the process of updating and maintaining Sustainable Bowdoin’s website.

Several major new construction projects on campus have integrated principles of green building into their design, to increase efficiency in cost and reduce waste. Bowdoin's Dining Service has also done an outstanding job reducing campus environmental impact, by limiting trash and energy waste, and increasing their use of local and organic foods in student meals. Visit the latest Campus Sustainability Report for more details.

Future Initiatives

Bowdoin is evaluating the potential benefits of a formal Environmental Management System under which an Environmental Coordinator would be responsible for developing a system to plan and implement improvement initiatives, measure results of past initiatives, communicate successes and continually reviews and monitors the various campus programs. Such a position would be invaluable for the coordinated success of the institution.

Contact

Keisha Payson
Sustainable Bowdoin Coordinator
(207) 725-3086