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In confirmation of Hamilton College’s commitment to maintaining and developing policies that are environmentally sound, President Joan Hinde Stewart signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment on Thursday, April 26, prior to former Vice President Al Gore’s arrival on campus. Gore is the Sacerdote Great Names Series speaker at the college’s Margaret Bundy Scott Field House on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

A few days after the celebration of Earth Day and on the eve of former Vice President Gore's visit to campus, seven Hamilton College students and a Hamilton professor joined Utica Mayor Timothy Julian at a signing of the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement (PDF).  The event took place on Thursday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at the Utica City Hall. The agreement was sent by students and faculty to Mayor Julian along with their commitment to assist in addressing environmental issues.

One day after the official celebration of Earth Day, Hamilton College unveiled a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy Conservation) plaque certifying that Skenandoa House has met the conservation qualifications set by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Last year only two buildings in New York met the USGBC requirements for certification. Skenandoa House, an 84-year-old residence hall, is the oldest building in New York to be so designated.

Hamilton's efforts to establish more "green initiatives" on campus have been recognized by the Hudson Valley College Consortium, an intercollegiate association established to more fully engage its member institutions in the region’s environment. An article on the association's website, "Greening of a Historic Campus: Hamilton College's 'Green Team Approach,'" details Hamilton's greening efforts as described by Steve Bellona, associate vice president for facilities and planning, when he spoke at the Environmental Consortium's 4th annual conference.  The article highlight's Hamilton's new Science Center and its many green features. Bellona is quoted as saying that using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards as a guide for new construction and renovation at Hamilton, "provides the rigor that creates the momentum for the project to succeed."

The Hamilton Environmental Action Group (HEAG) is sponsoring Green Week from October 16-21. The week's activities will include a Farmer's Market and a film, "The Future of Food." Trash Mountain, on Martin's Way, is a tangible reminder of the enormity of student waste. HEAG estimates that since January, Hamilton has generated more than 630 tons of waste, costing more than $50,000.

A strong interest in integrating green design into its 200-year-old campus has led Hamilton College to incorporate environmental sensitivity and sustainable design in its renovation projects. As Earth Day approaches, Hamilton announces that Skenandoa House, an 84-year-old residence hall renovated in 2004, has been awarded a Silver LEED® (Leadership in Energy Conservation) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This certification makes Skenandoa House the oldest building in New York State to be so designated.

My Dish, a monthly publication by Hamilton food service provider Bon Appetit's parent company, The Compass Group, featured an article titled "Bon Appetit Opens Green Café at Hamilton College" in its February issue. The Green Café combines Hamilton's new environmental efforts along with its existing local purchasing of agriculture and fisheries to create and offer a unique experience. General manager Patrick Raynard said the "new café is an embodiment of our food philosophy and commitment to sustainability." Some of the café's initiatives include "Green Goals" and "Farm to Fork" which include the purchasing of more than 50 percent of produce from Wagner Farms in Rome, N.Y., and a new vegan and vegetarian station. Their use of biodegradable paper and environmentally friendly cleaning products also add to Bon Appetit's goal to be socially responsible.

Hamilton College has been able to decrease its energy consumption in one of its buildings by 250 percent this year with renovations focused on employing conservation technology. Even before heating costs skyrocketed, the College was building utility systems that conserve energy and have a reduced impact on the environment. A number of projects have been completed in the past few years, and others are currently underway.

The long awaited dedication ceremony for Hamilton's new Science Center was held on Friday, Sept. 30, in the building's atrium. President Joan Hinde Stewart gave the opening remarks and introduced the keynote speaker, Congressman Sherwood L. Boehlert, the chairman of the House Committee on Science.