University of Exeter announce three finalists in Green Gown Awards 2014

The ethos of the Green Gown Awards is to celebrate, share and promote outstanding sustainability leadership, management and best practice initiatives from UK higher education institutions. Now in their tenth year, they seek to recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors.

With competition from 62 educational institutions and 102 inspiring sustainability projects, University of Exeter individuals and projects have been named finalists in the following three Green Gown categories:

Construction and Refurbishment

This category recognises new or refurbished buildings or student residences in tertiary education which have good energy and environmental performance.

Finalist: University of Exeter - Revolving Green Fund turns Cornwall House on its head

Student Engagement

This category reflects that students and staff must work together to achieve goals using “top-down method” and “grass roots method” to achieve maximum understanding and engagement across an institution. The International Green Gown Awards will see the UK winners from the Student Engagement category going head-to-head with the winners from the Australasian Green Gown Awards.

Finalist: University of Exeter Students’ Guild - Students’ Green Unit: students shaping sustainability through behavioural change

Sustainability Champion

This category recognises people at any level who have worked hard at implementing a sustainability project/initiative and whose involvement has made a positive impact be that on their peers, their institution, their students, their local community or their work force.

Finalist: Jonathan Cresswell - Assistant College Manager, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences (CEMPs), University of Exeter

Geoff Pringle, Acting Chief Operating Officer at the University of Exeter said: “We are delighted to be named as finalists for three prestigious Green Gown Awards. The projects and individuals that have been shortlisted highlight the University’s commitment and hard work in improving our sustainability performance. The finalists represent some of the best examples of the varied and positive work which is taking place across Colleges, Campus Services and the Students’ Guild, but are just a small selection of the initiatives that take place across the University throughout the year”.

Iain Patton, Chief Executive of the EAUC said: “It is fantastic to see more institutions than ever being finalists and the strength and quality of applications is truly inspiring. The breadth of activity within the sector shows that sustainability really does bring positive impacts, both on the institution, their staff and students and the wider community. These finalists are proof that where institutions take sustainability seriously they are reaping the benefits”.

Stage one applications for the Awards closed in June and a judging panel, consisting of over 80 representatives from across the sector and experts in the various fields, provided a shortlist of entrants. The Finalists are now able to submit their Stage 2 applications by September. The winners of the Green Gown Awards 2014 will be announced at the Awards’ Ceremony to be held at the University of Manchester in November 2014.

With a membership of over 230 universities and colleges, the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) is the sustainability champion for universities and colleges in the UK. Run by members, for its members, the EAUC seeks to work with members and partners to drive sustainability to the heart of further and higher education.