This past summer, several "green" initiatives through the Brandeis Sustainability Fund came to fruition, most notably the installation of three electric car-charging stations on campus and solar energy panels on the roof of the Charles River Apartments.

We support the implementation of these projects and hope the University continues its efforts to further the sustainability of the campus.

Over the past nine months, Vivian Zeng '14 has worked in coordination with the Sustainability Fund to install three electric car-charging stations throughout campus: one in the Tower Lot, one in the Athletics Lot and one station in the Admissions Lot. The stations will also be free of charge. We admire the Sustainability Fund's efforts to implement a project that has the potential of a substantial and practical impact on the environment.

The carbon footprint of a gasoline car has long towered over electric cars. According to the United States Department of Energy's website, electric cars convert about 59 to 62 percent of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels while conventional gasoline vehicles only convert about 17 to 21 percent. Furthermore, electric cars emit little to no tailpipe pollutants. Given the project's innovative nature, the installation of the electric car-charging stations aligns well with the social justice mission of the University.

A common stumbling block to the purchase of electric cars, especially for students, is the price of the car. While the stations may not be relevant to the community for several years, we recognize that these stations are pioneering a future sustainable campus. The environmental benefits of electric cars are evident and perhaps the introduction of the stations will encourage students to adopt the electric cars themselves.
Another impediment to the installation of the charging stations is the lack of energy efficient buildings on campus that can efficiently power the stations, due to the age of the majority of campus buildings. However, it appears the University is attempting to rectify the sustainability of buildings as well. Through the Sustainability Fund, the University has recently installed water-heating solar panels on the roof of the Charles River Apartments, in addition to the solar panels on the roof of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center that were installed in February 2010. We hope the University continues this trend and moves forward to install panels on other areas of the campus as well.

In the past, this board has scrutinized previous projects that have been initiated by the Brandeis Sustainability Fund, which is given $50,000 each semester funded by students to further implement these projects.

However, the solar heating panels and electric car charging stations are a progressive step for the University that will help to ensure the campus' future sustainability.

We commend those involved in these projects for their efforts and look forward to seeing continued progress towards an environmentally friendly campus.
*