The College’s Sustainability Advisory Committee reviewed a number of proposals in 2009 to be supported by the Green Fund and selected three for implementation. The Committee is most grateful to the Class of 1957’s generosity that has made possible the funding of these initiatives. The Committee has already funded several projects in fiscal year 2010 and will include them in an interim report.

Human Energy Pilot Program

A group of students in an Environmental Studies Course proposed fitting exercise machine in the Sports Center with converter boxes that use motion to generate electricity. As a pilot, they recommended connecting the machines to batteries that power an electrical device such as a television. Exercisers would quickly realize that they must keep moving to power the television. The goal was to help students understand the work required to power a simple device and realize that human power could not replace fossil fuels as a campus energy source. One elliptical exercise machine generates 135 kw per year. The proposal also included the use of signage and displays to reinforce the experiential lesson, help an exerciser understand the price of electricity, and with this knowledge move toward both personal and institutional change.

The human generated proposal, the Pedal-A-Watt, cost approximately $1,600 including the main unit, the power pack, regulator and television. The pilot machine was on display during Orientation and was set up at the Sports Center.

E Bikes Purchase

Five Pietzo Breeze electric bicycles were purchased at a cost of $1,200 each and were on display during Orientation. Two are being used by Campus Police, another by a staff member in the Specialty Shop, one by a member of the Motor Pool with the last reserved for demonstration purposes. This bike is available on loan to interested members of the College community in hopes that faculty or staff members living near campus may chose to purchase one to commute to and/or travel around campus. The target market for these bikes are people who may want to bike but do not or cannot expend the energy needed to ride a traditional bike. All five bikes have large saddlebags which easily accommodate a laptop, briefcase or tools.

Farm Justice Fellowship

This initiative proposed the establishment of two fellowship positions at $1750 each to collaborate and work together during the summer as key organizers and caretakers of three plots of land designated for sustainable farming at Wellesley. The intention of the Farm Justice Program was to allow the two fellows to spend their summer tending the land, increasing the production of the plots, building farming relationships outside the College community, and planning way to educate the College community about sustainability through food and food justice issues. The summer fellows were responsible for the maintenance of a plot of land located near the greenhouse, another on Weston Road and a rooftop garden at Bates Hall where sustainable produce is grown. In addition, the fellows assisted Natick farm with their Farmers Market on Saturdays, explored other means building a relationship with this local farm, constructed a curriculum of farm education and events for the next year, made contacts with local schools and community members and worked to organize events for the upcoming year.

Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2009

Opening Balance:		$133,192.61
Gifts received:		2,334.00
Expenses:
Pedal-A-Watt	$1,600
Electric Bikes	6,000
Fellowships	3,500
Closing Balance:		$124,426.61