History of SPEAR

2000

Fall: Wilskils under contract to pick up recyclables in residential Halls

Fall: Allison Turkus, a VU senior, is appointed student recycling Coordinator

2002

FALL: Linda Rosencrantz receives a $10,000 budget to manage all campus recycling.

2003

FALL: Vanderbilt Recycles becomes a Student Organization.

LATE FALL: the students of Vandy Recycles present a "Recycling Proposal" to the Administration.

2004

SPRING: Vandy recycles becomes Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Recycling to be more comprehensive.

SPRING: SPEAR began campaigning for the certification, began campaigning for Commons LEED certified, led by Jenny Magill and Star Wallin

SPRING: The administration, especially Campus Planning and Construction, agreed to pursue LEED certification for the new residence halls by seeking at least the minimal level.

SPRING: Plant Operation hires first full time staff member to pick up recyclables across academic and staff buildings

2005

SPRING: Greek Recycling finalized through partnership among SGA, Interhall, SPEAR, and IFC

SPIRNG:. Vanderbilt receives the 2005 TP3 Tennessee Green Schools Award from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

SPRING: Sierra Club tries to persuade administration to pay a fee for Green Energy. The Group stormed Gee’s office. The proposal was rejected.

2006

FALL: SPEAR’s Administration Liaison Committee conducts a trash audit and puts together a presentation to go along with their 30-page proposal for a new comprehensive resource program at VU. This is shown to the administration, the medical center council, the environmental committee of the faculty senate, and the university staff advisory council. Interall and SGA pass resolution supporting SPEAR.

FALL: Plant Operations hires Jennifer Hackett as a 3 month temporary worker to assess the status of recycling in all the non-residence hall building on campus.

LATE FALL: Creation of a sustainability coordinator, Andrea George.

To learn more about what we did, please see the Annual Report 2005-2006

2007

SPRING: Jennifer Hackett, employed as a temporary worker on campus, assessments.

SPRING: The Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative, having branched from WilSkills, is in the top 10 for the final award from MTV. Derek Riley is the coordinator.

SPRING: First Dorm Energy Competition for freshmen, sponsored by SPEAR. Kissam Quad won.

SPRING: SPEAR, led by Erin Feeney, researched, proposed and presented the creation of a Food Compost Demonstration Site the Commons Center. Dining, Plant Operations, and Campus Planning & Construction support it.

SUMMER: Jennifer Hackett becomes Vanderbilt's first full time Recycling Coordinator

SUMMER: Crawford and Sutherland awarded LEED silver

SUMMER: Commons Center Opens Summer 2007

FALL: Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative generates is used for WilSkills vans for its weekend trips and

FALL Federal Work Study Students pick up residential recycling through plant operations

FALL: SPEAR volunteers begin making compost.

FALL: Vanderbilt Tour amended to include the Commons. Environmental information included.

To learn more about what we did, please see the Annual Report 2006-2007

2008

EARLY SPRING: Think One campaign- simultaneously it sets up programs that act as incentives, targeting faculty and staff

To learn more about what we did, please see the Annual Report 2007-2008