The Sandspur

Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: News

A large group of Rollins students, faculty, and staff showed the planet some love this past Valentine's Day with the completion of the College's first alternative energy initiative - the solar panel project. From February 12th to the 14th volunteers partnered with Eco-Rollins and Facilities Management to install a 1.6 kilowatt demonstration system, composed of eight General Electric solar panels, on the roof of the Bush building. These panels will diminish Rollins' ecological footprint and reduce the college's electric bill, especially as electricity costs continue to
increase in the future.

While the panels provide only a small amount of electricity (enough to power one Bush classroom), they are just the first step in a move toward sustainability. Those involved with the project have taken an additional step to monitor sunlight throughout the year with the goal of further decreasing the College's reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas for power. Facilities Management noted, if all goes well with this project, there are more flat roofs on campus that can accommodate solar panels. The future solar
project website (www.rollins.edu/osil/solar) will inform the community the power generated
daily from the current panels, and will have updates about upcoming solar projects as well.

Although the panels took only a few days to install, the solar project has a long history at Rollins. Dr. Joe Siry, professor
of Environmental Studies who worked closely with Eco-Rollins on the project, recalls: "Several years ago students, now graduated, began to ask me about solar, and how they might go about moving the College in the direction of solar energy." These students brought the issue of global warming to then-President Rita Bornstein, who signed the Talloires Declaration and committed
the College, along with Tufts and world-wide universities, to the fight against global warming. This Declaration recognizes the important educational and research role of colleges and universities in curbing environmental degradation and developing
alternative, sustainable energy sources.

When President Duncan arrived on campus in 2004 he was presented with a large poster
board displaying the Talloires Declaration signed by hundreds of students, faculty, and staff asking him to honor their commitment
to the environment. Both President Duncan and Vice President Herbst have been instrumental in the completion of the solar project and moving the College forward in its environmental stewardship.

While the support of the President's office was essential in this project, the vital role of students, faculty, and staff in making this dream a reality should not be
overlooked. The seemingly idealistic hopes of moving Rollins in the direction of sustainability have been realized because of the hard work and dedication of a number of individuals. Laurie Stephey, treasurer of
Eco-Rollins, said "[the project] really has shown me what a difference even a few people can make." Eco-Rollins hopes that the success of this project will help pave the way for more environmentally friendly initiatives on campus. They have signed
up for the "Campus Climate Challenge" (climatechallenge.org), which means Eco-Rollins is committed to win 100% clean
energy policies on campus. So be on the watch for more environmental initiatives to make Rollins green.

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