The University of Vermont Launches Groundbreaking 100% Online Certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation

This dynamic program primes operations personnel to spearhead socially responsible, resource conserving and bottom line cost-saving sustainability initiatives across their own campuses and communities

News provided by

University Alliance Online

Jan 24, 2012, 08:20 ET

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As sustainable living grows increasingly crucial, higher learning institutions must take up the mantle of environmental leadership, advocacy and innovation to nurture tomorrow's sustainability champions and find practical, effective green solutions. U.S. News & World Report-ranked University of Vermont (UVM) has launched the new 100% online certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation to help higher education institutions claim their place at the forefront of the sustainability revolution. Registration is now under way for this robust training program, with classes starting in March 2012 and will be offered monthly, thereafter.

The certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation equips those working in operations, administration and student leadership with the training to inspire and guide a green transformation across their campus and surrounding community. Program participants will discover how a commitment to optimizing the triple bottom line can help their institution become a model for sustainability. During three eight-week courses, they can gain a mastery of real-world sustainability skills, including how to:

Institute sustainable practices in areas including energy, waste, water and transportation to minimize damage to the environment and reduce costs
Drive environmental innovation to boost enrollment of eco-savvy students
Increase revenue by decreasing operational deficiencies
Cultivate a reputation for environmental responsibility
Keep abreast of and capitalize on emerging green trends
Incorporate sustainability into the curriculum to encourage student participation and retention

"We are pleased to work with University Alliance to create a program that brings together experts and draws upon the best practices from colleges and universities nationwide to help other institutions advance their sustainability efforts," said Cynthia Belliveau, Dean of Continuing Education for UVM. "It is our sincere hope that this new program will enable participants to engender a sustainable culture among their own student body, on campus and throughout the greater community."

Using a state-of-the-art online classroom powered by University Alliance, the certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation enables professionals across the country and around the world to build sustainability skills under the guidance of distinguished experts in the field. The program features streaming video lectures with convenient 24/7 access, as well as a variety of Web-based tools that connect instructors and participants, including live chat rooms, discussion boards and email.

"We're excited to facilitate delivery of this new sustainability certificate on behalf of the University of Vermont," said Adrian Marrullier, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for University Alliance. "The program brings together an institution that is a top authority in one of today's most imperative disciplines with our pioneering online technology and world-class support services to provide a first-rate learning experience."

UVM is a demonstrated green authority. Given an "A" rating from the College Sustainability Report Card in 2011, UVM established the Institute for Global Sustainability in 2007 with the mission of educating students and citizens on how to serve as leaders in the transition to a sustainable world.

The university has also commenced registration for its new certificate in Sustainable Innovation, an end-to-end program created to help professionals in business organizations develop sustainability expertise that can increase profitability and community engagement. For details, or to enroll today, please visit http://www.UniversityofVermontOnline.com or call 855-300-1467.

About the University of Vermont

Founded in 1791, the University of Vermont combines faculty-student relationships most commonly found in a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research institution. It is the fifth oldest university in New England (after Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown). Located in Burlington, Vermont, UVM's setting in a valley on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and the Green mountain ranges, inspires visitors and residents alike.

About University Alliance Online

Founded in 1971, Bisk Education is the world's leading provider of professional education online. The University Alliance (UA), a division of Bisk, facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, our university partners have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments -- making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, Michigan State University, Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, the University of San Francisco, the University of Vermont, Florida Institute of Technology, The University of Scranton, Jacksonville University and Dominican University. U.S. News University Directory, part of the Bisk network, provides comprehensive and unbiased information on more than 2,000 academic institutions directly from U.S. News & World Report, the most trusted source for college and university rankings since 1983.