Campus-favorite BBGG Returns
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2011) -- Now in its fifth year, University of Kentucky's Big Blue Goes Green (BBGG) has grown into a much-anticipated campus tradition. The event features an interactive showcase of sustainability-related, campuswide initiatives, programs and research.
“The goal of BBGG 2011 is to introduce students, faculty and staff to the wide variety of existing and ongoing sustainability-related efforts at UK,” says Shane Tedder, director of the university’s Office of Sustainability.
Tedder says he wants to be sure attendees recognize the work of the individuals and departments or units responsible for these programs.
More than 40 exhibits will fill the Frank H. Harris Grand Ballroom in the Student Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. The exhibits range from Auxiliary Services’ green initiatives in the residence halls to Wildcat Wheels’ interactive display of cutting edge bike rental technology. The Center for Applied Energy Research will use algae to demonstrate its biofuel research. Back by popular demand, the Kentucky Solar Car Team will show off its solar energy interactive display. The problems with the Cane Run Watershed Program will be highlighted, and UK Parking and Transportation Services will explain a number of alternative, energy-saving ways to get around UK’s campus.
In the pursuit of protecting students’ budgets, they will be served a free Kentucky Proud lunch, courtesy of UK Dining Services, the Student Sustainability Council and the Office of Sustainability, at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Center’s Small Ballroom.
Other Big Blue Goes Green events on Sept. 14 include:
- Sustainability 101 -- The Office of Sustainability, in partnership with faculty from across the university, will host "Sustainability 101: What Every Student Should Know About Sustainability" at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in room 230 Student Center
- “YERT (Your Environmental Road Trip)” – a free screening of the Lexington premiere of an award-winning documentary by Louisville film maker Ben Evans will take place at 7 p.m. in Worsham Theater. The film tells how three friends found extraordinary innovators tackling humanity’s greatest challenge, an environmental crisis. Evans will introduce the film and answer questions after the screening.
Big Blue Goes Green is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Facilities Management with support from the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment, the Student Sustainability Council, UK Dining Services, and the Division of Student Affairs. The project is created in support of UK’s commitment to “be an exemplar in the application of sustainability principles and practices and to establish an institutional culture of sustainability” (See Goal 3, 2009-2014 UK Strategic Plan).
MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Hairston, (859) 257-3302, gail.hairston@uky.edu