Sen. Collins to speak at green Unity College commencement

UNITY (April 5): U.S. Sen. Susan Collins will deliver the keynote at Unity College's commencement at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, which is being billed as its greenest ever.

“We believe that our commencement will be among the greenest held anywhere,” said Alumni Relations and Events Coordinator Kate Grenier. “Our focus is on frugal sustainability, which means being green in a way that is also cost effective.”

“If there is a greener college or university commencement in the United States, we are unaware of it,” said Associate Director of College Communications Mark Tardif.

Sen. Collins

“Commencement is about the transformational journey over four years to receiving a degree from America’s Environmental College,” said Grenier. “When students choose to attend Unity they are making a lifelong commitment, and Unity College reflects those values.”

Graduates receive a sapling tree as a symbol of their lifelong commitment to the environment and growth throughout their life. Unity College students pledge to carry forth Unity’s mission, reduce greenhouse gases, and champion sustainability efforts.

Grenier said Unity College is “an environmentally focused academic community dedicated to those who seek to live their passion and make a positive difference in people’s lives and the natural world.”

Details of the greenest commencement in Unity College's history include:

• 100 percent post-consumer recycled diplomas — paper is acid, chlorine and lignin-free archival paper made by Smart’s Synergy;

• Travel carbon offsets purchased by participants;

• Event carbon offsets purchased by Unity College;

• programs printed on 100 percent post-consumer paper or alternative fibers and fewer programs printed, saved 2,000 sheets of paper from 2008 commencement;

• sustainability information offered through educational booths/posters;

• sustainable pledge taken by senior class;

• E-invites sent to parents, saved 2,000 sheets of paper from last year;

• banquet reservations made online;

• composting waste from banquet;

• local and organic foods served — up to 60 percent sustainable food;

• compact florescent lighting utilized in gym;

• rented plates, flatware, glassware, linens for less waste, cleaning with environmentally friendly products;

• Graduate gift trees planted around community or student homes. Since 1988, each graduate has received a sapling for a commencement gift. The white pine tree, with a 60-year lifespan, averages 35 pounds per year of carbon emission reductions;

• 100 percent Maine-based renewable energy;

• Potted decorations replanted throughout campus or borrowed from employees;

• local and organic or sustainable graduate gifts; and

• Green cleaning using ecofriendly products certified by Green Seal or the EPA Design for the Environment Program;

The senior banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the Unity College gymnasium. For details, contact Grenier at 207.948.3131, ext. 301, or kgrenier@unity.edu.

Unity College is at 90 Quaker Hill Road. Details of the 2009 commencement festivities, honorary degrees and awards are available online at unity.edu.