NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Jan Fiderio at 603.283.2107

October 7, 2011 for Immediate Release

Ribbon Cut on AUNE’s New Bike Shelter

Latest action step in Climate Action Plan to shrink carbon footprint

(Keene, NH) -- With the opening of its new bike shelter, Antioch University New England (AUNE) has taken a big step in its 10-year Climate Action Plan, pointed out AUNE President David Caruso, in cutting the ribbon on the shelter October 5.

The Climate Action Plan calls for AUNE to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020. “Transportation represents our biggest challenge in meeting that goal,” Caruso said. “Eighty percent of AUNE’s carbon emissions are from transportation, with nearly 75 percent of our carbon footprint attributable to employee and student commuting alone.”

Transportation also has a strong social justice dimension, Caruso said. “Here’s one sobering indicator: Americans in the lowest income quintile spend roughly 42 percent of their annual household budget on the purchase, maintenance and operation of cars.”

The shelter with bike racks will protect about forty bicycles from the weather. It will make it more convenient for those in the campus community to bike to and from campus, using their own bikes or one of AUNE’s fleet of eight Green Bikes.

Caruso thanked the more than forty volunteers who helped build the shelter and the businesses who donated money, materials and time:

Valerie Woods and Justin Valaske of Baybutt Construction Corporation
Bergeron Construction Company
Matthew Walton Carpentry
Ted Fellows, P.E.
Works Café

Caruso especially thanked the alumni of AUNE’s environmental studies master's degree program, class of 2010, and other AUNE students, staff, faculty and administrators for donating funding.

Students in the spring 2011 Environmental Education and the Built Environment class, taught by Tania Schusler, core faculty member in the environmental studies department, and Jim Gruber, core faculty member in environmental studies, worked on the design, permitting, budget development and procurement of materials.

About Antioch University New England (AUNE)
Antioch University New England offers highly respected doctoral, master’s and certificate programs in education, environmental studies, management and psychology. Located in Keene, New Hampshire, this unique institution serves a thousand students each year. Our graduates have gone on to be leaders of positive change, working toward a more just and sustainable society. Founded in 1964, Antioch University New England is the oldest of Antioch University’s graduate campuses. Learn more at: www.antiochne.edu

About Antioch University
Antioch University serves more than 4,000 adult students around the world and across the country, online and at its five campuses in four states. Each campus offers degree programs that meet—and often anticipate—the pressing needs of its region and the wider world. The University is also home to the landmark PhD in Leadership and Change; Antioch Education Abroad, an exceptional opportunity of immersive service and study programs; and WYSO, a leading public radio affiliate and an essential source of global news and opinion.

Antioch University is a nonprofit private 501(c) (3) organization and member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, www.antioch.edu.

Last Updated: 11/2/11