EDMOND — The University of Central Oklahoma has become the first university in the region to win the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers’ “Best Practices” Grand Finalist award two years in a row.
After winning a 2008 “Best Practices” award for its sustainability proposal, “Green University: Changing Tomorrow, Today” in January, UCO beat four other universities to win the title of Grand Finalist at this year’s SACUBO annual meeting in New Orleans.
UCO Executive Vice President Steve Kreidler attended the meeting to present UCO’s winning proposal and accepted the honor of Grand Finalist, which recognizes the university as having the “best practice” in the Southern part of the nation.
“Creative leadership is the catalyst that leads to innovative thinking, including, though not limited to, our advances with green energy. We are conscientious stewards of this world and act upon our convictions,” Kreidler said.
“Awards are not what inspire our university to be innovative in the world of sustainability. I believe the recognition the awards bring allow the university to inspire others to action in regards to sustainability initiatives.”
“Green University: Changing Tomorrow, Today” focuses on UCO’s innovation and progress in moving toward becoming a “Green University,” highlighting UCO’s use of renewable energy and other environmentally friendly practices.
Established in 1928, SACUBO is an association that aims to foster, develop and promote improved principles and efficient practices in the business and financial management of colleges and universities nationwide.
The “Best Practices” awards showcase the best of college and university business officers’ efforts in creating better and more efficient business practices.
This is not the first award UCO has received for its green practices. In December, “Keep Oklahoma Beautiful” honored UCO with the “Vanguard Award” for becoming 100 percent Green Energy dependent through its use of wind power, producing and using bio-diesel fuel, making energy efficient improvements to its physical plant, moving to paperless processes, and comprehensive campus-wide recycling.
UCO’s green power purchase is one of the largest by a college or university in the nation, leading to the university’s recognition as the first Green Power representative for the Environmental Protection Agency in Oklahoma in 2006.
In addition to its green power purchase, UCO also has an award-winning, onsite bio-diesel production, and works with a performance contractor to increase energy performance and employs ENERGYSTAR-labeled products.
UCO’s Biofuel Program was honored with the 2007 National Association of Fleet Administrators award for “Quality Fleet Management Idea.”
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UCO recognized regionally for ‘Best Practices’
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