Alternative Transportation
Over the past decade, RIPTA's natural gas-powered vehicles have progressively replaced University shuttles, providing all students with valid Salve Regina ID unlimited ridership on campus and throughout the state.
In addition, more than 130 bicycles are available for Salve Regina students to loan on a semester basis. The bicycle loan program promotes healthy behaviors and healthy choices among Salve Regina students while providing opportunities for convenient transportation. All areas of campus and many local businesses are within biking distance.
By restricting the number of vehicles permitted on campus, discouraging students from intra-campus driving and exacting fines on violators, Salve Regina's transportation policies strive to reduce the number of vehicles on campus and in the city of Newport.
Hydroponic Garden
In the summer of 2011, two biology students, with help from a donor, established a fully operational hydroponic "grow house" in the lower level of Hunt Hall. Proving the commercial viability of hydroponic farming is a primary focus of the research. An outreach program has been implemented in offsite locations throughout Rhode Island to enhance the growth and expansion of this important endeavor, which was recognized in a March 2012 issue of the National Catholic Reporter.
Environmental Club
Established in 2008, the Environmental Club plans Earth Day activities and organizes environmental awareness programs. The club has sponsored marine mammal stranding workshops with the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration, and some club members have been trained as first responders for stranded sea turtles, seals and whales.
On campus, the Environmental Club has organized initiatives to increase recycling, first in residence halls and on-campus apartments and more recently in the O'Hare Academic Center. In addition, the club is routinely involved in stewardship activities such as beach cleanups and fundraisers for other nonprofit environmental groups.
For more information about the Environmental Club, contact faculty adviser Dr. Jameson Chace, assistant professor of biology and biomedical sciences, at (401) 341-3204.
Green Room Program
The Green Room program encourages students to reduce their carbon footprint by pledging to recycle aluminum, paper, glass and cardboard, conserve water by taking shorter showers and conserve electricity by unplugging items when not in use. Students who pledge to join the Green Room program are given a sticker to affix to their residence hall door. Students should ask their Resident Advisor for more information on how to participate in the Green Room program.
Clean Ocean Access Water Testing
Clean Ocean Access is a local environmental group concerned with safety, cleanliness and open access to the ocean and coastlines on Aquidneck Island. Since 2006, Clean Ocean Access has tested the water quality at popular swimming locations not considered "designated swimming areas." The program's long-term goal is to establish baseline water quality standards in order to ensure permanent clean water along the Aquidneck Island shoreline.
Salve Regina students taking the special topics course Environmental Quality participate in Clean Ocean Access water testing throughout the academic year, and have expanded this sampling to the freshwater rivers that flow into the ocean. Participants in the fall 2009 course designed a sampling protocol that is being carried out by citizen scientists in the field and Salve Regina students in the lab analysis.