Sustainability at The Beach
October is Campus Sustainability Month, and I am proud to say promoting sustainability is a top priority at The Beach. In the year since my last message on sustainability, we have accomplished wonderful things, including a full renovation of Liberal Arts 2, 3, and 4 to green building standards, implementation of major water conservation measures, a two-acre drought tolerant landscape conversion and transition to water-efficient irrigation systems, upgrade of street lights to energy saving LEDs, and completion of our second campus greenhouse gas inventory, to name a few. As I walk across campus I am pleased to see students refilling bottles at our hydration stations and using the various recycling and composting bins placed around the food court. I recently rode one of our new off-campus shuttles, which was filled to capacity.
In order to continue expanding our efforts, we must understand where we are in relation to our own sustainability goals, know how our choices and actions affect the world around us, and be connected with opportunities that make a positive difference. This is why we are about to begin a rigorous self-assessment of the university's sustainability performance using the nationally recognized Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). STARS will help us benchmark and track our sustainability performance in four key priority areas: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration, as well as provide a standardized set of criteria by which we can compare our performance to that of other universities. I look forward to the results of this assessment and will be sure to share them with all of you.
I'm also delighted to announce that our brand new sustainability website launched yesterday. The site is a one-stop-shop for information on how the university is working to conserve resources and educate the campus community. You can read our Climate Action Plan, learn about current programs, initiatives and research, and stay apprised of upcoming events.
Campus Sustainability Month is a time to think about how the future of our planet depends on our actions today. When it comes to university operations, we will continue to lead by example by prioritizing water conservation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, recycling, low and zero emissions transportation choices, as well as more sustainable dining options. We will also continue to find ways to weave sustainability into the courses we offer in all disciplines and to support and recognize faculty who are examining sustainability challenges and discovering solutions through their research, scholarly and creative activities.
Becoming a truly sustainable campus community will take the combined efforts of every one of us. There are many ways for you to get involved in sustainability at The Beach. Whether you are a student who joins a sustainability-related club, a faculty member who rents a plot at our new university garden, or a staff member interested in getting your office Green Certified, you will find that there is something for everyone. I hope you create your own personal way to celebrate campus sustainability . . . every day.
Go Beach!
