The University is committed to living and acting sustainably.  Attention to living sustainably requires us to actively be aware of the environmental, social and economic needs of our present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Practicing sustainability is a process of continual movement toward greater awareness.  Please explore the links to the right for more information on the ways the University of Portland is working to live in and educate a sustainable community.

Events

1. Focus the Nation
2. Student Challenge: Park it!

Efforts

1. climatechange.up.edu

2. Bio-diesel Fuel

   The University is in the process of purchasing a biodiesel generator to convert food services grease waste into bio-diesel fuel to operate campus vehicles and buildings. The University anticipates a weekly fuel yield of 40 gallons during the academic year. Learn more: Contact UP expert Steve Kolmes, environmental science, kolmes@up.edu.

3. Curriculum

   Environmental Ethics & Policy, B.A., and Environmental Science, B.S. The Environmental Studies Program critically examines the broad scope of the current environmental crisis that is scientific, sociopolitical, and ethical in nature. The program offers a bachelor of arts degree in environmental ethics and policy and a bachelor of science degree in environmental science. Both offerings are broad and interdisciplinary with the same joint capstone. One provides a depth of experience in science, and the other in the humanities and social sciences. The program is designed to give all majors, regardless of the track they pursue, an understanding of the scientific implications of environmental study, and the theological, philosophical, economic, and political issues at the heart of this challenge. Learn more: Contact UP experts Steve Kolmes, Molter Chair in Science and professor of biology, kolmes@up.edu, or Russell Butkus, associate professor of theology, butkus@up.edu, or see the Environmental Studies Program web site. Environmental Engineering, B.S.C.E. The School of Engineering offers an environmental track within its civil engineering program. During the last half century, environmental engineering has increased drastically in importance. Once primarily concerned with wastewater treatment, the discipline now emphasizes the supply of safe drinking water, cleanup of hazardous waste disposal sites, and proper disposal of solid wastes. Learn more: Contact UP expert James Male, Sweo Endowed Chair in Engineering, male@up.edu, or see the environmental engineering track web page. Sustainable Entrepreneurship Sustainable entrepreneurship is the economically, socially and environmentally sustainable pursuit of opportunity. The University believes a new business is more enduring and successful if social and environmental aspects are considered by the entrepreneur in addition to the economical aspects traditionally taught in entrepreneurship programs. This emphasis on a “triple bottom line” enables graduates to pursue service to their communities by creating and leading new for-profit and not-for-profit ventures in a manner that is congruent with Catholic social teachings. Opportunity exists to harness the energy, creativity and leadership of entrepreneurs intent on making the world a better place as judged by this triple bottom line. The University is well-positioned to provide leadership in this worthwhile endeavor because of its ability to collaborate interdepartmentally, and to deploy the expertise of an outstanding faculty from several areas, including the endowed chairs of environmental science, environmental engineering, ethics and entrepreneurship. Learn more: Contact UP experts Robin Anderson, Franz Chair in Entrepreneurship and Pamplin School of Business dean, anderson@up.edu, or Jon Down, Center for Entrepreneurship director, down@up.edu, or see the Center for Entrepreneurship web site.

4. Dorm Challenge

   The College Ecology Club has established a student led “Dorm Challenge,” in which the dorm whose students save the most electricity compared to previous year usage wins a prize. The student government (ASUP) also voted last year to allocate a portion of activities fees to a “sustainability fund” to help the University move closer to environmental sustainability each year. Learn more: Contact UP student leaders Margie Young, mayoung@up.edu, or Andrew O’Keefe, okeefe09@up.edu.

5. Environmentally Sensitive Buildings

   The University built the country’s first environmentally sensitive science building, Swindells Hall. It has special mechanical systems that allow it to operate using 51 percent less energy than a conventional science building. The building opened in 1999, and was an early model for environmentally sensitive construction on campuses. Additionally, the University recently broke ground for a significant renovation and addition to the engineering building. The University is striving for LEED Platinum certification on this project. Learn more about Swindells Hall or Shiley Engineering Hall.

6. Food Service

   The University of Portland’s food service provider Bon Appetit Management Company stresses local sourcing of food by contracting with local farmers whenever possible. On average, food travels 1,500 miles to one’s plate; not at the University of Portland. Enormous savings in gasoline for food transport are realized through this policy, which also supports small, local farms. The purchase of local foods – be it produce, meat, seafood, or cheese – supports sustainable regional economies and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on long distance food transportation. Bon Appetit has also moved takeout boxes away from the food service counter in the Cove to encourage use of reusable/washable plates. The university has traded the use of plastic forks and spoons to ones based on potato starch (“spudware”) that biodegrade over time. Learn more: Contact UP expert Kirk Mustain, general manager of Bon Appetit on campus,  mustain@up.edu or visit Bon Appetit's web site.

7. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

   The University is carrying out the first phase of a greenhouse gas inventory for campus activities, focusing on off-campus travel by air (by sports teams, terms abroad, faculty, etc), our electric usage, and use of combustible fuels on campus. Learn more: Contact UP expert Steve Kolmes, environmental science, at kolmes@up.edu.

8. Paper Recycling

   The University of Portland has a strong paper recycling program, which is vital to preserving forests. The University is investing in double-sided printers and has furnished an extensive array of recycling bins throughout campus. The University also recycles many other reusable items, including plastics, glass, metals, cardboard, batteries, etc. Learn more: Contact UP expert Sean Smith, physical plant, at smiths@up.edu.

9. Presidential Advisory Committee on Sustainability  

10. Presidents' Greenhouse Gas Challenge

    University President Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., is a charter signatory of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. The agreement has been signed by more than 290 university presidents and commits the University to establish a comprehensive plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Steps to reduce emissions will include the establishment of green policies for future campus construction projects, air travel policies that offset emissions, encouragement of public transportation, purchases of renewable energy resources, and encouragement of sustainability practices where the University’s endowments are invested. As part of the agreement, the University will provide periodic progress reports to other colleges and universities.

11. Restoration of the Bluff

    The University recently signed a contract to use FEMA funds to continue to plant the part of the Bluff that burned so dramatically a few years ago with native vegetation. There is significant water savings associated with use of native plantings that are naturally drought resistant. In addition, the University hopes to purchase and develop 80 acres of brownfield located on the Willamette River below the main campus. The University has been working with local and national entities on the possibility of this reclamation and sees incredible benefits for its own use, as well as that of neighbors and local residents.

12. Student Organic Garden

    UP students have developed the Student Led Unity Garden (SLUG), a small organic garden on campus supported by various academic departments. Students grow heirloom varieties of plants and organic food for themselves and for University dining services. Learn more: Contact UP student leaders Anne Carey, carey10@up.edu, or Andy Taylor, taylor10@up.edu.

13. Student Sustainabilty Reports

14. ZipCar

    The University has established a ZipCar Shuttle to the yellow TriMet Max line 2 ½ miles from campus, in partnership with ZipCar and TriMet. The shuttle increases employee and student public transit use and reduces overall automobile usage. FlexCar has also established an experimental program at UP (one of the first few in the US) which allows students under 21 to enroll as members and use the ZipCar parked on campus (for approx. $7-8/hr). The University has also installed bike racks around campus. A person driving a typical distance by car each year produces essentially the weight of the vehicle in carbon emissions (approx. 2,500 lbs for a compact car, 4,000 lbs for a midsize SUV, and 8,000 lbs for a large SUV). Learn more: Contact UP expert Jeff Rook, public safety, at rook@up.edu or visit the Sustainable Transportation Options Program (S.T.O.P.) site.