Sustainability Considerations in Student Housing
Sustainability programs and initiatives have been a critical part of my work during my career in higher education. I have attempted, where possible, to assess environmental impacts in my work, to partner with sustainability leaders in my campus community, and to advocate for embedding these programs in our day-to-day work. I was fortunate to complete my certificate in Leadership in Sustainability Management from the Graham School at the University of Chicago and bring a perspective of sustainability to any project that I approach.
As a former member of the Loyola University Chicago Sustainability Committee, I was incredibly excited to see Loyola University Chicago make the commitment to divest from fossil fuel investments. Driving sustainability initiatives forward requires a commitment to operationalize and embed that work in all aspects of an institution. And to continue to drive such important work forward in the midst of an on-going pandemic is not easy, but it is what must done. The worsening impacts of climate change are too loud to ignore.
It is critical for both the greater institution and the individual departments and operating units to consider what they can do to lessen the impacts of climate change, and where they can make lasting change. Student Housing and Residence Life are uniquely poised to address both student learning and student behaviors around the impacts of climate change, as well as the learning and behaviors of their own staff.
Here are some considerations for best practices in sustainability in student housing:
1. When considering options for student programming focused on behavioral change –
Implement a Green Life Certification program that allows students to pledge certain behaviors around consumption, energy use, and transportation.
Create an Eco-Rep student leadership position with focus on sustainability and environmental events and programs.
2. For purchasing decisions--
Before replacing furniture, consider refurbishment/refinishing
When replacing furniture, donate older pieces during replacement cycles
Regular purchasing efforts:
Reusing existing supplies and materials
Reducing packaging (less Amazon, and more in-person purchasing)
Reducing branded giveaways (unless purposeful)
Purchasing less food during events to reduce food waste or working with organizations to donate excess food.
2. Residence Hall Waste--
Closed bin composting bucket program, either in student rooms, or in shared trash/recycling rooms
Donation Bins or Surplus with a Purpose (SWAP) shops
Move-in and Move-out recycling efforts to divert cardboard
Food waste diversion at trainings and events
3. Water Conservation
Create an opt-in notification program for students in partnership with local city Metropolitan Water District. Notify students to delay use of laundry or shower facilities to reduce impact to local sewers.
Open or “free” Laundry (versus pay per cycle) results in students not overfilling machines, resulting in less water usage and fewer dry cycles
Incentivizing cold water wash with laundry by charging less for cold water setting than hot water wash (more energy used to heat hot water)
Using High Efficiency front load washing machines for less water usage
4. Energy Savings
Where buildings systems allow, create temperature set-points to save energy during heating and cooling seasons.
In new construction projects, look to integrate energy conservation into the project. Be cautious about large-scale building automation that requires high levels of staff and student engagement (see Capstone Project on this issue).
Environmental sustainability efforts need to be embedded into day-to-day procedures, as well as large-scale campus events. The largest challenges in making this the best practice are having engaged staff to manage such programs, and a commitment from the overall department to prioritize the work. Connecting sustainability initiatives to institutional mission and/or diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives can help to gain traction amongst staff or students who may not value sustainability efforts. Climate change has a more immediate negative impact on members of marginalized communities.
As you consider your upcoming student programming, or upcoming residence hall projects, how might you incorporate environmental sustainability into your work?
