Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

American University Launches Sustainability Research Project

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/05/24

American University in Washington, D.C., recently began a research project exploring the relationship between purchase decisions for university campuses and sustainability, according to a news release. The study seeks to explore how “greening” the purchases involved in student housing renovations, breaking ground on new facilities, buying new equipment and supplies, and more, can foster larger sustainability goals.

Researchers will use a systems approach to discover how to boost employee engagement and study the dynamics of staff, vendors, and the university’s sustainability office during the decision-making process. Final results will be shared with other universities to help them achieve sustainability goals, the news release reports.

“The project is a great example of how research can have a positive impact on campus,” said Megan Litke, director of the university’s Office of Sustainability. “By better understanding where the opportunities exist within the purchasing chain, we can engage our community to make decisions that will drive down AU's emissions and continue to deepen AU’s progress in sustainability.”

Funding for the study comes through a Faculty Research Incubator Grant from the university’s Center for Environment, Community & Equity. About 92 percent of an organization’s climate emissions come from procurement, according to the news release citing the Climate Disclosure Project. Facilities’ managers decisions about materials, transportation, and packaging lead to significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions.

“The CECE Faculty Research Incubator Grant Program supports emergent interdisciplinary environmental research projects at American University,” said CECE Director Professor Dana R. Fisher. “Through this program, we aim to encourage the type of cross-disciplinary research necessary to solving the environmental issues plaguing our society today.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • UT System Board of Regents Approves $108M Housing Complex

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently announced the approval of a new, $108-million housing complex at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), according to a news release. The facility will stand four stories and have a total of 456 new beds for freshmen students.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Launches New Emergency Communications System

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently deployed a new emergency notification and incident management system for its campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with 911Cellular to launch Safe@UTC, a smartphone app allowing university officials to communicate and respond during emergency situations.

  • Indiana Wesleyan University Schedules Grand Opening for New Welcome Center

    Indiana Wesleyan University recently announced that it will soon open a new Welcome Center on its campus in Marion, Ind., according to a news release. The facility will serve as the home base for prospective students and their families to learn more about the university and student life there. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for February 19.

Digital Edition