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

  • UPenn Announces Completion of New Veterinary Education Facility

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently finished construction on an 11,800-square-foot veterinary education building, according to a news release. The Gail P. Riepe Center for Advanced Veterinary Education is the first dedicated classroom facility at the New Bolton Center, a large-animal hospital and campus about 35 miles west of the campus proper.

  • Montclair State University Starts Construction on $120M STEM Building

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $120-million Interdisciplinary Science Building, according to university news. The university partnered with HoK Architects for the project’s design, and it’s scheduled to open in time for the 2028–29 academic year.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • Tomball ISD Opens New Tomball West High School

    Tomball Independent School District in Tomball, Texas, recently celebrated the official opening of Tomball West High School, the district's third comprehensive high school, with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a district news release.