The University was recognized for its dedication to campus-wide sustainability in "The Princeton Review's 2016 Guide to 361 Green Colleges," making it the only University in Alabama to receive such recognition.
Mike Kensler, office of sustainability director, said the recognition "validates and affirms" the University's belief that sustainability is important to both the present and future.
"We are very gratified to be included again this year in 'The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges,'" Kensler said. "It inspires us to keep moving forward. Only 361 schools out of more than 4,000 institutions of higher learning made the list."
Kensler said there are several factors contributing to the University's success in creating a sustainable campus: energy and water efficiency; significantly more local, fresh food; LEED-certified buildings; the sustainability minor; faculty training in sustainability; research in several disciplines; civic and community engagement; Weagle Water stations and water refill stations at athletics venues; stream restoration projects; purchasing policies; a Sustainability Policy, Climate Action Plan, sustainability as a priority in the Campus Master Plan and Landscape Master Plan; diversity and inclusion initiatives.
"The list is long and a lot of different campus units are involved," Kensler said. "Auburn’s sustainability initiatives started in 2004 and over the past eight years or so the momentum has accelerated with the opening of the Sustainability Office and creation of Academic Sustainability Programs."
Students can actively play a part in the increased sustainability of the University, Kensler said.
"[Students can do] individual actions like buying from local merchants; eating fresh, locally produced food; using high efficiency lightbulbs and other energy saving devices and turning them off when not in use; using alternative transportation like War Eagle Bike Share, Enterprise CarShare and Tiger Transit; eliminating waste by purchasing only what is needed and long-lasting, and recycling whatever can become a resource for another use,"Kensler said. "Students can join together in groups to tackle larger community issues, and students can exercise their rights as citizens to advocate at the local, state, and federal levels for policies that promote a more just and sustainable society."
Kensler said higher education is a very important segment of society in fostering the sustainability transformation in education, research, outreach and operations.
"We collaborate with our peer institutions in the SEC and around the country to learn from and help each other in a learning community so we can constantly improve," Kensler said. "Auburn University is far and away the leader in Alabama and is recognized nationally for our commitments and accomplishments."
The Sustainability Office is developing new ideas and projects, Kensler said, and a peer to peer program is an upcoming one.
"The Sustainability Office is developing a peer to peer program so students and employees can partner with us to further infuse sustainability practices around campus," Kensler said. "We are looking at ways to further enhance our green building and stormwater management practices. Expect to see more happening with campus dining. New diversity and inclusion initiatives are under way.
There are always opportunities for progress, Kensler said.
"We can feel gratified, but not satisfied," Kensler said. "There is so much more to do. As the Sustainability Policy states, 'Auburn University considers sustainability a core value and strives for excellence in sustainability through continuous assessment and improvement.' We should all be proud and do our part to keep the momentum going."
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