October 2019 Campus Sustainability Month

happy student holding a compostable cup above compost bin in c street 


Sustainability at Seattle University

  • SU Board voted (on 09/12/2018) to divest from Fossil Fuels: Seattle University will become the first university in Washington state, and the first Jesuit institution in the nation, to divest its endowment from fossil fuels over the next five years.
  • SU #2 in the nation for its sustainability curriculum: Seattle University was ranked #2 nationally among universities for its sustainability curriculum in AASHE’s 2019 Sustainable Campus Index and #4 nationally as an overall top performer among master’s institutions.
  • SU #12 in The Princeton Review Top 50 Green Colleges: Seattle University ranks #12 out of 648 schools to be named to The Princeton Review's 2018 Top 50 Green Colleges for its exceptional commitments to sustainability.
  • SU #13 in Sierra Magazine's 2019 “Cool Schools” Ranking: For the 2nd year in a row, SeattleU makes it into the "Top 20 Coolest Schools" as ranked by the Sierra magazine.
  • STARS GOLD Rating: SU obtained a GOLD rating for its sustainability practices by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS).
  • Climate Action Plan: As a signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, Seattle University adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2009 stating the university's intentions to more comprehensively address climate change and advance sustainability
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction: SU’s greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 13.6 percent since 2009.
  • Sustainability practices on campus: Learn how Seattle University aims at diverting 80% of its waste by 2020; incentivizes transit and biking to work; practices water conservation efforts; increases energy efficiency in buildings; utilizes organic methods in its landscaping; and much more. 
  • What You Can Do: Find out how you can get involved in sustainability efforts both on and off campus.

October is Campus Sustainability Month: what is happening on campus?

  • Meet CEJS at the Involvement Fair, October 1 (11:00AM-2:00PM, Quad): Are you interested in interning with CEJS, learning about sustainability at SU, or participating in environmental justice and sustainability events? Stop by at the CEJS booth at the Fall Involvement Fair!
  • Environmental Lunchtime Talks, October 1 and 8 (12:30PM-1:20PM, ENGR 307): The Environmental Science program will be holding informal student-led brown-bag lunchtime talks which will will bring students and faculty together to discuss summer experiences that relate to environmental issues or outdoor activities. All are welcome to listen and/or share. Food will be provided.
  • Food With Spirit Community Dinner, October 2 (6:00PM-8:00PM, YOBI residence 2nd floor kitchen): Get to know your fellow gardeners on campus over a delicious meal! RSVP on the Food with Spirit Connect SU page if interested. These dinners will repeat weekly, with a new crop featured every week. 
  • Peace Pole Garden Party, October 12 (1:00PM-3:00PM, Peace Pole gardens - in front of Student Center): We will be planting some cold-weather crops, preparing the garden for winter and potentially harvesting some sunflower seeds.
  • National Food Day: Local Market Thursday, October 24 (11:30AM-1:00PM, Cherry Street Market): More details coming soon. 
  • The Future of Food: A Lunch Hour Event with Author Timothy Wise October 29 (12:30PM-1:20PM, Bannon 102): Join the EVST department and CEJS in a discussion with author Timothy Wise about his new book "Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, family farmers and the battle for the future of food." He will share his insights with us on family farming and feeding the world in the context of climate change. 

Check out our events page for more!

AASHE Campus Sustainability Hub

  • AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) has created an online library of thousands of valuable resources enabling students, faculty, and staff to learn about all aspects of sustainability and providing inspiration on how to incorporate sustainability on campus. Users can find what they need through filter, sort and search functions and enhanced browsing. Resources are organized by sustainability topic (e.g., curriculum, public engagement, energy, investment) and content type (e.g., academic program, case study, conference presentation, photograph). Check it out!