Miami rolls out sustainability commitments

President David Hodge has unveiled Miami University’s first-ever sustainability commitments and goals via an email Monday to all students, faculty and staff. The commitments were developed by the university’s sustainability committee and recently accepted by the president.

Focus areas include: clean energy, classroom engagement, campus culture, landscape and planning, purchasing and operations and investments and endowments.

“The recommendations set a strong foundation for action by establishing clear target levels and time lines,” Hodge said. “By acting purposefully and relentlessly, we can increase our sustainability, contribute to a healthier environment and reduce our bottom-line expenses.”

The sustainability committee is composed of students, faculty and staff from across the campuses and is chaired by Miami’s sustainability coordinator and associate professor of geography David Prytherch. The committee’s recommendations extend the work and public input of an earlier presidential task force on environmental sustainability.

“Our goal was to specify ambitious yet feasible goals for Miami,” Prytherch said. “Our committee was only able to do so thanks to the close collaboration from relevant units across the university and administration officials.”

Links to Miami’s sustainability commitments and goals, along with President Hodge’s full statement can be found on the university’s sustainability website.