Sustainability
Miami University is committed to sustainability in our academic programs, physical campus and operations, and university mission by promoting environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability for current and future generations. This commitment is a collaborative effort that involves students, faculty, staff and external partners.
Sustainability Commitments and Goals (SCAG)
Miami University's first Sustainability Commitments & Goals (SCAG) were developed in 2010 with broad stakeholder input. The Sustainability Committee established an updated SCAG in 2016 with broad input from the university community.
Initiatives
Physical Facilities (PFD) is committed to creating a more sustainable and green campus through proper waste management, energy conservation, and responsible construction practices. Miami and PFD's sustainability progress is facilitated via numerous employee-generated Lean process improvement projects and through coordination with Miami's Sustainability Committee.
Waste Management
PFD's involvement in sustainability unofficially started in 1989 with the creation of Miami's Recycling Program. Campus contests led to the launch of the Recyclemania Competition in 2001. Working with other departments across campus, PFD continues to advance waste diversion, starting food scrap composting and single stream recycling in 2012.
Energy Management
PFD has had a similar long involvement in energy conservation. Exceeding the state's 10-year reduction goal of 20% per square foot in 2014, Miami's campuses demonstrated a reduction of nearly 22%. In terms of energy consumption, the total decreased, even while square footage increased over 25% during the period.
Buildings and Grounds
Miami's LEED credentialed buildings and otherwise "greened" construction projects enhance both the look and performance of the campus and how we move around it. Prime examples of LEED can be found clustered in new dining and residence halls on Western Campus, supported by the Geothermal Heat Exchange Facility.
Progess
Climate Commitment
Miami University President Gregory Crawford signed the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments -Climate Commitment September 22, 2020.
Second Nature requires reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, the Climate Action Plan, the Resilience Assessment and more, according to a set timeline.
STARS
Miami University achieved its second STARS Gold rating in spring 2022 in recognition of its sustainability achievements by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) is a widely used reporting tool developed by AASHE. Schools report triennially: Miami's next report will be in spring 2025.
LEED Buildings
Miami has been committed to LEED to achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold or Silver certification for new buildings or major renovations since 2011. Our 31 LEED-certified buildings now account for 32% of the gross square footage of buildings on the Oxford campus.
Sustainability Dashboard
On Sept. 22, 2020, Miami University President Gregory Crawford signed Second Nature’s PCLC Climate Commitment. Miami is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible; and will focus on climate adaptation and community capacity building to deal with a changing climate.
Achievements
STARS Gold
First gold rating received in May 2019 in recognition of sustainability achievements.
51%
Reduction in energy-based carbon emissions per gross square foot, 2008-2019.
29
Gold or Silver LEED-certified buildings on the Oxford campus.
Climate Leader
Miami signs the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments (PCLC) - Climate Commitment in September 2020.
Sustainability Achievements on the Oxford Campus
Energy
Western geothermal plant
39% reduction in energy use per gross square foot 2008-2019.
Did you know?
In 2010, nearly all Oxford buildings were heated and cooled by carbon-intensive steam. By 2016, nearly all Oxford buildings will be off steam.
Student Involvement
Armstrong Student Center
Nine student organizations advocating for sustainability.
Did you know?
The newly formed Student Sustainability Council coordinates events and acts on student concerns regarding sustainability.
Geothermal
Young Residence Hall and Upper Pond
By 2026, 43 buildings in Oxford will be heated or cooled by geothermal.
Did you know?
There are 300 geothermal wells on the Western campus under the Upper Pond.
LEED Buildings
Farmer School of Business
28% of gross square footage on Oxford campus in LEED-certified buildings.
Did you know?
In 2009, FSB was the first building on campus to earn Silver LEED designation.
Academics
Upham Hall
Sustainability is a key part of 22 programs and over 100 courses.
Did you know?
There are four co-majors directly related to sustainability.
Food
Institute for Food Farm
The 14-acre farm supports a 28 week CSA program.
Did you know?
Food systems and food studies is a new sustainability-related co-major.
Miami-Oxford Partnership
Summer Music Festival, Uptown, Oxford, 2018
Oxford signed the global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy Commitment in 2019.
Did you know?
IES master’s students are helping Oxford prepare a greenhouse gas inventory.
Savings
Goggin Ice Arena
New heat recovery system saves $300,000 annually in utility costs.
Did you know?
The system captures and re-uses 75% of the heat used to cool the ice.
Institute for Environment and Sustainability
Shideler Hall
IES is an umbrella organization for sustainability education and research at Miami.
Did you know?
The Institute for Environment and Sustainability celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019 – older than the EPA!
Water
Western Campus Duck Pond
18M gallons/year will be saved from energy systems conversions 2019-2026.
Did you know?
Miami’s six rain gardens slow and purify rain runoff.
Get Involved
Student Organizations
Interested in joining a student organization devoted to sustainability?
Student-led organizations range from the Miami University Green Team and Zero Waste Oxford to Miami University Green Gamers and GreenHawks Media - and many more.
Residence Life: EcoReps
EcoReps promote sustainable living in Residence Halls through specialty recycling, educational programming, water bottle project, trash audits and more. Follow them on Instagram @muecoreps.
Climate Action Task Force Student Subcommittee
Are you interested in joining the Climate Action Task Force (CATF) student subcommittee?
Contact Jonathan Levy, CATF chair, or Denali Selent, the 2022 CATF executive steering committee student representative.
Undergraduate Research
More than 2,000 Miami students work with faculty mentors on independent research each year, supported by Miami's Office of Research for Undergraduates.
Miami's Sustainable Future - Carbon Neutrality and Beyond
Miami University has spent 10 years on the path to carbon neutrality by transforming energy use on the Oxford campus. In September 2020, Miami signs the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments (PCLC) - Climate Commitment as a leader in environmental stewardship and campus sustainability. Moving forward, Miami will expand the conversation to long-term climate action and community partnerships that are the path to a sustainable future.
- 2008-2019: $33 million investment in campus energy transformation
- January 2019 – President Crawford charges the Sustainability Committee to prepare a plan by June 1, 2019
- 2019 – Read “Commitment to Lead.”
- September 2019 – President Crawford asks the committee to recommend whether to sign the PCLC or create an independent plan by February 1, 2020
- Summer 2020: Climate Action Task Force to be formed with a target date set for carbon neutrality
- 2022: Complete a Campus-Community Resilience Assessment
- 2023: Climate Action Plan to be completed – target date set for carbon neutrality
- 2020-2026: Planned $60 million investment in further energy system transformation
Future initiatives:
- Sustainability literacy module for incoming students
- A transportation hub with Oxford and the Butler County Regional Transit Authority
- Updated metrics and measures of success for sustainability goals
