Environmental Sustainability at Denison University
Solar Panels were installed on the roof of the William Howard Doane Library in the summer of 2007.
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The LEED Certification of the Cleveland Hall renovation signifies Denison University's continual effort towards campus environmental sustainability. Cleveland Hall is home to the Studio Art Department.
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The "Warm-Coming" Parade, associated with the nationwide Focus the Nation campaign designed to engage high school and college students in the issues surrounding global warming, helped raise awareness about global warming on Denison's campus.
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The Green Renovation of Barney-Davis building, home of the McPhail Center for Environmental Studies and the English Department, was completed in 1996.
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Denison University has devoted
resources and careful consideration to the quality of our surrounding
environment for decades. Starting with the establishment of the Denison
University Homestead in 1977 led by biology professor, Dr. Bob Alrutz, the
campus has undertaken initiatives which address the relationship between humans
and their environment. Subsequent major
environmental endeavors included the development of the Environmental Studies
Program in the 1990s, the green renovation of the Barney-Davis Building
in 1996, and the creation of the Denison University Recycling Program in 2003
and Denison University-Granville Community Recycling Center in 2004.
The students, faculty, staff, and administration at Denison University continue to make a concerted
effort to improve campus environmental sustainability. Recent developments toward a more sustainable
community include a newly established Environmental Taskforce, functional composting
system, Solar Panels installed on the William Howard Doane Main Library, and a
general Campus Environmental Audit [pdf]. While faculty, staff, and administration members are supportive in the
push to make Denison
more environmentally conscientious, changes have been largely introduced and
completed by energized and enthusiastic students. In particular, student organizations have
played a vital role in encouraging environmental consideration in every
functional facet of the institution. These innovative and ambitious groups include but are not limited to:
- Denison Progressive Alliance (DPA)
- Denison University Recycling
Program (DURP)
- Animal Liberation League (ALL)
- Denison University Fair Trade Alliance (DUFTA)
Furthermore, a generous donation by John R. Hunting ’54 to
the Environmental Studies Program of $100,000 has enabled the Program to fund
environmental projects on campus to promote sustainability. Monies from this donation have been
appropriated to the installation of the photovoltaic panels, or Solar Panels,
located on the roof of the William Howard Doane Library and to the formation of
the Campus Sustainability Venture Fund. The Campus Sustainability Venture Fund is available to all students for
environmental projects which are compliant to the overall mission statement:
“The Campus Sustainability Venture Fund
serves to help establish a campus sustainability plan for Denison’s campus. This fund exists to help Denison become an innovative leader in campus
sustainability through working to implement changes in the way that our
community uses its resources. This fund
supports students and organizations that wish to improve the environmental
state of Denison’s
campus, but who lack the financial means to do so. Students, faculty and organizations are
encouraged to submit proposals for projects that range from $100 to $5000 in
capital and/or operating costs” (Environmental Practicum 301, 2007).
With the help of environmental advocates within the
students, administration, faculty, staff, and alumni, Denison University
will continue to investigate environmentally-friendly possibilities on campus.
The campus sustainability efforts not only help to maintain the health of the
public and surrounding ecosystems, but also adhere to the interdisciplinary
goals of a liberal arts education through well-rounded scholarship and reflection.
Past Events
January 30th and 31st, 2008: Focus the Nation
