The Office of Sustainability interacts with the students, staff, and faculty of Denison to increase awareness and engage the campus community on ways to move the college towards a more sustainable future. The Office of Sustainability also strives to connect with the surrounding community on ways to collaborate, educate and empower individuals to be active citizens in the effort to be socially responsible and reduce our impact on the environment.

Campus Sustainability Committee

The Campus Sustainability Committee (CSC), formed in 2009 as a standing committee of the Denison’s University Council, operates under the premise that to change the world, we must first create change within our circle of influence. As members of this committee, we commit to take and recommend actions that (1) respect the dynamic equilibrium of planetary ecosystems and (2) reduce our impact on the natural environment through reduced consumption and educated resource use decisions.

• Maintain an open flow of dialogue and communication regarding sustainability on campus

• Establish communication with appropriate representatives of the Granville Community

• Assess current practices and establish specific guidelines regarding resource management

• Foster sustainable practices within our diverse, multi-faceted community

• Establish benchmarks for sustainable resource management and solicit annual reports from key campus units

• Produce a comprehensive annual Campus Environmental Report

2009-2010 Report on Campus Sustainability [pdf]

2010-2011 Report on Campus Sustainability [pdf]

2011-2012 Report on Campus Sustainability [pdf]

Campus Sustainability Plan 2012 [pdf]

Campus Sustainability Coordinator

The duties of the Campus Sustainability Coordinator include:

• Advises the Campus Sustainability Committee

• Collaborates with students and student groups to promote sustainability on campus

• Conducts annual evaluations of Denison Sustainability progress

• Serves as a liaison between the college and other sustainability-themed organizations

• Assists departments and offices in the implementation of sustainability best-practices

• Explores ways to reduce the college’s consumption of resources and reduce its waste

• Facilitates the administration of the Hunting Environmental Venture Fund

• Publishes a monthly sustainability newsletter – The GreenSheet

• Conducts sustainability workshops:

  • How to Make Your Dorm/Home More Energy Efficient

  • The Fine Art of Composting

  • Growing Your Own Food – Backyard Gardening

  • Greening up the Office

  • The Basics of Canning and Storing Food

Student Sustainability Advisory Committee

The Student Sustainability Advisory Committee is composed of a small group of students interested in discussing ways to promote sustainability on campus, and translating this discourse into action. Facilitated by the sustainability coordinator, students collaborate to develop focused solutions to environmental problems on Denison’s campus. For example, the committee has considered how to reduce paper waste generated from fliers hung across campus, and develop a more environmentally-friendly alternative for publicizing events. If you are interested in learning more about the committee, or becoming involved, please contact Jeremy King.