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A timely academic major. A green building. A policy of ecological restoration. At Drew, environmental sustainability efforts go far beyond tossing an empty soda can in a recycle bin. And like the native trees adorning its campus, Drew’s efforts are growing. Would you expect any less from a school nicknamed the University in the Forest?

How green is my major

A major course of study based on major world problems

How do we attempt to address the devastating environmental issues—like loss of biodiversity and climate change—plaguing our world? For starters, by understanding the issues and possible solutions.

In the best liberal arts tradition, Drew University tackles the problem head on with a brand-new environmental studies and sustainability major, which is emerging as the first of its kind among liberal arts colleges in the United States.

Based on both the natural sciences and human interactions with the environment, the major focuses on how we as a society can live sustainably with the natural world. Majors take a range of courses—from ecology and environmental justice to business and environmental sustainability—taught by a faculty selected from 12 different disciplines across the university. Outside the classroom, learning continues through internships, field research or study abroad. (Learn more about curriculum and resources, like Drew’s GIS Lab.)

But the focus on environmental sustainability and ecological integrity is not new at Drew. It has been—and remains—central to the university’s academic and community identity. Need proof? It is Drew’s innovative emphasis on sustainability as a framework for resolving environmental problems that helped win the $950,000 Andrew Mellon Foundation grant that supports the new major.

Here and now, Drew offers students a chance to explore the obstacles to and the promise of environmental sustainability—and become knowledgeable and effective champions of the environment when they’re needed most.

Practicing what we teach

New Jersey’s First “Green Dorm”

Don’t be fooled by the red-brick exterior of Drew’s new 159-bed residence hall—the building is green through and through. A host of environmental considerations went into its design and construction, which should qualify it for silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification—a national standard for environmentally friendly construction. It is on track to be the first New Jersey facility of its type to earn this distinction at any certification level.

What makes Drew’s new dorm a green dorm?

• A geothermal heating and cooling system
• Water efficient plumbing fixtures
• Use of building materials that have low or no volatile organic compounds, are recycled and are regionally extracted, harvested or manufactured
• Landscape plantings that require no permanent irrigation system
• Recycling of approximately three-quarters of its construction waste
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A Commitment to Combat Climate Change

Every institution has a role to play in combating climate change. Drew has pledged to do its part by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. This landmark pact requires signatories to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible. Drew is now conducting an inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions and by 2009 will have a comprehensive action plan for achieving neutrality. The plan and inventory, along with periodic progress reports, will be available for public review. Learn more about what Drew has pledged at PresidentsClimateCommitment.org.

A Green Campus

Visitors to Drew are immediately struck by the beauty of its campus, including groves of centuries-old white oaks. But the foliage isn’t all that’s green about the grounds—so, too, is the university’s approach to caring for the campus. Drew only plants trees, shrubs and other flora that are native to the area. This policy of ecological restoration increases biodiversity and provides habitat to wildlife. Pesticides are rarely used, and then only as a matter of last resort. In fact, the last time Drew needed to spray its trees—to combat a particularly bad infestation of gypsy moths—an organic product was used. Weed control products are not used on lawns, and all clippings are composted. These are just a few of the measures the university takes to green its campus and reduce its ecological footprint.

Supporting the Local Farmer

New Jersey is the Garden State, and from late summer through early fall, Drew brings the local farmer to campus. A neighborhood farm stand is set up in front of the University Center, giving students, faculty and staff the opportunity to support local farming while purchasing fresh, locally grown produce and other foods.

Community Yellow Bikes

In cities across the country, if you need to quickly get from one place to another, you hail a yellow cab. At Drew, you do the environmentally friendly thing—grab a yellow bike. The university has a dozen parked across campus, ready to grab and go. Although they'd never run the Tour de France, they can get you from your dorm room to your class room in a minute flat—and that’s especially important on those mornings when you have an early class.

Car Sharing

To reduce pollution and congestion, Drew encourages students to leave their car at home. Downtown Madison is a short walk from campus, and from there you can catch a train to dozens of destinations, including New York City. But for those instances when public transportation won’t get you where you need to go, the university has partnered with ZipCar to offer two fuel-efficient Toyota Prius hybrids for rent by the hour or day. To learn more, visit drew.edu/zipcar.

RecycleMania

Recycling may seem like an unusual cause for school spirit, but at Drew, the national RecycleMania competition unites the community in purpose. In just 10 weeks in 2008, the campus recycled almost 45 tons (90,000 pounds) of bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. That’s 33.5 pounds per person! The effort earned the university a 20th place finish out of 180 participating institutions.

Want to know more?

Check out Drew's complete sustainability site for up-to-the-minute information on the university's green programs and initiatives.