Sustainability Spotlight

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

Learn about today’s serious environmental challenges – such as climate change, environmental injustice and loss of biodiversity – and then develop and implement solutions.

Drew University offers a nationally recognized major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability (ESS), emphasizing solutions and integrating science with economic and social justice. This innovative emphasis on sustainability as a framework for resolving environmental problems helped win major grant support for the ESS major.

Students can focus their study on environmental science or more broadly on environmental sustainability and society, choosing from a wide range of courses (see sidebar). Faculty from a dozen disciplines across the university teach these courses, offering diverse knowledge and expertise.

Students gain critical, hands-on experience through paid internships, research with professors, and study abroad. Alternative spring breaks and research projects in local communities – including forest restoration right on campus – enable students to hone skills learned in class while working on real life problems and solutions. In addition, the staff of Drew’s Spatial Data Center trains students in the use of Geographic Information Systems and other leading technologies – essential skills for those working in the environmental sector. Graduates pursue careers in government, business, nonprofits, consulting, research and environmental law.

Drew offers students a chance to explore the obstacles to and promise of environmental sustainability – and become knowledgeable and effective champions of the environment.

Practicing what we teach

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.