Sustainability News
News on Sustainability Initiatives at Loyola
Information Commons Named Best New Construction
June 17, 2008: Loyola University Chicago's award-winning, environmentally friendly library, the Richard J. Klarchek Information Commons, has been named best New Construction—Chicago by the Chicago Building Congress (CBC). The building, along with the project team responsible for its development, was recently honored at the CBC's 52nd Annual Merit Awards Program, held on May 28, 2008 at the Union League Club of Chicago. Learn More
Mayor Richard M. Daley HONORS Loyola at Annual Bike to Work Rally
June 13, 2008: The City of Chicago hosted its annual Bike to Work Rally today, and Mayor Richard M. Daley and his Bicycle Advisory Council were on-hand to present Loyola University Chicago with an award for its participation in the city's university transportation alternatives program. Loyola is one of five universities honored at the rally, which is part of the City's Bike Chicago 2008 initiative. The other four universities include DePaul University, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The university transportation alternatives program partially funds a two-year internship for an individual who promotes alternative transportation on university campuses, and is dedicated to getting the university community involved in walking, biking, and taking public transportation, rather than using gas-fueled vehicles. Each of the interns at the five universities, including Loyola, will participate in three days of extensive training from June 16-18. The training will provide each intern the skills needed to successfully promote alternative transportation on campus.
STEP: Biodiesel Course Featured on WTTW-Ch. 11
May 28, 2008: Loyola's Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP): Biodiesel course was featured in a segment on WTTW's Chicago Tonight. To watch the video, visit:
http://www.chicagolive.com/wttw/wttws_chicago_tonight_world_of/
Loyola Wastes No Time
 |
| Loyola's newly purchased compactor makes storing and transporting recyclables more efficient |
The sustainability task force has initiated numerous projects to establish Loyola as a green campus. These projects include a sustainability assessment; the introduction of a new inter-disciplinary course in fall 2007, Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP); the formation of a Waste Reduction Committee; a commitment to making sure all new construction projects on campus are certified by and meet the standards of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program; and the completion of the Information Commons building.
These projects have had a positive effect on the Loyola campus and students, and they are only the beginning. Loyola’s sustainability assessment, led by natural science professor, James Eames, is an inventory of waste streams, water usage, electricity, landscaping, yard waste, and electronics to determine the total amount of waste produced on campus. The assessment began in the fall and will be completed by January 2008. The results will aid the task force in advising the University on incorporating sustainable practices in future strategic planning. (Inside Loyola, Nov. 2008)
Re-thinking recycling
To help educate the Loyola community about the importance of waste reduction, the Consumption Reduction and Recycling Committee has been formed to serve as an advisory committee to the Division of Facilities Management. The committee, 25 members strong, is composed of students, faculty, and staff. Actions so far
- Hired Lake Shore Waste Services, a new waste management contractor for LSC, who is a local hauler with an efficient recycling service
- Installed a solar-powered compactor near the Gentile Center
- Placing liaisons in various departments to share consumption reduction and recycling methods
- Creating a Web site, LUC.edu/facilities/recycling, with information about what can be recycled, where it can be recycled, and tips on reducing consumption and waste
Gina Lettiere, coordinator of CUERP and the committee’s co-chair, emphasizes that while recycling on campus should be increased, the larger goal is to reduce consumption and waste altogether. (Inside Loyola, Nov. 2008)
Green progress grows
As a result of sustainability efforts over the past few years, the University has completed projects and made alterations to its environmental practices that were previously unheard of on campus. The overall challenge is that the members of the Loyola community need to change their habits to make the University a healthy and ecologically sound campus for present and future faculty, staff, and students.
Making a difference...
- Construction of the Information Commons, which is expected to obtain Silver Level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
- Interdisciplinary course (fall 2007), Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP)
- Waste Reduction Committee to educate the Loyola community about the importance and methods of recycling
- New recycling vendor on the Lake Shore Campus—nearly seven tons of recyclables were collected from the LSC during the months of August and September
- All new construction projects on campus are to be certified and meet the standards of the LEED program
- Sustainability assessment underway (completed by summer of 2008)
- Condensed fluorescent, energy-saving light bulbs installed in student residences and other buildings around campus
In the future…
- Sustainability Task Force to create and outline next steps and strategic plans to reduce Loyola’s ecological footprint
- Hiring a Sustainability Initiative Director to lead all of Loyola’s sustainability efforts
- Continue sustainable practices with more enforcement and student leadership
- Develop a culture of sustainability
(Inside Loyola, Nov. 2008)
Tips on being a green employee
- Bring a lunch to work in a reusable bag or lunch box
- Recycle your newspapers and computer paper in a blue bin
- Shut the office lights and your computer off when you go home
- Bring a plant into the office (try to stay away from ivy and anything poisonous)
- Bring a mug to work for water, coffee, etc., instead of using paper cups
- Avoid printing too many copies that will eventually be thrown away
(Inside Loyola, Nov. 2008)
Taking a STEP for a sustainable environment
This fall, the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy (CUERP) launched a new curriculum and special projects program to further Loyola’s sustainability practices. Known as Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP), this program’s first project is a course that teaches students about environmental issues, emphasizing the use and recycling of waste vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel.
Shane Lishawa, lab manager and research associate for CUERP, and STEP course coordinator Alison Varty co-direct the course, which includes 13 faculty members from eight different disciplines and schools, and 22 students. Students are guided by faculty members from their respective areas of business, marketing, science, and education. Each student chooses an area of interest and focuses on the challenges and opportunities of biodiesel fuel and sustainability from that perspective.
“It is such a unique experience to learn from these professors who each approach environmental issues from a different perspective—business, education, politics, science, and marketing,” states Blake Anderson, a Loyola senior with a double major in environmental studies and political science.
“This class serves as a good example for society and shows that people need to think about the environmentally friendly alternatives out there.”
“Loyola needs to add more classes like STEP,” says Anderson. “Students have a lot to contribute here at Loyola, and the school needs to tap into the ideas and energy we have to offer.” (Inside Loyola, Nov. 2008)