Loyola University Chicago

Sustainability Committee

About the Committee

Loyola has made sustainability one of our core values in support of our mission of social justice and experiential learning. Members of the Loyola community are exploring sustainability topics in the classroom, research lab, residence hall and city neighborhood. As Loyola seeks to support these initiatives to consider the “Campus as a Lab”, a Sustainability Committee has been appointed to review and evaluate these projects and provide resources.

This site provides the resources necessary for members of the Loyola community (students, staff, and faculty) that would like to advance the goals identified To the Greater Good, Plan 150, Loyola’s Strategic Plan, and A Just Future, Loyola’s Climate Action Plan. Please review the example projects, application and budget forms, FAQs and other materials on this page before applying to the Committee for support. Any questions can be directed to sustainability@luc.edu.

Structure and Process

The Sustainability Committee is made up of representatives from academic and operational units across the university most directly involved in sustainability.  A diversity of representation including students, staff, faculty and administration is included. The Committee meets two times per semester to review proposals.

Sustainability Project Considerations

  • The key consideration will be the project’s rationale and clear demonstration of how Loyola's Strategic Plan and/or the CAP will be advanced.
  • Types of Projects: Outreach and Engagement, Infrastructure, Research 
  • Duration of Projects: Some projects will require a feasibility study prior to implementation, therefore requiring a 2-step process, while others are able to be considered with a single application process.
  • Costs of Projects: Low cost (under $5,000) projects may be considered by various funding sources, projects $5,000 and over to be considered by the Committee and then directed to the Provost and Senior VP for Capital Planning and the Budget Review Team.
  • Originating Unit or Department: Various groups are involved in implementing sustainability at Loyola. Whether projects originate from an academic or operational unit may influence the available funding sources.
  • At the end of each year, a summary of the projects and the progress accomplished toward the carbon reduction goals of the Climate Action Plan and programmatic goals of Loyola's Strategic Plan will be shared with the Loyola Administration.