Commitment in Action

Denison signed the Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2010 and in years since has made commitments to be carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon net-zero by 2045. In addition, Denison was one of the first colleges to participate in the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s Billion Dollar Green Challenge. As part of this challenge, the college created a revolving green fund for energy conservation projects. To date, the college has invested $4 million on more than 150 projects around campus. Collectively, these projects save over $600,000 a year in utility costs and have resulted in thousands of pounds of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Denison also has 9 solar arrays on campus, including an array in the bioreserve made up of 6750 panels, which together provide 15% of Denison’s energy. Between the green revolving fund, solar panels, and transition from coal to natural gas for heating, Denison has reduced its carbon emissions by 50% since 2010.

Yes. Sustainability is embedded in everything that Denison Hospitality does, from food sourcing and seasonally inspired menus to waste reduction, which is why we are excited to have them serving our campus. Their five culinary commitments include Additive Free, Responsibly Sourced, Locally Procured, Made from Scratch, and Nutritionally Balanced, which were adopted to help their culinary team best serve guests, communities, and the planet. They have engaged with over 20 local food businesses working with neighboring farms and distributors. Be on the lookout for inclusive, plant-forward and sustainable fresh menu options. Check out how Denison Hospitality makes local easy for Denisonians by visiting the ‘Sustainability’ tab on their website here.

Yes. Denison recently revamped its Environmental Studies major to include a more focused sustainability component. The newly-renamed Sustainability & Environmental Studies major takes an interdisciplinary approach to the complex issues that encompass global sustainability while exploring the relationship between humans and the environment. Denison also has a new Earth & Environmental Science major that takes a deep dive into the science behind major earth systems and the imbalances to those systems caused by natural and anthropogenic sources.

Located one mile from campus, the Homestead is an intentional, alternative living community where sustainability is a central tenant of the residential education experience. Housing a maximum of twelve students, residents eat communally (vegetarian and vegan meals) and share responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the gardens, flock of chickens, and cabins. The cabins features a number of green features and technologies, including 26 solar panels, a wood-fired radiant floor heating system, composting toilets and a beautiful passive solar design.

Divestment from fossil fuel companies is a complex issue that impacts not only Denison’s bottom line, but also our moral and ethical obligations to address climate change and social responsibility. Denison has not yet taken a formal stance for or against divestment. However, Denison has been reducing our own carbon emissions and has been in conversation with students who are invested in this process.

Yes. Enterprise has vehicles on campus that are available to students, faculty, and staff that have a valid Enterprise CarShare membership.

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Four. The Bryant Arts Center, Ebaugh Laboratories, Chamberlin Lodge, and the Natatorium are all LEED Gold certified buildings. In 2008 the Denison Board of Trustees created a policy that all new buildings and major renovations on campus meet at least LEED Silver standards.

The Denison Sustainability Fellows are a group of 6 students who raise awareness about ecological issues and encourage environmentally and socially responsible behavior of campus residents. Sustainability Fellows develop programming and educate their peers in the residence halls about environmental and social justice issues that benefit the campus and global community.

Getting involved in one of the many co-curricular and extracurricular activities is one of the hallmarks of the Denison experience. With respect to Sustainability, nearly all of the progress we’ve made on campus has its roots in student activism and engagement. Quite frankly, when students speak, the college listens. There are many ways to get involved with student groups such as Green Team and Denison VEG that work on sustainability efforts both on campus and in the local community. In addition, the Office of Sustainability typically hires student fellows each year.