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Latest University News
The Men's Tennis team with their trophy in front of the final scoreboard.

A dream fulfilled: Denison wins its first NCAA men’s tennis title

May 23, 2025
Photo of Matt Tanney, new associate vice president and director of athletics

Denison names Matt Tanney new associate vice president and director of athletics

May 20, 2025
Photo of a graduate's cap with a 2025 tassel.

‘Life is jazz, baby:’ Denison celebrates 184th Commencement

May 20, 2025
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  1. Campus
  2. Sustainability
  3. Commitment in Action

Commitment in Action

A list of frequently asked questions about sustainability efforts at Denison University.

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Sustainability



  • Our Commitment
    Our Commitment

    A history of Denison University's commitment to sustainability

    • History of Sustainability
    • Denison’s Climate Goals
    • Recognition & Accolades
  • Commitment in Action
    Commitment in Action

    A list of frequently asked questions about sustainability efforts at Denison University.

    • Green Revolving Fund
    • Zero Waste
    • Local & Responsibly Sourced Foods
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Buildings
  • Get Engaged
    Get Engaged

    A list of student organizations that work to promote different facets of responsible living both on campus and in the local community.

    • Green Campus Organizations
    • Homestead
    • Community Sustainability Projects
    • Community Garden
    • Choose Local
  • Education & Research
    Education & Research

    Education and research related to sustainability is a core value for Denisonians.

    • Biological Reserve
    • Denison Arboretum
  • Contacts
  • Forms, Policies, Publications

Sustainability is a far-reaching effort at Denison that covers multiple programs in energy, recycling, food sources and more.

Read Denison's current Sustainability Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Show/Hide What is Denison doing to address CO2 emissions and global climate change?

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.

Show/Hide Does Denison serve organic, local, and fair trade foods?

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.

Show/Hide Does Denison have a Sustainability major?

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.

Show/Hide What is the Homestead?

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.

Show/Hide What is Denison’s position on divestment from fossil fuels?

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.

Show/Hide Does Denison have a car share program?

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

Learn more about the program details

Show/Hide How many LEED buildings does Denison have?

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.

Show/Hide What do Sustainability Fellows do?

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.

Show/Hide I’m interested in Sustainability, but how do I get involved?

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.

On this page

  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • What is Denison doing to address CO2 emissions and global climate change?
    • Does Denison serve organic, local, and fair trade foods?
    • Does Denison have a Sustainability major?
    • What is the Homestead?
    • What is Denison’s position on divestment from fossil fuels?
    • Does Denison have a car share program?
    • How many LEED buildings does Denison have?
    • What do Sustainability Fellows do?
    • I’m interested in Sustainability, but how do I get involved?

More in Commitment in Action

  • Green Revolving Fund
  • Zero Waste
  • Local & Responsibly Sourced Foods
  • Renewable Energy
  • Green Buildings

Spotlights

Colin Ravin ’24, left, and Chase King ’24 stand in front of Denison’s new Chevy Bolt.
Denison Magazine

Charging toward a more sustainable Denison

Colin Ravin ’24 and Chase King ’24 team up with Chris Wolfington ’90 to make the case that the future of the college’s vehicle fleet is electric.
A group of people sitting outside at the homestead

The Homestead’s ‘ever-evolving experiment in community’

Established in 1977, the Homestead is a living reminder of Denison’s sustainability roots.
Suni Harford
Denison Magazine

Invested In Change

Suni Harford ’84 one of the most powerful women in finance, on how a rising environmental and social consciousness has transformed investing—and forced
Sarah Davis ’94, Chief Ranger at Yellowstone National Park
Denison Magazine

The View From Here

How Sarah Davis ’94 works to protect the park from the people and the people from the park as Chief Ranger at Yellowstone.
Henshaw family and students playing board game

Home sweet home?

When international Denison students couldn't go home during the coronavirus pandemic, the college partnered with local families.
Girl at soda machine
How We Live

Building a better soda dispenser

Bringing local, natural sodas to the campus took a lot of research and quite a bit of know-how.
Ongoing-sustainability
How We Learn

Ongoing sustainability

As seniors graduate, they take their values into the world with them.
student in garden
How We Live

Food for Thought

DU raises awareness about local and global impacts of one of our favorite things: food.
Students Helping Local Farmers
How We Live

Students Helping Local Farmers

Seniors Jennifer Curry and Emily Marguerite bring local produce to the Denison community through a partnership with area farmers.
Musings from the Coordinator
How We Live

Musings from the Coordinator

Is Denison on the right track towards sustainability?
Going green
How We Live

Going Green On the Hill

Denison is continuing its active campaign to go green and to be more sustainable.

What's Happening

Announcements & Updates

Denison sponsors invasive pear tree bounty program

Denison partners with Pollinator Pathway to remove invasive Bradford pear trees from Licking County.

Read more
What's Happening

Denison professor contributes to new climate change report

Environmental studies assistant professor Lucy McAllister’s research is part of the 2023 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change.

Read more
University News

Ohio EPA grant advances sustainability at Denison

Nearly $90,000 from the Ohio EPA will go toward equipment to convert food waste into fertilizer.

Read more
See All
More From Denison
Academic Majors
Academic Majors
Living at Denison
Living at Denison
Study Abroad
Study Abroad
Career Exploration
Career Exploration

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Granville, Ohio 43023
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