University of Denver
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Three year plans have provided a mechanism to define steps towards 25 aspirational sustainability goals for 2025.

Curriculum
1.Define and measure sustainability learning outcome(s) at the undergraduate level
a.Metric: Learning outcome(s) approved, assessment tool widely implemented
2.Develop an interdisciplinary institute to support sustainability curriculum and research
a.Metric: Institute in place
3.Create a model for an interdisciplinary graduate certificate/degree program
a.Metric: At least one interdisciplinary graduate certificate passed through graduate council
4.Develop a graduate fellows program utilizing campus and community partnerships as an interdisciplinary sustainability laboratory.
a.Metric(s): number of fellows in the program, number and develop metric of impact of their projects

Student Experience
1.Embed sustainability communication in mailers to admitted students before orientation
a.Metric: communication shared annually
2.Include mandatory sustainability training at orientation
a.Metric: percentage of students who receive sustainability training in orientation annually
3.Implement an Ecoreps program for RAs and other student leaders.
a.Metric: number of student participants, impact of their activities

Mobility
1.Launch a successful shuttle service
a.Metric: shuttle ridership, RTD ridership at the University of Denver light rail station
2.Add amenities at light rail station in partnership furthering development of a mobility hub at that location
a.Metric: Project complete
3.Add one covered, secure bike parking
a.Metric: Project complete
4.Move to a leased fleet to reduce emissions, and provide the option for alternative fueled vehicles
a.Metric: lease in place, amount of fuel reduction
5.Reduce single occupancy vehicle commuting by students and employees
a.Metric: changes in sov measured by Transportation Survey
Grounds and Gardens
1.Plant pollinator habitat around campus
a.Metric: acres of habitat developed
2.Plant xeriscape or low water plantings at campus periphery
a.Metric: acres of xeriscaping implemented, goal of converting 1% of turf acreage to low water use plantings annually
3.Implement Integrated Pest Management plan
a.Metric: plan adopted and operationalmetrics
4.Develop a partnership with Denver Urban Gardens
a.Metric: partnership programs
5.Implementation of electric mowing and blowing equipment by lawn maintenance
a.Metric: 50% percent of lawn maintenance equipment that is zero emission at point of use

The University of Denver recognizes that one of the great challenges of our time is to make the decisions and investments — of both effort and money — that will simultaneously advance economic vitality, ecological integrity and social justice. Economic vitality, environmental integrity and social justice are deeply connected in both the short- and the long-term. This triple challenge and deep connection are embodied in the concept of sustainability.

Recognizing sustainability as a core University value, we commit to exercising leadership in our community and throughout society by providing the knowledge, research and curriculum to produce informed graduates who are able to create a positive, just and sustainable future.

We will fully embrace sustainability and address climate change in our operations by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our approach to managing the built environment, energy, water, dining, purchasing, policies and transportation operations.

By integrating sustainability into the curriculum, research, co-curricular experience and campus operations, we will better serve our students and meet their social mandate to help create a vital, ethical and prosperous civil society.

We believe that our commitment to sustainability requires us to work with community partners in the public and private sector to ensure a thriving local economy, a sustainable urban environment and an equitable human community.

We reaffirm our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, as just one part of a holistic approach to becoming a sustainable University.
https://www.du.edu/sustainability/content/sustainability-our-commitment

Economic vitality, environmental integrity and social justice are deeply connected in both the short- and the long-term. This triple challenge and deep connection are embodied in the concept of sustainability.