Mission
Mission
USU Sustainability supports the adoption of sustainability across university operations, academics, research, and campus and community engagement.
USU Sustainability supports the adoption of sustainability across university operations, academics, research, and campus and community engagement.
Purpose
Purpose
To empower Utah State University students, staff, faculty, and greater communities to create thriving and sustainable legacies through partnership, solution-building, and system transformation. We work with students, staff, and researchers to implement locally relevant, transparent, and community-driven sustainability initiatives across the state.
To empower Utah State University students, staff, faculty, and greater communities to create thriving and sustainable legacies through partnership, solution-building, and system transformation. We work with students, staff, and researchers to implement locally relevant, transparent, and community-driven sustainability initiatives across the state.
Sustainability Policy
Utah State University (USU) is one of the nation’s premier, student-centered, land-grant, and space-grant universities. The University is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities by promoting sustainability in its operations and academic and service missions.
USU will develop appropriate systems for managing environmental, social, and economic sustainability programs with specific goals and objectives. This policy supports the goal of the USU statewide system to prepare students, faculty, and staff to proactively contribute to a high quality of life for present and future generations
USU Sustainability Timeline
1991
President Kermit Hall signs the Talloires Declaration.
2005
Aggie Blue Bike was founded with one employee and nine bicycles.
2007
President Albrecht signs the American College and Universities Presidents Climate Commitment. The Sustainability Council formed, USU adopted Sustainability Policy 106.
Carbon neutral by 2050 goal
2011
Students vote in the Blue Goes Green fee, which funded the Student Sustainability Office and grant program.
2012
USU Facilities hires a sustainability coordinator.
2013
USU becomes a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) silver-rated institution. USU achieves silver-level Bike Friendly Campus recognition.
2016
Destinations: Planetary Thinking in the Curriculum workshop launched, USU Farmers Market launched.
2019
USU achieves gold-level Bike Friendly Campus recognition.
Faculty staff carbon neutral by 2040 goal
USUSA carbon neutral 2032 goal
2020
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction committee, appointed by President Cockett, released a GHG reduction report.
2021
USU achieves gold-level Bike Friendly Campus recognition.
Emissions have decreased 28% from '07
Governance
USU Sustainability sits in the Office of the President, and works across departmental boundaries. We depend on collaborators like you to drive sustainability progress at USU.
Sustainability Council
The Sustainability Council was created in 2007 when USU became a signatory of the American College and University’s Presidential Climate Commitment. Today, it exists as a group charged with advising investment and implementing USU’s sustainability goals.
Director of Sustainability
USU’s Director of Sustainability reports to the Chief of Staff. The position is tasked with leading data-driven sustainability projects across university operations, academics, and research.
Our Plans and Reports
Past Documents and Reports (1990 - Present)
- Talloires Declaration (1991)
- Aggie Ecology Report (2003)
- American College & University President's Climate Commitment (2007)
- USU's Signed Climate Commitment (2007)
- Sustainability Policy 106 (2007)
- Climate Action Plan (2010)
- Energy Conservation and Emissions Reduction Policy 525 (2011)
- Bike Friendly Campus (2013)
- Sustainability Plan (2013)
- Bike Friendly Campus (2017)
- Sustainability Plan Update (2017)
- LEED Sustainable Buildings (2018)
- Bike Map (2020)
- Bike Friendly Campus (2020)
- Sustainability Plan Update (2020)
- STARS Reports (2022)
- GHG Emissions Update (FY 2022)