Sustainability at Augustana - News, Information, and Resources

Sustainability is more than environmental awareness. It is a goal of responsible stewardship of our earth, understanding that humans are intricately tied to and dependent upon the complex systems of the natural world. One of the most commonly cited definitions of "Sustainable Development" comes from the 1987 Brundtland Report of the U.N. World Commision on Environment and Development:

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

As a community, Augustana College is striving towards sustainability through its academic programs and institutional policies. In 2007, the Augustana College Board of Trustees approved a broad and ambitious action plan in an effort to reduce the college's environmental footprint. A central point of this plan was the establishment of the Campus Sustainability Committee, composed of students and members of the faculty and staff. This committee oversees and helps facilitate numerous activities on campus, including recommendations of institutional policies. In addition, Global Affect, a long-standing student organization, supports numerous environmental activities on campus.

Institutional Information on Sustainability

• Board-approved Environmental Action Plan
• Campus Sustainability Committee -- Charges
• Campus Sustainability Committee -- Composition
• Environmental Academic Programs
• Augustana Recycling Program
• Sustainable Practices in Augustana Dining Services
• Augustana College Environmental Field Stations
• Local Culture House -- Augustana's sustainable student residence
• Global Affect -- student evironmental interest group

News Features

• Augie Acres -- a campus garden designed and maintained by students
• Quad Cities Intercollegiate Sustainability Summit, April 21, 2009.
• Sustainability Moves Forward at Augustana -- Blue and Gold make GREEN: summary of recent achievements and initiatives
• Project Pedal -- bicycles given to first-year students
• MetroLink Partnership -- free bus passes for members of the Augustana community
• Augustana's "1000 points of light" -- CFL give-away
• Wesley Acres -- students work at a local produce farm

Sustainability in your life

• Amazon.com Associates Program -- Follow this link and a small percentage of any purchases you make at Amazon.com will fund sustainability efforts at Augustana College!
• Augustana's new single stream recycling program
• Information on recycling batteries and e-waste
• Fluorescent light fixtures -- recycling and guidelines cleaning broken bulbs
• Tips on sustainable living
• Using the bus -- information on Metro
• PaperCut -- track your personal networked printing

Questions about Sustainability efforts at Augustana? Contact Jeffrey Strasser or Linda Roy.