Going Green
At DU, we care about the environment. From simple efforts such as maintaining green space on our campus to harnessing wind power for our electricity, DU does a lot preserve the environment, conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.
On the campus
DU students voted to increase their student activity fees in order to allow the University to purchase electricty from environmentally friendly windmill farms.
Our students often advocate for positive environmental change here on campus, and the administration listens.
The University in summer 2007 signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Challenge Commitment—a nationwide effort aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable DU, a coalition of student groups dedicated to the environment, help build support for the agreement through grassroots efforts and continued communication with the University administration.
In 2006, the student government voted to increase student activity fees slightly to allow the University to purchase electricity generated on windmill farms. That decision means about 28 percent of DU's power being is generated by harnessing wind—a clean, renewable resource. Because of the students' effort, DU became the largest college or university wind user in Colorado.
When the University decided to build a new facility for our law school, we built it "green."The building uses 40 percent less water, electricity and gas than a conventional building.
The Facilities Department also manages the University's recycling program by collecting and recycling used paper, plastic, toner cartridges and cardboard. Old computer equipment is either donated, recycled or given away.
And these are just a few of the ways DU does more to make less of an impact on the environment. There's more.
During the commute
DU also works to reduce the amount of air pollution by encouraging its community to use public transportation.
The University pays for students, faculty and staff to ride RTD, which is Denver's public transportation system. For students, it's included with your student ID, and for full-time employees, it's a benefit in their compensation packages. Traveling on buses or light rail has become part of the DU culture.
Another way we support mass transit is through the Commute Club, which encourages faculty and staff to use an alternative form of transportation to get to work at least one day a week. Employees across campus use all kinds of different ways to commute to campus, including carpooling, telecommuting, walking, biking or using public transportation.
In the classroom
It could go without saying that you'll be able to learn about the environment, too.
The Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute provides students and community members with an important resource on land use and environmental issues in the Rocky Mountain region. The institute produces research, publications and courses on development and hosts one of the most important conferences on these issues in the country.
The Environmental Awareness Living and Learning Community allows you to live in the same residence hall as other students who share a passion for environmentalism. If you're interested in meeting people with a "green" background and future, you can live with them and take specially designed classes on environmental action and awareness.
And throughout our curriculum, you'll find classes about the environment. If you want to pursue a green major, consider a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or our environmental law program.