Bronze Level recognition for Lewis University’s sustainability efforts
Published: August 3, 2012.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and the Green Governments Coordinating Council have recognized Lewis University as a Bronze Level Compact School within the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact program. The designation recognizes Lewis University’s commitment to incorporate sustainability into its campus operations, academic and research programs, student activities and community outreach.
“Lewis University is honored to be distinguished as a Bronze Level institution,” stated Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University. “This is only a beginning. Lewis is committed to progressing to the Silver Level by 2015 as we continue to incorporate environmentally friendly initiatives into the University’s systems, new construction and renovations, and academic programming.”
As a Bronze Level institution, Lewis University has:
- A written statement, statement or policy acknowledging support for sustainability
- Established the University Environmental and Energy Conservation Council (UEECC) as a focal point to lead and coordinate sustainability efforts across campus
- Launched www.lewisu.edu/sustainability, which highlights the university’s sustainability programs and increases awareness and interest
- The UEECC also sponsors the annual Come Clean, Go Green contest, which encourages students and faculty to provide suggestions for advancing sustainability on campus.
Lewis University pledges to receive Silver status by completing the following steps:
- Foster student involvement in advisory councils, such as the UEECC
- Set measurable sustainability objectives and a timeframe
- Establish a system to monitor and assess the progress of campus sustainability goals
- Implement three specified best practices in sustainability.
This Bronze Level honor follows another recent recognition of Lewis University’s sustainability initiatives. The university earned the Sustainable Development Award from The Conservation Foundation—a land and watershed conservation organization dedicated to preserving open space, improving rivers and watersheds and promoting positive environmental activities in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties in Illinois.
Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.