Arizona State University

Solar panels on an Arizona State University rooftop, with "A" Mountain and Sun Devil Stadium in the background.

Campus Category

Four year and graduate institutions over 15,000 student FTE

Contact Information

Karen Leland
Director, Communications and Marketing
Global Institute of Sustainability

Education and Research

Leading the change
In 2008, ASU President Michael Crow noted: "Some 300 years ago the first medical school was created with a few students, and before that there was no such thing…. [ASU's School of Sustainability] is like the first medical school—the first of its kind."

One year later, the pioneering School honored its first class of 13 graduates. The School offers two undergraduate and three graduate degree programs, with continuing education programs under development. Students learn to see complex problems from many angles and develop solutions that address the world’s economic, societal, and environmental challenges.

ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business offers a BA in Business with a sustainability concentration. Graduates help businesses and government understand, evaluate, and act on issues related to sustainability while making sensible business decisions for both short and long term.

The Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering has established the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. Graduates will improve and sustain quality of life in the 21st century through advances in materials, analysis and design.

ASU's Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics launched its MA in Applied Ethics and the Professions with a sustainability concentration. The program focuses on ethical issues arising from balancing economic, technological, environmental, social, and cultural development in a world increasingly affected by science and technology.

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is developing an integrated program in law and sustainability. An alliance of scientists, designers, planners, political scientists, and legal scholars will create this new comprehensive PhD, LLM, and MLS curriculum.

ASU offered sustainability-themed courses in 25 subjects in 2008-09, including in Anthropology, Biology, Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Construction, Environmental Tech Management, Engineering, Industrial Design, Economics, English, Ethics, Global Studies, History, Law, Philosophy, Nonprofit Leadership, Parks & Recreation, Tourism, Urban & Environmental Planning, and Women's Studies.

Making a difference
ASU focuses on sustainability research that contributes to the public good:

 

Campus Operations

Walking the talk
Transforming a large public institution and Research I University is a challenge, but we're making it happen. Our mission to practice sustainability across all campuses and units is succeeding due to persistence, cooperation, and the overarching support of campus administration.

ASU's four sustainability goals for campus operations include carbon neutrality, zero waste, actively engaging our community, and making principled choices in how we operate. To succeed, we must consider cost, management, health and safety, and feasibility for every decision. Notable accomplishments include:

  • Since 2005, all new University-owned buildings are required to be certified LEED Silver or better.
  • ASU's comprehensive Green Purchasing Policy covers energy, water, toxins and pollutants, biobased products, forest conservation, recycling, packaging, green building, and landscaping.
  • ASU's print shop is Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative certified, using 100% recycled paper for all productions, including business cards, letterhead, envelopes, note pads, and note cards.
  • ASU subsidizes bus and light rail passes for all students and employees and offers car-sharing and a carpool program with special parking privileges. A student-run bicycle co-op offers low- or no-cost bike repairs, free bike rentals, and discounted biking supplies.
  • ASU's year-end donation and recycling drive diverted more than 7 tons of material from the landfill during 2009 move-out.
  • A redesigned recycling program for over 63,000 students on three campuses will increase its diversion rate to 60%.
  • A composting program diverts ~14 tons of landscaping waste per month, then uses the compost on campus landscapes, replacing nitrogen-rich fertilizers.
  • ASU Dining, including its new Engrained restaurant, serves campus-grown foods harvested by volunteers, offers trayless dining in some facilities, and practices reduced-waste catering.
  • Almost 22% of food purchased by ASU in 2008 came from within 150 miles, with 56 other producers located in bordering states.
  • ASU established a program for interdepartmental sharing of office supplies and durable goods, averting significant waste and providing cost savings.
  • ASU’s sign shop designed a near-zero waste signage system now being implemented on campus.
  • ASU won an award for its “Greening Maroon and Gold” campaign that graphically identifies and unifies university-wide sustainability efforts.
  • ASU developed a sustainability pocket-guide and distributed it to all 80,000 ASU community members in 2008, with another 6,000 incoming freshmen set to receive it this fall. The guide offers practical sustainability tips and a list of resources.
  • An online Sustainability Toolbox provides ASU departments with a comprehensive set of resources for creating sustainability-conscious workplaces and sponsoring zero-waste events.
  • In fall 2009, selected ASU students will use the Kindle wireless reading device instead of printed textbooks.

Administration and Finance

Embracing change
Led by President Crow, co-chair of the ACU Presidents Climate Commitment, ASU is facilitating change through an evolving internal culture and progressive operations. But it's not good enough for ASU to do it alone. We reach out to model and advance change throughout the world.

  • ASU worked with city, county, and tribal leaders to establish the Sustainable Cities Network, to strengthen regional sustainability efforts, foster partnerships, identify best practices, provide training and information, and create a bridge between ASU's research and the front-line challenges of sustainability. Partners will work together to streamline and green city operations, advance solar energy, mitigate the urban heat island, design sustainable neighborhoods, and secure water supplies in a changing climate. Plans call for expansion statewide and beyond in coming years.
  • ASU's Decision Theater uses visualization, simulation, and collaboration tools to address sustainability challenges, exploring issues such as land use, water supply, air quality, transportation, and public health. Notably, the Theater helped Arizona’s Department of Health Services plan a response to swine flu.
  • An interactive and educational website, Campus Metabolism displays real-time energy consumption data for ASU buildings, with efforts underway to add renewable energy, water, and waste data.
  • The Global Institute of Sustainability (est. 2004) serves as hub of all ASU sustainability initiatives in research, education, outreach, and business practices and also administers some of the most ambitious and impactful programs at ASU.
  • The Institute's educational outreach office brings sustainability science into K-12 classrooms through activities, clubs, online resources, curriculum development, and teacher workshops.
  • ASU Human Resources introduced a sustainability component to the Institute's 2007-08 employee annual review. It will be implemented university-wide this year.
  • A Sustainability Operations Officer oversees the vision for sustainability practices in ASU's operations, and the Director of University Sustainability Practices guides their integration.
  • The university-wide solar initiative has already installed 1.8 MW of photovoltaic power on the Tempe campus providing 7% of campus electric needs, and has a 3.3 MW solar installation underway on the West campus. Plans call for 10 MW of solar power capacity by the end of 2009, and 20 MW by 2010.
  • ASU has invested heavily in energy efficiency across all campuses, saving an estimated 33 million kWh and 70 million pounds of CO2 annually.
  • ASU's Small Business & Diversity Program specifies annual purchasing goals to support local businesses and diversify the economic base within our community.
  • ASU's Barack Obama Scholars program increases student access by providing funds for tuition, fees, books, room, and board to academically qualified Arizona freshmen from families that earn less than $60,000 annually.
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