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Sustainability at SCU

“meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”

Santa Clara University is dedicated to improving the environmental sustainability of our community. We are using a combination of Environmental Stewardship, Education, and Service to achieve this goal. Read our Comprehensive Policy on Sustainability.

Environmental Stewardship

Santa Clara University seeks to lead and educate by example. To this end, the operations and infrastructure of the University are being transformed to improve conservation of resources and reduce the production of waste.
Environmental Education

Santa Clara University seeks to educate its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and others about Environmental Sustainability. We offer a variety of courses and seminars that explore the need for environmental sustainability and the means for achieving a more sustainable world.
Environmental Service

Santa Clara University faculty, staff, and students are involved beyond the classroom, bringing information about sustainability and practical solutions to the broader community.

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Sustainability News and Events

Environmental Ethics and the Culture of Sustainability at SCU

Meghan Mooney, a rising senior, recently completed an anthropological study on the culture of sustainability at Santa Clara University.

As a result of her research as the Undergraduate Fellow in Environmental Ethics with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Meghan presents a benchmark of cultural beliefs and discourses as related to sustainability at SCU. Her main research questions were:

1. Is sustainability an issue of personal and ethical importance to the community?

2. How does the SCU community define and understand sustainability?

3. What do people think it means to be an environmentalist, do they consider themselves environmentalists?

4. Is there a strong or direct link between institutional programs and the values of the individual?
Aug. 28, 2008 | More Info »
Research: Hassles, negative feedback affect green actions

The San Jose Mercury News

Santa Clara University assistant professor of psychology Amara Brook was quoted in an article discussing what motivates people to engage in environmentally sustainable behavior.
Aug. 28, 2008 | More Info »
Doing well by doing good? It's not easy.

The Christian Science Monitor

A two-week program at Santa Clara University called the Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI) teams up social entrepreneurs with Silicon Valley leaders experienced in taking a new idea to mass production.
Aug. 28, 2008 | More Info »
Greening the college application process

Medill Reports

Santa Clara University's Environmental Studies Institute and sustainability initiatives were featured in an article about students' rising interests in environmental studies. SCU senior Tracey Mangin reflected on her decision to major in environmental studies as well as her younger sister's college decision process.
Aug. 28, 2008 | More Info »
Calling all students: volunteer and earn a free entry to West Coast Green

The West Coast Green conference (San Jose Convention Center, 9/25-9/27) is looking to recruit student volunteers for the event.

In return for volunteering a 6-hour shift, volunteers get a free pass to the full conference (worth $575). It is a great opportunity to see green innovations from about 350 exhibitors and to hear lectures from 100 of the leaders in the green movement (including Al Gore, David Suzuki, and Sarah Susanka).

Register to volunteer. Deadline to register is September 1.
Aug. 28, 2008 | More Info »