Boston University

Boston University has a robust Co-Curricular Education program that is integrated to include the student body, faculty, staff, and alumni. This effort begins with the University's award winning sustainability website and extends to sustainability's newsletter, … read more

Boston University has a robust Co-Curricular Education program that is integrated to include the student body, faculty, staff, and alumni. This effort begins with the University's award winning sustainability website and extends to sustainability's newsletter, and outreach campaigns.

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Students at Boston University have diverse educational opportunities related to sustainability in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs offered through 11 of Boston University’s 17 schools and colleges. These opportunities include a broad range … read more

Students at Boston University have diverse educational opportunities related to sustainability in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs offered through 11 of Boston University’s 17 schools and colleges. These opportunities include a broad range of courses on topics such as sustainable energy, climate change, and environmental history, and degree programs that prepare students for careers and graduate schools in fields related to sustainability.

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Boston University's faculty and students engage in various research projects in order to more effectively understand and interpret vast and ever-changing issues related to sustainability. Research spans multiple disciplines, focuses on national and global scales, … read more

Boston University's faculty and students engage in various research projects in order to more effectively understand and interpret vast and ever-changing issues related to sustainability. Research spans multiple disciplines, focuses on national and global scales, relates to science, policy, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and utilizes quantitative and qualitative research methods.

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Boston University incorporates sustainable building practices into small renovations and large construction projects alike. Building design and construction takes a broad spectrum of green building strategies into account. To accomplish this, the University uses the … read more

Boston University incorporates sustainable building practices into small renovations and large construction projects alike. Building design and construction takes a broad spectrum of green building strategies into account. To accomplish this, the University uses the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification System to track opportunities in transportation, site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, waste reduction, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. New construction projects will meet LEED Certification standards. All major projects currently in design and construction are seeking LEED Certification.

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In 2010 Boston University emitted 162,820 metric tonnes of CO2 from fossil fuels burned on campus to heat and cool our buildings, and from the fossil fuels burned by others to generate the necessary electricity … read more

In 2010 Boston University emitted 162,820 metric tonnes of CO2 from fossil fuels burned on campus to heat and cool our buildings, and from the fossil fuels burned by others to generate the necessary electricity and steam the University uses. This is a 4% reduction from 2005 levels. This progress is due to energy efficiency projects and moving from heavy to lighter fuel oil and more recently to natural gas.

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BU buys locally to reduce fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. BU currently purchases everything from milk, fruit, vegetables, and meat, to seafood, coffee, tofu and pizza dough from 45 local farms and growers. The … read more

BU buys locally to reduce fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. BU currently purchases everything from milk, fruit, vegetables, and meat, to seafood, coffee, tofu and pizza dough from 45 local farms and growers. The University also seeks vendors that are committed to sustainable agriculture practices.

The Dining Services Sustainability Program is a campus wide effort to reduce environmental impacts. In order to accomplish this goal, Dining Services partners with suppliers, Facilities, Management and Planning, Sourcing and Procurement, and recycling and composting companies. Together we're working to identify environmentally responsible products and practices that encourage reuse and recycling, and the reduction of energy, fuel, and water use.

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sustainability@BU views energy efficiency as the most important issue within the University’s sustainability efforts. Efficient energy reduces the University's exposure to market volatility, ongoing operating costs, and CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change. In … read more

sustainability@BU views energy efficiency as the most important issue within the University’s sustainability efforts. Efficient energy reduces the University's exposure to market volatility, ongoing operating costs, and CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change. In order to most effectively address cost and emissions, we must first reduce energy consumption.

Since 2005 Boston University has grown by 12% while reducing its energy consumption by nearly 7%.

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In keeping with BU’s commitment to sustainability, the University has introduced a number of eco-agricultural initiatives, such as integrated pest management, composting yard waste, and implementing organic lawn treatments.

In an effort to reduce the University’s environmental footprint through the products and services it procures, Boston University first launched its Green Purchasing initiative in 2004, choosing products and services that have a smaller environmental … read more

In an effort to reduce the University’s environmental footprint through the products and services it procures, Boston University first launched its Green Purchasing initiative in 2004, choosing products and services that have a smaller environmental impact in areas such as manufacturing, transportation, recycling, and disposal.

Waste has been reduced through consolidated ordering and deliveries, so products arrive in bulk, reducing trip frequency. Reduction in supplier packaging materials has also been implemented, further reducing our environmental impact.

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At Boston University 92% of our students and 65% of our faculty and staff take sustainable means of transportation on a daily basis. The reason for this high rate is simple; Boston University is well … read more

At Boston University 92% of our students and 65% of our faculty and staff take sustainable means of transportation on a daily basis. The reason for this high rate is simple; Boston University is well situated within an urban center and is well integrated with a robust transportation network. The spine of the Charles River Campus is organized along Commonwealth Avenue with the first bike lanes in Boston and nine subway stops on campus. Students can take the MBTA's B Line to class, into the city, or to nearby universities. The C and D lines serve South Campus. Boston’s mass transit network extends beyond its subway and trolley system with four bus lines that serve the Charles River Campus. The MBTA’s Silver Line serves the Medical Campus, which also has eight bus routes. These bus lines connect the University with twelve neighboring communities. The University also operates The BUS that connects the two campuses running on a 10 to 20 minute daytime frequency and features 11 stops.

The MBTA offers a Semester T-Pass program through the University, which provides an 11% discount. Monthly T-Passes are available with pre-tax dollars for faculty and staff on the CRC through the Employee MBTA Pass Program, and on the BUMC campus, through the BUMC Parking and Transportation Office.

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Boston University began work to improve the University’s waste and recycling efforts in 2006 with a waste audit conducted on the Charles River Campus. The audit revealed a recycling rate of 4% for the Charles … read more

Boston University began work to improve the University’s waste and recycling efforts in 2006 with a waste audit conducted on the Charles River Campus. The audit revealed a recycling rate of 4% for the Charles River Campus and 3% overall with the Medical Campus included. Since 2006, the University has reduced its total waste by 6% and increased it's recycling rate to 28% in 2010. This increase can be attributed to two factors: Dining Services moving to trayless dining and food waste composting, and the grassroots efforts of concerned faculty, staff and students across campus supported by the University providing the necessary recycling infrastructure.

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Concerted efforts to reduce water consumption on campus have been ongoing for two decades. On the Charles River Campus, water consumption has dropped 31% since 1991. This reduction can be largely attributed to leak detection, … read more

Concerted efforts to reduce water consumption on campus have been ongoing for two decades. On the Charles River Campus, water consumption has dropped 31% since 1991. This reduction can be largely attributed to leak detection, preventative maintenance, and new water-efficient technology in HVAC equipment, restrooms, dining halls, irrigation, and campus residences. Efforts which have added to increased efficiency include: the installation of rain sensors, drip irrigation systems, hands free faucets, dual flush toilets and the elimination of dining trays.

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Boston University’s Sustainability Committee and its four working groups provide the structure for the University’s sustainability program including sustainability@BU, the University’s sustainability office. This program provides a means to lead the University in a more … read more

Boston University’s Sustainability Committee and its four working groups provide the structure for the University’s sustainability program including sustainability@BU, the University’s sustainability office. This program provides a means to lead the University in a more sustainable direction to reduce our use of natural resources and operating costs, improve environmental and social impacts, and make sustainability integral to the fabric of Boston University.

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Boston University awards millions of dollars in need-based grants and merit awards to incoming students annually. The Equal Opportunity Office works to promote and realize Boston University’s commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action. We … read more

Boston University awards millions of dollars in need-based grants and merit awards to incoming students annually. The Equal Opportunity Office works to promote and realize Boston University’s commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action. We strive to ensure that equal opportunity is a reality at Boston University, that our faculty, staff, and students can work and study in an environment free of unlawful harassment and discrimination, and that the University meets its obligations under federal and state equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations.

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Boston University connects to the community through a broad range of public engagement activities often partnering with the City of Boston and other area universities.