Lehigh University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The Lehigh Environmental Advisory Group (LEAG) was formed in 2008 by President Alice Gast to advise the university leadership on ways to improve sustainability on campus. With the signing of Lehigh’s Climate Commitment in 2009, LEAG took the lead on articulating the goals. In that vein, LEAG has worked with many groups and offices on campus to support the implementation of single-stream recycling; recycling of used engine oil, antifreeze and vehicle tires; the compilation of a Greenhouse Gas inventory; the use of recycled papers and soy-based inks; and increasing the number of "green" office supply purchases. Other initiatives include the creation of the Lehigh Community Garden at the Goodman campus, and the creation of the Green Fund, which provides small grants to students, faculty and staff to fund sustainability projects. Website URL: http://sustainability.lehigh.edu/lehigh-environmental-advisory-group

Alec Bodzin - LEAG Co-Chair, faculty Carolina Hernandez - Director of Community Service Office, staff Dale Tonwsend - Athletic Facilities & Events Representative David Joseph - Director of Auxiliary Services, staff Delicia Nahman - Sustainability Officer, Staff Jessica DeSantis-Berg - At-Large Member Staff Kathleen Cleary - Graduate Representative Keith Gardiner - At-Large Member Faculty Lauren K. Weaver - Consulting Member Mark Ironside - LEAG Co-Chair, Director of Business Services, staff Naomi B. Rothman - Faculty Representative Nicholas DeSalvo - LVAIC staff Patricia A. Johnson - Faculty Rafi Mills - Undergraduate Representative Savannah Monser-Kernosh - Undergraduate Representative Shokoufeh Elahi - Graduate Assistant Stacey Kimmel-Smith - LTS Representative Suzanne L. Irvine - Advancement Representative, Communications, staff

Lehigh University is focused on advancing the intellectual footprint of the university while treading lightly environmentally and advocating equitably. With a distinctive position to make significant contributions in social equity environmental stewardship and economic prosperity, Lehigh's Office of Sustainability is committed to integrating sustainability throughout the university. The Office of Sustainability was created to centralize sustainability initiatives and reduce Lehigh's environmental footprint. The Office of Sustainability encourages and facilitates sustainability efforts of students, faculty, and staff and initiates programs that contribute to a sustainable Lehigh. Website URL: https://sustainability.lehigh.edu/

Lehigh established an environmental advisory committee in 2008. Since then, a Sustainability Office was started and two full time staff were hired. Sustainability efforts have occurred on this campus for decades, but have solidified more recently. Initiatives include President Gast's Climate Commitment, the formation of the Environmental Initiative and a presidential advisory group - the Lehigh Environmental Advisory Group (LEAG) -- as well as the university's Strategic Plan, which includes a focus on addressing issues related to energy, environment and infrastructure. In Spring 2011, a series of workshops were hosted by the university's first Sustainability Coordinator and the Lehigh Environmental Advisory Group (LEAG), which asked participants to envision a sustainable campus, share current practices, define sustainability metrics and create ambitious and measurable goals for the campus. In Spring 2012, Lehigh University adopted its first Campus Sustainability Plan. In May 2016, Lehigh adopted its Campus Sustainability Plan 2020 to advance the integration of environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic responsibility into our intellectual footprint. Below you will find additional achievements over the years: 2016 2nd Campus Sustainability Plan adopted Website URL: https://sustainability.lehigh.edu/node/85 2013 Participated in RecycleMania competition Sustainability Program Coordinator hired 2012 1st Campus Sustainability Plan adopted 2011 Alpha Phi composter installed Campus Master Plan with Sustainable Design standards specifically mentioned Sustainability Plan workshops throughout the university 2010 Green Fund formed Sigma Epsilon composter installed Lehigh Community Garden started Eco-Rep Program started Sustainability requirement added to Greek accreditation Green Purchasing Guidelines created Sustainability Coordinator hired LVAIC Director of Sustainability Initiatives hired 2009 Climate Commitment signed Recycling converted to Single Stream Recycling Strategic Plan written which acknowledges Community Engagement, Energy, Infrastructure and the Environment as areas of particular interest 2008 LEAG formed 2007 Green House, a sustainability-themed student residential community, started