Loyola University Chicago
EN-9: Community Partnerships

Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Environmental Sustainabilty (IES) has formed close partnerships within the community and has offered itself as a resource of information regarding sustainability issues. IES partners range from for-profit businesses who engage in sustainable business practices to non-profit and local governmental organizations as well as schools. Among the many programs and initiatives that engage with the community are: Biodiesel Program - Loyola's biodiesel lab is run by students and is the first and only school licensed lab to sell biodiesel in the United States. This program has trained government agencies, small business owners, lawyers and teachers on all aspects of biodiesel production from the chemical process to licensing and legal considerations in using biodiesel fuel. The Biodiesel Program partners with local restaurants to exchange used cooking oil for biodiesel fuel. They also have a high school outreach program that includes lab tours, in-class guest speakers, and resources such a videos and curriculum packets. Once a year the biodiesel lab opens its doors to the community for a course on biodiesel production. *Sustainability Planning Community Gathering - this annual event invites neighbors and community partners to give input into Loyola sustainability intiatives. *Urban Agriculture Demonstration Garden Project - Loyola's campus has multiple gardens that educates the campus community as well as the greater community on small-scale urban agricultural techniques. Few cities have nearby fresh food sources and the Urban Agriculture Demonstration Garden Project strives to teach innovative gardening practices suited for densely packed urban areas thereby lessening the need to travel for food. All food grown at the Urban Agriculture Demonstration Garden Project is donated to a local organization, A Just Harvest, whose mission is to fight hunger and poverty.

We work closely with the Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project to support their efforts. A staff person in Community Relations attends their meetings and brings forward volunteer, internship and research opportunities. A Loyola class supported the community in drafting their award-winning community climate action plan.

Loyola has committed to supporting our local community by building on one of our strengths, our School of Education. In 2012, Mayor Emanuel announced that Loyola would be partnering with Senn High School to support a variety of programs including overall assessment, the International Bacclaureate program and fledgling sustainability initiatives at the school.

Through alternative break immersions, study abroad programs and campuses in Beijing, China and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Loyola is active in international communities around sustainability topics. http://www.luc.edu/oip/aboutoip/globalinitiatives/