University of San Diego

As a higher education institution, the University of San Diego strives to create opportunities for students to be learn about the big picture and their individual role in environmental, social, and economic sustainability. By providing ... read more

As a higher education institution, the University of San Diego strives to create opportunities for students to be learn about the big picture and their individual role in environmental, social, and economic sustainability. By providing courses and directing learning outcomes towards sustainability-related topics, USD educates students on the power of change-making and the importance of sustainability. This is integrated into a wide range of University curriculum. The University as a whole boasts 604 academic credits across various schools that relate to topics of sustainability. The School of Business offers over half of these credits, with 314 different sustainability-related credits. Through curriculum, USD instills values of environmental and social consciousness, giving students the space and resources to specialize, evaluate, and engage on topics of sustainability.

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The University of San Diego aims to be a leader in sustainability research through both faculty and student research. Over one hundred professors conduct research on topics related to sustainability. Faculty research on sustainability creates ... read more

The University of San Diego aims to be a leader in sustainability research through both faculty and student research. Over one hundred professors conduct research on topics related to sustainability. Faculty research on sustainability creates a campus culture orienting towards academics and intellectual development and fostering increased consciousness on issues and topics of sustainability. Additionally, student sustainability research is highly encouraged. Through grants provided by the USD Office of Undergraduate Research, students can receive funding for community-based or sustainability related projects. Through both faculty and student research, USD strives to further the field of sustainability and increase USD's overall positive impact on sustainability topics.

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Campus engagement through education and outreach is essential to sustainability at the University of San Diego. The USD Office of Sustainability has created a robust student internship program that provides outreach opportunities to engage the ... read more

Campus engagement through education and outreach is essential to sustainability at the University of San Diego. The USD Office of Sustainability has created a robust student internship program that provides outreach opportunities to engage the campus and local San Diego community in embracing a sustainable lifestyle and environmental stewardship. Through programming, events, and academic involvement, students and the campus community are able to learn important sustainability concepts, behaviors, and habits. Throughout the 2015 school year, the Office of Sustainability participated in more than 45 events reaching approximately 4,000 students and staff. Additionally, the USD Changemaker Hub utilizes sustainability topics to integrate environmental awareness into the campus community. Programs such as the Changemaker Challenge, guest speakers, documentary screenings, USD Just Read!, and classroom topics orient around the Changemaker sustainability theme. Engagement of the campus community is essential to the the success of sustainability initiatives at the University of San Diego.

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The University of San Diego involves the broader community and encourages public engagement through the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, Climate Education Partners, and the USD Electronics Recycling Center (ERC). The San Diego Regional Climate ... read more

The University of San Diego involves the broader community and encourages public engagement through the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, Climate Education Partners, and the USD Electronics Recycling Center (ERC). The San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative is a network for public agencies that serve the San Diego region to share expertise, leverage resources, and advance comprehensive solutions to facilitate climate change planning housed at USD. Centered and housed at USD, Climate Education Partners (CEP) has created innovative resources and unique activities to enhance climate change education in San Diego County and to engage local leaders in decision making to deal with climate change impacts. USD is at the core of CEP with faculty and students playing key roles on the team and connecting CEP efforts to other USD climate and sustainability-related efforts. The university offers a free electronic waste recycling drop off for all USD employees, students and to the general public. In addition to e-waste, the center also accepts old batteries, light bulbs, and ink cartridges. This service provides education to the public regarding safe and sustainable ways to dispose of their old electronic waste, as opposed to dumping the waste in landfills and polluting the earth. USD serves as a center for public education and engagement regarding sustainability in the San Diego community.

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Air and climate initiatives at the University of San Diego are primarily addressed through the university's Climate Action Plan. The university's emissions are inventoried from 2010 through 2015 and projected through 2035. Approved and published ... read more

Air and climate initiatives at the University of San Diego are primarily addressed through the university's Climate Action Plan. The university's emissions are inventoried from 2010 through 2015 and projected through 2035. Approved and published in Fall 2016, the Climate Action Plan outlines goals and procedures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2020, 40% by 2030, and 50% by 2035. These reductions will be achieved through reductions in energy (purchased electricity and natural gas), commuting (student and employee), air travel (education and business), fleet (gasoline and diesel consumption, zero waste (diversion), and water (waste and wastewater). Reduction strategies are categorized into five main approaches: measure, reduce & optimize, decarbonize, and offset, prioritized in that order. Through the current, comprehensive monitoring techniques, as well as the new Climate Action Plan, the University of San Diego is committed to reducing and improving greenhouse gas emissions.

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Building management and design is an integral part of furthering the University of San Diego sustainability efforts. Through partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric, USD closely monitors building energy usage and strives to increase ... read more

Building management and design is an integral part of furthering the University of San Diego sustainability efforts. Through partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric, USD closely monitors building energy usage and strives to increase efficiency and building retrofits. Water usage within campus buildings is audited and monitored through working with the City of San Diego. Because of these monitoring techniques, the University of San Diego can increase building efficiency and sustainability impact. Additionally, USD aims to increase the number of LEED certified buildings. Buildings provide an opportunity to improve USD infrastructure and increase overall campus sustainability.

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Energy efficiency is at the heart of sustainability efforts at the University of San Diego. Since 2010, USD has partnered with our local utility provider, San Diego Gas & Electric. This partnership provides funding for ... read more

Energy efficiency is at the heart of sustainability efforts at the University of San Diego. Since 2010, USD has partnered with our local utility provider, San Diego Gas & Electric. This partnership provides funding for the Office of Sustainability and gives access to regional energy programs that highlight opportunities for energy efficiency as well as access to program incentives to make projects financially viable. This has led to USD making significant investments in energy conservation, leading to verified reductions in energy consumption of more than 10 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually and resulting in a 20% reduction of the university’s total energy consumption. Additionally, USD has more than 5,000 solar panels across 11 buildings on campus that provide more than 7% of the university’s energy needs. As the consumption of electricity and natural gas comprises 55% of USD's 2010 carbon footprint, energy is a primary target for greenhouse gas reductions moving forward. Through a systematic approach to generate savings through efficiency and increased reliance on renewable energy, USD will be able to lower emissions and reduce costs moving forward.

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USD Dining Services focuses on green initiatives, sustainable purchasing, and recycling in order to offer wholesome food and quality services in a sustainable way. USD Dining is tray-free to reduce food waste and cleaning resources, ... read more

USD Dining Services focuses on green initiatives, sustainable purchasing, and recycling in order to offer wholesome food and quality services in a sustainable way. USD Dining is tray-free to reduce food waste and cleaning resources, styrofoam free, and the first campus in California to offer the reusable sustain-a-bottle Freestyle program. The campus Biohitech Digester breaks down food scraps with microorganisms and water and, eliminating food waste and producing gray water. Additionally, Dining Services works closely with US Foods to provide sustainably sourced food and primarily uses sustainable disposable-ware in dining facilities. By prioritizing sustainability within dining areas, USD remains committed to reducing campus environmental impact.

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The University of San Diego Grounds Management has made important improvements to both the grounds up-keep processes and the campus itself. USD composts most organic grounds waste and is self-sufficient in mulch, decreasing waste and ... read more

The University of San Diego Grounds Management has made important improvements to both the grounds up-keep processes and the campus itself. USD composts most organic grounds waste and is self-sufficient in mulch, decreasing waste and using compost as a diversion tool. Additionally, in the past few years, USD has replaced various grass areas around campus with drought-tolerant, native plants. This not only reduces water usage, but also increases biodiversity on campus.

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The University of San Diego seeks to integrate the priority of sustainability into actions through sustainable purchasing. To do so, USD follows procurement and purchasing procedures including prioritizing environmentally preferable options, analyzing supplier performance and ... read more

The University of San Diego seeks to integrate the priority of sustainability into actions through sustainable purchasing. To do so, USD follows procurement and purchasing procedures including prioritizing environmentally preferable options, analyzing supplier performance and standards, and increasing purchase of recycled content products. Through this, USD creates an avenue for sustainable purchasing.

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Transportation at the University of San Diego consists of campus fleet, student commuting, and employee commuting. With a large percent of upperclassmen and USD employees living off campus, USD aims to increase cleaner and alternative ... read more

Transportation at the University of San Diego consists of campus fleet, student commuting, and employee commuting. With a large percent of upperclassmen and USD employees living off campus, USD aims to increase cleaner and alternative modes of transportation. Additionally, USD will reduce fleet fuel-related emissions by prioritizing the purchasing of hybrid and electric vehicles, prioritizing fuel efficiency, and increasing timely turnover of the campus fleet. By prioritizing clean fuel and sustainable transportation practices, USD continues to decrease transportation emissions.

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Waste reduction is the highest profile and most tangible measure of sustainability for students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university. The University of San Diego promotes a Zero Waste goal (90% waste diversion from ... read more

Waste reduction is the highest profile and most tangible measure of sustainability for students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university. The University of San Diego promotes a Zero Waste goal (90% waste diversion from landfills) for the campus by focusing on various campus initiatives. USD has incorporated single-stream recycling across campus to make recycling easier. To help divert waste from paper cups, Dining Services promotes their Sustain-A-Bottle, a reusable water bottle for refills. Dining areas contain pre-consumer composting sections, while community composting takes place at USD’s Crossroads Garden and SOLES. Throughout the school-year, USD promotes and hosts various Zero Waste programming that educates the community on mindful consumption.

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Water conservation is a priority due to San Diego's recent drought conditions and the semi-arid climate. The University of San Diego aims to maintain the campus's well-known beauty and integrity while also continuing to reduce ... read more

Water conservation is a priority due to San Diego's recent drought conditions and the semi-arid climate. The University of San Diego aims to maintain the campus's well-known beauty and integrity while also continuing to reduce water consumption and wastewater generation. USD has reduced its annual water consumption by more than 38 million gallons since 2006. In 2016, the campus had its lowest water usage in more than 25 years. In order to continue to reduce water consumption, facilities continues to replace ornamental grass with drought-friendly and native plants. Additionally, USD’s use of a weather-based irrigation system utilizes wireless technology to allow sprinklers to automatically adjust to weather. This technology reduces over-watering and allows for quick responses to dynamic weather conditions. Retrofits such as low-flow aerators on faucets, water efficient toilets, and low-flow shower-heads have been implemented throughout campus buildings to further increase water savings.

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Improving sustainability coordination and planning is essential to furthering sustainability efforts at the University of San Diego. Beginning with the Sustainability Task Force in 2008, sustainability planning has increased with positions such as the Director ... read more

Improving sustainability coordination and planning is essential to furthering sustainability efforts at the University of San Diego. Beginning with the Sustainability Task Force in 2008, sustainability planning has increased with positions such as the Director of Sustainability and plans like the Climate Action Plan. As part of increasing sustainability initiatives, the Sustainability Task Force continues to created to evaluate the status of sustainability at USD and its peer institutions. This committee created the “Outline of Sustainability Initiatives,” which encompassed academics, outreach and community relations, auxiliaries operations, facilities operations, campus life, and executive council decisions. Through the Task Force, the Office of Sustainability was created and now serves as the primary driver for change and monitory of sustainability initiatives and planning on campus. By including stakeholders such as the University President, the Provost, faculty, and students in planning, sustainability at USD continues to integrate into infrastructure and campus life.

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USD recognizes Diversity and Affordability as an integral part to social sustainability for students, families, and faculty and staff. The Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) cultivates shared vision, coherence, and coordination of diversity and ... read more

USD recognizes Diversity and Affordability as an integral part to social sustainability for students, families, and faculty and staff. The Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CID) cultivates shared vision, coherence, and coordination of diversity and inclusion efforts across campus. Diversity and inclusion is assessed and monitored by both external and internal organizations to increase efforts and initiatives to improving diversity. The 2020 Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, based on these assessments, sets goals for inclusion, equity and pluralism for the university. This plan is integrated into the University Envisioning 2024 Strategic plan and will continue to shape diversity at USD in the coming years. By setting diversity goals and standards, USD strives to create an inclusive and supportive community that values social sustainability.

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The University of San Diego recognizes the importance of sustainable investment. Through evaluating and planning for investor responsibility and aiming to increase sustainable investments, USD strives to foster sustainable investment and finance initiatives.

Employee wellbeing at USD is important in a healthy and happy campus. Through assessment of employee satisfaction and providing wellbeing resources, such as Be Well @ USD, workplace atmosphere and employee happiness is prioritized. The ... read more

Employee wellbeing at USD is important in a healthy and happy campus. Through assessment of employee satisfaction and providing wellbeing resources, such as Be Well @ USD, workplace atmosphere and employee happiness is prioritized. The goal is that programs such as survey assessment and wellbeing resources will create a sustainable and healthy employee community at the University of San Diego.

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