Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Cities and metropolitan areas are powerhouses of economic growth—contributing about 60 per cent of global GDP. However, they also account for about 70 per cent of global carbon emissions and over 60 per cent of resource use. Learn more at un.org.
What We’re Doing
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Purchase LEED Building Requirement
Purchase commits that all new construction and major renovation projects on campus are to be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards or beyond. -
FreeNew & FreeStore Promotes Reuse
Campus community can donate salvageable possessions such as furniture, clothing, office supplies, etc. for student use -
Purchase Alternative Service Trip
Purchase students will be traveling to Houston, TX to spend their spring break rebuilding Houston. -
Rocket Composter Turns Food Waste into Plant Fuel
The Rocket, located behind Campus Center North, is an on-campus composting system that utilizes food waste from The Hub and personal food waste to create compost used on the grounds of campus.
Ways to Get Involved
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Donate funds to the Make an Impact Award
- Participate in a Purchase Alternative Service Trip (PAST)
- Volunteer or work at the Purchase Food Pantry
- Get involved with student organizations such as the Civic Actions Committee, Disabled Students’ Union, NYPIRG, UNICEF among others
Academics
- Purchase offers classes related to sustainable cities. Check out courses in Liberal Studies, Gender Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science to learn more*
*Contact us if you want your department course page listed
What Else We’re Doing
- The Make an Impact Fund/Award provides emergency financial assistance to students when no other funding sources are available.
- Bike storage is available to students in some residential buildings.
- EOP/MAP offers free summer housing to students in their summer program.
- Facilities maintain green spaces on campus, including public infrastructure (benches, seating, tables) to promote outdoor activity.
- Emergency Blue Light Phones are located in various areas on campus to be put in direct contact with UPD in case of emergencies.
- Purchase policies ensure documents, websites and resources are all ADA accessible.
- Under Executive Orders and Facilities Management policies, waste management practices are safe and environmentally-responsible.
- Purchase implemented teleworking and video conferencing systems for all students and faculty.
- CTS managed a print initiative to remove wasteful hardware and curb wasteful printing practices.