A SUSTAINABLE AGE, A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY

Sustainability a Top Priority at the University of St. Francis

As a Catholic, Franciscan university that cares for creation, the University of St. Francis has become increasingly invested in sustainability efforts over the past 40+ years. Many efforts have been led by the university’s founders, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, who embrace sustainability in their congregation and continue to partner with the university in its efforts to be more sustainable. With Earth Day coming soon on April 22, it is appropriate to reflect upon how far the University of St. Francis has come in terms of sustainability.

Many of the first campus sustainability efforts can be an be traced to the 1980s, when the maintenance department realized the cost savings associated with making sustainable choices and changed all fluorescent lighting to energyefficient compact fluorescent lights. At that same time, the first recycling bins were popping up around campus.

When the greenhouse on the Quad was constructed in 1995, little did anyone know another greenhouse would later be constructed at the future St. Clare Campus. Even more surprising would be the acquisition of 47 acres of farm and prairieland from generous donors Charlotte ’74 & Norman Codo in 2018. The greenhouses have been used to not only grow plants to landscape the campus, but to grow starter prairie plants for the beautiful Charlotte Codo Prairie. The plants are transplanted into the garden behind the prairie’s barns and used to produce seeds for prairie restorations.

Just a few months ago at the start of 2023, USF’s current maintenance team started replacing those energy-efficient fluorescents with LEDs in several buildings, and today there are hundreds of recycling bins in offices, classrooms, and gathering spaces throughout USF’s three campuses—continuing the cycle of cost savings and choosing sustainable options. Progress continues.

Around 2009, sustainability on campus began to really take shape. The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment was signed by then-president Dr. Michael Vinciguerra, and USF’s Sustainability Committee was formally assembled. In 2017, current president Dr. Arvid C. Johnson joined other Franciscan colleges and universities in signing a statement of support and a public commitment to work to study, promote, and act on the ideals and vision of integral ecology laid out by Pope Francis. USF also joined the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in signing the Catholic Climate Covenant in 2020, which committed to care for creation and utilizing the energy of young students. Most recently, in 2022, USF committed to a sustainable future and to improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of the campus and communities we serve.

In accordance with USF’s mission and Franciscan heritage, Dr. Johnson committed the university to becoming a "Laudato Si' institution” at the call of Pope Francis.

While the university is proud of the repurposing and renovation of several old buildings (Motherhouse, Guardian

Angel Hall, Plaster Center), the LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Science Hall was built from the ground up and built to Gold LEED certification standards. It contains occupancy sensors, light sensors that dim lights during the day, sensors for gas hood doors, low-flow water fixtures, low-e fritted windows and more. It’s truly a model for future construction projects at the university.

As for the campus outdoor environment, the main parking area in front of the Welcome Center was built many years ago using permeable brick pavers, which encourage sustainable water drainage. The university elects not to bag leaves and mulches them instead. A beautiful butterfly garden graces the Quad near the Motherhouse and has been certified as a monarch waystation. If you wander to the corner of the Quad near the maintenance buildings, you’ll find some beehives sheltered from Plainfield Road by a beautiful dome of foliage. The St. Clare Campus is home to a large garden that has been cared for by employees over the past several years.

While trash, recycling, electricity and natural gas contracts have been reviewed multiple times to reduce waste, increase efficiency and save money, additional measures have been taken, such as the addition of water bottle fillers at water fountains to lessen plastic bottles on campus. The university recycles traditional items such as cans, bottles, cardboard and paper, but also institutional matter such as yard waste and light bulbs.

The USF Sustainability Committee—led by part-time Sustainability Coordinator Janine Hicks in partnership with the Student Government Association’s VP of Sustainability, Lexi Fatlan—continues to work to keep these initiatives alive and growing.

They are working to apply for grants for trees and funds for other sustainability projects and are hard at work now to plan events for the “Green Month” of April, and specifically Earth Day on April 22. Through the South Metropolitan Higher Ed Consortium, a student sustainability forum will be held at Prairie State University that USF students will participate in.

At USF In March, a vermicomposting event was hosted by Ashley Swanson, lab coordinator for USF’s science program, where students built their own worm composters. In early April,

USF’s resident beekeeper, Gina Stevens, hopes to host an "All About Bees" event with honey tastings and giveaways. The SGA E-Board team is planning a trip to the Morton Arboretum open to all students. Finally, in late April, USF will welcome Fr. Michael Perry, OFM to campus. Fr. Perry helped develop Laudato Si' goals with the Pope and will be presenting at a few USF events with students, employees and the community.

Sustainability initiatives currently underway at USF include:

Installing campus recycling and composting stations

Starting a "Moving Season Donation Program" after the end of each spring semester

Investigating solar energy options

Reducing paper waste

Starting and maintaining a community garden

Incorporating sustainability outcomes into USF’s curricula

Partnering with peer schools in the South Metropolitan Higher Ed Consortium for energy pooling resources and student summits

Continued collaboration with other Franciscan colleges and universities