Faculty & Staff Involvement in Sustainability

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Faculty and staff play important roles in fostering an economically responsible, socially compassionate, and environmentally conscious campus community.

Sustainability Passport Program

Photo of Nicole Carvell flanked by her two supervisors as she is awarded with the university's first Sustainability Champion award.
Nicole Carvell (center) with faculty members Jacob Mundy (left) and Kristin De Lucia (right).  Nicole became Colgate's first Sustainability Champion within the Sustainability Passport Program.

This professional development program advances a culture of sustainability at Colgate by offering and supporting engaging educational programming for employees. The program assists employees looking to meet the sustainability behavioral competency as highlighted in Colgate’s job description standards.

Faculty and staff register for sessions of their choice, earning credits for each program in which they participate. Generally, one hour of programming equals one credit earned. The Sustainability Office tracks each employee’s participation over time and recognizes individuals who have achieved various levels of participation.

To learn more: Visit the Sustainability Passport Google Site

300+
staff and faculty to date have taken part in the Sustainability Passport Program
65+
offices and departments are represented by Sustainability Passport participants
20%
of current employees participate in the Sustainability Passport Program

Resources for Teaching Sustainability

Professor Ian Helfant putting ingredients into a pot as students look on.
Professor Ian Helfant offers hands-on instruction when discussing sustainable meals.

Faculty who seek to introduce topics of climate change or sustainability into their teaching may find the following resources useful:

Get Involved

There are many ways for faculty and staff to cultivate sustainable practices on campus. Do your part by participating in the following:

As a Colgate University buyer, you are entrusted with the fiduciary responsibility to be good stewards of university funds. Additionally, supporting Colgate's longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality.

View Sustainable Guidelines

The fund supports significant physical upgrades to campus, proposed by faculty and staff, that measurably improve the university’s ecological impact. Any faculty or staff member may submit a proposal.

Green Revolving Loan Fund

The Oak Event Certification provides a framework for the Colgate Community to plan and execute environment-friendly and sustainable events on campus. This program provides consultation and resources aimed to assist event planners with actions that help reduce our ecological and carbon footprints.

The Purchasing Department runs the Salvage/Surplus Exchange program for Colgate employees to swap used furniture and other office supplies at low or no cost.

Throughout the year, the council works on sustainability initiatives in collaboration with departments and programs across the university. The council also acts as a steward of the university's sustainability fund, directing its resources toward University initiatives that bolster environmental stewardship, economic integrity, and social compassion on campus and in the surrounding area.

Sustainability Council

Campus Sustainability Updates

Colgate University Ranks Fourth in 2024 Sustainable Campus Index
Read More
Upstate Institute Summer Fellows Support Local Ecosystems
Read More
Leventer on Team Examining Susceptibility of East Antarctic Glaciers to Melting
Read More

Learn more about sustainability at Colgate