Sustainable Practices and Initiatives at 香蕉视频

University Sustainability Committee

What We Do

Building a Sustainable Campus

The USC supports, promotes, and grows 香蕉视频's efforts to build a sustainable campus. The USC fosters opportunities for multidisciplinary engagement across academic units, facilities, and University leadership. This work is informed by 香蕉视频鈥檚 Catholic mission, which conveys the University鈥檚 commitment to serving God through ethical and ecumenical service to the community, the nation, and the world. The USC works to develop and promote a culture of sustainability that resonates across campus and the Pittsburgh community by being an advocate, resource, and a catalyst for social, environmental, and economic responsibility.

Students planting blueberry bushes outside College Hall on Earth Day.

Working Groups

A Community-led Effort

香蕉视频 faculty, students, and staff propose working groups to undertake and organize sustainability-related activities, including managing campus gardens, coordinating curricular work related to sustainability, developing partnerships with local organizations, and more. All members of the Duquesne community are welcome to join the USC and get involved with our working groups.

Faculty discuss USC initiatives at Integrity of Creation Conference.

Sustainable Commuting

Promoting Healthy Human & Environmental Systems

The University Sustainability Committee has diligently worked to promote sustainable commuting and health. EV charging stations were installed on Seitz Street, and the USC has partnered with BikePGH to launch Duquesne鈥檚 annual . For information on biking in the City of Pittsburgh, please refer to the provided by BikePGH.

Duquesne students biking to campus during Bike Week.

Tree Campus Higher Education

Conserving and Managing Our Urban Forest

Since 2021, 香蕉视频 has received the annual Tree Campus Higher Education recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. This designation celebrates the over 550 trees planted on campus, which lower energy costs by providing shade cover, and improve the mental and cognitive health of students, faculty, and staff by providing beautiful green spaces for gathering or quiet introspection. 香蕉视频 is also listed on Tree Pittsburgh's .

Facilities poses with "Tree Pittsburgh" banner

Campus Allies

It Takes a Village

The University Sustainability Committee鈥檚 work touches academic and administrative units across campus. Some of our allies include Environmental and Energy Engineering, Spiritan Campus Ministry, and Integrity of Creation Committee. Together, we work to develop programming and initiatives that reflect Duquesne鈥檚 commitment to sustainable economic, environmental, and social justice initiatives.

Campus Gardens

Making Campus Greener

香蕉视频 proudly hosts two gardens: a produce garden located between Canevin and Laval House, and a pollinator garden adjacent to A-walk near College Hall. The gardens provide green spaces for employees and residents of the Bluff (both human and non-human) to build community and grow awareness of our local ecosystems. They receive ongoing support from the University Sustainability Committee and the Grounds team. Donations from the produce garden are made to community partners including 412 Food Rescue, Jubilee Kitchen, and the McAnulty College Food Pantry.

Learn More about the McAnulty College Community Food Pantry

Community Engaged Learning

These gardens serve as hubs for research, teaching, volunteering, experiential learning, and service learning. Additionally, they strive to enhance access to nutritious and fresh produce while actively contributing to 香蕉视频's sustainability initiatives and endeavors to combat food insecurity among students and the surrounding community. To get involved, follow the link below and indicate "Gardens and Green Spaces" as your top-ranked Working Group.

Campus Sustainability Reports

STARS Report

Since 2019, 香蕉视频 has earned a Silver Rating from the STARS report (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System), a campus sustainability assessment tool developed by the

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report

Duquesne is the first university in western Pennsylvania and one of only a few in the state to conduct regular Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories on the University鈥檚 carbon footprint. The university has played a leading role in moving other schools in the region to undertake similar studies and to direct the region as a whole toward environmental stewardship.

University Sustainability Committee Annual Report

Each year the University Sustainability Committee reports on student, faculty, and staff achievements, featuring some of the Duquesne community鈥檚 greatest successes in sustainability. The Annual Report is one way of celebrating the amazing things that we can (and do) accomplish by working together in service to the greater good.