Sustainability

"IIT will become the most sustainable, urban university campus in the United States."

Sustainability Vision of Illinois Institute of Technology: Definition of Sustainability

As a world-class institution of higher learning, IIT recognizes the critical importance of the university's mission "to advance knowledge through research and scholarship, to cultivate invention improving the human condition, and to educate students from throughout the world for a life of professional achievement, service to society, and individual fulfillment"– in moving our world toward a more sustainable path.

IIT defines university sustainability as having the following aspects:

Effective resource management, in constant pursuit of serving the university's core mission
Continuous improvement of processes and reduction of waste and pollutants, toward a goal of zero waste
Consideration of immediate and long-term benefits and consequences when making long-term decisions
Giving members of the IIT community the tools to improve their resource management in actions associated with their attendance at, or work for, the university

Events

Announcements

Sustainability Forums

IIT Sustainability Forums provide information about IIT programs and progress and to get feedback from you to find out what's important regarding Energy, Recycling, Water Conservation and other aspects of Sustainability.

IIT Forums are open to all.

Past Forums have seen Speakers, Status Summaries and Round Table Discussions. Join us at our next Forum.

Fall Semester Forum Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 24th - Review of 2009 Campus Audit
Tuesday, Oct. 13th - Green Building
Friday, Nov. 13th - Water Solutions
Monday, Dec. 7th - Sustainability Commitments Status

Location: MTCC Ballroom
Time: noon - 1:30pm; Lunch included

Reservations are recommended. RSVP to campussustainability@iit.edu.

Sustainability Policies Announced

IIT Office of Campus Energy and Sustainability is pleased to announce the IIT Sustainability Policies for the 2009 school year. Please read through them to learn about our new policies and how you can help us with our goals.

To let us know your comments or questions, please Email us at campussustainability@iit.edu

Project/Program Requirements and Metrics Established by the Sustainability Vision:

IIT will achieve sustainability through action, not just words. In order to apply resources most effectively, the university will implement projects and proposals to move the campus operations toward the Sustainability Vision, and will prioritize these projects and programs (referred below as Sustainability Programs) that meet the following requirements and maximize the following metrics:

Supported
Although the university has established an Office of Campus Energy and Sustainability, the ultimate responsibility for long-term implementation of change rests with the individual departments. IIT provides the opportunity and support for moving operations to a more sustainable path, but the units must have the ability to maintain the Sustainability Programs in the operations of their daily business, as well as to develop and implement new ones.

Transparent
The Office of Campus Energy and Sustainability will report on Sustainability Program progress, both during and after implementation. Through factual and honest reporting, stakeholders will have confidence in the movement toward, and eventual achievement of, the Sustainability Vision.

Evaluated
At the onset of each new Sustainability Program, IIT will identify specific metrics to ensure the proper implementation of these new initiatives. The success of the individual Sustainability Programs relies on the accurate evaluation of those metrics. IIT will evaluate progress toward sustainability by establishing criteria to evaluate the energy, environmental, and economic impact of the university’s actions.

Exportable
IIT will maximize the benefit of project/program implementation by considering the applicability of a project/program as a model, not just for other universities, but for other communities..

Pervasive
Every department, group, entity, and organization within the IIT community will participate in the development of the Sustainability Plan, including specific actions that each department or group can take to comply with the Sustainability Vision.