Green Living

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."
–Gandhi

We've been leaders in environmental education and advocates for environmental sustainability since 1969, when Connecticut College became one of the first schools to offer a major in human ecology. Our Goodwin-Niering Center brings together faculty and students from the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities to find interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges.

The campus is embedded in the 750-acre Connecticut College Arboretum, with forests, meadows and wetlands used for teaching and research. Students, faculty, staff and administrators are committed to promoting green policies and programs.

• The College offsets its electricity production with purchases of renewable energy credits, as the result of a student initiative.
• President Higdon is charter signatory of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, a nationwide effort for campuses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• In 2007, we launched on-campus composting to reduce food waste and generate compost for organic gardens on campus and in the community.
• We participate in RecycleMania, a 10-week annual competition to see which U.S. colleges and universities recycle the most per capita. Connecticut College ranked 5th out of 92 colleges and universities in 2006, 24th out of 201 in 2007, and 8th out of 400 colleges and universities in 2008.
• In 2005, Sprout!, a student-run organic gardening initiative began, and the College officially adopted a green building policy.
• Students are active leaders with faculty and staff of our Environmental Model Committee which initiates and promotes a wide array of sustainability and conservation programs.

Last Modified: Monday, April 21, 2008 11:03