Office of Sustainability

The Office of Sustainability encourages and facilitates interdisciplinary sustainability efforts of students, faculty, and staff and initiates transformative programs that contribute to a sustainable Lehigh. Through the engagement of stakeholders at all levels of the University and across the community, the Office strives to address issues of sustainability in daily life (recycling, green building, composting), while simultaneously seeking to influence the long-term sustainability of Lehigh University. By introducing long-term planning for institutional policies and programs that integrate sustainability into work, research, and learning, the Office works to instill sustainable best practices across the university with the goal of significantly reducing Lehigh’s environmental footprint.

Mission & Vision

We envision an inclusive Lehigh community where sustainability is an integral part of the institutional ethos. This will inspire ecologically sound, socially just and financially prudent action that improves the well-being of people and the environment, and positions Lehigh as a forward-looking local and global collaborator and leader.

Our mission is to advance solutions to support long term sustainable change in Lehigh’s operations, academics, administration and community. We will meet the evolving challenges of a changing world, mitigate the effects of climate change and develop and empower future leaders.

The alignment of these sustainability values with our practices embodies Lehigh’s motto, “Homo Minister et Interpres Naturae,” which loosely translates to “Man (now interpreted as Humanity), the servant and interpreter of nature.”

Our office is located at 516 Brodhead Ave.

Office Objectives

Leadership: Provide information, resources and strategic guidance to senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students working to integrate sustainability practices and policies into their programs.

Policy Development: Develop policies that promote environmentally sensitive behavior by campus users and environmentally as well as fiscally responsible development and stewardship of campus assets.

Projects & Programs: Create, implement, and manage innovative programs and events, in partnership with other campus units whenever possible, that integrate sustainability into operations, research, curriculum, co-curriculum, and engagement with the broader community.

Monitoring: Establish metrics and track institutional sustainability performance.

Outreach: Share the University’s sustainability story and encourage the campus community to contribute to its growth and success.