Lehigh has reached new, impressive heights in its sustainability efforts on campus. The Office of Modern Languages and Literatures will proudly become Lehigh’s first ever platinum certified office, as administered through the Sustainable Office Program. A program that began at Lehigh in 2015, the Office of Modern Language and Literature is far from the first to be recognized, however: 22 offices are certified on campus today, including 10 bronze, 8 silver and 3 gold.
Becoming platinum certified is no easy task. An office must regularly meet at least 125 of 175 specific sustainable actions on the Sustainable Office Program’s checklist of criteria. The Sustainable Office Program is active in over 100 schools nationwide. Here at Lehigh, it is a way for faculty and staff to promote a sustainable workplace. And this platinum certification is not slowing Lehigh’s ambitious future goals: the program hopes to certify ten new offices per year by 2020, effectively reaching an additional 8% of faculty and staff.
To celebrate the Office of Modern Languages and Literature’s unprecedented success in promoting sustainable practices on campus, a certification celebration will be held for all in the office. This office has set an example of the culture needed at Lehigh: promote the present, invest in the future. Follow this office’s ambitious lead with personal action that demonstrates sustainable practices, and spread these ideas throughout campus!