Sustainability efforts continue on campus

As Catholic and Benedictine institutions, CSB+SJU are committed to stewardship, one of the core Benedictine values.

One branch of this is environmental stewardship, or the practice of caring for our shared environment.

The Sustainability Office said they’re putting that idea into practice with Sustainability Week.

The Sustainability Office, now located in the lower level of Murray Hall, is committed to ensuring that CSB+SJU’s actions are ecologically sound, socially just and economically viable.

The office hosts many events, including annual ones such as Earth Week in April and Stash it, Don’t Trash it, their sustainable move-out program in May.

They are also home to a campus Swap Shop, a Greenhouse and the Community Kitchen.

This week, Nov. 3-7, is their Week of Sustainability.

It’s an opportunity for the Sustainability Office to connect with other clubs, organizations and departments on campus to promote sustainability across disciplines.

“We partner with different clubs and organizations to try to bring everyone together because we think the community is a big pillar of sustainability,” said Abby Robinson, CSB junior and Sustainability Office staff.

Kyle Rauch, the director of the Sustainability Office, began working there after several years at the OLC and OutdoorU.

His career has focused on environmental education and resource stewardship.

“CSB+SJU has a responsibility to our educational mission and identity to ensure we implement sustainable practices that further the institutional mission while achieving a healthy triple-bottom line for the people, planet and profits in our community,” Rauch said via email. “The Sustainability Office leads initiatives that support educational goals while contributing to sustainable operations.”

Both Rauch and Robinson pointed to several ways students can be involved with the Sustainability Office’s Week of Sustainability.

Monday brought an evening of trivia and pizza with make-and-take chapstick.

On Tuesday, the Sustainability Office partnered with the Walking Club for a picnic at the Full Circle Greenhouse at CSB.

On Wednesday evening, they hosted a bonfire at the McKeown Center and offered students free ice cream.

Coming up this week, students can visit Clemens Library at CSB for seed art making on Thursday, an opportunity to create art with sustainable materials.

On Friday, both the Reef and Gorecki will be serving locally-sourced meals to students.

Additionally, all week students can get the Honeybee latte at the Perk or the Schu to support the Sustainability Office.

Rauch said this week serves to remind students of the ease and importance of being sustainable in our lives.

“[Week of Sustainability serves] to shine a light on the work the Sustainability Office is doing and create more awareness around campus sustainability issues” Rauch said via email.

Both Rauch and Robinson said they hoped to see students continue to practice sustainability even after the week is done.

Robinson gave some easy suggestions for students to be more environmentally conscious.

“Our campus faces a lot of recycling fees from people not recycling correctly. It is easy to do it correctly, it is just a matter of paying attention,” Robinson said. “Another thing is electricity use. We’re all college students; we’re all plugging everything into the wall. Just be cognizant of what you’re leaving on when you leave your room, that would be monumental.”

Rauch emphasized Robinson’s points.

“It all starts with awareness. After awareness, it comes down to personal values and choices,” Rauch said via email.