Office of Sustainability
Mission:
"Tennessee Tech University's Office of Sustainability strives to create a more environmentally friendly campus that provides mentoring and support through the integration of research and engagement for a sustainable campus."
In the fall of 2015, the Office of Sustainability was established to help promote and document sustainable initiatives on campus and oversee the Green Fee. The Green Fee is a student activity fee that goes towards green projects and programs, and through it Tennessee Tech has been able to implement a Bike Share Program, purchase Electric Vehicles, install Hydration Stations & Occupancy Sensors and fund numerous other projects.
TVA's Green Switch, Project Regrind, Bee Campus USA, and GE2 are only a small sector of a plethora of programs the Office of Sustainability is involved in. We are are always open to new project ideas from students on campus. You can submit your ideas through our proposal form below.
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Sustainability Plan: Tennessee Tech's Sustainability Strategic Plan
Follow us to stay connected with outreach events, environmental organizations and other sustainable initiatives on campus!
A Brief History of the Office of Sustainability
2005 — President Bell approves Green Fee. The Green Fee was $8 in students' tuition.
2011 — The Bike Share program is started at Tech. It was run out of the Fit.
2012 — The student-led recycling program began at Tech.
2015 — The Office of Sustainability was established.
2017 — The Office of Sustainability joins the AASHE STARS program. The Office was awarded a bronze rating for Tech's sustainability effort.
2018 — The Green Fee was raised to $10, which was previously $8.
2019 — The Office of Sustainability was awarded a silver rating by AASHE STARS. Tech was recognized as a Bee Campus and Tree Campus.
TN Tech is a STARS Silver Institution
The Sustainable Campus Committee approved funding to join AASHE, which founded the STARS program. This allows us to evaluate sustainability in Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning & Administration, Innovation & Leadership, and the University as a whole. Since Fall of 2019, Tech has been rated as a Silver STARS University, this has continued with recertification in 2022 thanks to a community effort. Tech will be able to use this as a benchmark for moving forward and improving sustainable initiatives across the campus. This database is open to any faculty or student of Tennessee Tech. If you are interested in learning more about the rating system or helping collect information, contact us!
