Sustainability
The University of Cincinnati recognizes its role as a leader in sustainable practice, research, and education. UC seeks to consider the environmental, social, and economic impacts of its decisions and commits to incorporating the concept of sustainability into its academic and research programs; the design, operation, and maintenance of its buildings and landscapes; and its organizational structure and management.
“Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable—to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” - Our Common Future, World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987
Sustainability can be described as each of us doing our part to build the kind of world—economically, environmentally and socially—that we want to live in, and one that we want our children and grandchildren to inherit. It means becoming aware of the interconnections—visible and invisible—in which we as humans influence the intricate balance of social, economic, and ecological systems.
UC's Office of Sustainability is within the Department of Planning + Design + Construction. The staff includes a full-time Sustainability Coordinator, a full-time Assistant Sustainability Coordinator, and a team of student workers that are known as Sustainability Advocates.
The Office of Sustainability facilitates a variety of programs including the co-curricular Environmental Literacy Certificate, UC Bike Kitchen & Bearcat Bike Share, the annual Sustainability Awards, the UC Garden, Bearcat Recycling, and the Annual Bike Show. Office staff also co-coordinate annual events with groups on and off campus, most notably Sustainability@UC Week and Move In/Move Out Uptown Waste Diversion.
Finally, the office works with several cross-campus & external stakeholders to execute & document progress toward the University’s goals laid out in its Sustainability + Climate Action Plan.
Through providing a variety of programs that seek to educate, engage, and empower, the Office of Sustainability strives to enhance the culture of sustainability at the University.
The University of Cincinnati recognizes its role as a leader in sustainable practice, research, and education. UC seeks to consider the environmental, social, and economic impacts of its decisions and commits to incorporating the concept of sustainability into its academic and research programs; the design, operation, and maintenance of its buildings and landscapes; and its organizational structure and management.
Sustainability is also a critical part of UC's Strategic Direction, Next Lives Here.
UC's sustainability efforts have been recognized numerous times, including the following:
- In November of 2022, the University was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Silver Level Bike Friendly University
- AASHE's 2020 Campus Sustainability Index recognized UC's Environmental Literacy Certificate program
- Innovation Award for Sustainability, presented to UC at the 2020 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit.
- In spring of 2020, UC earns another Gold STARS Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
- UC Food Services is recognized by Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District for their efforts in waste reduction
- Sierra Club's Cool School List for 2019 ranks UC at 78 out of 282 schools
- AASHE's 2019 Campus Sustainability Index ranked UC as a top performer in the Water category
- In November of 2018, the University was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze Level Bike Friendly University
- AASHE's 2017 Campus Sustainability Index rating UC as the #1 performer in the Water category
- AASHE's 2017 Campus Sustainability Index highlighted UC for it's work with research at the Miami Groundwater Observatory
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS Gold rating, 2017
- Green Umbrella Transit Friendly Destination: Diamond Level, 2015; Platinum Level, 2018
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education STARS Silver rating, 2014
- Queen City Bike, Bike Friendly Destination: Gold, 2013
- Duke Energy Power Partner of the Year, 2012
- Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 editions
- Business Courier Green Business Awards: Policy and Design, 2011; Advocacy, 2013; Building, 2014
- US EPA Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award, 2011
- US EPA Partner of the Year Award, 1997
To reach the Office of Sustainability, email green@uc.edu.