At Drury, we strive to learn, live and work in a way that respects the earth and its resources. The President’s Council on Sustainability is composed of faculty, staff, students and community members dedicated to caring for the environment in our everyday activities. We recognize this work as supporting a way of living that allows humanity and the environment to flourish now and in future generations.
How to Join
To get involved, email the Council’s chair:
Members
Drury’s Environmental Ambassadors (EA) group consists of students, staff, and faculty who are interested in promoting a culture of environmental sustainability on campus. The group shares information and ideas via a dedicated Canvas page. Membership is open to any campus community member. Those interested in joining the EA group should contact Valerie Eastman at veastman@drury.edu.
Sustainability is taught across campus in many courses, in every college and school. While sustainability is a subject integrated into our curriculum, there are opportunities to pursue selected courses that provide deep investigations of particular environmental topics. With courses such as “The Psychology of Sustainability” and “Issues in Environmental Policy,” students are able to gain a breadth of knowledge about this subject.
Drury offers a way to gain credentials in sustainability as well, through the Environment and Sustainability minor and the Designing Solutions for Environmental Problems certificate.
Students take a leadership role in sustainability on campus. Through the Student Government Association, led by the Vice-President of Institutional Affairs, students have a voice in the sustainable actions of Drury. With over a decade of engagement with university administration, faculty and staff, great strides have been made in bringing sustainability to our buildings and grounds.
All students are welcome to be part of the council and other sustainable organizations. “Think Green!” is a student organization dedicated to environmental concerns, and students are encouraged to be part of SGA or to contact the SGA VP of Institutional Affairs in regards to any sustainable questions, concerns or ideas.
Our Built Environment
Did you know that 40% of all energy in Springfield is from renewable resources?
Stone Chapel added geothermal heating and cooling in 2008.
The O’Reilly Family Event Center has a LEED Gold rating.
University Suites has a LEED Platinum rating.
The O’Reilly Family Event Center’s parking lot is porous concrete and its asphalt sealing is environmentally friendly.
All of Drury’s exterior lighting will soon be LED. We’re one of the first campuses to achieve this!
Our Natural Environment
Native landscapes are found across campus, reducing water usage and supporting a diverse ecosystem.
The native restoration area on the southeast corner of campus is supported with an MDC grant for urban conservation.
Transportation
Sidewalks and bike paths connect our 40 acres in the heart of Springfield, allowing students to easily get between favorite campus spots and beyond.
Drury supports a bicycle-friendly community through D.Cycle, an on-campus bicycle shop. D.Cycle rents bicycles for the semester for a minimal fee, and provides free bicycle maintenance.
Drury’s campus is adjacent to the City Utilities Transit, making bus service available. Walking, biking and mass transit provide many sustainable options.
Campus Resources and Operations
Mission
The President’s Council on Sustainability engages the campus community to identify, evaluate and prioritize recommendations to the president and the Cabinet on sustainability issues. Areas the council will address include:
History
We have a long history of accomplishments regarding sustainability on campus, including:
Selected Awards and Grants
Seeds of Change, the Drury 2010 spring magazine, provides a deeper conversation of the beginnings of Drury’s sustainability discussions.
