Committed to clean power in Illinois

In April 2023, Loyola announced that the University had signed an agreement with Constellation to purchase power from a new solar project under development in Sangamon and Morgan Counties in Illinois. Developed by renewable energy developer, owner, and operator Swift Current Energy, the “Double Black Diamond” project will be the largest solar farm in Illinois and among the largest solar projects in the country. It will provide enough electricity to completely power the University’s Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences Campuses.  Loyola selected Double Black Diamond to spur economic development in Illinois and support new renewable energy production linked with campus demand. Compared to current electricity and renewable energy credit purchasing, Loyola anticipates significant savings during the 12-year agreement. 

Loyola receives STARS Gold rating for sustainability

This year, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) renewed Loyola’s STARS Gold rating in recognition of the University’s sustainability achievements. STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures sustainability in all aspects of higher education. To receive a rating, participating universities submit a sustainability report documenting their achievements. Loyola has participated in STARS since 2014 and submitted its fourth report this year. With each submission, the university has maintained a Gold rating and has consistently increased the number of sustainability credits earned. Loyola has established a goal of achieving STARS Platinum, the highest possible rating, and has demonstrated continual progress toward this goal.

Loyola receives Laudato Si’ Champions award

Catholic Climate Covenant presented the organization’s first U.S. Laudato Si’ Champions Awards at the June 2023 Laudato Si’ and the U.S. Catholic Church Conference. Loyola received the award in the university category. Catholic Climate Covenant is a national nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and equipping U.S. Catholics to care for our common home and take greater climate action. The group presented awards in 10 categories, recognizing Catholic individuals, families, schools, businesses, dioceses, and other institutions across the United States who have made outstanding achievements in environmental sustainability and stewardship. Winners received a hand-painted Saint Francis statue (pictured to the right) and gifts of fruit trees planted in their honor through Catholic Relief Services.

Students support Loyola’s energy efficiency efforts

In support of the 2015 Climate Action Plan, Loyola is undertaking deep energy audits of all campuses and facilities to optimize systems and plan for energy-related improvements. In the spring of 2022, the Office of Sustainability hired four Loyola students to conduct room-level energy audits on the Water Tower and Health Sciences Campuses. The team visited 1,732 spaces and inventoried equipment, lighting, plumbing, and environmental conditions. The group shared a summary of the findings with a consulting engineering team and provided conservation recommendations. Recommendations include simple switches like upgrading to more energy-efficient LED exit signs and optimizing the use of shared spaces and empty offices. 

Making campus life more sustainable and affordable

At the end of each year, Loyola’s Think Green and Give program helps students donate items they no longer need when they move out of their residence halls. Over 9,000 pounds of clothing, food, and household items were collected at the end of the 2022-2023 school year and sorted for donation to local charities. This year, a new Reuse Market program set aside dorm room staples such as bath caddies, storage drawers, lamps, and similar student items for distribution to incoming students. Targeted student groups (international and low-income) were invited to the Reuse Market, hosted by Residence Life, to pick out items they would otherwise buy at the local big-box store. The Reuse Market makes Loyola more affordable and creates a circular economic system that extends the life of items needed in the average Rambler’s dorm room.

Sustainability by the numbers

Campus operations

• 44% of waste generated on campus is diverted from landfills through recycling or composting.

Since establishing a baseline in 2008, the University has significantly reduced emissions, energy use, and water consumption:*

• 79% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on our Lake Shore Campus
• 38% reduction in energy use per square foot
• 34% reduction in water use per square foot 

*Based on utility data for FY22 and the FY22 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

Academics

• Over 20% of courses offered at Loyola address at least one sustainability learning objective.
• 52 of 80 academic departments offer at least one sustainability course.
• Loyola offers multiple sustainability-focused programs, including 7 bachelor’s degree programs, 8 minors, and 9 master’s degree programs.
• Over 140 faculty members conduct sustainability research at Loyola. They represent 52 of the 59 academic departments with active research.

Engagement

• 250 students and 190 employees have trained as sustainability educators and routinely work to educate and engage their peers.
• Loyola is home to over a dozen student organizations related to sustainability.
• Loyola students contributed 377,880 hours of community service last year.
• Over the past academic year, the Office of Sustainability organized over a dozen events on all three campuses, engaging thousands of students, staff, faculty, alums, and community members.