Going Green
Live a greener lifestyle at FGCU. From getting around more sustainably, to hosting a planet-friendly event, or assisting the university in its environmental mission through on-campus service learning opportunities - you will find it here.
The FGCU Sustainability symbol has meaning. The “S” is representative of the words sustainability and stewardship. The “S” is in the shape of the infinity symbol representing unlimited capacity, energy, excellence, or knowledge. The FGCU emerald green and cobalt blue school colors are symbols of the earth and water, in keeping with the university’s environmental mission.
Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum (ISAC) Academy
Faculty & staff interested in adding or revising course content or student programming to include sustainability are encouraged to apply to the annual Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum (ISAC) Academy. The ISAC Academy provides time, space, and resources for faculty at all career stages across the university to engage in inter- and cross-disciplinary discussions for sustainability curriculum development.
The ISAC Academy is supported by the Office of the Provost, the Center for Environment and Society, the Lucas Center for Faculty Development, Environmental Health & Safety and the Office of University-wide Programs in Undergraduate Studies.
The call for applications will go out via an all Faculty email from the Provost's Office each year. Please consider joining this learning community by applying to this competitive, cohort-based annual academy.
If you are interested in considering ways to incorporate sustainability content into your courses in the meantime, please see our ISAC Library Guide.
The next ISAC Academy will be held May 10, 12, & 18
Application due March 31, 2023
Course-Based: Click here to apply to the next ISAC Academy
Co-Curricular: Click here to apply to the next ISAC Academy
Questions? Email jpmarcolini@fgcu.edu or bhollingshead@fgcu.edu
Timely Tip: How do I get rid of old batteries from my personal devices?
Do NOT put ANY batteries in recycling containers! Some (but not ALL) batteries may be thrown out in regular trash.
Here in Lee County, Florida, household single-use alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt can be discarded with your regular garbage. Button batteries for watches and hearing aids can also go in your regular garbage.
Other batteries, such as Nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion batteries found in cordless phones, rechargeable batteries like those found in cordless drills, and car batteries from your personal devices must be taken off campus to a recycling center or a store that has a battery drop off (these stores take back batteries even if you did not buy the device or battery from them originally).
Find locations near you: https://www.call2recycle.org/locator
Safety warning: Old batteries may not have enough energy to power a device, but they can still spark a fire if they’re not handled carefully. Place each battery into a separate sealed plastic bag.
Note: For university owned computer equipment and peripherals, please contact ITS Helpdesk at (239)590-1188 or helpdesk@fgcu.edu
Some of FGCU's Sustainability Affiliations
FGCU Ranks GOLD 3 Times in a Row!
FGCU earned a Gold Rating in 2014, 2017, and again in 2020 on the Sustainability, Tracking, Rating, & Assessment System (STARS) report. STARS is a program of AASHE and it helps higher education institutions measure their progress in four categories: operations, academics, engagement, and planning and administration. Ratings are based on quantitative values, such as the percentage of energy produced from renewable sources, as well as qualitative indicators including healthy community partnerships, and participation in public policy.
Carbon Commitment
- Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or higher
- Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy
- Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors at our institution
The tangible actions established by FGCU upon signing the agreement were our first step to taking more carbon out of the earth’s atmosphere than we put into it on an annual basis. As we continue on our path to carbon neutrality, we regularly submit Greenhouse Gas Reports, Climate Action Plans, and Progress Reports to Second Nature. All reports can be viewed on the Second Nature's Reporting System.
Tree Campus USA
Tree Campus USA is a program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, which recognizes college and university campuses across the nation that:
- Manage their campus trees effectively.
- Develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy, urban forests.
- Utilize service learning opportunities centered on campus, and community, forestry efforts.
FGCU’s Physical Plant coordinates our Tree Campus USA efforts. Please see their webpage for more details or to get involved.
USGBC Member
Florida Gulf Coat University’s membership to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) supports us by offering our campus educational opportunities and resources such as the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. These help us decrease our ecological footprint and meet our carbon emissions reduction goals.
Earth Charter International
The Earth Charter is, “an ethical framework for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century.” Florida Gulf Coast University has been an International Affiliate of the Earth Charter since 2009, when President Bradshaw signed the Affiliation Agreementrecognizing the connection between FGCU’s mission and the principles of the Earth Charter. FGCU is presently the only Affiliate in the United States and many of the tangible actions to support our association with the Earth Charter are coordinated by FGCU’s Center for Environment & Society. Please see the CES webpage for more details.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
AASHE empowers higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges.