Congratulations to everyone for another successful academic year at Loyola. Whether your work stays consistent or you’re celebrating a major academic or personal milestone, let’s take a moment to appreciate our students, faculty, researchers, and staff. There have been many sustainability accomplishments in the 2021-22 academic year including Loyola’s Sustainable Investment Policy, a recognized Land Acknowledgement Statement, new LEED certified facilities, expanded recycling and composting programs, new Diversity and Equity personnel, a new sustainability degree in the School of Communications, and many grants, publications, reports, and other works.
SustainLoyola hopes you have a wonderful summer, on-campus or off, and we encourage you to seek out experiences that advance sustainability personally and in your communities.
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“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” - Fred Rogers
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As Seen On Campus
Before you head out to your summer job, internship, research site—or for faculty and staff, a vacation—consider a few sustainability actions to start summer the right way.
Clean out and clean up with recycling and donation programs
Students in the residence halls can donate materials through the annual Think Green and Give program, which provides clothes, food, and household goods to local charities. If you do not live in a residence hall, this page includes a full list of local donation sites where you can put your items to good use.
Check out Loyola’s LUC.edu/recycle page for what goes in our comingled recycling program and what you can do with hard to recycle items like electronics and plastic film:
Close down your space in a sustainable way
Whether it’s your residence hall, your office, or your cubicle, take a moment to make sure everything is put away and turned off. 20-30% of our energy use is from plug-loads, meaning things we have plugged in. If you’re not going to be around, take 30 seconds to unplug all unnecessary equipment including refrigerators, microwaves, media equipment, and computers, and turn off all the lights. If you have a controllable thermostat, please turn it up to 80° F or turn it off. Double-check that all windows are closed and locked and drapes or blinds are drawn shut.
For those in laboratory spaces, take a moment to double-check that unnecessary items are turned off and/or unplugged. Close all fume hood sashes and make sure all chemicals are properly sealed and stored.
Doing our part to care for our common home doesn’t only take place at school or work. Find your way to make this the summer of sustainability. And don’t forget to wear sunscreen.
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Student Feature
We’d like to take a moment to recognize the students that received Spirit of Laudato Si' Sustainability Awards during this year’s Excellence Awards ceremony on April 23rd.
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Sophia Alvarado (left)
Sophia is an Environmental Studies student at the School of Environmental Sustainability, and incorporated sustainability into her experience as an Urban Agriculture Intern researching nutrient recovery in aquaponic fish waste through coursework in her undergraduate Engaged Learning course. She recently participated in the dialogue for the Synodal Encounter with Pope Francis, representing Loyola, and she will be working with the US Bishops to continue this important advocacy for the environment and social justice, particularly as it pertains to human migration.
Brennan McDonald (center)
Brennan is an engaged learner in the School of Environmental Sustainability including volunteering and interning in the Searle Biodiesel Lab, serving as a teaching assistant in lab courses, a LUROP fellowship, and participation in multiple sustainability-oriented clubs and volunteer opportunities. Brennan has sought out every opportunity to expand his knowledge of sustainability through his coursework, and has generously shared his time and knowledge with other undergraduates.
Erika Werth (right)
Erika is pursuing a Masters Degree in International Affairs focusing on how the social roles between men and women contribute to the level of impact experienced by the climate crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is also exploring the political participation of women and girls at the local level towards community climate resilience and more theoretical research connecting the intersections of gender and climate through existing literature.
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S-I-Y! (Sustain it Yourself!)
Summer can be a time for a break. A time to reconnect with family and friends. Sustainability isn’t just for systems and infrastructure. We need to sustain ourselves as well. Whether you’re sitting next to an open window, next to an inspiring body of water, or somewhere else that invites reflection.
Resources to help guide care and healing around feelings of eco-anxiety:
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