Mission, Vision & History

sustainability is an integral part of the campus culture

Mission

ETSU's Department of Sustainability seeks to enhance the environmental, social, and economic health of the university community through the development of sustainable policies and practices, reporting on key measures of success and collaboration with campus and community stakeholders.

Vision

For East Tennessee State University to be known as a place where sustainability is an integral part of the campus culture.

History

In 2008, ETSU formed the Department of Sustainability in order to advance the University’s performance of ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and social equity. ETSU recognized the need to expand its commitment to environmental sustainability of campus operations in light of record breaking academic enrollment and tightening budget restrictions for the State-funded school. The Department is administered by the Facilities Management Division and is led by Taylor Campbell, Sustainability Coordinator.

As part of the commitment to sustainability, Campus Sustainability Fees were approved as part of student admissions fees in the Fall of 2008, at the rate of $5 per student per semester. The sustainability fee has since been increased to $7. In accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Guideline B-065 (2010), proceeds would be administered by the Campus Sustainability Fee Committee, and would be used to fund sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on campus.

ETSU’s recycling efforts were started over 20 years ago by a group of students who were interested in recycling aluminum cans and paper. This informal arrangement continued until 2008 when a formal recycling program was developed and a full time staff member was assigned to direct recycling efforts and increase the waste diversion rate. In 2009 the first recycling center was built and ETSU expanded the recycling program to include many more items which resulted in doubling of the diversion rate to 20%. Subsequent efforts including a mini-bin collection system and various waste diversion tactics have resulted in another doubling of the waste diversion rate to 40%. To accommodate the increased demand, a new recycling center was built in 2016. ETSU's recycling program is led by Cathy Webb, Recycling Center Coordinator.