Carroll University is committed to making our world a better place. Across campus, in ways big and small, we look for opportunities to educate our students, employees and visitors on how to make thoughtful choices that minimize the impact their actions have on the environment. From academic majors to conveniently located recycling bins, special events and volunteer programs, Carroll places an emphasis on preserving our natural environment.
![The Oak Leaf logo designed for Carroll's Sustainability Efforts.]()
Look around campus for the white oak leaf icon signifying work done by our Sustainability Committee. White oak trees are native to Wisconsin and are common in pre-settlement woodlands. They are also historically significant to Waukesha. Elizabeth Clark had her ailing brother-in-law Col. Richard Dunbar rest under a while oak and drink from a spring on her property in 1868. The water seemingly cured him of his ailments. He bought the land from her and developed the site for tourists to visit and with bottling facilities, thereby starting Waukesha's Springs Era. Water was sold from Bethesda Spring until the 1990s. Bethesda Park, with a clone of the Dunbar Oak, is only four blocks west of Carroll University. For more information about the Springs Era, visit our library or the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum.
Carroll University acknowledges the multitude of interconnected relationships and environmental impacts that we have on the world. Our mission statement encompasses that we "prepare all students for vocational success, lifelong learning, and service in a diverse and global society." We understand our accountability as an educational institution and are committed to strengthening our role as a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability excellence.
The following environmental sustainability principles were developed to guide institutional and campus operations planning. They are reflective of the university's mission statement, resources and unique educational philosophy.
- Set clear objectives and be transparent in communicating sustainability goals, initiatives and outcomes.
- Be innovative in decision-making and focus on the interconnected relationships of environmental issues from an educational, societal and economic perspective.
- Engage faculty, staff, students and the community in sustainability processes, initiatives and encourage ongoing dialogue and feedback.
- Establish partnerships with organizations to achieve sustainability goals, increase environmental stewardship and enhance educational opportunities.
- Institutionalize sustainability policies, and best practices into all facets of the university, and comply with environmental laws and regulations.
- Make value investments in technologies that conserve vital natural resources, reduce environmental impacts, energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions and waste.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
U.S. Green Building Council LEED Certification
Bee Campus USA
If you wish to know more about our initiatives, discuss your own sustainable practices on campus, or get involved, please contact sustainability@carrollu.edu.