Ball State is continually acknowledged for its
sustainability efforts. From using biodiesel fuel to incorporating hybrid cars into its fleet of vehicles to establishing recycling and composting programs, Ball State is known as a top green university.
President Jo Ann M. Gora is one of the 12 founding members of the leadership circle who signed the
American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. The commitment positions Ball State to undertake climate action task force planning with a goal of climate neutrality.
Our Council on the Environment, which was established in 1991 and is the longest standing green committee within Indiana’s higher education community, was recognized by U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar in 2007 with the
Energy Patriot Award.
Another key effort for Ball State in its sustainability efforts has been its
Greening of the Campus Conference Series, with the eighth conference to take place in fall 2009
We continue to move forward with our eco-minded efforts, including the requirement for all new campus construction to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, as outlined in
Education Redefined: Strategic Plan 2007-2012. A LEED certification addresses such building standards as energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and recycling.
Ranked as one of the nation’s top 75 green universities in Kiwi magazine’s 2008 “Green College Report,” the university is
recognized for efforts that include offering classes in global climate change, environmental disruption, and policy analysis and environmental economics.
We also extended our history of earning National Wildlife Federation (NWF) honors with our inclusion in “Campus Environment 2008: A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education,” earning
exemplary rankings since 1992.
Here are other examples:
- Our fleet has 19 hybrid vehicles, one electric car, six hybrid-electric buses, 67 vehicles that run on E85, and 31 that run on biodiesel.
- We divert 20 percent of waste (paper, cardboard, newspapers, pop cans, glass, and some plastics) each year from landfills through our recycling programs.
- We recycle a large volume of materials such as computers, motor oils, leaves, tires, carpeting, mattresses, concrete, brick, fluorescent lights, and drywall.
- We have planted more than 30,000 different kinds of native vegetation to replace mowed grass, improving water filtration, wildlife habitats, and reducing learning laboratory operating costs. Future plans include plantings along Cardinal Creek and the installation of bio filtration swales at the North Residence Hall.