Sustainability Report & Path to 2027

Living Lab (1.2.1)
There is considerable opportunity to build upon existing place-based and experiential learning programs, beginning with a stakeholder review of a living lab overview document developed by the Office for Sustainability. We have identified transforming the wastewater treatment remnant in the Eco-Corridor into an educational asset as a potential pilot project.

Learning Outcomes and Competencies (1.1.5)
Although some signature programs already feature sustainability learning outcomes and competencies, opportunity exists to develop learning outcomes and competencies related to sustainability across all five schools.

Faculty Fellow (1.3.4)
Creating a designated Faculty Fellow in sustainability through the Office for Sustainability could provide the opportunity to leverage faculty expertise in all areas related to academic opportunity for the campus.

University-Wide Outreach
Significant effort has been taken to integrate sustainability across the curriculum through partnership amongst the five schools through university-wide programs such as the River City Project. Recent initiatives supported by leadership in A&S and the Robins School of Business could be replicated by other schools.

Literacy Assessment
Opportunity exists to develop a campus-wide sustainability literacy assessment to assess both environmental and sustainability literacy for the campus. 

Sustainability Tour (2.2.1)
The development of the Sustainability Tour is essential for showcasing sustainable campus features such as the Eco-Corridor and natural areas on campus, the solar array, the UR Micro-Farm, and more.

Online and In-Person Sustainability Training (2.3.3)
Opportunities exist to build a coordinated series of trainings for students, faculty, and staff to gain knowledge on essential sustainability topics such as clean energy, transportation, biodiversity, etc.

Speaker Series Integration (2.4.3)
Several speaker series exist on campus and being able to integrate with these efforts would be an opportunity to understand how sustainability could be a subject in deciding potential guests and topics.

Employees Educators Program (2.3.3)
The Green Workspace Program is being launched as a pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year. This program will lead to greater connections across campus and will give staff and faculty the opportunity to incorporate sustainability initiatives into their own workspaces.

Volunteering & Community Service
Many students are already choosing to volunteer, reflecting a strong culture of care and community. By expanding volunteer opportunities, especially those available on campus, we can increase participation. Making service opportunities more visible and accessible invites more people to discover their ability to make a difference. This can be bolstered by tools and processes that make volunteering easier to find, record, recognize, and coordinate. At the same time, encouraging employee volunteering strengthens our collective impact and reinforces a shared commitment to the broader community. Together, these efforts can cultivate a vibrant culture of service that benefits everyone.

Energy and Water Metering (3.1.1; 3.12.2)
A campus-wide effort to submeter electricity and water usage in each building on campus began in 2023. We will continue to provide energy and water metering on all building systems to track performance and report usage data.

Solar Feasibility Study (3.2.2)
In accordance with the UR Campus Plan, we will undertake a solar feasibility study of campus buildings to identify locations best suited for renewable energy production.

Energy Conservation Management Plan (3.3.1)
A strategic energy management plan that identifies, prioritizes, and tracks energy reduction and efficiency opportunities will be formalized.

Sustainable Food Targets (3.4.1-3.4.4)
A food system working group led by Dining Services and Campus Business Services and comprising students, staff, and faculty will benchmark best practices in sustainable food procurement, track sustainable food purchases, establish UR-specific sustainable food procurement targets, and implement a sustainable food plan.

Catering Sustainable Procurement Guidelines (3.4.5)
We will pilot sustainable procurement guidelines for catering and explore sustainability standards for off-campus food vendors.

Food Recovery (3.5.1)
We will clarify internal processes and strengthen external partnerships in order to improve food recovery and increase our capacity for making food donations.

Sustainable Procurement Standards, Training, and Implementation (3.8.1-3.8.4; 3.16.1)
In at least one unit, UR procurement specialists will pilot internal sustainable purchasing standards, data tracking measures, and life-cycle assessment tools. UR will establish best practice guidance on the procurement of purchased goods, including electronics, appliances, paper goods, and cleaning supplies. To support this effort, training and professional development opportunities in sustainable purchasing will be made available.

Biodiversity and Invasive Species Management Plan (3.10.2)
Plans for natural areas and open spaces on campus will incorporate biodiversity management and invasive species management.

Vulnerable Species Assessment (3.10.2)
With partners in the Department of Biology, we will identify endangered or vulnerable species, environmentally sensitive areas on University land.

Outdoor Education Spaces (3.10.4)
Following the success of the Eco-Corridor, we will continue to explore the development and use of outdoor spaces on campus to support education, wellness, recreation, and research.

Watershed Management Plan (3.11.1 – 3.11.2)
Westhampton Lake is a campus jewel. A plan to restore the ecological health, aesthetic beauty, educational capacity, and recreational function of Westhampton Lake will benefit UR and the surrounding community. We will also evaluate use of Westhampton Lake as a source of on-campus irrigation.

Improve Multi-Modal Transportation and Increase Electric Vehicles (3.13.1)
As part of a 2026 transportation planning effort, we will improve the use of carpooling, public transit, walking, and biking as means of student, staff, and faculty transportation.

Electric Vehicle Expansion (3.13.3-3.13.4)
The University will continue to support adoption of electric vehicles by increasing electric vehicle charging station availability and electrifying 30% of the University vehicle fleet.

Pedestrian-Friendly Campus (3.14.3)
Increase the number of sidewalks and car-free areas to promote a more pedestrian-friendly campus as described in the 2025 UR Campus Plan.

Promote Reuse (3.16.2)
Implement and promote reuse strategies across campus and develop measures to minimize prevalence of single-use disposable items.

Sustainable Design Standards
While UR has 17 certified green buildings, significant opportunity exists to create a robust set of sustainable design standards for the design, construction, and operation of campus buildings. Currently in development, UR’s internal Sustainable Design Standards aim to provide criteria for best practices with the built environment.

Following the Roadmap to Decarbonization
In 2024, the University developed a high-level outline of an energy strategy that will allow us to make major strides toward meeting our carbon neutrality goals. Themes such as strategic energy management, renewable energy, and thermal energy transition. Over the next two years, we will travel toward neutrality using the roadmap with waypoints like testing the feasibility of geo-exchange boreholes, designing for on-site solar power, and integrating a carbon stepdown plan into our design, construction, and maintenance planning.

Agricultural Aspirations
Following the momentum of the UR Orchard & Food Forest, a small plot of land in the Eco-Corridor will be the site of a first foray into farming. Between Abby’s Garden and Little Westham Creek, a “farmette” will take shape, offering a bounty of educational and wellness-related opportunities for engagement.

Strengthen Community Partnerships (4.3.2)
Alongside partners in the Center for Civic Engagement, strengthen community relationships that create opportunities for community-engaged learning, applied research, and joint projects addressing environmental and social challenges in the Richmond region.

Wellness, Nature & Sustainability (4.3.3)
Support a culture of holistic wellness by integrating time in nature into student life, academics, and employee engagement to support mental health, connection, and resilience.

Sustainability Funding Strategy (4.4.1)
Strengthen collaboration with University Advancement to secure strategic funding and partnerships that advance sustainability initiatives while supporting the University’s broader mission and driving long-term institutional impact.

Sustainability Policy Guide (4.4.2)
Advance sustainability policy by collaborating with the Office of Planning and Policy to develop and implement guidelines that integrate environmental stewardship into campus operations, planning, and decision-making.

Strengthen Inclusion & Belonging Partnership
Continue to strengthen the partnership between Inclusion & Belonging and sustainability programs, recognizing the deep interconnectedness and overlap of these important areas. Together, we can co-create programs and spaces that foster belonging while advancing a more just and sustainable campus.