Campus Announcements Archive

Drake sustainability fun facts

The Office of Sustainability and Facilities Planning and Management has made progress on the University’s sustainability initiatives and wants to share some fun facts with the campus community.

  • Did you know that Drake has upgraded traditional lighting to LEDs in at least 10 buildings and six parking lots on campus since 2018? We are de-lighted to continue making campus more energy efficient through LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology that has enormous energy savings potential.
  • Drake is on track to hit the 2030 checkpoint target for reductions in our energy usage of electricity as part of the University’s carbon-neutrality commitment by 2050 pledge. How are we doing this? We are a huge FAN of wind energy and other renewable energy in Iowa. Through energy efficiency upgrades and other practices, we expect to continue making progress toward our 2050 goal. View carbon footprint here.
  • It’s time to have a solar-bration! Did you know that Drake has a net-zero electricity building on campus? On top of the Roger Knapp Tennis Center, the solar panels started producing electricity on Sept. 10, 2019. The solar production this past year was net-zero for its electricity usage. Did you also know that the new Tom and Ruth Harkin Center was recently equipped with solar panels and started producing electricity as of Oct. 27, 2021. See how much energy the solar panels are producing at the Tennis Center.
  • We know you are still solar-brating about the solar panels on campus but have you ever done the electric slide? Drake’s Office of Sustainability and Facilities Planning and Management department is looking to boogie-woogie, woogie as we start phasing out their old fleet vehicles with new electric vehicles starting this upcoming spring. Did you also know that Drake has six electric vehicle charging stations in parking lots scattered throughout campus? Find the locations on the Sustainability Map at Drake.edu/sustainbility
  • While we are strategizing on how to take sustainability at Drake to the next level, we have been recognized by several organizations for the progress we’ve made so far:
    • Drake has earned a bronze rating for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Learn more.
    • Drake received a rating of 80 in the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2022 Edition. Learn more.
    • Drake is recognized as a Tree Campus Higher Education university by the Arbor Day Foundation. This is a tree-mendous accomplishment.
  • We don’t want to waste your time but wanted to share some facts that are anything but trashy. Since a 2007 baseline, we have reduced our overall waste sent to the landfill by nearly 50% because of the implementation of single-stream recycling, food recovery, e-waste recycling, yard waste compost, food waste compost, and changes in purchasing and consumption behaviors. Also, if you’re a student on campus looking for heaps of fun, get involved with the Sprout Garden student-led compost program that is supported by the Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL), the Office of Sustainability, and the Office of Community Engaged Learning. Reach out to compost intern, Jacob Lish, to learn about how you can compost your food scraps on campus and if you are interested in volunteering.
  • Did you know that Drake requires all new construction and major renovation projects to adhere to green building standards? We have four buildings with at least two Green Globes and one building that is certified LEED silver. We plan to continue raising the roof on green building practices with upcoming construction and major renovation projects.
  • Did you know that Drake has a garden and food forest on-campus? It’s thyme to turnip the beet because Sprout: the Des Moines Urban Youth Learning Garden is thriving in its new location at 30th St. and Carpenter Ave.! Sprout serves as an environmental education tool, urban gardening resource, and healthy food access point for students kindergarten through higher education, and community members. Learn more.
  • To support sustainability projects on campus, we are in the process of developing the Drake University Sustainability Revolving Fund (DUSRF) which will serve as a way to develop the campus as a living laboratory for sustainability through engaging research, educational experiences, and improved operational practices that support our commitment to sustainability.
  • We have a website! Go to Drake.edu/sustainbility to learn more. We are still in the process of updating some of the information on the site and appreciate your patience.

Have questions or ideas? Want to get more involved with Drake’s Sustainability? Email the Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Coordinator, Sophia Siegel, Sophia.Siegel@drake.edu or the Director of Facilities Planning & Management, Kevin Moran, Kevin.Moran@drake.edu.

If you have questions or looking to get involved with the Sprout Garden and residence hall compost initiative, email compost intern, Jacob Lish, Jacob.Lish@drake.edu.

— Sophia Siegel, Sustainability Coordinator