TOGETHER,
WE ARE FOR A
SUSTAINABLE WORLD.
Sustainability at Rose-Hulman At Rose-Hulman, we are working to create a more sustainable world. From courses that prepare students to work in sustainable fields, to facilities and student projects on campus, Rose-Hulman is committed to offering students opportunities to make a difference in the realm of sustainability. This commitment comes from the highest levels of leadership and all campus efforts support a key theme in the college’s strategic plan — to infuse sustainability into the Rose-Hulman education and culture.
“Since I came to Rose, my curiosity for sustainability has been fed with so many opportunities. I am learning the skills I need to take innovation to the climate fight.” — Ben Eldridge, Chemical Engineering student
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The ingenuity and talent that I see in our students can be channeled toward the greater good of sustaining flourishing and resilient communities. If we are not promoting sustainable design and systems thinking in our students, we are not fully preparing them for future challenges they will face.” — Dr. Jenny Mueller, PhD, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Sustainability-focused Experiential Coursework Incorporating sustainability into college courses and across disciplines not only prepares students for a future focused on environmental responsibility, but also enhances their understanding of environmental, social and economic issues facing the world. Additionally, a growing number of courses are introducing engineering and science students to implement design concepts with sustainable materials and little or no impact on the environment. Rose-Hulman offers a minor in sustainability, as well as a master’s degree in environmental engineering. Additionally, more than 35 courses integrate sustainability into the classwork experience and focus on hands-on learning projects that tackle environmental themes. Sustainable themes are integrated with learning opportunities such as study abroad. In Introduction to Sustainability (Humanities 130) — the
ground-level course in Rose’s sustainability minor — students spent five weeks on campus learning sustainability challenges, concepts and problems. And then during spring break, the students flew to Belgium and the Netherlands to explore the subject in person and examine how other countries and universities incorporate sustainability into daily practice. Sustainability in Practice (Multidisciplinary Studies 302) is a project-based course that provides hands-on experience for student teams working on real-world problems related to sustainability. Some of the projects that have come out of this course are a rainwater collection and irrigation system in RoseHulman’s community garden, solar-powered carports for EV charging stations, and greywater collection/reuse in restrooms.
Student Projects and Hands-on Learning Rose-Hulman students are fueled by passion for environmentalism and driven to make the world, and campus, a more sustainable place. The Engineers for a Sustainable World student group works on several campus projects, with their main goal of developing a sustainability marketplace through the care of the campus community garden. The garden area includes a biosand filtration system, outdoor classroom, native wetland plants, a butterfly garden, raised beds, solar panels and a greenhouse. The garden is a living laboratory for classes, projects and faculty and student research opportunities. The Student Government Association (SGA) provided students with a reusable cup to encourage students to decrease their use of single use plastic. Additionally, they highlight a plastic recycling effort that supports local nonprofit reTHink, Inc.’s community upcycling program. SGA created collection stations in residence halls and the student union to collect coffee cups, milk jugs and detergent containers. Students are working on self-directed projects to make a sustainable impact on campus. For example, one student is developing a recycling prototype designed to turn Type 1 plastic bottles into 3D printing filaments. Another student is conducting biofuel research to explore more sustainable options for biofuel catalysts since current catalysts can be hard to reuse and worse for the environment.
“Sustainability action played a huge role in my college decision process. I wanted to make sure that I was investing my time and money in a place that puts effort in creating an environment where environmentally conscious people and ideas can thrive. Rose does a great job at uplifting these ideas and individuals that can make a positive impact on the planet.” — Kaitlyn Chandler, =Chemical Engineering student
One of America’s Top “Green” Colleges: Campus Facilities and Operations “The Princeton Review” named Rose-Hulman one of America’s top “Green” colleges for two straight years for its strong commitment to the environment through sustainability campus policies, programs and practices. The New Academic Building became Indiana’s first building to earn full WELL Certification from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) for design and technology that enhances the health, wellness and human experience. Rose-Hulman has been consistently recognized with the Tree Campus Higher Education designation by the Arbor Day Foundation for its continued commitment to effective urban forest management and engaging students, faculty and staff members in conservation goals. Nearly 250,000 trees spread throughout the institute’s 1,300-acre campus. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was Indiana’s first higher education institution to adopt a Green Chemistry Commitment that incorporated green chemistry theory and practice into classes, continuously improving green chemistry accessibility, and educating students that will develop a sustainable future.
ABOUT ROSE-HULMAN Rose-Hulman is the nation’s top undergraduate engineering, science and mathematics school. Our scenic campus is home to 2,100 students with a passion for STEM and learning. We are consistently rated among the best colleges and universities in the country for return-oninvestment, internships and career placement.
rose-hulman.edu 5500 Wabash Avenue Terre Haute, Indiana 47803 800-248-7448
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