Physical Plant + Facilities

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education recognizes institutions that utilize their infrastructure and operations as living environments for multidisciplinary learning and applied research that advances sustainability on campus.

Students that actively participate in making their campuses more sustainable are well prepared to continue that work in their careers and communities after graduation. Consistent with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) SEED Center, living laboratories are defined as campuses that “merge academics and… facilities management to provide students with real-world skills and, for the institution, a path to meet its sustainability goals”.

At Hamline, we are developing a "thrive team" that helps facilitate our living laboratories, particularly in the areas of

• Food & Dining, Public Engagement, and Coordination & Planning, through the Food Advocates

• Energy, Waste, Water, Grounds, Purchasing, and Investment, through the Materials Advocates

• and Transportation, Wellbeing, and Affordability through the Access Advocates

See the following video for highlights of Hamline's approaches to sustainability by Facilities and Grounds:

• Students (as well as faculty, staff, and community members) can participate in Advocate teams as volunteers, interns, or Sustainability fellows; contact sustainability@hamline.edu for more information!

• Specific physical sustainability questions (recycling, energy use etc.) should be directed to the Hamline University Office of Facilities Services (651-523-2225).