When I think of college towns Ann Arbor, Michigan or Eugene, Oregon come to mind. Admittedly, these are enormous state universities, but they arguably serve as the economic engines of the towns. Mayor Vincent Gray and university presidents across the city want Washington D.C. to be the “greenest college town” in the country. While DC is home to numerous institutions of higher learning, it is so much more than a college town.
On February 29th, the presidents of 9 colleges across the city signed the District of Columbia Mayor’s College and University Sustainability Pledge (CUSP). The Pledge furthers Gray’s commitment to sustainability. His Sustainable D.C. Initiative aims “to make the District the world’s most sustainable city.” The city got off to a good start on the trek to sustainability with its Bikeshare program.
The Washington Examiner reports “The pledge requires the universities to commit to sustainability goals related to energy use and buildings, transportation, waste reduction, grounds maintenance, purchasing, and the management and reporting of progress.”
American University calls it “The first initiative of its kind in the country, [requiring] signatories to undertake at least five commitments across 10 categories related to energy and buildings, jobs and community development, water, green education and training, transportation, waste, research and innovation, purchasing, grounds and habitat, and management and reporting.”
For a full list of signees, see below:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Georgetown University President John DeGioia, American University President Neil Kerwin, Catholic University of America President John Garvey, George Washington University President Steven Knapp, Gallaudet University President Alan Hurwitz, Howard University President Sidney Ribeau and University of the District of Columbia President Allen Sessoms
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