DAYTON, Ohio — The University of Dayton (UD) board of trustees approved bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in sustainability. All which students can start in August 2019. According to a 2017 report published by the Environmental Defense Fund and Climate Corps, the number of sustainability jobs has increased. That’s consequently by about 1 million in the last six years.
Part of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
Consequently, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. I mean the majors add to the College’s academic offerings in sustainability. Then that’ll include a minor in sustainability and a 12-credit-hour graduate certificate in sustainability. In addition, the School of Engineering also has a master’s program. One in renewable and clean energy.
Carter Creviston, a student from Cincinnati just wrapped up his first year at UD. Now he plans to switch to the new major this fall.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I have been interested in helping the environment. So often doing small things to help like sorting recyclables at my house and at school. Yet I had no idea my interest in helping the environment would be what I dedicate my college education and, hopefully, my life to,” Creviston said.
Comprehensive Education
The bachelor of science degree will have tracks in energy and sustainable watersheds. It will also involve courses in:
- biology
- geology
- economics
- chemistry
- political science
- math and engineering, among others.
Think of all the useful benefits students going on to be paralegals or lawyers in sustainability fields.
Also, the bachelor of arts degree will have tracks in food studies and urban sustainability. It’ll include courses in data analysis. As well as statistics and geographical information systems. Rounding out in ecology, advanced writing and philosophy, among others.
Sustainability degrees are intentionally designed to complement other majors, Potter added. She said a student also eyeing careers with environmental protection agencies can easily double major in environmental biology and sustainability. A double major in history or sociology and sustainability could suit future urban planners. Students pursuing nonprofit careers, especially combating food deserts, could benefit from a philosophy-sustainability double major.
Other fields where sustainability majors will be marketable include:
- engineering
- architecture
- agriculture
- data analysis
- education
- facilities management and public administration among others.
For it’s been quite a journey since the foundation’s $12.5 million gift in 2014. For it was the largest single gift in University history. All which established the Hanley Sustainability Institute.
A Cool School
So UD is ranked No. 18 on Sierra magazine’s “Cool Schools” list. All for displaying “a deep and thorough commitment to protecting the environment. Also addressing climate issues and encouraging environmental responsibility.” Moreover, UD is the only school in the Midwest among the top 20 and ranks third among all U.S. Catholic colleges and universities.
As a result of their work, University of Dayton has a gold rating. Yes folks, in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Sustainability Tracking. It’s an Assessment & Rating System™ rating system. For its score ranks in the top 3 percent of all rated schools; as well as first in Ohio. Finally and second among all U.S. Catholic colleges and universities.
Furthermore, the UD earned perfect or near perfect marks for:
- academic research
- diversity and affordability
- sustainability coordination and planning
- purchasing and public engagement
- innovation and leadership
In conclusion, UD also is one of the 399 most environmentally responsible colleges in the nation. For that’s according to The Princeton Review Guide to 399 Green Colleges.
Finally, it is part of Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment. All which commits the University to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and also is a part of “We’re Still In,” which supports climate action to meet the Paris Agreement. Concluding with the Global Catholic Climate Movement; and the U.N. Global Compact. So it’s the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
Source: The University of Dayton
