Environmental Policy

In March, 2004 the Board of Trustees adopted the following Environmental Policy Statement, proposed and approved by the General Faculty Planning Committee:

The core mission of Oberlin College is the education of its students. One aspect of such education is the demonstration by its actions of the College's concern for, and protection of, its physical environment.

Oberlin College must be a responsible steward of the environment. As such, the College will seek 1) to reduce the rate at which it contributes to the depletion and degradation of natural resources; 2) to increase the use of renewable resources; and 3) to consider other measures that can enhance the physical environment in which we live. The development of priorities and the implementation of decisions regarding energy production and use, the use and development or our grounds, facilities construction, modernization, maintenance, transportation, and materials use will be informed by the environmental impact they have. The President or delegated officials will periodically advise the community of the College's progress in this area.

This policy statement comes out of the work of the Environmental Policy Advisory Committee (EPAC). President Nancy Dye appointed this committee to produce a comprehensive report with recommendations and goals for the College's environmental stewardship. This report will serve as the basis for Oberlin's implementation of its environmental policy.