Our Commitment to the Planet
The University of Lynchburg identifies sustainability as one of its eight Institutional Values. We believe that everyone benefits when we recognize and act upon our environmental obligations to future generations.
In early 2021, President Alison Morrison-Shetlar signed the President’s Climate Commitment to take our commitment toward sustainability to the next level. The Climate Commitment shows that we pledge to take action and exert leadership in addressing climate change within the University of Lynchburg community.
Became First Carbon-neutral University in Virginia
The University of Lynchburg became the first college or university in the commonwealth of achieve carbon neutrality. Learn more.
President Morrison-Shetlar Signed 2021 Presidents’ Climate Commitment
President Morrison-Shetlar signed the 2021 Presidents’ Climate Commitment, a renewal of the 2007 agreement signed by former President Ken Garren.
Professor Launched ‘Writers Recycle’ Initiative
Dr. Meghan McGuire launched “Writers Recycle,” an on-campus initiative to recycle used writing instruments. Learn more.
Burton Dining Hall Became a Level One Certified Green Restaurant
University of Lynchburg’s Burton Dining Hall became the first private college cafeteria in Virginia with a Level One Certified Green Restaurant® designation on campus. Learn more.
Began Composting Program to Reduce Food Waste
Pre-consumer waste is collected by the local nonprofit Lynchburg Grows and is used for organic compost, and post-consumer waste is collected by Royal Oak Farms, an organic waste recycling company in Virginia. Learn more.
Rainwater Tank Installed
A rainwater tank was installed to collect rainwater from the roof of the cabin that houses the Center for Water Quality.
Community Garden Created
Dr. Laura Henry-Stone and students in one of her sustainability classes converted an old volleyball court at Beaver Point into a fenced community garden. Learn more.
Entered Agreement on Solar Energy
Lynchburg College was among 15 members of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) that was awarded more than $807,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative to help develop comprehensive plans for implementing solar power on campus. Learn more.
Professors Launched The Bike Shack
Dr. Kevin Peterson led the launch of The Bike Shack — a fully-equipped, no-or-low cost community bike repair shop and the hub of a bicycle renaissance on campus. Learn more.
Began Getting All of its Electricity from Landfill Gas
Lynchburg College entered into an agreement with Collegiate Clean Energy (CCE), an affiliate of Ingenco, to provide 100% of its electricity from renewable landfill gas. Learn more.
Solar Tubes Installed on Roof of Montgomery Hall
Lynchburg College installed solar tubes on the roof of Montgomery Hall to heat water throughout the residence hall. Learn more.
Launched Free Ridership Program Through the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (GLTC)
At the request of the SGA, the College launched a free ridership program to allow students, faculty, and staff to ride city buses for free. The aim was to reduce the carbon footprint of the campus community. Learn more.
Water-saving Features Implemented
Lynchburg College replaced standard flow water fixtures, such as toilets, shower heads, and faucets, with low-flow alternatives. Fox Field, Moon Field, and the practice fields were also upgraded with “smart” water controllers and distribution systems to optimize water usage and eliminate waste. Learn more.
Hired Ameresco to Conduct Campus-wide Energy Audit
Lynchburg College was among the first institutions in Lynchburg to hire an energy services company to determine how the College could best reduce its energy consumption.
President Garren Signed American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment aims to eliminate global warming emissions.
