SPC Goes Green

The College's Commitment

In January 2008, President Cornacchia joined more than 650 others in signing the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) to acknowledge that Saint Peter's College will continue to be an early adopter of environmentally friendly solutions.

The pledge provides a framework to achieve long term “zero net carbon emissions” or “climate neutrality.” It is also a vehicle to assist the cultural transformation in the way we live our lives. From a Jesuit standpoint, in its service to justice and solidarity with all creation, the ACUPCC is a call to our highest sense of Faith and Identity.

Recent initiatives in support of the College’s sustainability commitment include the following:

The College is constructing a Student Center which will be the institution’s first LEED Silver “green” building. The center will feature energy and water efficient controls and fixtures, a green roof and storm water runoff. In addition, it will be constructed with recycled content, renewable and regional materials, and will promote recycling and HVAC management while reducing waste. Even the elevators will use recycled energy similar to the technology used in the Toyota Prius.

In November 2011 the College appointed ENER-G to deliver a $6.3 million energy services contract for its West Campus in Jersey City. The project calls for the installation of clean technology that will reduce carbon emissions by 6.4 million pounds per year. This will equate to the carbon saving benefits of a 615 acre pine forest.Slated for completion in June 2012, the campus will see the installation of solar arrays above a number of buildings to generate electricity, replacement of outdated mechanical equipment and installation of a cogeneration plant that will produce both low carbon heat and electricity for academic buildings on the West Campus.

Effective beginning January 1, 2010, the electricity purchased for all buildings on the Saint Peter’s College Jersey City campus was 100 percent renewable “green” energy for a minimum of one year.

The Environmental Studies major and Environmental Science concentration offer new learning opportunities for students entering our ever-greening economy, and increases the presence of Saint Peter's as a socially and ecologically responsible institute of higher education. The Environmental Studies program prepares students interested in the environment to enter the corporate world, government, media, community-based organizations, or the legal profession. The concentration option gives students a solid background in the science and mathematics needed for environmental science careers. Both programs are housed in Gannon Hall , the College's science building. Gannon Hall features a roof top greenhouse used by biology and ecology classes and contains multiple species of the plant kingdom.

Students continue to show their support for the environment and sustainable living throughout various aspects of campus life. Each year S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violating the Earth) coordinates Earth Day programs to raise awareness and engage members of the community in environmental education.

Read Saint Peter's ACUPCC Climate Action Plan.