Charge Statement

By creating a Campus Environmental Sustainability Subcommittee of CPSA, we acknowledge the responsibility of a faith-based university to care for creation by encouraging environmental stewardship for the conservation of natural resources, for health and safety benefits of students, faculty, and staff, for economic benefits in operations and productivity, and for maintaining a high quality of life for the community. Place affects Mission.

The purpose of the Subcommittee on Campus Environmental Sustainability is to provide students, faculty, and staff with an opportunity to develop an appreciation for and assist with the development of the Valparaiso University learning environment.

Established in 1996, the Guiding Principles of the Campus Master Plan are:

  • Strengthen the connection between faith and learning.
  • Enhance Valpo’s community environment and residential character.
  • Provide a sense of tradition and elegance that is welcoming to all.
  • Provide definition to the academic, residential, and recreational districts of campus.

The objectives guiding the work of the Campus Planning and Space Allocation Committee (CPSA) are:

  • Maintain integrity of the Campus Master Plan.
  • Encourage forward movement of the Plan.
  • Evaluate and prioritize requests for changes to the physical campus environment.
  • Ensure campus spaces are used effectively.
  • Advance environmental sustainability.
  • Protect long-term community interests over short-term individual constituency desires.

Environmental sustainability at Valparaiso University links curriculum, campus operations, and communication and outreach within our campus community, to our surrounding region and to others outside our region. At the heart of campus environmental sustainability is an understanding of the interconnectedness of mission, economics, and the environment.

Specifically, the Environmental Sustainability Subcommittee will:

  1. Research and prepare proposals as requested by CPSA.
  2. Present and discuss proposals to CPSA.
  3. Partner with CPSA, Facilities Management, and Valparaiso University consultants
    (e.g., Lakeshore Landscaping and Save the Dunes Council) in execution of campus projects.
  4. Update CPSA on trends in campus sustainable development.