There are just seven schools in the country to earn the highest possible rating for campus sustainability from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education – and the University of New Hampshire is one of them. What does sustainability mean at UNH and how will you see it in action when you visit campus?
The UNH Sustainability Institute highlights five must-see stops to add to your campus visit if you are interested in UNH leadership for a healthy planet that helps us all thrive. Get ready to experience for yourself how this action-oriented environment will empower you to lead for a world that works better.
Stop #1: UNH’s Cats’ Cupboard: Equity & Dignity for All
Located in the MUB (140A)
Check out our student food pantry! While sustainability is primarily thought of as taking care of the environment or addressing climate change, at UNH we believe that healthy environments start with equitable communities. To ensure that all students succeed here, we make sure their basic needs are met by providing free, nourishing food at our Cats’ Cupboard.
Stop #2: UNH’s CoGeneration Plant: Renewable Energy
Located on College Road
You might see the tall, white “smokestack” of our CoGeneration plant and think, “That doesn’t look like clean or renewable energy to me!” However, it’s actually a really sustainable and innovative way to heat and light our buildings, dorms and classrooms. For over 25 years, UNH has been doing its part to be energy efficient and since 2009 we’ve partnered with a local landfill to pipe in landfill gas through the EcoLine project and process it at our CoGen plant (check out this video to learn more). The plant produces 90% of our heat and electricity, keeping landfill methane out of the atmosphere and using the byproduct to produce steam to heat, cool and light our buildings.
Stop #3: Our 3-Star Certified Green Restaurants: The Dairy Bar
Located by the Whittemore Center Arena and the Amtrak Downeaster train stop
You can’t visit Durham without stopping at the historic Dairy Bar that serves healthy, sustainable lunches and ice cream! The Dairy Bar (along with Holloway Commons, Stillings Hall and Philbrook Hall dining halls) earned the highest 3-star rating from the Green Restaurant Association, meeting the highest standards of water and energy efficiency, waste reduction, locally-sourced products, compostable take-away containers and EnergyStar-rated equipment.
Stop #4: Transportation Services: Campus Connector
Hop on the Campus Connector bus at the stop up the road from the Dairy Bar and next to the Wildcat Statue for a ride around campus
UNH sustainability also means running the largest public transportation fleet in the state. How we get around matters at UNH! While we’re a very walkable campus, the Campus Connector and Wildcat Transit are free and sustainable ways to get around Durham or the nearby towns of Portsmouth and Dover. Did I also mention that both fleets run primarily on alternative, low- or no-emissions fuels? Since 2008, we've transitioned from the use of diesel to low sulfur B20 biodiesel and UNH’s new transit vehicle purchases have been CARB certified B20 diesel or CNG low-floor buses with bike racks. Fun fact: UNH was recently awarded a grant to support our transition to an electric fleet!
Stop #5: Changemaker Hub at the Sustainability Institute: Get Involved in Sustainability
Located at Nesmith Hall, across from the Dairy Bar, room 111
Whether you want to get involved in one of many sustainability-related student organizations – like Net Impact UNH, Alliance and Slow Food UNH – or are ready to dive into an area of study, you can make an impact for a more sustainable and equitable future during your time here! UNH offers over 500 courses related to sustainability and is one of the only universities in the country to offer a dual major in sustainability. Not to mention, there’s plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experiences (clinics, internships, competitions and fellowships) to apply sustainable practices in the real world. To learn more, check out our hands-on programs within the Changemaker Collaborative at the Sustainability Institute where students collaborate and engage in sustainability.
Have you signed up for your campus tour? Explore your future at UNH and plan your summer visit today.
