Sustainability at Rider

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Rider University’s vision is to be a leader in American higher education celebrated for educating talented students for citizenship, life and career success in a diverse and interdependent world. Rider will achieve distinctiveness by focusing on students first, by cultivating leadership skills, by affirming teaching and learning that bridges the theoretical and the practical and by fostering a culture of academic excellence.

Broncs Go Green

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In 2007, Rider University signed on to the Second Nature Carbon Commitment and not long after, the Office of Sustainability was formed.  Currently, the office includes the Director of Sustainability, the Graduate Assistant for Sustainability and a group of Student Eco-Reps.  Our logo is a four arrow box standing for, “Reduce, Reuse, REFUSE, and Recycle”.

Averting a climate crisis will inevitably involve changes to long-ingrained habits. But which habits are the most pressing to change? Understanding the fundamental economic, ecological and social dimensions of climate change is important for every 21st century citizen and the focal point of our messaging and educational programming.

Download the Guide to Sustainable Living at Rider (PDF).

This timeline offers a glance at our journey to the present day:

2021

• Rider woods clean up
• Earth Day celebration and student concert
• 38,000+ food waste diverted by biodigester
• Virtual residence hall programs
• 2 beach sweeps with 140+ students
• 4x vegan teaching kitchens
• 45 EV charger users
• ECO Tiktok @BroncsGoGreen

2020

• 5 new EV charging stations installed - 10 total on campus
• 50th anniversary of Earth Day sees 1st Digital Earth Day event
• Director of Sustainability

2019

• Adopted new Energy Master Plan
• Rider University Chapter of Broadway Green Alliance established

2018

• Ahead of 2050 Carbon Neutrality Goal
• Sustainability and the Arts Collaborations
• Awards from Greater Mercer TMA & EPA Green Power Challenge

2017

• 5 EV charging stations installed through partnership with PSE&G and grant from NJDEP

2016

• Drop in carbon emissions of 8.61%
• Over 25,000 health and beauty product packages recycled through TerraCycle
• Rider ranked one of greenest universities in the world by UI GreenMetric World Ranking

2015

• Bill Nye the Science Guy climate change talk to a crowd of 850 people
• 1st Environmental Sustainability Symposium for high school students

2014

• Rider Magazine "Green Issue"
• Food waste biodigester installed in Daly Dining Hall
• Tri-gen energy plant goes online
• Marion Buckelew Cullen Center LEED Silver

2013

• Westminster named "Tree Campus" by Tree Campus USA
• Green Campus Tour created using smartphone technology

2012

• North Hall LEED Gold
• Sustainable You on 107.7 The Bronc FM
• Green Acres organic community program

2011

• 1st Princeton Review "Green College" designation
• 740kW solar array installed in partnership with PSE&G

2010

• West Village LEED Silver
• 3 honeybee hives Lawrenceville
• Environmental Chair added to SGA
• Sustainability Studies minor
• Rider's Carbon Neutrality Plan by 2050

2009

• Soy ink in print kiosks
• 35% renewable energy offsets
• 1st greenhouse gas emissions inventory submitted to ACUPCC
• Energy submeters installed

2008

• Office of Sustainability
• Sustainability Manager
• Graduate Assistant
• Lawrenceville Eco-Reps
• WCC Eco-Reps

2007

• The American College & University President's Climate Commitment (2015 renamed to Carbon Commitment)

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Awards and Recognition

• 2020 Platinum Award New Jersey Smart Workplaces, Greater Mercer TMA
• 2019 Platinum Award New Jersey Smart Workplaces, Greater Mercer TMA
• 2018 Platinum Award New Jersey Smart Workplaces, Greater Mercer TMA
• 2018-2019 Champion of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in EPA's College & University Green Power Challenge
• 2019 Marks for Distinction for Rider’s progress toward carbon neutrality goals, Second Nature
• 2018 Marks of Distinction for Rider’s progress toward carbon neutrality goals, Second Nature
• 2018 Certificate of Recognition, New Jersey Charging Challenge, Drive Green New Jersey
• 2018 Commendation for Hamilton Township Roebling Park cleanup, Council of Hamilton Township, Mercer County
• 2017-2018 Champion of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in EPA's College & University Green Power Challenge
• 2015 Silver Star award, sustainable student actions, Purposeful Networks
• 2011 Environmental Stewardship Award, Waste Management

#OurTomorrow Collaborative

The Office of Sustainability is participating in an ongoing civic engagement collaborative, called #OurTomorrow. Partner organizations include Ivy League universities and colleges from around the country, sharing efforts and ideas to inspire change in their communities. Our students contributed to the second annual social media campaign period, and were featured in a blog post. Check out the #OurTomorrow website to learn more from other school’s blog posts and Learning Series webinars.

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Rider News Green Corner

For stories about sustainability, read the Eco Rep’s past Green Corner articles on the Rider News Green Blog.

Tune in to The Bronc 107.7 archives for the radio show, “Sustainable You.” Download the Broncs Radio app now!! It’s free and it will keep you informed of all events on campus.

Rider University is an AASHE partner member

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AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. AASHE is an association of colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada and overseas, working to create a sustainable future. It was founded in 2006 with a mission to promote sustainability in all sectors of higher education - from governance and operations to curriculum and outreach - through education, communication, research and professional development.

As an active member of AASHE, Rider University understands the important role that we must play in not only reducing Rider’s impact on the environment, but also educating the members of our community about sustainability. Since signing the Carbon Commitment in 2007, Rider has been strongly dedicated to doing just that in an effort to create a better future and more sustainable lifestyle.

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The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges

Rider’s efforts have been recognized the last eleven years in a row in the Princeton Review as one of America’s top green colleges.

https://www.rider.edu/about/news/rider-recognized-top-college-sustainability

Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to [email protected].