Question: What should Lehigh do to become more sustainable?

Lehigh needs to move incrementally in order to become more sustainable. The STEPS building is a huge investment in sustainability, however it reflects the university’s reluctance to disturb the status quo. Students and faculty alike will be pleased with a shiny new building – as the administration opts to construct sustainability rather than curb the habits of faculty and students.

It is possible, however, for the administration to implement changes that will be small enough not to disturb students, as well as, foster sustainable habits. First off, the printers in every building and dorm should be calibrated for automatic double-sided printing. Students and faculty should have to seek out settings for single-sided printing, not the other way around. When replacing water fixtures in any building the university should consider low flow options. While evaluating transportation options available to students, the university should not only look for the most efficient routes, but also consider replacing old vehicles with alternative fuel transportation. In the dining halls, locally grown or organic food options are not only environmentally friendly, but also delicious. These are all relatively minor changes that the administration should look to implement in the near future.

Though there are much more drastic measures that could be taken, small incremental actions such as these will create a more sustainable university without too much disruption to, or outcry from, students or faculty.

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