Intersectional at its core, there are many ways to get involved in environmental sustainability. We've listed a few ways to 'care for our common home,' and the Office of Sustainability always welcomes ideas and collaboration.
Join a Group or Program
Combine skills and resources to make a larger impact. Plus, meet some inspiring and kindhearted people along the way.
Eco-Action
As Holy Cross’ main student environmental concerns organization, they grow campus consciousness of our relationship to the environment by organizing education, service, and action opportunities in our community. In doing so, they build relationships with departments and student groups across campus, Worcester organizations, and political campaigns for environmental and social justice.
Email Eco-Action | Follow Eco-Action on Instagram
Garden and Beekeeping SPUD Site
As a Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) site, these students manage the Roots of Justice Campus Garden located behind O'Neil Hall as well as the beehives located behind the athletic fields, explore topics relating to agriculture as well as food production, and support food justice efforts within the Worcester community.
Follow the garden and beekeeping site on Instagram
Immersion Programs
Offered by the Office of the College Chaplains, the Spring Break Immersion Program offers Holy Cross students the opportunity to build relationships across economic, regional, and cultural differences with people throughout the U.S. Each year, at least one immersion site focuses on the environment.
Learn more about Immersion Programs
Outdoors Club
This student organization facilitates outdoor activities for students and plans off-campus outings for members of the Holy Cross Community.
Follow the Outdoor Club on Instagram
Breakfast in B.E.D
Environmental student leaders casually meet about three times per semester for big-hearted environmental discussions (B.E.D). During these discussions, students plan collaborative activities and campaigns, share resources, and converse about current environmental affairs. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Green Influencer Program
Offered by the Office of Sustainability, a small group of Holy Cross micro-influencers share content on their personal Instagram Stories and contribute to the College's PurpleGoesGreen Instagram account so that new people can join the conversation about sustainability at their current comfort level. The program aims to increase awareness of environmental issues. For Green Influencers, the program strives to offer a space to explore communications, marketing, and influencing as careers.
Email the director of sustainability
Employee Affinity Group Focused on Sustainability
Hosted by the Office of the College Chaplains and the Office of Sustainability, this employee affinity group aims to connect sustainability allies across campus and create a space for action oriented dialogue.
Email the director of sustainability to join the group
Implement a Project or an Event
Holy Cross Green Fund
Established and funded by students, the Holy Cross Green Fund offers grant funding to students, faculty, and staff that implement campus sustainability projects that improve sustainability and support students.
Learn more about the Holy Cross Green Fund
Sustainability Project Developers
Offered by the Office of Sustainability, students spend the academic year developing a campus sustainability project, surrounded by peers and supported by the Office of Sustainability staff.
Email the director of sustainability to learn more
Pothos Corporate Responsibility Consulting Project
Through the Pothos Project, students, with the support of alumni mentors, help Holy Cross and our local business community become more sustainable on their way to prosperity and good fortune via real-world consulting engagements.
Learn more about the Pothos Corporate Responsibility Consulting Project
Purple Goes Green Week
Each April, parties from across campus unite to offer a week's worth of programming that brings awareness to the environment. Add your event to the schedule by contacting the director of sustainability.
Increase Sustainability Literacy
Build foundational knowledge about environmental topics.
Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies major, minor and individual courses explore contemporary and past environmental issues, including a hands-on examination of their causes, mechanisms and effects. The program investigates local, national and global issues through a multi-disciplinary study of culture, art, economics, history, biology, and the physical sciences.
Learn more about the Environmental Studies program
Geosciences
The Geosciences minor explores our Earth’s complex systems and the relationships between the solid earth, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere.
Learn more about the Geosciences program
Weiss Summer Research Program
The nine-week program enables students to dive deep into a problem of their own devising, or to work closely alongside a mentor on their own research.
Learn more about the Weiss Summer Research Program
The Natural World Cluster in Montserrat
First-year students explore humans' relationship with the natural world by linking seminar and co-curricular activities.
Learn more about the Natural World Cluster in Montserrat
Take Individual Action
Green Living Certification
The Green Living Certification, hosted by the Office of Sustainability, recognizes students for their positive environmental choices. Certification is simple. Complete at least one action item in each of the six categories on the MyHC checklist and submit the form. Certifications reset in August, so students must complete the form annually to maintain their status.
Review the Green Living Certification checklist
PaperCut
Using a software called PaperCut, faculty, staff, and students can see how their printing habits impact the environment and compare to their campus peers. Consider creating an individual action plan (e.g. utilize social media for marketing or grade papers digitally) to minimize printing.
Low Carbon Choices
- Report leaky faucets, stuck windows, and flickering lights to Facilities at x2263 so Holy Cross can maximize efficiency.
- Share resources such as printers, vacuums, minifridges, etc. Sharing these resources will reduce manufacturing, shipping and disposal energy, and the usage of utilities.
- Keep exterior doors and windows closed unless it is a nice day out and close the window when you leave the space. This practice allows heating and cooling systems to remain highly efficient.
- Recycle right to reduce contamination: 1) Recycle all empty plastic bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. 2) Keep food and liquid out of the recycling. 3) No plastic bags.
- Select alternative forms of transportation (e.g., walking, biking, and telecommuting) to reduce emissions associated with travel.