The Franklin & Marshall Center for the Sustainable Environment was created to consolidate the many interests and initiatives relating to global environmental stewardship and sustainability on the Franklin & Marshall campus.  The Center houses a seminar room, a field-work laboratory space, a community outreach room and offices for the director, the project assistant, and one of the college's two sustainability coordinators . The Student Commons has space for the Fair Trade Café, the Dirt Army,  the Outdoor Gear Rental Program (OGRP), the Pollinator Club and the Environmental Action Alliance.  The Center’s location, close to the heart of campus is an ideal hub for activities relating to the Center’s three main objectives:  

Education

The first objective of the Center’s mission is to facilitate the College’s dedication to excellence in undergraduate education.  For faculty, the Center’s Director may serve as a resource to enrich the concepts of environmental stewardship and sustainability into all disciplines across the curriculum. The Center provides a facility for lectures, seminars, and research projects for the entire campus community. 

For students, the Center is dedicated to demonstrating environmental stewardship and sustainability across all aspects of their F&M experience, from the classroom, to collaborative research both locally and abroad, to co-curricular activities and student life. 

Visitors to the Center will find information about green living options, research, outreach activities, and educational opportunities. Public lectures and meetings take place in the Center’s seminar room.

Action

The second objective of the Center is to serve as a conduit between the creative ideas generated by the Franklin & Marshall community and their practical implementation.  In this way, we will enhance Franklin & Marshall’s reputation as a leader in the community through the innovation, execution, and promotion of meaningful environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. 

Personnel at the Center help coordinate sustainability efforts employed on campus.  These efforts come from a wide variety of sources, including students and faculty, administration, food services, and Facilities and Operations.  The Center provides a space that encourages interaction and dialog between all of these constituencies. 

Example

The third objective of the Center is to lead by example. The Center strives to set an example of how to minimize its environmental impact. Over time, sustainable practices and methodologies may serve as a working model for other facilities on campus and across the broader Lancaster community. 

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