Sustainable Smith

Use The Campus as a Classroom. Through Campus as Classroom, students can take concepts they’ve learned in class, apply them to projects on campus and see firsthand their direct impact on the Smith community. Recent projects have included research to move sediment out of Paradise Pond and the implementation of a program to save energy in science labs.

Study What You Love. Smith’s open curriculum enables students to personalize their education. More than half of its academic departments, including anthropology, economics, engineering, environmental science and policy, geosciences and landscape studies, offer courses in sustainability. In addition, students from any major can add a concentration in climate change or sustainable food.

Get an International Perspective. The college is committed to creating global citizens who participate in the communities in which they live and steward the resources that sustain them. Through course work, internships, research or a semester abroad, students learn how other countries and organizations are addressing sustainability issues and often return to apply those ideas on campus.

Eat Delicious and Nutritious Food. Local foods and sustainability efforts are a priority for Smith College dining. All 15 campus dining halls serve products from local farms whenever possible, and they compost pre- and post-consumer food waste. Many campus events are Zero Waste. Students recently led efforts for Smith to join the Real Food Challenge, a national sustainable food initiative.

Live Sustainably in Your House. Ecoreps—student sustainability leaders—help educate their housemates about sustainable living in all 35 of Smith’s residential houses and complexes. Students have initiated a number of programs, including in-house composting and an inter-house competition focused on water conservation.

Explore MacLeish Field Station. The 260-acre Ada and Archibald MacLeish Field Station is home to the Bechtel Environmental Classroom, the world’s fifth certified Living Building. The Living Building Challenge uses a stringent set of design and construction standards for environmentally friendly buildings. Students, faculty and staff conduct research and hold events, such as dance performances and art exhibits, at the liberal arts station.