Overview
Michael Boller (Biology), Program Director
Sustainability is the careful stewardship of natural, social, and economic resources so that we meet our present needs without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainable practice and development requires a commitment to environmental justice; i.e., the idea that environmental costs and risks should not be shouldered by any one geographical region or segment of society.
The sustainability major offers an integrative, interdisciplinary approach that prepares students to address the challenges and ethical responsibilities of sustainable development. Students explore the theory and practice of sustainability in a number of different disciplines, including, but not limited to, biology, business, chemistry, ethics, economics, mathematics, and sociology. Connection between the major and required additional minor or second major are encouraged, to develop a deeper understanding of the two fields. Further, the program is directly connected to our community, requiring a 140–hour sustainability experience with a community partners. There is immediate need to understand sustainability because most organizations (for-profit, nonprofit, and government) now evaluate themselves along the dimensions of social, environmental, and economic performance (rather than just economic).