Our Partners

Collaboration is key.

Sustainability at NIU is a cross-campus effort, relying on collaboration, communication, and strong partnerships. To best meet our sustainability goals and serve our diverse student body, academic programs and departments, Campus Sustainability, and the Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS) come together to create efforts focused on environmental and social responsibility. Each of these groups plays a different, but vital role in moving the sustainability needle forward at NIU.

Campus Sustainability

NIU’s Campus Sustainability, located in the Office of the President, seeks to improve our campus’s sustainability through initiatives laid out in the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP). Projects are often campus wide and focus on both environmental sustainability and fiscal responsibility. Focus areas include energy, waste, landscaping, food, water, purchasing, and travel. These campus improvements create a campus culture of sustainability.

NICCS

The Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS) promotes sustainable practices in local communities. The center conducts research on sustainability issues and works to integrate sustainability principles into decision-making processes at all levels of society. It also provides education and training on sustainable development and promotes collaboration among community members, local governments, and businesses.

IESE

NIU’s Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability and Energy is a collaborative program, with faculty from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, College of Health and Human Sciences, College of Business, College of Law and the School of Art, as well as other NIU units. The institute fosters interdisciplinary research and education to promote the development of fresh solutions to environmental and sustainability challenges.

This work goes beyond these three units. For example, sustainability can be seen in offices as they come together to make sustainable choices through the Green Office Certification Program, through events focused on community building and action from Social Justice Education, and in a variety of student led efforts through student organizations. These efforts impact students' sense of belonging, campus culture, and inclusive excellence.