Green Office Certification
Help make NIU a leader in sustainability.
The Green Office Certification program recognizes the use of sustainable practices in everyday office operations. By getting your area certified, you support NIU's commitment to being a leader in sustainability and promote the use of sustainable practices across campus.
The practices recognized by the program align with those recommended by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Implementing them will help us work toward the goals in the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan and build a stronger campus culture of sustainability.
If you have any questions, please contact us at sustainability@niu.edu.
How to Participate
To be certified as a Green Office, you'll take an inventory of your area's use of sustainable practices. Each practice is worth a certain number of points. Actions with a greater impact are worth more points. The total number of points determines the certification level (bronze, silver or gold).
- Download the Green Office Checklist (XLSX) and read the directions in the first tab.
- Complete the checklist, ensuring you fill out the tab for each category.
- Email the completed checklist to sustainability@niu.edu. After we receive your submission, we may ask to review parts of it with you.
- Receive your certification!
We'll send you a removable vinyl sticker you can display in your office window and a digital badge to share on your social media page(s). We'll also acknowledge your Green Office certification on this website.
Reevaluation and Recertification
You can resubmit the checklist (XLSX) after six months if you’d like to be reevaluated in order to receive a higher certification level.
Certification is valid for three years. We’ll notify you six months before your certification expires, so you can prepare for recertification.
Certified Green Offices
- Athletics
- Architectural and Engineering Services
- Center for Student Assistance
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Office of the Dean
- Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
- Department of English
- Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications - VP's Office
- Ethics and Compliance Office
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Internal Audit Department
- Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability and Energy
- Latino Center
- Police and Public Safety Department
- Office of the President
- Testing Services
- Accreditation, Assessment and Evaluation
- Center for Burma Studies
- Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
- College of Education – Dean's Office
- Department of Counseling and Higher Education
- Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment
- Department of Engineering Technology
- Department of Public Administration
- Executive Vice President and Provost
- General Counsel
- Office of Educator Licensure and Preparation
- Orientation and First-Year Programs
- School of Music
- Study Abroad
- Technology Support Desk and AnywherePrints
- University Honors
- Career Services
- Department of Philosophy
- Human Resource Services
- Military and Veteran Services