Courses in Sustainability
Yes
Sustainability course is
Optional
Description
https://www.odu.edu/life/sustainable
ODU is making a concerted effort towards a sustainable university with a small ecological footprint, responsible resource usage, large social capital, and ecologically sound operation of facilities. Information on these efforts is available in a number of web location on ODU's web page (see below). The area here takes a more conceptual and scientific approach to the sustainability of an "organism" as complex as ODU, a large university embedded in an urban environment. Here we will provide critical analyses not only of the current situation but also of the concepts and approaches used to increase sustainability.
Research Opportunities in Sustainability
Yes
Description
Through Sustainable Development Institute (https://www.odu.edu/eng/research/institutes-labs/sdi) and
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE (MARI) (https://www.odu.edu/mari) there are interdisciplinary opportunities for research.
School's environmental commitment 1:
Old Dominion University has established the Mitigation and Adaptation Research Institute (MARI). This institute engages in research that produces the practice-relevant knowledge needed to cope with the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on the coastal zone and the urban coast in particular. In doing so, MARI will respond to the knowledge needs of a wide range of community stakeholders, including government, military, private sector, and citizens. The high rate of local sea level rise, the exposure to extreme weather events, and the complex socio-economic structure makes Hampton Roads a natural laboratory for climate change and sea level rise. MARI will utilize this laboratory and work with stakeholders within and outside the region to generate the knowledge that can enable them not only to reduce the negative impacts but also to utilize the opportunities in the changes to come. To ensure that the stakeholders get the knowledge they can apply, MARI will work closely with them to ensure a co-creation of practice-relevant knowledge and to support them in the use of this knowledge.
School's environmental commitment 2:
The SCB hosts a student chapter of Enactus, a community of student, academic, and business leaders committee to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world. Guided by academic advisors, student leaders of Enactus create and implement community empowerment projects, helping the students develop the kinds of talent and perspectives that are essential to leadership in a changing and challenging world.
School's environmental commitment 3:
https://www.odu.edu/eng/research/institutes-labs/sdi
Created to facilitate programs of merit emerging in academic, government and private enterprise, Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) promotes and provides engineering, environmental and educational assistance to local, regional, and national governmental agencies, international organizations and businesses, and individual citizens.
The mission of SDI is to make a worthwhile and significant contribution to sustainable development through research, education/advocacy, consultancy, and service. The Institute will carry out its sustainable development mission by educating the public about climate change and its impacts, conducting short courses and technical studies, assessing community environmental and economic issues, and investigating and researching the application of renewable energy technologies.