Environmental Sustainability On College Campuses: A Case Study of Claremont McKenna College

This thesis observes sustainability on college campuses, specifically examining Claremont Mckenna College (CMC) as a case study. The question that this research paper explores is: how can we apply an integrative approach, one that integrates biophysical, economic, and social factors, to sustainability at CMC? The objectives of this paper are to (1) outline the history of sustainability on college campuses in the U.S. and define an integrative approach through a review of current literature; (2) explore CMC’s past and current sustainability initiatives from policies, reports, events, and interviews; (3) capture various community members’ perspectives on campus sustainability through surveys and interviews with students, faculty, and staff members; and (4) discuss the barriers and areas that need work at CMC and how an integrative approach can be applied as a solution. Thus, this thesis will track CMC’s progress in sustainability and give feedback as to the areas of success and areas that require work according to a working integrative framework