University Sustainability

We are excited to share that this team is evolving to better suit the Mason Community and is spearheading this change with a new name! The Office of Sustainability is becoming University Sustainability. We invite your continued engagement as we focus on initiatives, projects, and outreach to steer Mason's promise of a more sustainable future.

Who We Are & What We Do

Our office was born in 2007 shortly after Mason signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, which committed Mason to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. We use the strengths of George Mason University – innovation, responsiveness, flexibility, and community strength – to provide leadership in environmental, social, and economic stewardship on our campuses and throughout the local and global communities of which we are a part.

We were the first institution in the state of Virginia to earn a 'Gold' rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in 2014 and we just received our third 'Gold' rating in a row in January 2021. Our collaborative efforts are recognized by industry leaders: 10 features in Sierra Club's 'Cool Schools' ranking and 13 features in The Princeton Review's 'Guide to Green Colleges.' There are too many accomplishments to share, so you can learn more about the impact we're making here.

 

Make Your Sustainable Impact

We provide students with opportunities you can’t find anywhere else.

Volunteer or intern with our Greenhouse and Gardens program across three sustainable food production sites, receive grant funding from our Patriot Green Fund for your sustainability-focused research or infrastructure projects, and live sustainably by participating in our Campus Efficiencies program’s composting and Green Residence programs.

University Sustainability Map

Check out University Sustainability’s interactive map on your tablet, desktop, or Mason Mobile App to explore campus sustainability features!

RSVP for Patriot Packout’s Documentary Screening!

Patriot Packout (PPO) is Mason’s annual, sustainable, move-out initiative collecting like-new and gently used donations. Donations are redistributed for free to individual Mason Patriots, Mason’s campus resources, and local community partners. Join us and help #sustainMASON!

Join us for the first screening of an original Patriot Packout Documentary on Tuesday, November 19!

Join us for food and fun activities at the PPO documentary screening event at Ike’s Multipurpose Room on Tuesday, November 19! This event is a collaboration between Mason Exhibitions, Facilities and Campus Operations, and Mason Dining.

Register to attend the documentary screening here: go.gmu.edu/ppo-documentary