Meet Miami U

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 and serves as a reminder to protect our planet and provide Earth with what it needs to thrive. While Earth Day is just one day, Miami University consistently makes efforts to hold sustainable practices and encourages students, faculty, and staff to do the same to promote a healthy global environment. 

Miami’s sustainability efforts began in 2010 when then-President David Hodge appointed the first sustainability coordinator. The coordinator led the creation and implementation of the first Sustainability Commitment and Goals (SCAG). The Utility Master Plan, approved in 2012, led the way to transforming Miami’s energy systems from carbon-intensive steam heating and cooling to geothermal and Heating Hot Water (HHW) for heating and cooling.  

In 2020, the Sustainability Committee recommended to President Gregory P. Crawford that Miami become a signatory to the President’s Climate Leadership Commitments (PCLC), committing to carbon neutrality. President Crawford signed the PCLC in September 2020 and created a Climate Action Task Force. The task force drafted the Miami 2040 Climate Action Plan for reaching carbon neutrality on the Oxford campus by 2040. This plan was signed by President Crawford in May 2024.     

Since 2012, Miami has already lowered utility-based carbon emissions by more than 50%. A major project began last summer, with the installation of  520 geothermal wells, each 850 feet deep, beneath the front lawn of Millett Hall. Once complete in 2026, this project will ultimately reduce almost 6,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually and make huge strides in the university’s goals. 

The steps toward sustainability have created an overall increased efficiency within the buildings as well. In less than 10 years, Miami’s buildings that used to all be heated by steam are now over 50% converted to HHW. Additionally, by 2027, the central steam plant will be converted to HHW. By then, nearly all buildings will be heated and cooled with geothermal energy, simultaneous heat and cooling or HHW. This conversion has reduced energy use while increasing efficiency. Miami has realized more than $100 million in accumulated cost savings since 2012 through these energy systems conversions. 

While the major changes play a big role in helping Earth, the smaller day-to-day efforts can be just as important! In Armstrong Student Center, Oscar Sort — an AI-based waste sorting system can tell students where to place their waste item. The organization bins have sections for landfill, recycling, and compost. This makes reducing waste extremely easy for students while helping to make an impact on Miami’s journey to carbon neutrality as well. 

Finally, one of the overarching topics that prospective students are more and more interested in today is what universities are doing to educate others about sustainable practices. In January 2025, Miami implemented a 10-minute workshop, available on Workday Learn, that allows for staff to increase education on sustainability at Miami. Staff members can then share this information with students and peers while taking pride that they are a part of an organization that supports a healthy global impact. 

In general, increasing awareness, participating in sustainable practices, and educating others are all ways that you can contribute to our Earth. The best way to celebrate Earth Day is by treating our environment with love and honor and encouraging others to do the same. Learn more about sustainability at Miami. 

Happy Earth Day!