Leading Sustainability:
“Black Hills State University is taking the lead in sustainability,” President Kay Schallenkamp says. “We are fortunate to live in this beautiful and unique environment. It’s important for us as a university to take a leadership role in this effort. We know the importance of providing knowledge and encouragement for our students to meet and overcome the global warming and environmental issues we are facing.”
BHSU is the first South Dakota University to join the American College and University President's Climate Commitment, a consortium of 400 universities across the nation dedicated to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
The addition and remodeling project of the Student Union at BHSU has been designed to include components that will make it a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certified building. The Student Union is expected to become a model for demonstration of energy efficiencies and an educational tool for BHSU students and others in the community.
Some of these components include a garden roof, a vertical wind turbine, solar panels, and other energy efficiencies.
"Treat the Earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." Ancient Indian Proverb
Current Go Green Initiatives on Campus
Student Union Ground Breaking Information
BHSU Climate Action Plan
Campus Electricity Consumption Challenge