ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN A CAMPUS: A COMPARISON EXAMPLE FOR SELCUK UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Sustainability and green life concepts have been confused. However, in recent decades, sustainability has been getting better understood and implemented among universities. Sustainability in universities is very similar to cities' which is based on economic, social and environmental foundations. However, implementing the environmental sustainability practices to university is respectively easier comparing to city. Moreover, managing the environment is easier due to the size. Also, similar structures and activities within the campus allows rating, ranking and comparing the universities. In this study, Selcuk University's (SU) sustainable practices have been compared with Michigan State University (MSU) and discussed in environmental aspects for the university. These practices are limited with climate, energy, waste, water and transportation since sustainability is a very broad concept. MSU is the one with the gold rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) and SU is the new player in the field. Both universities are similar in size, academic departments and climate. Criteria of STARS is used as a reference assessment system because of its transparency in assessments and publicly accessible data.