Our Mission

As a core unit within the Institute of the Environment and Energy (IoEE), the Office of Sustainability (OS) works with senior administrators, students, faculty and staff members to set and achieve strategic sustainability goals and actions across UConn's campuses. 

  • Lead - We serve as the central hub for sustainability leadership at UConn—aligning our efforts with institutional priorities, national standards in higher education, and global sustainability frameworks. We lead the design and implementation of educational outreach, experiential learning and engagement initiatives that foster a culture of environmental stewardship and prepare students to become the next generation of sustainability leaders.
  • Collaborate - We engage with students, faculty, staff, peer institutions, and community partners to share knowledge and coordinate resources in addressing the most urgent sustainability challenges of our time. We facilitate the President’s Sustainability Policy, Energy, and Environment Advisory Committee (SPEEAC), support working groups and relevant committees, and grow a campus-wide network committed to the well-being of people and the planet.
  • Empower - We prioritize students and their success. Through structured internships, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning, we equip students to thrive in graduate programs and pursue meaningful careers as change agents in their fields. By connecting them with UConn alumni and industry leaders, we expand their understanding of diverse career pathways across both public and private sectors. We pursue broad representation, voice, and participation in environmental decision-making to ensure the benefits and responsibilities of a sustainable campus are shared fairly by all members of our community.

History of the OS

In September, 2002, the University of Connecticut created the position of Director of Environmental Policy in order to focus on certain environmental issues and opportunities. The University provided this Director with the authority to pursue environmental excellence in the areas of regulatory compliance, green building, and sustainability.

The Director's first steps were to manage the University's response to various DEEP enforcement actions and concerns about the capital improvements program - having direct authority over construction-related permits and Environmental Impact Evaluations (EIEs) required for large building projects. He also led a consensus-building process with key stakeholders, including state legislators and town residents, to revise UConn's Master Plan for the conservation and development of its 886-acre Agricultural Campus.

Along with these tasks and review, the Director took steps to form the Environmental Policy Advisory Council (EPAC) to the President. This 25+ member senior advisory group would become a vehicle to engage UConn students, faculty, administrators, and staff in a dialogue about environmental stewardship, sustainability and leadership across the university.

In 2019,  the Office of Environmental Policy (OEP) was reorganized into the Office of Sustainability (OS) and joined the newly formed Institute of the Environment (IoE) along with the Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, and the Natural Resources Conservation Academy.

Learn more about our history in the infographic below!