Campus Reform: Washington University in St Louis

It's no secret that being "green" matters these days, particularly in academia.  Nearly every university has an Office of Sustainability.  Colleges are aiming to reduce their "carbon footprint".  Administrators have resorted to regulating printing, banning bottled water, and more.

The new eco-friendly trend in higher education is the "sustainability pledge". It encourages students and employees to take small steps toward reducing waste, saving energy, and buying local products.

Washington University's "pledge for sustainability" is pretty typical.  It asks students to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, lower their thermostats to 68 degrees, and eat vegetarian meals at least once a week.  It encourages recycling, public transportation, and tap water.  

What is surprising is the school's ties to the coal industry.  Greg Boyce is a member of Washington University's Board of Trustees.  He is also the CEO of Peabody Energy, the world's largest private coal company.