In 2007, after President Gray signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment and endorsed a plan to reduce Hollins’ carbon footprint, the institution not only met but also exceeded the goal for 2010-11. In her analysis, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Renee Godard shows Hollins reduced its carbon footprint by 9 percent, surpassing the 6 percent target.

“This achievement is due in part to an improvement in the carbon load associated with the electricity we purchase,” Gray explained. “But much of the credit goes to our initiatives, individually and campus wide, toward lowering electricity consumption. Simple habits, such as turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, unplugging electrical equipment when not in use, and turning down heating and cooling units, are having a tremendous impact.”
Gray added that Hollins has also made progress in decreasing the amount of animal agriculture and landfill waste the university generates.