Lux Esto
Lux Esto, or “Be Light,” is the Kalamazoo College motto. In the college community, being light means inspiring thoughtfulness, action, and joy, and it shows up across campus. The Lux Esto Award, created in 2008, celebrates a faculty or staff member who helps to make the College an exceptional place. Students may also be awarded a Lux Esto scholarship, a merit-based gift for strong academic achievement. All in all, a newcomer or visitor to this community can expect to be met with kind, curious, and bright individuals.
Kalamazoo College is committed to the Climate Action Plan (CAP) to ensure that its core value of sustainability is interwoven with all aspects of campus life. The CAP serves as both a guide for action and a measure of progress. With the overarching goal of carbon neutrality, [the 5 Year Climate Action Plan] is intended to outline actionable steps towards attainment, with realistic outcomes. These interim goals consider the progress that has been achieved over the past ten years, areas that need targeted effort to stay on track, and what is possible with current technology and resources. The College maintains the aspiration to outperform these goals, as the climate crisis presents a mounting threat.
The CAP Committee is excited to use Be Lighter to connect its campus-wide sustainability initiatives to one another, from any of the four sub-goals of the plan:
1. Greenhouse Gas Goal
2. Resource Conservation Goal
3. Learning Goal
4. Environmental Responsibility Goal
BELighter on Campus
How does K reduce its carbon footprint? Below are some examples of leadership in sustainable infrastructure and education within each subgoal of the Climate Action Plan. Students, staff, and faculty alike are working hard to make K College Lighter
Greenhouse Gas Goal
Resource Conservation Goal
Learning Goal
Environmental Responsibility Goal
The new Residence Halls use geothermal wells for heating and cooling, solar energy for power, and mass timber in their construction.
Compostable items are slowly replacing single-use plastics, and more recycling and compost receptacles are in place with landfill containers.
SIPs with a sustainability focus are highlighted at each spring symposium after a keynote address from a local environmental leader.
During orientation, incoming students receive a how-to guide for living sustainably at K. This also highlights ways to engage with the CAP.
Involvement
There are many ways for staff, faculty, and students to integrate climate action into their daily responsibilities. It’s exciting to be on a campus that supports environmentally friendly practices – now it’s up to the community to take steps to align our behavior with our values.
Teach climate education
Join the movement!
K College join thousands worldwide to #MakeClimateAClass each spring, but a way to bridge climate with your course can happen year-round.
Find an alternate way to campus
Check out participation in 2024.
Carpool, take public transit, walk, bike, jump! Reducing car commuting is a great way to lessen your carbon footprint… and save on gas.
Grab a compost bucket!
See our campus composting here.
You get a bucket! Your department on campus may already participate, but you can take a green bucket with you and collect food scraps at home!
Review office practices
Start small, just start.
Maybe you pack more lunches, wear layers instead of using a heater, or buy compostable tableware for your events. Everything adds up!
Visit our Living Labs
Let’s go outside!
The campus is full of outdoor learning spaces. Take your class or club to one of our gardens, the Grove, or up West Main to the Arb.
Talk about the CAP!
Learn more here.
Invite your friends and peers to your next climate conversation. All events by the CAP are open to everyone, and we’d love to see you there.