Sustainability

Alma mater of environmental icon Rachel Carson ’29, Chatham University has proven time and again that no one understands, lives, leads, and teaches sustainability like we do. In 2012, we were mentioned by Forbes as one of the places “contributing to Pittsburgh’s transformation as a destination for green living.” In 2014, we opened our Eden Hall Campus, the world’s first academic community built from the ground-up for the study and design of sustainable living, learning, and development.
Photo of a group of Chatham University students and staff members posing around a tree they planted

Campus Environmental Commitments

Chatham University's Office of Sustainability is the administrative home of all campus sustainability projects, working to initiate change on campus with the goal of moving Chatham to carbon neutrality. The office coordinates with University departments, faculty, and student groups to take steps to a more sustainable living, learning, and working environment for the campus community.

The Office of Sustainability : Checkerboard 3 - Campus Environmental Commitments
Photo of a white barn on Chatham University's Eden Hall Campus

Eden Hall Campus

Eden Hall Campus is the world’s first university campus designed to be a showcase for sustainable solutions. With the campus serving as an educational canvas, faculty, students, and the public engage in a collaborative, hands-on approach to learning to develop tomorrow’s leaders in sustainability.

Explore Eden Hall : Checkerboard 5 - Eden Hall Campus

Rachel Carson Visiting Scholars Program

The Rachel Carson Visiting Scholars program is a short-term residency at Eden Hall Campus for leading scholars and professionals living the legacy of conservationist, public health advocate, and Chatham alumna, Rachel Carson. Hosted by the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment, the program provides an opportunity for scholars to spend a few weeks living at Eden Hall; engaging with Chatham faculty, students and partners; and sharing their work with local and regional leaders in Pittsburgh. 

Explore the Scholars Program : Checkerboard 6 - Rachel Carson Visiting Scholars Program
Photo of two men walking away from the camera, conversing on Eden Hall Campus

Green Fund

The Green Fund supports the Chatham University community by providing financial support to any student(s) interested in implementing a sustainability-focused project on campus. The Office of Sustainability oversees guiding students through their Green Fund submissions from the application phase, planning phase, and ultimately the execution phase.

Photo inside at Eden Hall Campus

Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award

Named for Chatham's most famous alumna, environmental icon Rachel Carson ’29, the Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award is awarded to deserving students nominated from high schools nationally and internationally who embody the spirit of Rachel Carson in their dedication to sustainability and community development. 

Info on the Award : Checkerboard 8 - Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award
Photo of a student riding a bike on Eden Hall Campus

Bike Works

Need a bike? Have one already but need some help? Visit Chatham Bike Works in the basement of Woodland Hall behind the Book Store! Opened in 2010, Bike Works is a free work-space available to all Chatham biking community members. We offer by-the-semester or by-the year bike rentals. Bike Works offers shop hours and hands on workshops for riders that focus on different aspects of bicycling. Everyone who rides or wants to ride needs to know about: basic maintenance skills, on-the-road repairs and how to ride safely, to name a few. Contact the Office of Sustainability or check our Facebook page for more info and the semester schedule. 

Sustainability