Work within the community

Sustainability at Puget Sound
Environmental responsibility is integral to the mission of University of Puget Sound. We strive to incorporate sustainable practices into every aspect of university life and operations. This includes a dedication to green building of new facilities and retrofitting existing campus buildings to lessen the impact of the university on the environment.

The city and the university are collaboratively addressing sustainability challenges. Puget Sound President Ron Thomas signed the Talloires Declaration in 2005 alongside hundreds of other institutions of higher learning around the world in the project of educating ourselves and others about sustainability. He quickly formed the Sustainability Advisory Committee, establishing campus/city/community task forces on energy, transportation, and waste reduction.

In the spring of 2007, President Thomas signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, promising to give our students the knowledge and skills needed to address the critical, systemic challenges faced by the world in this new century and enable them to benefit from the economic opportunities that will arise as a result of solutions they develop.

Two university representatives serve as members of the Green Ribbon Task Force, a city-led group addressing climate issues in Tacoma. Puget Sound operates multiple projects and activities in partnership with the city, business and residential communities. More information is available on the Sustainability at Puget Sound Web Site.

Economic Development
The university actively supports local and regional economic development, a primary city strategic objective. In collaboration with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, two of our faculty members produce Pierce County's annual economic forecast, known as Horizons. In June 2007 the university hosted a meeting with Economic Development Director Ryan Petty and local higher education presidents and key staff to develop a plan to promote Tacoma as a great “college town.” This endeavor will assist in attracting business and talent to Tacoma. This meeting of local higher education leaders also facilitated discussion on how educational institutions could collectively enhance the city and our community. Cooperative projects involving sustainability and emergency response immediately emerged from this meeting.

The university is also a major employer and economic force in the Tacoma-Pierce County area. Through the faculty, staff, student body and visitors each year, it has a significant economic impact on the local and regional economy.

Number of regular employees: 727
Student and temporary employees: 1156
Employees living in Pierce County: 225
Payroll: $41.8 million
Direct salary deposits in local banks: $25.4 million
Operating Budget: $89 million
Estimated local spending by students $13.7 million
University expenditures on goods and services to Pierce County vendors: $11.9 million

Business Districts
In 2004 Puget Sound formally partnered with nearby business districts to establish strong, multi-faceted working relationships. This work includes sustainability projects, student volunteer work in districts, as well as free business consulting assistance through the School of Business and Leadership student projects. In 2006 and 2007 we expanded business district interaction city-wide by hosting the Annual Cross District Association fund raising event. The Cross-District Association named Puget Sound its 2007 Community Partner of the Year.