On February 29, 2012 nine university presidents in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray to sign the District of Columbia Mayor’s College and University Sustainability Pledge (CUSP). The goal was for the District of Columbia to become the “Greenest College Town in America.”

This pledge was the first of its kind in the nation. No other U.S. city had formed such an progressive sustainability compact with its higher education sector. Signatory schools committed to pursue a myriad of sustainability measures related to energy use, buildings, green education, transportation, waste reduction, grounds maintenance, purchasing, and the management and reporting of progress towards goals. Each school selected its own commitments and goals for sustainability.

Gallaudet University President T. Alan Hurwitz, along with presidents from American University, The Catholic University of America, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Howard University, Trinity Washington University, the University of the District of Columbia, and Corcoran College of Art + Design (now part of George Washington University) signed the pledge.

Gallaudet committed to the following sustainability goals:

  • Achieve (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) LEED Silver standards or equivalent in all new construction and major renovations.
  • Reduce energy use in buildings by 3 percent per square foot, compared to the FY 2009 baseline year.
  • Purchase or generate at least 13 percent of total energy consumed from renewable sources.
  • Reduce potable water use by 3 percent per square foot compared to the FY 2009 baseline year.