JK
Jenna Kaerek
  • Communication
  • Pewaukee, WI

Jenna Kaerek signs pledge to leave car at home for first two years on campus

2013 Aug 30

First-year student Jenna Kaerek of Pewaukee, WI, took a stand to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions, pledging not to bring a car for the first two years on campus.

Jenna was one of 293 students who signed the pledge and was entered into a drawing to receive one of 100 new Linus bikes.

The program is intended to promote a healthier, greener campus while empowering students to change the world around them through sustainability and responsible stewardship. The University also hopes to connect students with the natural beauty of the Dayton area and encourage them to live active, healthy lives.

It's all part of a larger initiative to create a bike-friendly campus and reduce carbon emissions. In 2011, the University launched a bike rental program that has recorded more than 4,500 checkouts, with 3,000 in the last year.

The city of Dayton was recently designated a Bicycle Friendly City by the American League of Bicyclists and is the central hub to one of the largest bicycling networks in the nation. The region boasts more than 330 miles of multi-use, beginner-friendly and easily accessible connected bikeways. A new bike path running through campus opened in July.

"Sustainability is an important value to our students, faculty and staff," said University of Dayton President Daniel J. Curran. "The new bike program is part of our commitment to practice responsible stewardship and challenge students to consider what they can do as individuals to make a difference in the world around them."

This fall, the University opened an Outdoor Engagement Center on campus. It offers high-end outdoor gear rental, kayak rentals, backpacking trips, a do-it-yourself bike repair station and education clinics to help connect students to the greater Dayton community and the natural world.

The University of Dayton recently signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, pledging to move the University toward becoming carbon neutral and has also received national recognition for its commitment to sustainability.

In 2011, the University earned a Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS(R)) bronze rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.