Laudato Si – Action Plan

Background

In 2015, Pope Francis issued a profound call to action in Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, urging institutions and individuals alike to embrace an integral ecology that unites faith, reason, and responsibility. Today, Providence College formally affirms its institutional commitment to advancing the principles of Laudato Si’ through a comprehensive, mission-driven action plan grounded in its seven goals.

As a Catholic and Dominican institution, we recognize that care for creation is inseparable from our commitment to truth, justice, and the dignity of every human person. Environmental stewardship is not ancillary to our mission — it is an expression of it.

Accomplishments

• Partnership with RI Energy to reduce electricity and natural gas usage on campus
  
• Reduce the amount of electricity needed through energy saving measures such as using efficient equipment in our kitchens, LED lighting, occupancy sensors, energy valve installation, and central plant cooling economizing.
  
• Support offsite solar with four net metering agreements (30% of electricity is renewable electricity)
  
• Planted over 40 trees in 2025 across campus
  
• Over 44% of main dining hall dishes are vegetarian or vegan

Future Goals

• Implement irrigation control valves connected to weather forecasting and trends to reduce water usage in lawn irrigation.
  
• Manage campus grounds with organic fertilizers while reducing pesticide-use
  
• Foster the Green Laboratory Program Certification on campus

Accomplishments

• Addressing the needs of our vulnerable populations and communities through campus-wide programs and initiatives such as:
  • United Way, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Friartown Closet, Hope for Life, Food Recovery Network, Food for Fines, end of year donations of clothing/linens, and more!
    
• FriarServe is a service initiative (reading, tutoring, mentoring, etc.) that pairs PC volunteers with 5 Catholic Pre-K-8 schools coupled with a monetary gift from PC to Catholic schools in the Diocese of Providence to provide scholarships, tuition assistance, and financial aid (four-year agreement renewed 2025).
  
• MOU (20-year agreement renewed 2023) of voluntary payments and community contributions on behalf of PC to the City of Providence to support services in Pre-K-12 education, community safety and well-being, climate change and resiliency and adaptation infrastructure and policy.

Future Goals

• Outreach work in coordination with Campus Ministry and Peer Ministry
  
• Reinvigorate (school/office) furniture donation to local schools
  
• Engage more faculty and staff in service and volunteer commitments

Accomplishments

• Partner with dining service that is sustainably committed to the Better Tomorrow Plan – which includes numerous commitments for a brighter future by focusing on four key priorities: health, planet, community and our people
  
• Hydration stations across campus for a sustainable water supply
  
• Ecosystem services valuation – bioswales developed to help manage stormwater and contaminants
  
• Laundry equipment selected to provide enhanced water conservation by use of front-loader washers

Future Goals

• Continue to explore the financial and physical feasibility of on campus alternative energy technologies
  
• Encourage partnership in climate mitigation and resilience in our campus product and service providers

Accomplishments

• Composting expanded to all dining halls across campus – Ray, Alumni, and Mondor
  
• Empower student EcoPC reps to educate and encourage campus sustainability
  
• Recycling offered across campus
  
• Dining Hall initiatives including reusable to-go boxes, vegan options, and local purchasing
  
• Public transportation for students

Future Goals

• Move-in orientation for students on sustainability – Laudato Si’

Accomplishments

• Offer courses regarding sustainability and the environment
  
• Sustainability discussed in a variety of core requirements
  
• Promote EcoPC Club meetings and events

Future Goals

• Offer programs/internships that are focused on sustainability
  
• Create directory of sustainability-related courses
  
• Find speakers to present specifically on environmental issues

Accomplishments

• Earth Day annual celebration
  
• Candlelight and grotto masses
  
• Bioswales offer areas across campus for reflection

Future Goals

• Environmentally focused service trips
  
• Special masses on environment
  
• Sustainability retreat with Campus Ministry

Accomplishments

• Sustainability Committee
  
• Recovery Food Donation
  
• FUSION (Friars United for Service In Our Neighborhood): Ten-year agreement with PC and Providence Parks for annual day of service at local park (renewed 2026)
  
• Urban Action partnership with PC’s first-year students and the Providence community – includes local cleanup and local school volunteering opportunities dedicated to service and reflection.

Future Goals

• Collaborate with local schools/campuses on Sustainability initiatives (St. Pius/LaSalle/Salve)
  
• Institutional Advancement: alumni interested in sustainability projects for campus
  
• Formal training for members of Sustainability Committee in Laudato Si’