Sustainability has many definitions; it is the ability to prolong, to endure, to withstand, to support as true,
legal or just. Recently it has been used to describe the Ecological or “Green” movement throughout the world.
In this context sustainability is defined as being environmentally viable, economically robust and socially just
and equitable. It is the ability to provide for the needs of the world's current population without depriving
the needs of future generations. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over
and over without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs to anyone involved.
The principles of sustainability are not new to the University. Did you know, for instance, that
Slippery Rock University began … “as an exercise in Permaculture Design launched independently by
the citizens of Slippery Rock Borough as an attempt to provide qualified teachers for public schools
in western Pennsylvania?” They raised the money, bought the land, built the first building, hired the
faculty, and recruited the students without any help from the state whatsoever. Since most of the students
were poor in material wealth, a way had to be found for them to support their study while contributing to
the common enterprise. A self-sufficient community was the answer. Since the land purchased for the school
was a farm, it continued to be operated by the students and staff. They raised, prepared and preserved their
own food; ran their own dairy and beef herds, handled their own cleaning and maintenance needs, and even
mined their own coal from a hillside now covered with a string of dormitories. Wherever possible, they took
care of themselves and each other while preparing to offer service to the wider community”.
(Robert A. Macoskey, The Alternator, January, 1988)
Slippery Rock University has and continues to espouse to follow sustainable principles in the conduct of its
mission to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate academic instruction as well as in its complementary
missions to conduct scholarly research, promote professional performance, and address the educationally-related
economic, health, environmental, social, cultural, and recreational needs of the region served by the University.
This image of the Clair Gerlach Farm, which stood where several academic buildings and
playing fields stand today, is a testimony to the agricultural heritage of the Slippery Rock area.
