Our History

Over the past five years, LUSU has continually expanded its commitment to environmental and social accountability. In 2005 LUSU began the construction of an alternative energy bike shack. The shelter acts not only as a secure facility for all student's bikes on campus, but also promotes active transportation and has an energy efficient design. The project had a cost of approximately $225,000.

The following two years saw the establishment of the LUSU Sustainability Initiative. The Initiative was a grass roots, student run branch of LUSU (formerly known as LUST: Lakehead University Sustainability Team) that has been committed to raising awareness and acting on various environmental and social justice issues.
In 2007-2008, the Sustainability Initiative successfully spearheaded a student referendum that asked students to pay $3 each, per year, toward environmental causes. That fee amounts to approximately $18,000 a year.

Last year that money was used to hire a part-time student to run educational programs and work with students on various projects. In addition to this, the Initiative successfully hosted the Ontario Sierra Youth Coalition Sustainable Campuses conference, started a carpooling website and was successful in acquiring NOHFC funding to create a full time Sustainability Commissioner position for the 2009-2010 academic year. That grant totals $27,000.