A sustainability project more than two years in the making was unveiled at University of Wisconsin-Stout on June 23, adding to the university’s ongoing commitment to clean energy solutions and green transportation options.
Two electric vehicle charging stations, located in Lot 14, on the west side of Sorensen Hall, are now available for campus and community members and visitors.
The level two stations are part of the ChargePoint charging network and provide an opportunity for four electric or hybrid vehicles to charge simultaneously. They will be available for a charging fee of 35 cents per kilowatt hour, said Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright.
The project was made possible through the Stout Student Association (SSA) and its Sustainability Council, the Sustainability Office, the Campus Wide Energy Committee, Facilities Management and Parking Services.
Campus stakeholders who spoke at the unveiling were Chancellor Katherine Frank, Vice Chancellor Erik Guenard, Facilities Management Associate Director Zenon Smolarek, Wright and SSA representatives.
University Librarian Cory Mitchell and Smolarek demonstrated how to activate the stations, how individuals can access them, and where to find more information.
“This event may seem like a small celebration, but it represents something much larger – our institution’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and progress. Every initiative like this is part of a larger strategic plan that represents our goals, is aligned with our mission, and demonstrates our responsibility to the future,” Frank said.
As Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, UW-Stout prepares students for the future, Frank said, adding that, “At Stout, education encompasses what happens both inside and outside of the classroom, studio, and laboratory. This means that our campus infrastructure should reflect our values as a polytechnic university: forward-thinking, applicable, and engaged with the issues of our time.”
Guenard agreed. “These new electric vehicle charging stations are more than a convenience – they’re a clear sign of our institution’s evolving role in addressing climate change and promoting environmental responsibility. We’re not just talking about sustainability – we’re building it into the physical landscape of our college.
“Sustainability is a shared effort. It’s championed by students who speak up for cleaner systems. It’s maintained by operations teams who innovate behind the scenes. And it’s strengthened by every person who chooses to walk, bike, carpool – or now – charge an electric vehicle right here on campus,” he said.
The Sustainability Office and the SSA council share common goals: to make UW-Stout greener and to care for the students, said Bergen Haag, SSA Sustainability director and transportation liaison, who was unable to attend the unveiling
“We have completed numerous projects, both large and small, and this initiative is just one step toward making our campus more eco-friendly. I hope this project benefits many people and inspires further initiatives on our campus. Let’s keep the momentum going and keep charging toward a more sustainable future,” said Haag, who credited Wright for her many contributions.
“Projects like this show that our campus is serious about turning ideas into action. We’ve had a lot of conversations over the years – about climate change, clean energy, and how we can do our part as a college community,” added SSA Vice President Chris Sander. “This is one of those moments where you can see progress being made. These stations aren’t just about cars – they’re about access, about future-forward thinking, and about reducing our impact. It’s also a sign that when students, staff, and leadership work together, good things happen.”
Learn more at the Sustainable Stout website.
UW-Stout’s clean energy solutions
As a Charter Signatory of the Carbon Commitment, UW-Stout has a commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. The university incorporates sustainability into its academic programs and operations, including a multibuilding solar and energy efficiency upgrades project.
The U.S. Department of Education named UW-Stout a national Green Ribbon school, based on its long-term and ongoing efforts to infuse sustainability into operations and the classroom and to create a campuswide culture that advances environmental initiatives.
The Green Ribbon award, a one-time honor, is given annually to a select number of schools, including early learning centers, elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions. In Wisconsin, UW-Stout was the only university to be recognized in 2024.
UW-Stout was re-designated as a bronze Bike Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists through 2028.
University Recreation’s Stout Adventures offer StoutBikes, a bike share program through which students can rent a bike for a week, semester or over the summer. There are four bike fix stations around campus, a bike shelter at the University Library, bike lockers at CKTO residence hall and Jarvis Hall, as well as bike racks located all around campus.
Surplus Property helps keep more than 100 tons of materials out of area landfills each year to improve university sustainability and profitability. And the campuswide compost and recycling collection system results in a 48% decrease in landfill waste.
Last fall, UW-Stout hosted the Universities of Wisconsin Sustainability Annual Meeting, where sustainability leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and external partners gathered to collaborate on environmental topics and share resources, ideas and knowledge to develop strategic goals and support sustainability efforts on UW campuses, as well as career and economic development across the state.
Earth Week events, coordinated through the Sustainability Office and various student organizations, including UW-Sprout Campus Garden volunteer day and apple tree planting, thrift swap, plant sale, campus cleanup and an Earth Day Bash at the University Library.
More than 80 off-campus students participated in this year’s Spring Move-Out event, when the Sustainability Office, Waste Reduction Work Group, and campus volunteers helped to properly dispose and recycle approximately 360 items, including furniture, bed frames, grills, electronics and appliances. The office also worked with Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity to donate items in good condition. This event was funded by the City of Menomonie and the Stout Student Association.
UW-Stout offers a B.S. in environmental science and a P.S.M. in conservation biology, as well as minors in environmental health and sustainability.
PHOTO CREDITS:
From left to right: Vice Chancellor Erik Guenard, Stout Student Association Vice President Chris Sander and Chancellor Katherine Frank
Sustainability Manager Kadi Wright and Facilities Management Associate Director Zenon Smolarek
University Librarian Cory Mitchell (left) demonstrates how the ChargePoint stations works
The ChargePoint Network app shows the locations of available ChargePoint stations
