Sakarya University monitors its practices in the field of sustainability by setting targets at the level of all its units within the scope of its Strategic Plan. One of the strategic goals of the university is determined especially in the field of social contribution and sustainability. It carries out many actions to achieve these goals. It regularly monitors the success of all these actions and targets through the Corporate Management Information System. In this context, sustainability criteria such as carbon footprint and community activities are also monitored.
Sakarya University attaches importance to measures and activities to reduce carbon emissions within the campus for more sustainable transportation (https://haber.sakarya.edu.tr/trafik-ve-estetik-komisyon-kuruldu-h112904.html). Carbon footprint is measured and monitored regularly. To reduce carbon emissions, there are alternatives such as widening walking paths, pedestrian priority crossing areas, free bicycle applications, free minibus and bus services.
Sakarya University has four different transportation initiatives aimed at reducing private vehicles on campus. The first of these are buses and minibuses that provide shuttle service within the campus. There is no fee charged from people, and it is free for people who board the bus after it enters the campus area. People can also rent bicycles for free for transportation around campus. Students and staff can use the bicycles by giving their corporate ID cards to the officer. There are also bicycle parking areas in all parking lots and in the few buildings that have any parking spaces. Sakarya University has zero-emission vehicles and they are provided free of charge by the university. In order to restrict the number of vehicles entering the campus, vehicles are tracked with banderols and high banderol fees are applied.
Sakarya University was supporting remote working and distance education alternatives before Covid measures were implemented in 2020. Sakarya University is the first university to launch distance education programs in Turkey; It has been developing technologies, making investments and running programs in the field of distance education since the 1990s. During the pandemic period, thanks to its experience in this field, it played a leading and educational role in providing infrastructure support to other universities at the national level. Both students and educators can work remotely within the Sakarya University distance education center.
Although public institutions are restricted from owning lodging in Turkey, Sakarya University offers affordable lodging opportunities to its employees. Administrative and academic employees can benefit from the lodging areas located at various points of the university campus for a small rental fee. The Housing Regulations, in which the university determines the rules regarding the use of these residences, have been announced on the university's website. Employees submit their housing requests through the information system.
Accommodation services for students in Turkey are carried out centrally by the Turkish Credit and Hostels Institution, and universities are prohibited from providing this service. For this reason, Sakarya University students can benefit from the dormitories of the Turkish Credit and Dormitories Institution, located close to the campus, for very low fees or with scholarships. Apart from this, there are also paid private dormitories located in the campus area.
It prioritizes pedestrian access within the university's campus. Pedestrian priority rule is applied in all areas within the campus. Warning signs and traffic signs remind pedestrian priority on the roads.
Particular attention is paid to ensure that the new buildings constructed at Sakarya University have smart building features at sustainable standards. WorldGBC standards are followed in smart building features. 32 percent of the buildings at Sakarya University have smart building features. There are building management systems, fire and flood warning and alarm systems, energy management and monitoring panels, natural heating, ventilation, lighting applications, LED, sensors and natural light areas. The university's investment plans include new buildings and laboratory construction that will produce the energy it needs. Sakarya University has renewable energy resources. Solar panels in new buildings meet the energy needs of buildings to a significant extent. Additionally, the energy obtained from wind turbines is used in laboratories. For now, 80 percent of the buildings are designed to benefit from natural daylight. 85% of buildings have energy management centers and relevant personnel for control and monitoring. In addition, 90% of the durable consumer goods at Sakarya University consist of energy-saving devices; LED lighting is used in 55% of lighting devices.
