Villanova University Plans “Year of Sustainability”
October 3, 2008 · Print This Article
Introducing our first EarthFirst U college contributor Joseph Negri who will be blogging about environmental issues from the campus of Villanova University. Take it away Joseph! -Dorothee
In April 2009, Villanova will host scholars, environmental activists, and government officials from around the world at the International Sustainability Conference, an event that will combine educational and environmental concerns. Speakers will focus on the impact of sustainability on various academic disciplines such as law, economic development, and engineering. The four-day event will include a keynote address by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and a presentation of Kaiulani Lee’s “A Sense of Wonder”, a play about environmentalist Rachel Carson. Participants will be asked to donate to TreeVitalize, and a Philadelphia-based program that attempts to offset the carbon production of Pennsylvania.
The upcoming International Conference will wrap up a full year of events meant to promote public awareness about environmental issues. Villanova’s President’s Climate Committee began this “Year of Sustainability” in September as a part of a larger effort to enforce their policies. According to the Climate Committee, Villanova has two main goals concerning sustainability.
From Villanova’s Environmental Sustainability Policy :
Goal 1: Villanova University will strive to practice the principles of environmental sustainability and wise use of resources within the University community. Villanova University will make reasonable efforts to conserve resources.
Goal 2: Villanova University will engage in appropriate learning opportunities with the intention of creating a community whose members (students, faculty, staff, and graduates) are environmentally literate and responsible.
The effects of these policies can be seen on Villanova’s campus on an everyday basis as well as during these major events. The Villanova University Shop now sells environmentally friendly products that limit on campus waste. Vantage Clothing Company supplies the shop with organic cotton Villanova gear. Reusable water bottles are being sold as part of the “Refill not Landfill” campaign that seeks to limit the number of plastic bottles used on campus. All of these products are reviewed by the Green Purchasing Committee that is constantly looking for new ways to bring green products to Villanova.
As the Year of Sustainability continues, Villanova will enact more eco-friendly policies and plan more public awareness events. The university hopes that the changes occurring on campus will spread to the greater community and result in an environmentally conscious world.
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Great, I’m glad to see Villanova stepping up and becoming more environmentally friendly and pushing a stronger sustainability agenda. Many schools are making small steps, but this is one of the bigger commitments I’ve seen to sustainability from a university so far.
Thanks for the scoop, Joseph! Props to Villanova for all their efforts.