Sustainable University Symposium
This Tuesday, August 14, at 10:00 a.m., Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will deliver the keynote address at the 2nd Annual Illinois Sustainable University Symposium, which will bring together 200 environmental leaders from across the state of Illinois.
Representatives from more than 40 Illinois colleges and universities will attend the daylong symposium, alongside city planners, funding managers, architects and concerned citizens who will gather together to discuss best practices in greening college campuses across the state.
The symposium titled �Green Living� will feature presentations from Saint Xavier University, which recently unveiled a green residence hall; Illinois State University, whose environmentally savvy student body is led by a motivated crew called the Green Team; and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Attendees will also break out into working group sessions for a chance to discuss green successes and challenges with their peers.
�We have a diverse group of people here today with one significant thing in common,� said Quinn, who chairs the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council. �We all believe that college and university campuses must be the nucleus of the green movement. We must all adopt a green way of thinking that inspires society to pursue a cleaner and greener environment.�
The 2nd Annual Sustainable University Symposium will build off the successes of its inaugural symposium, where Quinn unveiled the Illinois Sustainable University Compact. The compact sets out 12 achievable sustainability objectives for Illinois campuses, including purchasing renewable energy, incorporating green building practices in campus construction, developing sustainable transportation options, and improving water conservation.
�We want to salute the 25 schools who have signed the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, committing to making green living � and green learning � a top priority on their campuses,� Quinn said. �By joining forces with the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council to improve the environment of our state, our colleges and universities are setting an example for other organizations and communities to follow.�
On March 31, 2005, Governor Rod Blagojevich created the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council, charged with working with state agencies to develop polices that reduce pollution, incorporate conservation, and promote green policies into government operations.
The Illinois Sustainable University Symposium will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. Walk-ins will be welcome. For more information and a complete agenda, please visit www.GreenSolutions.il.gov.