Enviro-vision
By Mandy Cook |
July 22, 2009
An institution-wide blueprint for a greener existence at Memorial is currently in its final stages, and its authors need your input.
All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to review and comment upon the Memorial University of Newfoundland Sustainability Declaration, an overarching statement intended to define the university’s commitment to sustainable principles.
“The signing of the Sustainability Declaration would confirm the university’s commitment to the creation of a culture which considers sustainability in all that it does,” said Sustainability Co-ordinator Toby Rowe.
She says the Sustainability Declaration was developed for several reasons. Memorial’s Strategic Plan identifies sustainability as a core value and principle of the university, and contains Goal 29, Sustainability, which includes adopting a code of conduct. Also, in response to requests to sign the Talloires Declaration, an internationally recognized, ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability practices at universities, former acting president Eddy Campbell suggested Memorial develop its own declaration. Adopting the declaration will lead to the development of a university-wide action plan.
The declaration was drafted by the university’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability, and reviewed by the Senior Executive Committee.
“Instead of the Sustainability Office applying environmentally responsible practices in isolated pockets like increased recycling here or new bike racks there, the Sustainability Declaration would encourage each department and unit to work toward integrating sustainable practices in their respective areas,” said Ms. Rowe.
If adopted, Memorial’s declaration will be celebrated at an official signing event this fall to which the university community will be invited.
To view the document, please visit: http://www.mun.ca/sustain/sustainability_office/Sustainability_Declaration.pdf. Members of the university community are asked to do send comments to sustain@mun.ca by Aug. 14.
All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to review and comment upon the Memorial University of Newfoundland Sustainability Declaration, an overarching statement intended to define the university’s commitment to sustainable principles.
“The signing of the Sustainability Declaration would confirm the university’s commitment to the creation of a culture which considers sustainability in all that it does,” said Sustainability Co-ordinator Toby Rowe.
She says the Sustainability Declaration was developed for several reasons. Memorial’s Strategic Plan identifies sustainability as a core value and principle of the university, and contains Goal 29, Sustainability, which includes adopting a code of conduct. Also, in response to requests to sign the Talloires Declaration, an internationally recognized, ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability practices at universities, former acting president Eddy Campbell suggested Memorial develop its own declaration. Adopting the declaration will lead to the development of a university-wide action plan.
The declaration was drafted by the university’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability, and reviewed by the Senior Executive Committee.
“Instead of the Sustainability Office applying environmentally responsible practices in isolated pockets like increased recycling here or new bike racks there, the Sustainability Declaration would encourage each department and unit to work toward integrating sustainable practices in their respective areas,” said Ms. Rowe.
If adopted, Memorial’s declaration will be celebrated at an official signing event this fall to which the university community will be invited.
To view the document, please visit: http://www.mun.ca/sustain/sustainability_office/Sustainability_Declaration.pdf. Members of the university community are asked to do send comments to sustain@mun.ca by Aug. 14.