Going Mc-green

Every so often, IU gets the opportunity to make sweeping changes in its policies and programming that make a significant impact on global society for the better. And every so often, IU is faced with the opportunity to make a change that will establish it as a leader among Big Ten universities, or at the very least show up Purdue, which is also a noble goal.\nNow, as the 2007-08 academic year kicks off, we have the opportunity to do both by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.\nThis document is a pledge authorized by each participating school’s “Big Kahuna” that promises the institution will achieve climate neutrality within two years and sets interim targets and goals to track its progress. As part of the agreement, institutional leaders pledge to initiate green reforms, such as constructing LEED-certified buildings, purchasing energy-efficient appliances and participating in waste-minimization competitions. The agreement is clear about its ultimate goal: to “better serve (each school’s) students and meet their social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical and civil society.” \nFrom major state schools like the University of Florida to comparatively tiny institutions such as Frostburg State University in Maryland, a wide range of colleges have taken the pledge, bringing the total number of pledges to 347, as of Aug. 25.\nNow here is IU’s bonus for signing on: So far not one single Big Ten school has taken the pledge. Although the eventual goal is for the community of institutions of higher education as a whole to work together to establish themselves as leaders in global society, after a few years of lackluster football seasons, we could sure use a morale booster right now. Admit it – it would be nice to finally be the first among the Big Ten to do something!\nAt the beginning of his career as IU’s head honcho, President Michael McRobbie has a lot on his plate, including innumerable requests for funding and support. Although he has proposals and requests piling up on his desk, there are few causes more worthy of attention than ensuring the future of the University and the world, and IU’s new leader would do well to seriously consider signing the agreement.\nIn his 2007 Founders Day ceremony address, McRobbie told students that “here at Indiana University, you are learning what it means to be the future.” If, indeed, students are to effectively shape the destiny of the world of tomorrow, it is absolutely imperative that their universities set the bar high in providing an example to them, and there is no better way to do so than by signing the commitment. At the very least, it would be a step in the right direction.\nTake that, Purdue Pete!