UF marks National Campus Sustainability Day with events

October 18, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In honor of National Campus Sustainability Day, the University of Florida Office of Sustainability and Gators for a Sustainable Campus will evaluate UF’s progress toward sustainability and provide an opportunity for students and members of the community to learn about environmental issues on Wednesday.

The event, starting at 10 a.m. on the Reitz Student Union North Lawn, will open with a speech by UF President Bernie Machen assessing the overall state of the university’s mission of campus sustainability. Machen will discuss progress made in the last year and goals for the future.

At noon, the Student Government Environmental Affairs cabinet and Gators for a Sustainable Campus will hold a forum to discuss the renewable energy fee referendum, which won 78 percent of voting students’ support last spring. The legislation will add a 50 cent fee per credit hour to be invested in renewable energy research and technology. There will be an opportunity for students to ask questions and voice concerns.

Between 10 a.m. and the end of the event at 3 p.m., several student and community groups will have tables set up with information, food and games. Visitors will be able to measure their carbon footprints, find out about outdoor adventure opportunities and learn how to begin living a sustainable lifestyle.

“It is important that all members of the Gator Nation learn that sustainability is more than just caring for the environment when it is easy,” said Anna Prizzia, UF Office of Sustainability outreach coordinator. “It is about shifting our values to consider the social, environmental and economic impacts of all the decisions we make.”