Maryland's Public System of Higher Education

FSU, UMCP Presidents Join 284 University Leaders in "Climate Neutral" Pact

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 13, 2007) - University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) President C. Dan Mote, Jr. was among a group of 70 university leaders who pledged to reduce their campuses' greenhouse gas emissions and increase their institutions' efforts to reduce human impact on the earth's environment during a news conference held Tuesday, June 12, 2007, in Washington, DC. As a signatory to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Mote joins USM colleague Jonathan Gibralter, president of Frostburg State University (FSU), and more than 284 institutions nationwide to sign on to this historic "climate neutral" pact.

"We must all take significant, lasting action steps to preserve our environment," said Mote. "The University of Maryland has long been committed to environmental sustainability. Our Master Plan calls for a range of strategies and initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life on campus and contribute to national and international environmental efforts. The Presidents' Commitment offers Maryland another opportunity to contribute to this critical issue."

"I am very excited about what is happening and feel that we are doing something positive and productive for all the right reasons," said Gibralter, who signed the ACUPCC in April. As a member of ACUPCC Leadership Circle, he is a public advocate of the climate neutral initiative, helping to recruit colleagues to join.

University leaders who have signed the ACUPCC pledge to identify and implement steps to reduce their campuses' greenhouse gas emissions, including:

• Setting up a mechanism (committee, task force, office, etc.) within two months to guide the process;
• Completing an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions within one year;
• Creating and implementing a climate neutral plan (that includes a target date and interim milestones for achieving campus climate neutrality) within two years;
• Taking two of six steps specified in the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while a comprehensive plan is being developed;
• Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience;
• Making the action plan, inventory and periodic progress reports publicly available.

For more information on the ACUPCC as well as FSU's and UMCP's climate neutral efforts, visit the following sites:

American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

FSU President Joins Leadership Circle in American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

Contact: John Buettner
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: jbuettner@usmd.edu