The American Colleges and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment is an organization that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to promote research and educational efforts on collegiate campuses across the United States. Unfortunately, University President Mary Sue Coleman has yet to join 667 other collegiate presidents and declare her support to the organization. Since the University is a large and highly regarded research institution, it has a responsibility to sign and adhere to the environmental commitments outlined in the ACUPCC. It is imperative that Coleman signs the ACUPCC.

The University can easily accomplish the objectives of the ACUPCC. Just as the University of New Hampshire, one of the participants in the ACUPCC, has implemented sustainability into their campus, the University of Michigan can complete an emissions inventory, set a target date for being climate neutral, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make sustainability part of the curriculum. It also can make the action plan and progress reports publicly available.

Though the University of New Hampshire is much smaller than our university, their leading sustainability efforts can be integrated at large institutions. Their main objective is their CORE program. CORE stands for curriculum, operations, research and engagement. The University already has some operations and research in place, but we are lacking in curriculum and engagement departments.

Our university has the environment-friendly Dana building, which holds environmentally conscious students in it, but not all buildings across campus are so green, nor are all students as eager to help the environment. With a possible mandatory academic environment requirement, more students and faculty would be engaged on campus. Committing to ACUPCC might help the campus and campus buildings become more environmentally aware.

Moreover, the University is fairly environmentally conscious to begin with, so it only makes sense for President Coleman to sign. For instance, just the fact that we have both a graduate and undergraduate environmental studies program (SNRE and PitE) shows the University’s leaning toward sustainability efforts. PitE, in fact, is one of the fastest growing majors on campus.

Furthermore, the University has created a Planet Blue team. The teams are part of the Environmental and Energy Initiative, which came about from President Barack Obama's Environmental Task Force. Planet Blue teams consist of facility managers, plant operations personnel and building representatives. The teams work with building representatives to reduce energy usage and increase recycling. Coleman supports their efforts, saying on their website that, “The University of Michigan takes its responsibility of protecting and preserving resources very seriously, and every contribution can make a difference. I challenge everyone in our community to think about how even the smallest efforts will work to make our great institution even greener.”

Additionally, the University has begun green computing initiatives, according to the Detroit Free Press article entitled “U-M saves energy, cash with green computing.” Things being done include handing down old equipment and switching to systems that allow one computer to do the job of multiple ones. Another green computing program called Climate Savers Computing Initiative seeks to cut computer energy consumption in half by 2010. This would save the University $5.5 billion. With the University pursuing several environmental plans, the President should sign onto something that will really cut our impact on the environment.

Critics may urge the University not to sign, because if the goals are not met, the University’s prestigious reputation could potentially be tarnished. While this may be true, the University should still take every step to ensure the goals are met. Critics might also claim the goals of the ACUPCC will cost the University more money. But the energy savings would outweigh any upfront costs. Universities are a breeding ground for sustainable-minded youth who will lead our businesses and organizations in the future.

The ACUPCC is a cohesive, attainable commitment that will really shape the future of campus sustainability and sustainability for our cities, states and nations. By not signing the commitment, Coleman would be making an egregious error.

Angela Bozell is an LSA junior.