Sustainable University Symposium Aug. 14 to Hear Lt. Gov. Quinn

Date: 8/6/07
Contact: Marc Lebovitz

Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will deliver the opening address at the Sustainable University Symposium Tuesday, Aug. 14, at Illinois State University’s College of Business Building. Registration for the symposium begins at 9:30 a.m. and Quinn will speak at 10.

The Sustainable University Symposium is presented by the State of Illinois’ Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council (GGCC). Quinn is chairman of the Illinois GGCC, which is charged with working with state agencies to develop polices that reduce pollution, incorporate conservation and promote green policies into government operations.

The symposium will include an 11 a.m. plenary session on Green Buildings, looking at best practice cases in campus construction projects and focusing on ways colleges and universities can finance construction projects that focus on green elements.

After lunch, working groups will be organized so participants with similar job functions can discuss and share ways to meet the goals of the Sustainable University Compact and to highlight environmental accomplishments on individual university campuses. The Compact is an action-based pledge to improve how campuses interact with the environment and to promote ecology, encourage respect for life on earth and highlight the growing concern about the over-pollution of the soil, air and water.

A 2:30 p.m. plenary session will be on Green Operations, focusing on greening everyday operations to maintain air and water quality and reduce energy consumption at colleges and universities. The presenters will discuss green cleaning products, facilities maintenance and purchasing.