Finger Lakes Community College and Students Launch Extensive “Go Green” Initiative
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 5, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College today announced it is furthering its commitment to a green campus and environmental education as it joins 498 other higher education institutions in signing the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. Likewise, FLCC students will sign personal Sustainability Pledges, calculate their carbon footprint and learn about sustainability as part of this campus-wide GO GREEN initiative.
FLCC is celebrating its “GO GREEN WEEK” this week. Long known as a leader in “green” education via its Environmental Conservation and Horticulture programs, FLCC is raising the bar even higher with a comprehensive review of its sustainability practices and redoubling its efforts to achieve a “climate-neutral” campus.
“FLCC has a long tradition of care for the environment exemplified by the work of our Environmental Conservation department,” said FLCC President Dr. Barbara G. Risser. “I’m proud to announce that we’re building upon this tradition and launching a major, campus-wide sustainability initiative. By signing the President’s Climate Commitment, I am pledging to lead our campus community toward climate neutrality.
The signatories of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment understand they must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways to eliminate global warming emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality. These campuses will strive to eliminate global warming emissions and will integrate sustainability into their curriculum and operations.
“By reducing waste, incorporating energy efficient practices, utilizing renewable energy sources, and rewarding use of public transportation, just to name a few, FLCC can make a difference,” added Risser. “Also, by educating our students on sustainability and climate neutrality, we will pass these ideals and practices along to future generations.”
ABOUT FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu) is a State University of New York two-year higher education institution. FLCC’s 250-acre park-like campus is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, New York. The College offers more than 45 degree and certificate programs, including environmental conservation, ornamental horticulture, music recording technology, nursing, massage therapy, and graphic design. FLCC’s current enrollment is more than 5,350 full- and part-time students.
ABOUT AMERICAN COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS CLIMATE COMMITMENT
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org) is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education.
The college and university presidents and chancellors who are joining and leading the Commitment believe that exerting leadership in addressing climate change will stabilize and reduce their long-term energy costs, attract excellent students and faculty, attract new sources of funding, and increase the support of alumni and local communities.