“I think that sustainability on all levels, environmental, economic and social, is one of the defining issues of our times,” said Sandra McDade, who was appointed director of the office in July. “Universities play a pivotal role in society as educators, researchers and mentors and need to be advocates of sustainability. As a large urban institution, Temple can lead by example as it creates a sustainable campus environment.”

In an effort to continue raising awareness of environment issues, the office will sponsor Campus Sustainability Day on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at various locations on Temple’s Main, Ambler and Tyler campuses. Events for the day include a farmer’s market at Liacouras Walk, an Eco Village at the Bell Tower on Main Campus, service projects at Ambler and a speaker presentation at Tyler. In addition to these campus-based initiatives, the university will participate in a national webcast discussion on the state of the environment, with viewing centers in the Howard Gittis Student Center on Main Campus and in the Learning Center at Ambler.

In April, President Ann Weaver Hart signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, which requires that each institution undertake two actions within the first year of its commitment while working to develop a long-range plan to achieve carbon neutrality. As part of Temple’s commitment, the Office of Sustainability has created an Energy Star Certified Appliance/Equipment Purchasing Policy to ensure that Temple purchases the most energy efficient equipment and appliances and will participate in a waste minimization program designed to reduce the amount of waste produced on Temple’s campuses.

McDade, a Temple administrator for more than 30 years, most recently served as executive director of business affairs at Temple's Health Sciences Center, reporting directly to the Office of the Provost.

The Office of Sustainability is located on the lower level of Mitten Hall at Temple's Main Campus. To contact the office, or to learn more about upcoming events and creating a sustainable campus culture at Temple, call 215-204-2517, e-mail sustainability@temple.edu or visit www.temple.edu/sustainability.