In the spring of 2005, both the Staff Council and the Faculty Senate approved resolutions supporting principles of sustainability for the College. In his September 4th, 2006, Letter to the College, President Ronald Gallagher, FSC, responded to these resolutions. He declared, “Sustainability…is an important concern in our academic life, in the campus facilities and operations, and in our College outreach. I look forward to joining our community in exploring ways that we can incorporate principles of sustainability in our mission and activities.”

    Higher education is often a source of leadership in addressing world problems. One current example is the rising tide of responses by colleges and universities to the challenge of global warming and other environmental problems. Hundreds of academic institutions in the United States and around the world have formally committed themselves to confronting environmental problems, not only in their research and educational programs, but also by reducing the environmental “footprint” of their campuses. These campuses are fostering environmental literacy and enhancing the health of their ecosystems by integrating considerations of sustainability—such as conserving resources, preventing pollution, and reducing waste—into their operations and the design and maintenance of their built environments.

     Saint Mary’s is proud to be a part of this growing trend—not because it is trendy, but because teaching students about sustainability is emblematic of our distinctive educational mission.

     As a Catholic institution, Saint Mary’s College affirms the moral obligation to care for God’s creation. In 2002, Pope John Paul II stated that “Christians and all other believers have a specific role to play in educating people in ecological awareness”.

    As a liberal arts institution, Saint Mary’s College is committed to nurturing responsible citizens who contribute to the common good. Teaching and modeling good environmental citizenship helps students understand their place in an increasingly interdependent world.

    As a Lasallian institution, Saint Mary’s College recognizes that the most devastating impacts of environmental degradation are visited upon the disadvantaged. The United States Conference of Bishops observes that “the ecological problem is intimately connected to justice for the poor.”