The President's Commitment

Sustainability must and will become a central priority of all aspects of our university enterprise—our operations, our academic mission, and our responsibilities to the greater society.

Former President Sally Mason, Earth Day 2008

Former University of Iowa President Sally Mason's visionary speech on sustainability was delivered on Earth Day 2008. She called for a new-found commitment on the part of the University to achieve sustainability locally, in its own daily activities, and globally, in its work to serve Iowa and the world through education, research and service. She summoned University faculty, staff and students to be active participants in the cause and catalyized the UI's first set of sustainability goals.

UI President Bruce Harreld continued this commitment to sustainability, declaring it “the most important issue of the 21^st century.” He called on campus leaders to ensure that students learn skills to tackle complicated problems and to expand research that will lead to sustainable solutions.