To:                   The St. Lawrence Community

From:               President Daniel F. Sullivan

Date:                November 19, 2007

Subject:            American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

This letter serves to update us on our progress toward a sustainable campus and our obligations under the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Last March I committed St. Lawrence University to pursuing climate neutrality when I signed the Climate Commitment. Although we face a daunting task, I have been enthused by the upwelling of support and immediate changes that have been made all across campus. As students, faculty, and staff continue to make changes in their activities and operations, we’re seeing real movement toward a smaller carbon footprint in the months since our signing.

The official starting date for this pursuit by those who signed the Climate Commitment was September 15, 2007. From that date forward, St. Lawrence is obliged to meet certain intermediate goals within specified time periods. I’m pleased to announce that we have accomplished the first of many goals associated with the signing of this commitment.

Firstly, the Presidents Climate Commitment requires that we “Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible” and that “within two months of signing the document, create institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan.” I believe we already had these structures in place when we signed. The Conservation Council – as the University committee responsible for overseeing conservation and sustainability initiatives on campus - has accepted the role of developing the plans related to the Climate Commitment. While the Conservation Council will need to develop a specific plan for climate neutrality, it will also help to push us forward by continuing to develop the Environmental Action Plan (which can be viewed on the University’s Green Pages) and by continuing to promote the diverse cross-campus/grassroots efforts towards a sustainable campus.

It will then be the role of the Administrative Operations Division to assist with the development of the plan and bring that plan forward for broader campus discussion and ultimate board approval. Upon approval the administration will take on the responsibility of implementing the various actions called for in the plan.. A major step in moving us in the direction of climate neutrality was our hiring of a Coordinator of Sustainability Projects. Since joining the staff, Louise Gava ’07 has - through her passion, enthusiasm, and analytical strengths - helped push forward the many projects and partnerships that will be the key to our continuing success.

As to other accomplishments we have made toward the Commitment: Upon signing, we had to select two tangible actions that would help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. We have decided to purchase only energy efficient appliances labeled ENERGY STAR and to ensure a minimum of 15% of our electricity is generated with renewable sources by September of 2008. In pursuit of these goals, we have recently replaced all of the washers on campus with ENERGY STAR machines and have become an ENERGY STAR Partner. This partnership will enable greater measurement, tracking and improvement of energy efficiency across campus. We have also already begun to purchase electricity from renewable sources through our purchase of Renewable Energy Credits: 50% of the electricity for the Student Center for 2007-2008 has been purchased from New York hydro-facilities and 50% of the electricity for the Johnson Hall of Science for 2007-2009 has been purchased from national wind farms.

What are our next steps toward the Climate Commitment? We must begin the process of developing the plan to achieve climate neutrality. We must complete a greenhouse gas inventory with the assistance of students, faculty, staff, and our external partners. We must continue to purchase only ENERGY STAR appliances. And we must shift our energy needs to renewable sources.

Our recent movements toward sustainability give me confidence that signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment was the correct decision for St. Lawrence. With Conservation Council, Administrative Operations, and the many committed faculty, staff, students, administrators and alumni leading the way, I know we will reach all of the goals of the Climate Commitment while creating a better University and a better world.

In closing, I wish to thank the entire University community for your efforts toward a sustainable campus and society, and ask that you continue to push us forward.