About UT Arlington and Sustainability

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to sustainability and stewardship of the environment. Sustainability represents societal efforts to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A growing number of institutions of higher education – along with federal, state, and local governments as well as corporations – are directing attention to sustainability, as concerned citizens recognize that the earth’s resources are finite. Indeed, recognition is mounting within academia that our universities must move to the forefront of society’s sustainability efforts.

Message from President James D. Spaniolo

Dear Campus Community,

Recently, the University has taken two important steps to further its commitment to protect the environment. First, I launched the President’s Sustainability Committee, with members drawn from the faculty, staff, student body, and community. This new committee will address opportunities to promote sustainability in several areas, including facilities management, curricula, research and public awareness. It will propose means by which the University can meet or surpass environmental standards, conserve resources, and minimize waste. Second, UT Arlington has joined the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education , linking us with 225 four-year academic institutions committed to moving higher education to the forefront of society’s efforts to protect the environment. UT Arlington becomes the fourth member in Texas, alongside UT Austin, Rice University, and Trinity University.

I am enlisting your support. As you go about your daily work, help the University conserve resources and minimize waste. For example:

• Energy and Water Conservation – Turn off lights in areas that are not being utilized (e.g., conference rooms). Report any exterior lights that remain on during daylight hours or any irrigation equipment that appears to be malfunctioning.
• Waste Reduction – Please make every effort to participate in the University’s excellent recycling program. If you need a container or have a recycling question, contact ehsrecycling@uta.edu .
• Purchasing – When purchasing office supplies, look for the green recycling arrows , which show that the item has some recycled content.
• Offices – Whenever possible, photocopy on both sides of the paper – and set printers to do likewise. Instead of purchasing bottled water, which is resource-intensive, consider refilling bottles with filtered tap water. Consider investing in mugs for coffee/tea instead of using disposable cups.

These are just a few of the many ways we can work together to help the University protect the environment. It Works When We All Pitch In! If you have an idea or suggestion that you would like the President’s Sustainability Committee to consider, please e-mail co-chairs Jeff Howard or Don Lange. They welcome your input.