Campus Notes

Jesuit U. Commits to Strengthening Catho…, er, uh, Environmental Sustainability.

The Gonzaga Bulletin reports:

Better energy management, better waste reduction habits and better energy conservation are all coming to campus thanks to a recent plan that University President Thayne McCulloh signed Thursday, Oct. 7.

The American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) recognizes the need for educational institutions to lower global emissions of greenhouse gases and work toward fostering a curriculum that educates students on the importance of sustainability.

…

“We must have a comprehensive inventory of our carbon emissions within one year of signing the document,” ACSS co-chair and assistant professor of psychology Monica Bartlett said. “We started the process last spring and are nearly finished with this initial inventory. In partnership with Plant Services, the Advisory Council on Stewardship and Sustainability will use the Clean Air – Cool Planet tool to calculate emissions and will draft an annual report to track progress toward reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.”

In addition to the inventory it will be ACSS’ responsibility to oversee the creation of GU’s climate action plan within two years. The climate action plan, or the Comprehensive Stewardship and Sustainability Plan, will dictate how Gonzaga plans to move toward eventual carbon neutrality.

The plan will include proposals to better manage energy, improve waste reduction habits and initiatives, increase energy efficiency and conservation, increase alternative and mass transportation use, and transition to renewable energy sources, said Bartlett.

“As part of the commitment we must make progress toward issues of sustainability being a part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students. Gonzaga University has already created an environmental studies major and minor, with global climate change courses accessible to all students,” Bartlett said.

What if instead the University launched an initiative to strengthen Catholic identity? Maybe the story would read something like…

Better theology, better philosophy and single-sex dorms are all coming to campus thanks to a recent plan that the University President signed Thursday, Oct. 7.

The Association of Faithful Catholic Colleges and Universities (AFCCU) recognizes the need for Catholic colleges and universities to promote Catholic values by engaging the culture and work toward fostering a curriculum that educates students on the link between faith and reason.

…

“We must have a comprehensive benchmark of our Catholic identity within one year of signing the document,” University Committee on Catholic Identity (UCCI) co-chair Thomas A. Quinas said. “We started the process last spring and are nearly finished with this initial inventory. In partnership with our bishop, the UCCI will use Ex corde Ecclesiae as a tool to measure our Catholic identity and will draft an annual report for current and future parents and students to track progress toward strengthening our Catholicity.”

In additon to the benchmarking project, it will be UCCI’s responsibility to oversee the creation of the university’s Catholic identity action plan within two years.  The Catholic identity action plan will dictate how the University plans to move toward a greater Catholicity.

The plan will include proposals to better educate students on Truth through the lens of our Faith, improve our liturgies, increase opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, increase access to confession, and transition to Gregorian chant, said Quinas.

“As part of the commitment we must make progress toward Catholic teachings being a part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students. The University has already created a Theology major and minor, with Catechetical and introductory Theology courses accessible to all students,” Quinas said.

Okay, back to reality.  Of course, there are Catholic colleges that are taking their Catholic identity very seriously.  There is a lot at stake in the renewal of our Catholic colleges and universities. As Fr. Z might say, “Save Your Catholic College, Save the World.”