Linda Clement, the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Maryland, College Park, believes that better practices in stewardship of the environment transforms students into citizens with a global outlook. She believes that environmentalism enhances the quality of life for all, and that individuals have a vital role to play in determining society’s choices, beginning in the communities in which they live, work, and study. Linda has put her values into action, devoting much of her free time to convincing the campus community to adopt more environmentally friendly practices in its day-to-day operations.
Linda's spirited lobbying has produced results throughout the university:
- University increased recycling to fifty-six thousand pounds per week, up from thirty-seven thousand
- Dining Services converted eight hundred gallons of waste oil per month to biodiesel fuel for university buses
- Maintenance converted nine thousand pounds of waste per week to compost and now recycles up to fifteen tons of post football game refuse
- Recreation Services installed water-saving irrigation and reduced-energy lighting
- University golf course planted with hardier grasses to reduce irrigation
- Residence Life initiated the EcoHouse, an environmentally friendly living hall
Linda has also led the campaign to have the university increase its use of non-toxic cleaning products throughout its schools, residence halls, and research laboratories.
Linda Clement's portfolio does not include campus environmental concerns. Nevertheless, she volunteers her time to researching the issues, bringing together the university's disparate interests, and educating the student body on eco-friendly solutions. Her environmental campaigns have changed campus culture, which has led to changes in practice. For example, the undergraduate student body voted to increase its own activities fees for clean energy. Many of her colleagues in the administration have invested in procedures that bring to life her favorite adage – good environmental practice is a shared responsibility.
An educator at heart, Linda Clement understands leadership must challenge and change the status quo in constructive ways. Putting theory (environmentalism) into practice (tangible policies for achievable results) has helped change attitudes campus wide, from professors to students, and from administrators to maintenance staff. Her efforts have won notice. Indeed, Grist (www.grist.org), a leading environmental Web site, has named the University of Maryland, College Park as one of the nation’s top "green" universities.
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