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Greener Dominican
Dominican's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
According to a majority of the world's experts, there is overwhelming evidence that the biosystems on Earth are headed for environmental catastrophe. Leading scientists tell us we have arrived at this crisis point because of the way we have organized our society from a social, cultural, economic and technological perspective that relies on over harvesting the common bounty of our planet for short-term gain. Historian Thomas Berry states that “The Great Work now, as we move into a new millennium, is to carry out the transition from a period of human devastation of the Earth to a period of when humans would be present to the planet in a mutually beneficial manner…This is our Great Work and the work of our children…No one is exempt.” (Excerpt from the book entitled “The Great Work” by Thomas Berry) The Society for College and University Planning states: “There is no better place than on our college campuses to make the changes in policy, action, and learning that can set our entire society on a more sustainable path. Higher education’s primary function is to produce the graduates and knowledge that will result in a thriving, secure, and civil society now and in the future. Higher education institutions bear a profound moral responsibility to increase the awareness, knowledge, skills, and values needed to create a just and sustainable future.” Dominican’s Commitment to Environmental Sustainability (“Green Statement”)
Dominican University of California will model and instill the values and theories of reverence, interdependence, sustainability, social justice and stewardship into the entirety of its learning environment. The Dominican learning environment encompasses the education programs as well as maintaining green working and living spaces, and adopting policies and business practices that minimize our environmental footprint. Dominican University strives to increase the awareness, knowledge, skills and sense of purpose within our students, faculty, staff and community to best meet the needs of the present, while creating a future that is just and sustainable for all.
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