In July 2004, Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., President of The University of Scranton, convened a committee of staff and faculty to discuss ways in which the University community could weave sustainability issues into campus life. Part of the ongoing emphasis on Education for Justice, the Sustainability Task Force was created to develop a comprehensive strategy for The University of Scranton. The Task Force has developed the following campus-wide implementation plan that will be shared with the University community on February 8, 2005, at the University's annual Trustee Day.

The University of Scranton's emphasis on sustainability will also take place in the context of a United Nations' initiative that begins in January of 2005 entitled: A Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. The initiative is intended to spark action by governments, organizations and individuals at international, national, regional and local levels. Education and educational institutions at all levels are essential to the UN's plan to change the behavior and attitudes of future generations so as to create and preserve a sustainable society.

The Task Force decided to approach this important issue from three vantage points: academics, physical plant and community education.

Academics: finding ways to infuse an emphasis on sustainability into the curriculum so as to provide students with a different prism through which to view issues of justice and decision-making.

Physical Plant: demonstrating in tangible ways that the University is prepared to "practice what it preaches." This also provides the ancillary benefit of reducing costs throughout our organization by using sustainable approaches in campus systems.

Community Education: informing constituents both on- and off-campus of the importance of this issue for the world as a whole, as well as for the local community.