(Collegian January 23rd 2003)

More about the Talloires Agreement (PDF)
 University of Richmond President William Cooper signed the Talloires Declaration last night in a ceremony sponsored by the Urban Practice and Policy program’s forum in Camp Concert Hall. The declaration is a 10-point agreement discussing the role of university presidents in environmental management.
 
The Talloires Declaration, a document signed by over 290 university presidents in over 40 countries, commits Cooper to positive action in environmental sustainability.

It also discusses the role of education, research, policy formation and information exchange in managing the human impact on the environment.

One of the points of the declaration forces universities to ensure all graduates are environmentally literate and responsible citizens.

Cooper said the University provides many opportunities for students to become environmentally responsible.

“Currently, we offer environmental studies courses, and co-curricular programs are being planned. The University Environmental Awareness Group is considering ideas proposed by student focus groups,” Cooper said.

June Aprille, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said, “I think this campus is moving toward open dialogue about controversial issues. I would like to see more dialogue about such matters, especially about the environment, occurring outside of the classroom between students and faculty members.”

In addition to educating graduates, the declaration forces universities to establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools to help their faculty become more capable in teaching students about environmental issues, according to the International Association of Universities’ Web site.

The University is considering plans to collaborate with specific secondary schools in the future. There are programs in place now to establish relations between the University and local secondary schools.

“Professor Paula Lessing and others in the biology department have been working with Richmond public school students on a water quality project,” Cooper said.