Maryland Higher Education Commission

Message from Secretary James E. Lyons, Sr.

During his time in office, Governor O’Malley has shown a bold and unwavering commitment to ensuring that Maryland’s precious open space, waterways and all natural resources remain as pristine as possible while addressing the growing concern of climate change through his “Smart, Green and Growing” initiative. I fully support these efforts.

I am pleased to report that many of our two- and four-year public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools already have programs in place on their campuses and locations to help Governor O’Malley in his endeavor.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission serves as a coordinating board and an advocate for all of Maryland’s colleges, universities and private career schools. With their partnership, MHEC’s link on the Smart, Green and Growing website allows all who access this site to see what institutions are doing to make their campuses greener through a series of exciting and innovative programs. Maryland’s postsecondary schools are emerging as a national leader in the green movement.

Throughout the past three years, one of the great joys of my position as Secretary of Higher Education has been to visit numerous postsecondary institutions throughout every region of the State. I see the great pride students and faculty exhibit when they tell me about green initiatives they have or will soon begin.

I’m sure after reviewing these institutions’ efforts to make our State a cleaner, greener more environmentally sustainable place to live that you will agree with me that our colleges, universities, and private career schools are not taking this effort lightly. Our students understand the need to leave a cleaner, greener environment for future generations through their extraordinary commitment to this issue.

For a report on the Smart, Green and Growing Initiatives the Maryland Higher Education Commission is undertaking please go to:

http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/higherEd/Green/MHECGreen.asp

For a list of the Smart, Green and Growing Initiatives being undertaken by some of Maryland’s colleges, universities, and private career schools, please go to:

http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/higherEd/Green/HigherEdGreenInitiatives.asp