Message from the Chancellor

For more than forty years, the University of California, Irvine has served as a center for quality education and research, equipping students to become responsible, productive members of society and finding innovative solutions to contemporary issues.

Citizens of our planet are facing a difficult collective challenge. Growth and development continue to change the world we live in, impacting global climate, decreasing species diversity, and diminishing the natural resources necessary for the survival of all species. At UC Irvine, we are reaching beyond our classrooms and laboratories to involve students, faculty, staff, community members and other institutions in our efforts to address environmental concerns.

Creating a symbiotic relationship between humans and their environment will require colleges and universities to condition students to be caring inhabitants of this planet for the benefit of future generations. At UC Irvine, programs across a variety of disciplines enrich the educational experience by providing students with this forward-thinking perspective.

Our dedicated staff and administrators also are committed to finding resourceful ways of making "green" synonymous with economical. Our employee community has made major strides in reducing campus energy consumption, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the Sustainable Transportation program. Sustainable practices have been incorporated into all sectors of campus operations, and our world-class faculty is conducting cutting-edge research in fields such as climate change, renewable energy and alternative fuel sources.

I encourage you to explore this website and learn about UC Irvine's commitment to environmental stewardship. By harnessing the immense physical and intellectual resources at our disposal, we are participating in preserving the world's natural wealth and beauty for future generations.

Michael V. Drake, M.D.
Chancellor