Former President Ashley on Sustainability
In his inauguration address delivered April 27, 2007, then-UNLV President David B. Ashley laid out a vision for UNLV to become a leader in sustainability. Following are excerpts from his speech:
Core Values
"Ecology is another core value we will continue to share. Ecology is sustainability in all its dimensions, and this philosophy will distinguish our future campus both physically and culturally. Of course, this includes energy and water. It also includes human ecology. We will seek a campus culture that values and engages all its members, including its neighbors. We will build facilities and assemble our faculty so that we will be a model for sustainability. Our university district will be a destination of choice. Our pursuit of a sustainable and welcoming community will be uncompromising.
"We will hold true to another core value: economy. We will be efficient stewards of all of our resources — whether they be environmental, human, political, or financial…."
Committed to Research
"UNLV will become an institution fully committed to research. From energy to sociology to breakthrough work in the areas of biosciences, engineering, literature, and more, we will continue our evolution as a competitive research institution, and as a highly regarded research university, as a national and world leader.
"Why? Because research is the precursor to enterprise, and enterprise is the engine that drives an economy. No research, no engine. No matter how strong an economy, diversifying only makes it stronger.
"Not only is our economy completely unique, so is our culture, so is our climate, so are the challenges we face. As such, it is vital that we continue to embark on bold research initiatives that serve our unique state. Put simply, there are some areas of research that, if not pursued by us, may not be pursued by anyone…."
Committed to Sustainability
"UNLV is committed to sustainability. From this moment forward, facilities constructed on campus will be designed and engineered with this ultimate goal in mind. We will be a leader in this movement in Southern Nevada and a valued resource and model for others who wish to pursue this worthy cause."