USF president Judy Genshaft plans to commit the university to the fight against global warming this weekend, when she signs the American Colleges & Universities Presidents Climate Commitment during the Getting Green By Going Green Expo in Tampa.

The commitment states, in part: "Campuses that address the climate challenge by eliminating global warming emissions and by integrating sustainability into their curriculum will better serve their students and meet their social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical and civil society."

Genshaft said in a press release that it makes sense for universities to take the lead in dealing with environmental problems such as global warming. "College and university campuses are teeming with the brainpower, the expertise and the passion to make a tremendous contribution to confronting climate change. I'm proud to join with my colleagues across the nation in this endeavor."