MIT's commitment to environmental responsibility begins at the highest levels of our administration, and permeates virtually every aspect of our community. The goals and strategies we follow to act upon that commitment are defined by dedicated senior administrators and some of MIT's most prestigious faculty, working in collaboration with a broad constituency of our MIT community. These individuals are united around several critical objectives, which include:

• Honoring our legacy of leadership in science, technology, and innovative problem solving
• Promoting research, academic, administrative, operational, and individual activities that support MIT's environmental standards, which embody stewardship and extend well beyond compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
• Protecting our environment and the welfare of our community

Our efforts within this area fall within the aegis of several pivotal groups:

• Chaired by Chancellor Phillip Clay, and co-chaired by Professor David Marks, the Council on the Environment develops innovative research and academic programs on the environment, both within MIT and in partnership with other institutions.
• Reporting to the Office of the Executive Vice President and the Vice President of Research, the Environmental Programs / EHS Headquarters Office (EP/EHO ) and its Managing Director for EHS Programs, William Van Schalkwyk, participate in environmental policymaking. EP/EHO is also responsible for the coordination of MIT-wide environmental initiatives, and for overall environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management at MIT. EP/EHO oversees the Environment, Health, and Safety Office (EHS Office), which supports initiatives that extend well beyond compliance.
• Chaired by Vice President for Research Claude Canizares, the Institute Council on Environment, Health and Safety oversees MIT's Environmental Health and Safety Management System, which applies MIT's comprehensive goals for the environment and for the welfare of our community to our research and administrative operations.