Over the past few months, I've been helping to plan SSCC 2008, and I am so excited. Here's what's happening: The conference will take place March 31 - April 2, 2008 at the University of Maryland, College Park. Here's the overview from the conference website: "The conference brings together current and future leaders in the areas of campus planning and development, environmental health and safety, sustainability, finance and business, facilities management, and procurement. This comprehensive symposium will feature sessions and workshops on smart growth and sustainable practices that serve the economy, the community, and the environment specifically in:

• Institutionalizing Sustainability-Benefits, strategies, sustainability and mission, Presidents Climate Commitment, trustee engagement, committees/task forces on campus, financing sustainability, student recruitment, and marketplace advantages
• Operational Solutions-Energy, green building, transportation, procurement, and food and dining
• Smart Growth and Campus Planning-Development issues, open spaces, density, mixed uses, future growth, growth and carbon emission reduction, town/gown collaboration
• Assessment and Measurement-Behavioral changes measurement, campus improvements metrics, and reporting

Colleges and universities have a significant impact on the built and natural environment and are under increasing pressure from governments, students, and community members to carefully mitigate their environmental footprint. NACUBO is partnering with several other higher education associations to again deliver a comprehensive symposium on smart growth and sustainable practices that serves the economy, the community, and the environment. The conference is produced from a partnership of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NACUBO, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the University of Maryland, College Park, Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence (C2E2), APPA: The Association for Higher Education Facilities Officers, the Campus Safety Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) and the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). " The keynote speakers include:

• Terry Tamminen, Cabinet Secretary, Chief Policy Advisor to the Governor of California, architect of the Hydrogen Highway Network, the Climate Action Plan and the $3.2 billion 'Million Solar Roof Initiative.
• Mike Tidwell, founder of the United States Climate Emergency Council, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and author of "The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas and the Coming Death of America's Coastal Cities"
• Matthias Ruth, Director of the Environmental Policy Program at the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland
• Dale McGirr, Senior Planner, Associate, American Institute of Architects, GBBN architects

The sessions will also include a Presidents Climate Commitment Signatories Panel, and a student panel entitled, "Channeling Student Power." The full schedule is posted here. Early registration ends March 3, so register now!Early Bird Rate ***|*Regular Fee:$349Student Fee:$115 Standard Rate(after 3/3/07) Regular Fee:$399**Student Fee:***$150