NORMAL - The state wants Illinois colleges and universities to lead the way in "green" thinking - and not just in the academic sense.

Green should come into play for building projects, everyday campus operations, and as part of general campus life, said Chuck Scott, Illinois State University facilities director.

On Tuesday, Scott and other ISU staff will share some of the Normal campus' latest environmental efforts during a statewide Sustainable University Symposium.

Labeled "Green Living," the event should draw about 200 attendees from across the state, representing more than 40 campuses and other groups. Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and Heartland Community College in Normal are among other central Illinois campuses taking part.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who leads a state council focusing on bettering environmental practices - and who has called on colleges to be the nucleus of creating a greener society - is keynote speaker.

"The lieutenant governor believes universities are the centers, the leaders, of many movements and the green movement is no exception," said Jen Hoelzle, a Quinn spokeswoman.

Arriving on campus, students are society's future leaders, ready to absorb much more than lessons in books, said Hoelzle. "They also learn a way of life, and this is a chance for us to instill this green way of thinking," she said.

"How we operate the campus, our actions, can be seen as social and environmental responsibility," said Scott.

Hoelzle said ISU is an ideal site because of its central location in the state. She also praised the campus for its environmental efforts on campus.

The symposium allows campus policymakers to brainstorm how to weave green thinking into the fabric of campus operations, said Hoelzle. Three sessions address the topic from different angles:

w Green building design and construction projects and how to efficiently fund those.

Locally, Heartland's Workforce Development Center is an example. The 101,000 square-foot building, opened Aug. 1, soon should gain certification as the first state-funded green constructed building.

w Campus staff positions, how each has a role in greening a campus, including comparitive approaches, and examples of best practices.

Scott pointed out ISU just created the position of sustainability coordinator. ISU also has been recognized for its Green Team, which brings campus areas together in a planning committee.

w Campus operations that keep the environment in mind.

The symposium was organized by the state's Green Government Coordinating Council, of which Quinn is chairman. It comes one year after he unveiled the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, which so far 25 university presidents have signed.

The compact is a pledge to meet 12 sustainability-driven goals by 2011.

Some of the objectives include purchasing renewable energy, using environmentally friendly construction approaches, finding better transportation options, and conserving water.

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Seeing green symposium

When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday; walk-in registration available at 9:30 a.m.

Keynote: Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn talks on "Green Living" at 10 a.m.

Where: College of Business Building, Illinois State University, Normal

Details: Sponsored by the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council

Info: www.GreenSolutions.il.gov