Welcome to Rice's Graduation Pledge Alliance website!


The Graduation Pledge is:

"I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."

About the Pledge

  • Students who so desire may take the Pledge by signing and keeping a wallet-size card stating the Pledge. Then, at Commencement, these students wear green ribbons to display their commitment.

  • The Pledge effort is in its early stages at Rice University, and 2006 marks the first year that the graduating class has had a chance to participate.

  • The Graduation Pledge was initiated in 1987 at Humboldt College, and since then the Pledge has been put into practice at over one hundred schools around the country. They range in size from Whitman to Harvard to the University of Wisconsin. And now the pledge is in several countries overseas.

  • From March to May 2006, we signed up 164 undergraduates and 2 grad students. Not bad for our first year! However, we can do much better in 2007, especially with grad students!

Taking the Pledge: When, Why, and How

You should not feel guilted into signing the Pledge, and the Pledge should not make you feel guilty whether you sign it or not. It does not cost you a penny, and we will not distribute your contact information or use it in any way other than to contact you with regards to the Pledge. The Pledge is for you, and it's for your connection with the world around you. It's to remind you to not get too comfortable in your workplace, to keep an eye out for opportunities to improve social and environmental responsibility, and when such opportunities are within your reach, to try your best to make the most of them.

If, after reading and digesting the information on this website, you decide you would like to sign up for the Graduation Pledge, please send an e-mail to [cstam at rice dot edu] with your NAME, E-MAIL ADDRESS, RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE (or DEPARTMENT + MAIL STOP, if you are a grad student), and MONTH/YEAR OF GRADUATION. A couple weeks before your graduation you will receive in your campus mailbox a PLEDGE CARD (which you’ll need to sign) and a GREEN RIBBON for your gown. If you are off campus and don't check your campus mailbox weekly, please also e-mail us your mailing address.