| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.69 |
| Liaison | Deborah Steinberg |
| Submission Date | Feb. 7, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Carnegie Mellon University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Barbara
Kviz Environmental Coordinator Facilities Management Services |
Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:
As part of the Carnegie Mellon strategic initiative to enhance the scope and impact of our education and research programs related to the environment, the Environmental Practices Committee (EPC) was charged in April 1999 by President Cohon to develop a plan for an expanded environmental practices program on campus.
Green Practices Committee Mission
"The Green Practices Committee will strive to develop university practices that improve environmental quality, decrease waste and conserve natural resources and energy, thereby establishing Carnegie Mellon as a practical model for other universities and companies."
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role (e.g. staff, student, or faculty):
Committee Co-Chairs
Barbara Kviz
Co-Chair, Environmental Coordinator,
Facilities Management and Campus Services
bk11@andrew.cmu.edu
Faculty
Nina Baird
Teaching Professor & Academic Chair of Green Practices
Architecture
nbaird@cmu.edu
Dave Dzombak
Blenko & University Professor, Dept Head Civil & Environmental Engineering
dzombak@cmu.edu
Trustee
Lowell Steinbrenner
Carnegie Mellon Trustee
Staff
Martin Altschul
University Engineer, Facilities Management and Campus Services
ma3q@andrew.cmu.edu
Don Coffelt
Associate VP for Facilities Management and Campus Services
dcoffelt@andrew.cmu.edu
Maureen Dawley
University Libraries
md2z@andrew.cmu.edu
Marcia Gerwig
University Center Director
mg48@andrew.cmu.edu
Steve Guenther
Director, Facilities Operations, Facilities Management and Campus Services
sgue@andrew.cmu.edu
Jan Held
Sr. Project Manager, Campus Design and Facilities Development
jheld@andrew.cmu.edu
Ralph Horgan
Associate VP for Campus Design and Facility Development
rh44@andrew.cmu.edu
Pascal Petter
Director of Dining Services
ppetter@andrew.cmu.edu
Michelle Porter
Manager, Parking and Transportation Services
mporter@andrew.cmu.edu
Robert Reppe
Director of Design, CDFD
breppe@andrew.cmu.edu
Jennifer Rogers
Project Manager, Facilities Management and Campus Services
jlrogers@andrew.cmu.edu
Michael Schneider
Director of Facilities for Student Affairs
mpschnei@andrew.cmu.edu
Anna Siefken
Associate Director for Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation
asiefken@andrew.cmu.edu
M.Shernell Smith
Coordinator of Student Development
mssmith@andrew.cmu.edu
and all Scotty Goes Green Departmental Representatives (20-25)
Students
Abbey Mui (Dietrich College Interdisciplinary)
asmui@andrew.cmu.edu
Brian Lee (CEE) Green Practices Intern, Sustainable Earth
bhlee@andrew.cmu.edu
Nicole Shi Sustainable Earth
nxs@andrew.cmu.edu
Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) employee?:
A brief description of each sustainability office:
Since 2001, a staff position is focused on sustainability and green practices and is located in the Facilities Management and Campus Services Department. This staff coordinates and supports the implementation of university green projects. They encourage the university community to participate in the Green Practices Mission. By tracking a variety of green practices; energy use, green building projects, transportation, procurement, recycling & waste and GHG emissions, the office can then compile and report on the status of our environmental accomplishments for internal and external audiences.
FMCS hires student interns to support these green practice initiatives and projects.
Green Practices represents the university in national, state and regional initiatives and organizations.
Working with other campus departments on green initiatives include but are not limited to: Scotty Goes Green Office Certification Program, greening the supply chain with procurement services; working in conjunction with campus planners and designers to promote best practices for green building; recommending new products or equipment for energy and water efficient operations; supporting the mission of the Environmental Health and Safety Department to minimize waste or recycle universal waste, support government relations on local and community initiatives, and advise student environmental organizations.
Educational aspects of the office include identifying potential student/faculty environmental research projects using the campus as a laboratory and providing useful recommendations. By developing these research, independent study, and intern opportunities, students gain hands-on experience with real world environmental problems. The office aids in planning and coordinating training or informational programs for the campus community to learn about resource conservation and green initiatives.
The office aims to develop new ways to reduce the university environmental footprint by performing assessments and providing recommendations for pollution prevention, GHG reductions, waste minimization, reuse, recycling and resource conservation.
This office also applies for grants to support green initiatives.
Full-time equivalent (FTE) of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution (e.g. a campus-wide committee or an officer/office responsible for the entire campus)?:
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
The Green Practices Committee is a group of people that are committed to help guide the university to use sustainable practices in daily operations. We have been meeting regularly over 15 years, and now meet 10 times annually, holding 5 General Body meetings and 5 Working Group meetings. The focus has changed over time, but it has always been an open meeting for any campus green initiative to be discussed and suggestions given for next steps.
Green Practices Committee New Faculty Co-Chair
2017-18 Goals and 10 Teams Established
CMU is a Host Institution for the AASHE 2018 Conference to be held in Pittsburgh, PA.
Supports the purchase of 100% renewable electricity for campus, annually, since 2011.
Guides Spring Carnival Environmental Committee to coordinate Carnival waste & recycling, Eco-Judging, and the PNC Bank $500 award for most Eco-friendly booths.
Participates in Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Green Workplace Challenge, since 2011.
Participates in College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC) RecycleMania contest annually, since 2004.
Participation at events to promote composting on campus; Taste of Tartans, National Nutrition Month, Spring Carnival. Coordinates with Sustainable Earth, the student environmental club to table at events.
Interacted with the Staff Council Sustainability Committee, Faculty Senate, Graduate Student Assembly and Undergraduate Student Senate to promote a campus wide EPS Reduction Resolution.
Organizes volunteer support for Zero waste (100% composted events), Almost Midnight Breakfast 900+, Staff Picnic 2500 people, Andy Awards, Staff Council & Green Practices Meetings.
Promotes the Commencement Caps & Gown Recycling Program.
Received Bike Friendly University League of American Bicyclists Silver Certificate in 2018.
Promotes Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) cycling events and annual Biking 101 Classes.
Collaborates with Parking and BAC to hold Bike to Work Day, Spring and Fall semester kick-off events.
Added another composting hub for iNoodle at Newell Simon Hall and set up a composting program.
Coordinated collection of data for AASHE STARS 2.1 report, review of submission.
NECSC Steering Committee Meetings – Routinely participate in monthly conference calls.
Increase participation in the campus Green Office Certification Program, Scotty Goes Green.
Use the increased capabilities of the Big Belly software to monitor waste and recycling habits on campus.
2014-2018 Received Tree Campus USA designation, apply annually.
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
POSITION DESCRIPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
CARNEGIE MELLON
March 1, 2009
TITLE:
Environmental Coordinator
SUMMARY:
The holder of this position provides coordination and program support services for management of resources on campus in an environmentally responsible manner. A primary responsibility for this person is to encourage and assist students, faculty and staff to identify and implement conservation opportunities in support of University and Facilities Management Services (FMS) Mission Statements.
Direction
Responsible for administration, planning and budgets for all aspects of waste management, recycling and integrated pest management contracts.
QUALIFICATONS:
Bachelor's degree required, master's desirable, in the field of Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or other related fields. More than four years of experience in environmental resource management required. Familiarity with applicable Federal and State Regulations is also desired.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Resource Management: Research, Design and Implementation (50%)
Education and Outreach (35%)
Administration, Data Management, and Development (15%)
1. Monitor the University’s compliance with the established set of Carnegie Mellon University resource conservation and recovery Environmental Practices. Work in conjunction with departments as necessary to take steps toward achieving the goals set forth in the Practices.
2. Generate grants to support initiatives, e.g., grants from the USDA for planting trees, grants from PADEP for waste reduction initiatives, etc.
3. Promote the Environment Across the Curriculum concept. Identify and recommend potential student/faculty environmental projects that use the campus as a laboratory and provide the University with useful research and recommendations. Develop assistantships, independent study, and intern opportunities for students.
4. Perform assessments and provide recommendations for pollution prevention, waste minimization, reuse, reduction, recycling and resource conservation to faculty, staff, and students. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Organize and monitor a campus resource exchange network.
b. Work in conjunction with campus planners and designers to insure that the University maximizes energy efficiency.
c. Work in conjunction with the Environmental Health and Safety Department to support toxic use reduction, the recycling of special wastes, and waste minimization.
d. Identify problem areas and set waste reduction goals.
5. Plan for the removal, transport, and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste and recyclable materials. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Serve as main point of contact for all recycling efforts on campus.
b. Plan, design, inspect, and coordinate campus-wide recycling programs/efforts.
c. Assess market options for recyclables, draft and establish contracts for recycling services; negotiate prices and service agreements with potential markets; serve as contact point for such contracts.
d. Monitor and improve campus composting efforts.
e. Implement the daily functions needed to comply with or exceed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Act 101, Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act.
f. Maintain a record keeping system, prepare appropriate reports to document campus recycling efforts, and distribute this information within the University as appropriate.
6. Work with Purchasing Services and Supplier Management and other University departments to insure that all feasible steps are taken to comply with best available procurement practices. Review materials being purchased by the University and interact with Purchasing Services and Supplier Management to establish provisions for maximizing the level of reusable, recycled, and/or recyclable content of all goods and services being procured.
7. Plan, conduct and coordinate training and informational programs for faculty, staff, and students on campus resource conservation/environmental programs, efforts, and issues, as appropriate.
8 Conduct environmental impact assessments on University projects/activities, as requested or appropriate. Provide recommendations to appropriate campus entities.
9. Coordinate and administer an overall campus environmental audit at least once every five (5) years.
10. Serve as Vice Chair of the Carnegie Mellon Environmental Practices Committee and interact with this committee on a frequent basis. Provide assistance and guidance to this committee in their preparation of research papers, reports and recommendations for environmental improvements.
11. Prepare and submit an annual progress report on campus environmental practices to the President’s Strategic Planning Committee of the Environment
12. Promote and advise active student environmental organizations.
13. Provide assistance to the Facilities Management Services Energy Manager as needed.
Starting Salary: Negotiable; non-exempt position
Job title of the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job title of the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
In 2018, the Green Practices Committee established goals and goals teams for our annual sustainability work. See attached document.
In 2018, the Green Practices Committee established goals and goals teams for our annual sustainability work. See attached document.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.