College of Saint Benedict
PAE-1: Sustainability Coordination

Sustainability and the College of Saint Benedict Broadly defined, sustainability means meeting society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As a Catholic, Benedictine institution, the College of Saint Benedict accepts that all creation is a gift from God; in exchange we are expected to care for creation and provide stewardship for the entire community of life on Earth. Our commitment to this stewardship, by definition, incorporates the principles of sustainability: our actions should be ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable today and should continue to be so for future generations. The Sustainability Council Mission As an institution committed to the Benedictine tradition and the principles of sustainability, we will work to emphasize and embed these concepts into our educational mission, the operation of the physical campus, and our outreach to communities beyond the college. The Sustainability Council (the Council) will lead our efforts to become more sustainable by providing guidance and recommendations to the President, through the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Director of Sustainability. Specifically, the Council will: 1. Offer guidance on sustainability planning and implementation efforts to those charged with implementation. This will include adherence to the tenants of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. 2. Serve as President Baenninger’s and the Cabinet’s chief advisory body on issues related to sustainability. 3. Review policy recommendations which promote sustainability, including such areas as the conservation of resources, energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, emissions reduction, use of renewable energy sources where practicable, healthy and safe environmental practices, and the sustainable operation of college facilities. 4. Provide leadership in the development, review, and implementation of the college's Sustainability Master Plan. 5. Provide vision and encourage community participation in actively incorporating sustainability into the culture of the college through example, education and leadership. 6. Participate in decision-making related to energy use and consumption, sustainable building construction and renovation, and grant proposal development and fund-raising activities related to sustainability. 7. Serve as the liaison between campus groups dedicated to environmental responsibility and sustainability. Council Membership The Council will be comprised of: 1. Two to four faculty representatives (including the Chair of the Environmental Studies Department) 2. The President’s Assistant 3. The Dean of Students (or designee) 4. Two Staff representatives 5. One monastic representative 6. The Chief Financial Officer 7. The Director of Facilities 8. Two students, including one designated by the Senate 9. The Director of Sustainability, Chair 10. Sustainability Fellow, Secretary Faculty and staff members will be appointed for two year terms. Student will be appointed for one year terms. Terms will begin on July 1st each year and conclude on June 30th of the following year. The Council may invite guests from the campus community to serve on ad hoc committees or provide expertise to the Council as needed. Ad hoc committees or sub-committees may be formed at the discretion of the Council. All committees will include a cross section of the campus community, the Director of Sustainability appoints the Chair.

September 1, 2012 Sustainability Council Membership 1. Two to four faculty representatives (including the Chair of the Environmental Studies Department) a. Bret Benesh, Assistant Professor, Mathematics b. Janna Lafountaine, Professor, Sports Administration c. Derek Larson, Chair, Environmental Studies d. Richard Wielkiewicz, Professor, Psychology 2. The President’s Assistant: Kathryn Enke, Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the President 3. The Dean of Students (or designee): Mary Beth Thompson, Associate Director of Residential Life 4. Three Staff representatives a. Mike Juntunen, Transportation Director (to be confirmed) b. Bridget Sitzer, Admissions c. Catherine Stoch, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations 5. One monastic representative: Margaret Wurm, OSB, Director of Physical Plant 6. The Chief Financial Officer: Sue Palmer, VP of Finance and Administrative Services 7. The Director of Facilities: Brad Sinn, Exec. Director of Facilities & Security 8. Two students, including one designated by the Senate: a. Stephanie Pinkalla, Sustainability Rep on the Student Senate b. Emily Reimer, Student 9. Community Representative: Jim and Maryann Grave 10. The Director of Sustainability: Judy Purman, Chair 11. Sustainability Fellow: vacant, Secretary

Office of Sustainability Mission Statement Broadly defined, sustainability means meeting society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As a Catholic, Benedictine institution, the College of Saint Benedict accepts that all creation is a gift from God; in exchange we are expected to care for creation and provide stewardship for the entire community of life on Earth. Our commitment to this stewardship, by definition, incorporates the principles of sustainability: our actions should be ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable today and should continue to be so for future generations. Because of our commitment to the Benedictine tradition and the principles of sustainability, we will work to emphasize and embed these concepts into our educational mission, the operation of the physical campus, and our outreach to communities beyond the college.

The Director of Sustainability will oversee the development and implementation of the Sustainability Master Plan to move the campus towards carbon neutrality. This includes education and outreach, tracking through greenhouse gas inventory, STARS and other methods to be determined.