Eastern Kentucky University
EN-7: Employee Educators Program

The Sustainability Network works to accomplish the goals outlined in EKU's Sustainability Strategic Plan. It is organized into the following sub-teams: Energy, Air & Climate, Buildings & Infrastructure, Grounds, Ag. & Dining, Transportation, Waste Management & Purchasing, Water Management, Engagement & Communications, Academic Affairs. While each team may work with other EKU employees in facilitating progress on goals, the Engagement & Communications team is more active in outreach efforts. Some examples would be cross promotion and coordination of the EKU Earth Day Festival, #EKULocal Festival, American Chestnut Orchard planting and cleanup events, and environmental film documentaries. The Engagement & Communications team trains employees and students alike to become subject experts during specific events and activities sponsored by the Office of Sustainability each year. For example, members of the Engagement & Communications team educated over 100 volunteers including staff and faculty members on the history and ecological significance of the American Chestnut tree on Appalachian forests during our most recent American Chestnut orchard planting and cleanup day. Individuals were also trained on proper tree planting and care.

Sustainability Network members are selected by the EKU Sustainability Manager due to their unique ability to influence others based upon their full-time employment role at the University.

Sustainability Network members attend an annual summit meeting that gives an overview of the goals for the upcoming year and accomplishments of the previous year as well as recurring sub-team meetings organized according to the Sustainability Strategic Plan.

The Sustainability Network is supported by the budget of the Office of Sustainability as needed.

In accordance with EKU’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and to reducing our environmental impact, the Responsible Environmental Stewardship Committee serves to: (a) Increase and improve the praxis and teaching of sustainability and environmental stewardship across all university areas (e.g., teaching, research, service, programs, operations), including but not limited to energy diversification, transportation, and waste management; (b) Assist, advise and support the Office of Sustainability’s initiatives. Membership 1. The Committee on Responsible Environmental Stewardship (the “Committee”) shall consist of eighteen (18) voting members from the university’s faculty and staff. In addition the Sustainability Manager will serve as an ex officio (non-voting) member and a voting student representative appointed by the Student Government Association 2. Committee members shall serve three- year, renewable, terms. 3. The Committee shall consist of: a. Eight (8) faculty members from across all colleges, including: i. Two (2) from the College of Arts and Sciences ii. One (1) from the College of Justice and Safety iii. One (1) from the College of Education iv. One (1) from the Business and Technology v. One (1) from the College of Health Sciences vi. One (1) from the University Programs (e.g., ENV) vii. One (1) from the Graduate Education & Research (e.g., Division of Natural Areas) b. Two (2) staff members from the Division of Student Success: i. One (1) from Student Life & Auxiliary Services (i.e., Student Life, Housing, Campus Recreation, or Dining Services) ii. One (1) from Communications and Marketing / Enrollment Management c. Four (4) staff members from the Division of Finance & Administration: i. Three (3) from Facilities services including: one (1) Custodial; one (1) Building & Energy Infrastructure ; and one (1) Ground/Landscape/Environment representative ii. One (1) from University Business Services (i.e., Parking, Purchasing and Stores, Printing) d. One (1) staff member from Engagement and Regional Stewardship e. Two (2) members at large. i. Individuals interested in serving as members at large may volunteer for the Committee by applying when a member at large position becomes available. 1. Anticipated openings among the member at large positions will be announced at an open meeting of the committee during the semester prior the opening. 2. The chair will maintain an application form for prospective members for general membership positions. 4. A Chair and Vice Chair shall be selected from the Committee members. The Vice Chair retains voting privileges. The Chair may vote in the result of a tie. 5. The Chair will review the membership roll of the committee at the beginning of the spring semester. Working with the vice chair, the Chair will actively work to ensure representatives from each College and Department outlined above and work to fill any anticipated vacancies among voting members. Outgoing members will be encouraged to identify a replacement from his or her College or Department. During the spring semester the chair will seek to fill vacancies, including contacting the Deans and Administrators of each area listed, soliciting appointments to the Committee. a. If a college does not provide a representative by the first meeting of the academic year, when a position is vacant, then another member of the university faculty from any college may fill the position for a one-year term. b. If a designated area does not provide a staff representative by the first meeting of the academic year, then another member of the same division may fill the position for a one-year term. c. If the Engagement and Regional Stewardship Office does not provide a representative by the first meeting of the academic year, a member at large may serve in the position for a one-year term. 6. All Committee meetings are open meetings. Sustainability affects all areas of the University. Therefore, all individuals employed by Eastern Kentucky University, and all currently enrolled EKU Students, are invited to attend. All meetings will be announced in EKU Today and EKU Students Today twice before each business meeting (approximately 10 and 3 days before) by the Vice Chair of the Committee. Chair Of The Committee 1. The term of the chair is one (1) year. 2. At the last meeting of the academic year, the committee will elect a vice chair from eligible members. 3. The vice chair will become chair after serving one (1) year as vice chair. 4. There are no consecutive terms Parliamentary Authority 1. Rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the committee unless they are inconsistent with the bylaws or general rules of the committee or with University policies. 2. Voting quorum is 50% of the composition of the committee’s positions, requiring 10 members of the committee to be present in order for voting business to occur.