Florida Gulf Coast University
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

As part of the university's strategic plan the Planning and Budget Council's Environmental Sustainability Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the university has a goal (with associated action plans) for promoting environmental sustainability that is included in the university strategic plan. The action plans will have clear objectives and identified resources and offices responsible for their attainment. The committee will monitor the implementation of approved action plans on an ongoing basis and it will make its recommendations to and receive directions from the PBC. The committee will also ensure coordination of the activities of all campus units engaged in activities designed to achieve environmental sustainability. This committee is comprised of key stakeholders across campus and includes: the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, the University Colloquium Coordinator, the Director of Physical Plant, the Director of the Whitaker School of Engineering Environmental Engineering program, the College of Arts and Sciences Chairperson of the Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences, either the director or the associate director of the Center on Environmental and Sustainability Education, a Student Government representative, a Deans’ Council representative, two Faculty Senate representatives, and a Staff Advisory Council representative. After the sustainability plan is drafted it goes on to the Strategic Plan Committee, the Planning and Budget Council, the Executive Council, and ultimately feeds into Strategic Plan that goes before the University Board of Trustees.

The Planning and Budgeting Committee charged the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) to produce a strategic plan for environmental sustainability with recommendations, action plans, proposed responsible individuals, and indicators measuring the university’s progress implementing sustainable operations. The ESC plans to use report submittals for the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment and the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS) as the primary tools for measuring sustainability of the University’s operations. The ESC considered a host of tasks, weighed the challenges, achievability, and existing resources, and identified 50 sustainability tasks in support of the University’s sustainability mission. ESC organized these tasks as prioritized lists to the appropriate University division. The 50 specific tasks cover the wide range of operations at the University; curriculum, physical plant construction and maintenance, waste minimization and recycling, energy consumption and sources, student involvement, research, investments, transportation, and staff development. Some of these tasks are already underway, but they are included to ensure continuity and reporting going forward.

The Environmental Sustainability Committee plans to use report submittals for the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment and the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS) as the primary tools for measuring sustainability of the University’s operations.