| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.66 |
| Liaison | Amber Saxton |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2024 |
George Mason University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Greg
Farley Director of Sustainability University Sustainability |
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:
The Mason Sustainability Council (MSC) is an institution-wide initiative that works to integrate Mason’s research and academic strengths in sustainability with campus operations to mitigate Mason’s impact on the global climate, enables our campuses to become learning laboratories, and further establishes Mason as an institutional leader in higher-education sustainability.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
25 persons, including Vice Presidents, Assistant/Associate Provosts, faculty, student leaders, and staff. Co-Chaired by the Provost and the Senior Vice President.
Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent employee?:
A brief description of each sustainability office:
The mission of the sustainability office is to use the strengths of George Mason University - innovation, responsiveness, flexibility, and community strength - to provide leadership in environmental, social, and economic stewardship on our campuses and throughout the local and global communities of which we are a part.
The responsibilities of the Sustainability Office include:
--Provide a strategic direction for the evolution of sustainability on Mason's campuses.
--Provide policy recommendations to the administration that improve our operational efficiency and contribute to our long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
--Assist in the creation of processes and standards across campus that promote the sustainability of Mason.
--Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to create a central hub for communicating sustainability initiatives.
--Participate in the coordination of campus-wide awareness and engagement campaigns, such as Earth Month and others.
--Work with the Provost's Office to encourage the integration of sustainability principles into curricula across the university.
--Interface with local, regional, and national organizations and working groups that can further the sustainability interests of George Mason University.
--Implementing a climate action plan that will lead Mason to climate neutrality.
Office website: https://green.gmu.edu/about/
Full-time equivalent 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?:
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
University Sustainability (formerly the Office of Sustainability) coordinates sustainability at the institutional level. https://green.gmu.edu
Successes and accomplishments include elimination of over 50% of single-use plastics; carbon accounting; changes to university purchasing, waste, composting, and recycling practices; operation of a hydroponic greenhouse and multiple food garden spaces; and more.
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Responsible for developing and leading a coherent, university-wide climate and sustainability program by coordinating operations, teaching, research and student sustainability activities to achieve the overall strategic goals of the university. Assesses cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and means of achieving acceptance. Works with appropriate university units and departments to implement initiatives. Primary responsibility for ownership of the University’s climate neutrality goals. Can be affiliated with a Mason academic or research unit, depending on interest and experience.
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):
Oversees Mason's institutional sustainability assessment, reporting as well as systemic improvements by supports sustainability planning, program and policy development, and strategic initiatives (i.e., zero waste).
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):
Manages greenhouse and gardens program. Hosts hundreds of volunteers every semester and oversees all on-campus organic food production operations, including growing lettuce, microgreens, and culinary herbs year-round, which are served in the dining halls and sold to customers on campus, as well as overseeing permaculture food forest. Hosts workshops and experiential learning opportunities.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.