Saint Joseph's College - ME
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

In 2012, upon the resigning of the President Climate Change Commitment by our new president, the "Sustainability Steering Committee" (SSC) was formed to engage in developing strategic, institution-wide integration of a "sustainability management system." The SSC immediately forged a "Phase 1" strategic plan that has included a full assessment, or "gap analysis" of our current sustainability management system in the context of the STARS standard. Phase 1 has also included goals aimed at creating a climate action plan and guiding specific aspects of the college's overall strategic plan. A Waste Management Team was formed to improved our waste stream management and existing teams (E-team, ECO-Reps) received the support and guidance of the SCC. It is important to note that the Sustainability Coordinator, a dedicated part-time position since 2008, along with the Bon Appetit food service, had provided a strong, fertile ground for evolving a sustainability culture to a higher level of awareness and embedding sustainability processes and features into all aspects of the campus community.

SUSTAINABILITY STEERING COMMITTEE: Overview The Committee was established in concert with the signing of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment on October 4, 2012 by SJC President Jim Dlugos, as well as the Saint Francis Pledge of the Catholic Climate Covenant, also signed on October 4, 2012. The Mercy Environmental Guidelines provide a framework for the Committee’s ongoing efforts. Mission and Vision Statement The Committee will guide our campus sustainability commitments, goals and actions for the inextricably linked social, economic and environmental issues of our time. The level and extent of the College’s commitments will be expressed through balancing of short and long term strategies and careful analyses of the quantitative and qualitative value of both small and large undertakings. The Committee will work to develop policies and guide priorities for strategic, physical campus, sustainability and climate action planning. Saint Joseph’s College will be viewed as a leader in pioneering sustainable practices within our on campus community, as well as within The Lakes Region and greater Portland communities. SJC will cultivate a stewardship ethic among students, faculty and staff. The mission of this committee is reflective of our college mission statement and our core values. E-TEAM: The E-Team is a group of enthusiastic faculty and staff volunteers dedicated to helping integrate sustainability and "green" practices into campus life. Team members hope to educate colleagues about sustainable practices and foster an environmentally aware culture that values employees efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of everyday activities. Goals of the E-Team Program •Decrease energy use on campus •Increase the environmental awareness among all members of the College community •Work together as a team to educate the campus community about sustainable living and green practices. •Serve as role models for all members of the College community, including staff, faculty and students Role of E-Team Members Members will serve as environmental monitors in the different buildings on campus to provide friendly reminders that relate to energy conservation and sustainable living on campus. Volunteers will also help disseminate information related to green practices, and may also help to promote campus-wide events related to environmental issues. E-Team members will generally help to set a great example in the various buildings around campus, and help maintain awareness about the importance and benefits of sustainable living.

SSC COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Kris Avery, Director of Human Resources Sarah Bakun—SJC Student, EcoRep Chair Chuck Dawes—Director of Facilities Dr. Jeanne Gulnick—Campus Sustainability Coordinator, Environmental Science Professor Carolyn Plant— Executive Assistant to the President & Secretary to the Board Nancy Kristiansen—Director of Online Business Program, Committee Chair Stuart Leckie—Director of Food Services Kimberly Post—Director of Community-based Learning Sr. Kathleen Sullivan—VP for Sponsorship & Mission Integration Dr. Gregory Teegarden—Marine Science Professor Ad Hoc Members Dr. Jim Dlugos—College President Garrett Van Atta—SJC Board Member, LMBA Adjunct Professor WM TEAM MEMBERS: Chuck Dawes—Director of Facilities Dr. Jeanne Gulnick—Campus Sustainability Coordinator, Environmental Science Professor Stuart Leckie—Director of Food Services Kimberly Post—Director of Community-based Learning E-TEAM MEMBERS: Co-Chairs of the E-Team: Suzanne Murphy and Brian Shelley Campus sustainability coordinator: Jeanne Gulnick Members: David McCall, Shelly Davis, Charles Prinn, Elizabeth Auger, Frank Daggett, Sue Keene, Jackie Sovas, Sue Kelly

The office of sustainability works to develop, support and institutionalize sustainable practices and initiatives at Saint Joseph's College utilizing several part-time positions to ensure ongoing support and development of projects and new initiatives. The paid positions include a part-time Sustainability Coordinator (faculty member) and two part-time "ECO-Rep" positions (students).

The Sustainability Coordinator is also on the faculty in the department natural sciences. She acts to further sustainability efforts at the college and coordinates the campus ECOreps, develops sustainability focused events and advocates for and evaluates sustainability in the curriculum. She is an active member of the Sustainability Steering Committee, the E-Team and the WM Team, as well as, several key community organizations - Natural Resources Council of Maine,

Saint Joseph's College has long been engaged in ensuring that students are exposed to a holistic view of their environment that is in close alignment with the core values of the college. Several notable examples include the following: 2001, Required course, Ecology and the Environmental Challenge, added to undergraduate core curriculum. http://www.sjcme.edu/magazine/spring10/earth-day-2010 2005, Pearson's Farm launches in partnership with Bon Appetit Dining. http://www.sjcme.edu/mercy-center/farm 2009, Initial signing of the PCCC http://www.sjcme.edu/magazine/summer09/climate