| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.03 |
| Liaison | Sara McIntyre |
| Submission Date | Aug. 10, 2022 |
Sewanee - The University of the South
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Amy
Turner Director of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Office of Environmental Stewardship and 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:
There are two standing sustainability committees on campus: 1) the Sustainability Steering Committee and 2) Sustain Leaders Advisory Committee.
There are two standing sustainability committees on campus: 1) Sustainability Steering Committee- The Sustainability Steering Committee serves as a cross-divisional leadership team composed of staff, faculty and student representation from the College and the School of Theology as well as the Board of Trustees. These individuals understand the importance of shared ownership of the University's commitment to becoming a leader in the environment and sustainability movement. 2) Sustain Leaders Advisory Committee- To serve in an advisor capacity to Sustain Leaders, providing mentorship, project development, and guidance throughout the school year.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
1. Director of the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, Chair
2. Sustainability Coordinator
3. Assistant Dean of SIPE
4. A.V.P. for Facilities Management or Representative
5. Dining Services Director or Representative
6. Residential Life Director or Representative
7. Business Services Director or Representative
8. Board of Trustees Representative
9. Office of Civic Engagement Director or Representative
10. Faculty member from the School of Theology selected by the School of Theology
12. Three college faculty, with staggered terms, can be renewed.
13. Two students from the College for two-year terms (junior and senior years), initial terms to expire May 2020 and May 2021.
14. A representative from the Student Government for a two-year term (junior and senior years), initial term to expire May 2021 (may be chosen every year)
15. A student from the School of Theology selected by the Student Executive Committee of the Saint Luke’s Community for a two-year term (middler and senior years), initial term to expire May 2021.
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 University of the South has the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, which was created in 2012. This office consists of the Sustainability Program, Domain Management, the University Farm, and the Sewanee Headwaters Initiative. The Sustainability Program serves as a resource to shepherd awareness about stewardship and sustainability and to catalyze change. The program focuses on broad array of campus life including: energy, food, water, waste, buildings, materials management, transportation, socially responsible investments, and the curricular engagement of the these challenges.
The University Farm's focus is on sustainable agriculture and education, while Domain Management's focus in on sustainable ecosystems in our forested landscape.
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:
The Sustainability Director is responsible for overseeing the operational implementation of the university sustainability initiatives and and curricular programs while the Sustainability Coordinator is responsible for the technical implementation of the university’s sustainability initiatives, including assessment of physical spaces, and co-curricular programs and activities, and student and campus outreach and engagement. The Energy Manager has focused on energy improvements, physical spaces, building envelopes, sustainability fellows, and sustainability program developments.
The completion of the 2019 Domain Mangement Plan (Finalized February 2020), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification of the University's Land Base (~13,036 acres), review and draft Climate Accountability Plan (2021). Initiation of the Sustain Leaders Seminar a for credit Seminar course for Students who are interested in developing a further interest and knowledge base of sustainability topics to lead them into their chosen career paths in sustainability/environmentalism.
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Primary Function
Provide overall leadership, direction, oversight, and promotion of the environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives and practices provided by the University of the South. This includes collaboration between OESS staff and the wider university community including senior administration, students, faculty, and administrative staff. The office consists of several programs including: Domain Management, Sustain Sewanee, the University Farm, and the Sewanee Headwaters Initiative.
Takes lead role for project teams and assigned environmental stewardship and sustainability projects or tasks. Works closely with the campus’ senior leadership, academic departments, initiatives, and other University departments.
Coordinates efforts to achieve the University’s environmental stewardship and sustainability Commitments and Goals. Develops in coordination with the senior administration, students, faculty, and administrative staff the University’s environmental stewardship and sustainability Commitments and Goals.
This position will seek to broaden the University community’s understanding of environmental stewardship and sustainability related issues, practices and opportunities within our daily operations and their impact on longer term issues.
Typical Duties & Responsibilities
Lead planning for the larger scale thematic and finer grained recreational, educational and research use of the Domain. This effort includes large scale management projects such as the Domain Management Plan, Domain Access Plan, Lake Access Plan and the management of the Domain 3D project.
Coordinate the University’s efforts in implementation of environmental stewardship and sustainability goals for excellence by promoting the University’s environmental stewardship and sustainability goals across the University and beyond the curriculum.
Develops and recommends standards, policies, and ideas to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship; identifies desirable initiatives and assesses their feasibility and acceptance within the University community. Identifies and pursues external funding sources as appropriate.
Collaborates with decision makers in various University programs (e.g., master planning and individual project planning) ensuring environmental stewardship and sustainability standards are met; integrates future initiatives with planning process.
Coordinate, complete, and maintain databases for past, present, and future educational and research activities on the greater Domain, for historical land uses on the Domain, for past and future forest inventories, and for field monitoring of baseline ecological information including RTE species, invasive species, and community distributions. Develop technological capacities to facilitate data capture and data utilization in the field.
Facilitate, and assist in maximizing the impact of, research on the greater Domain by faculty and students, increasing over time, by: 1) serving as a primary point of contact for those at the University and elsewhere who wish to initiate projects on the greater Domain; 2) developing relationships with research faculty at graduate institutions, conservation and land management agencies in the region to facilitate grant supported research on the greater Domain and in our region to generate collaborative opportunities for Sewanee faculty and students; 3) communicate to potential users the planning and direction of implementation; and 4) ensure consultative, professional relationships with users through a regular – at least annual – process of soliciting feedback and advice.
Provide leadership and vision to create, foster, lead and implement strategic planning and programmatic goals for OESS and each individual program.
Serves on campus-wide committees representing OESS in a professional manner; develops educational programs and conducts training/workshops to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Seeks avenues to promote the University’s efforts within the environmental stewardship and sustainability industries.
Perform other duties as assigned.
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):
Promote a Sustainable Campus Culture
Develop, manage, implement, and improve sustainability related programming and/or activities in the University Community to grow the impact of the Sustainability Program.
Provide oversight and direction for the Sustainability Leaders program
Recruit and supervise student team members;
Develop and encourage a team dynamic among the Leaders and the Advisory Team;
Support the development of professional skill sets within the Sustain Leaders;
Seek new and innovative projects or other means that foster relationships and involvement among all educational majors.
Improve the Environmental Performance & Monitor and Report
Manage the University’s Sustainability Tracking and Assessment Rating System (STARS) status and manage the University’s Second Nature reporting. Update the STARS submission at least every three years to keep the University’s information current; disseminate and communicate the University’s STARS results; and, identify means and methods for continuous improvement.
Assist the Director in strategic and long term planning for sustainability and provide support in updating the Sustainability Master Plan and Climate Action Plan. Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend and implement modifications to improve program effectiveness.
Promote Environmental Stories
Support and communicate with various operational staff members to help create and prioritize institutional goals, create student opportunities, and further develop sustainability reporting.
Facilitate the participation of students and staff in national sustainability organizations and meetings, specifically, but not exclusively, Planet Forward, and Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Develop, coordinate, and/or participate in promotional activities such as website management, social media, visual communications, newsletters and/or other promotional materials and/or publications.
Other duties as assigned.
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):
Primary Function:
Develop and deliver energy and water conservation programs and projects at every level of the organization.
This position will monitor and analyze energy and water consumption and costs, oversee campus metering and energy monitoring programs and assist in establishing effective standards and procedures for the operation of HVAC, electrical, and mechanical systems as they relate to ensuring comfortable and efficient indoor environments.
This position will identify desirable energy conservation initiatives; assess cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and impact; and gain acceptance by the University community.
Typical Duties & Responsibilities Create schedules and establish setpoints for spaces to manage HVAC equipment run time. Scope will include weekday, weeknight, weekend, holiday, and summer shutdown schedules for every building on campus.
Trouble shoot complaints and concerns on environmental comfort from University customers and assist in identifying problems to be addressed by HVAC technicians.
Manage database of all University utility accounts. Compile and maintain utility consumption and costs for monitoring, analysis and measuring/verifying energy conservation efforts. Generate reports for surveys of energy and water use.
Manage bill payment for all University utility accounts. Monitor the accounts and meters for proper billing and rates. Provide data for budget projections and rate of spending during the fiscal year.
Develop, design, and implement capital projects related to energy conservation and management.
Calculate return on investment, monitor improvements, measure/verify savings. Maintain a register of energy saving projects.
Join in efforts of Facilities Management team to ensure temperature, humidity, exhaust, lighting, doors/windows, plumbing fixtures and other features are working together for building integrity and energy and water stewardship.
Develop educational resources for building occupants on efficient use of their spaces and communicate the impact of their energy and water practices. Develop target information for key audiences about our energy management program to gain support at all levels of our organization for energy reduction initiative and goals.
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.