| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.83 |
| Liaison | Mark Lichtenstein |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2023 |
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Sue
Fassler Sustainable Facilities Manager Facilities |
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:
- "Core" Sustainability Team: Includes Office of Sustainable Facilities and Operations and Office of Sustainability staff. Serves as the primary body of sustainability-focused staff driving initiatives forward on a day to day implementation basis. Meets weekly for an hour and a half year round.
- Sustainability Steering Committee: Interdisciplinary team of higher level Departmental administrators. Intent is to include faculty representation in first meeting of 2023. Meets quarterly to ensure familiarity with College sustainability goals, report on activities in respective units, brainstorm how ongoing and future sustainability programs/initiatives can fit within their unit's ongoing operations, provide guidance to "core" sustainability team with regard to direction of sustainability at the college. Higher level institutional visioning and alignment.
- Sustainability Staff and Student Leaders Sustainability Exchange Program: Monthly (during academic semesters) meeting between Office of Sustainability "core" team, executive operating officer, Office of Sustainability student employees and club leaders for which the Office of Sustainability serves as the club advisor. Each person/group designates a representative to report on activities performed during the last month, what is planned for the following month and identify any areas where assistance from the larger group may be needed. The group is focused on information sharing and ensuring all key student and staff sustainability stakeholders are aware of initiatives being conducted by other members of the group. This is a key conduit for staff to gauge student interest and learn barriers to students achieving sustainability related goals.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
"Core" Sustainability Team:
- Sue Fassler, Director of Sustainable Operations and Director of Sustainability (Staff, Office of Sustainable Facilities & Operations and Office of Sustainability)
- Delaney Demro, Sustainability Planning & Institutional Alignment Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainability)and Research Project Manager (Staff, NYS Center for Sustainable Materials Management)
- Rochelle Strassner, Sustainability Outreach & Engagement Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainability)
- Lexi Chipules, Campus Facilities Wellness Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainability)
- Michael Amadori, Campus Energy Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainable Facilities & Operations)
Sustainability Steering Committee:
- Sue Fassler, Director of Sustainable Operations and Director of Sustainability (Staff, Office of Sustainable Facilities & Operations and Office of Sustainability)
- Delaney Demro, Sustainability Planning & Institutional Alignment Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainability)
- Rochelle Strassner, Sustainability Outreach & Engagement Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainability)
- Lexi Chipules, Campus Facilities Wellness Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainability)
- Michael Amadori, Campus Energy Manager (Staff, Office of Sustainable Facilities & Operations)
- Mark Lichtenstein, Executive Operating Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer (Staff, Office of the President)
- Kate Walker, Executive Director, NYS Center for Sustainable Materials Management (Staff)
- Diana Jaramillo, Director of Facilities (Staff, Office of Sustainable Facilities & Operations)
- Danielle Gerhart, Executive Director of Office of Communications and Marketing (Staff)
- Rebecca Hoda-Kearse, Executive People Officer (Staff, Human Resources)
Sustainability Staff and Student Leaders Sustainability Exchange Program:
- Mark Lichtenstein, Executive Operating Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer (Staff)
- Lexi Chipules, Campus Facilities Wellness Manager (Staff)
- Michael Amadori, Campus Energy Manager (Staff)
- Delaney Demro, Sustainability Planning & Institutional Alignment Manager (Staff)
- Rochelle Strassner, Sustainability Outreach & Engagement Manager (Staff)
- Sue Fassler, Director of Sustainable Operations and Director of Sustainability (Staff)
- Zach Snyder, Social Media Manager (Staff)
- Lauren Jones, Director - Mighty Oak Student Assembly SustainabiliTEAM (Student Club Leader)
- Nicole Schepis, Green Campus Initiative Co-President (Student Club Leader)
- Rebecca Geneus, Green Campus Initiative Co-President (Student Club Leader)
- Bella Osborn, EcoRep Coordinator (Student Employee)
- Max Vodra, EcoRep Coordinator and Engagement Assistant (Student Employee)
- Kathryn Resanovich, EcoRep Coordinator and Garden Intern (Student Employee)
- Lisa Steinberg, EcoRep and Engagement Assistant (Student Employee)
- Evangeline Delovich, EcoRep (Student Employee)
- Timothy Phelps, EcoRep (Student Employee)
- Everett Tucker, EcoRep (Student Employee)
- Victoria Murphy, EcoRep (Student Employee)
- Shannon Dunn, EcoRep (Student Employee)
- Samuel Zilberg, EcoRep (Student Employee)
- Olivia Heilbronner, Sustainability Research Assistant (Student Employee)
- Shirley Chen, Sustainability Research Assistant (Student Employee)
- Abhinaya Polaka, Sustainability Research Assistant (Student Employee)
- Allysia Yanez, Engagement Assistant (Student Employee)
- Jasper Maldonado, Engagement Assistant (Student Employee)
- Carter Rogan, Garden Intern (Student Employee)
- Chelsea Rose Green, Garden Intern (Student Employee)
- Raquel Mennella, Garden Intern (Student Employee)
- Savannah Wright, Sustainability and WELL Program Assistant (Student Employee)
- Eva Sideris, Sustainability Program Assistant (Student Employee)
- Ella Copiatti, National Recycling Coalition Communications Intern (Student Employee)
- Isabel McCullough Valentin, Sustainability Program Assistant (Student Employee)
- Owen Volk, Communications and Storytelling Assistant (Student Employee)
- Fiona Koye, Natural Resources and Restoration Assistant (Student Employee)
- Sasha Farrell, Student Volunteer
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 Office of Sustainability is responsible for all short, medium, and long term sustainability planning and implementation efforts at the College. The Office works with a wide variety of campus stakeholders (students, faculty and staff) to ensure integration of sustainability into campus-wide operations. Office also employs large number of student employees (24 student employees during Fall 2022 semester). Two members of the "Core" sustainability team work out of this office. It also includes a quiet and secluded work space open to student employees.
During the fall of 2022, the Office of Sustainability moved into a physical home on campus, for the first time. The office is located in the main administrative building on campus (Bray Hall). This location was picked because students are familiar with this building and frequently visit for a variety of services, including counseling, class registration and financial aid. The Office of Sustainability is located next to a main Office of Student Affairs hub. This close proximity allows for deep collaboration between the two units.
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 Office of Sustainability is staffed by the "core" team members referenced above.
Select accomplishments (2020, 2021 and 2022):
- Hired first ever Sustainability Outreach & Engagement Manager
- Hired first ever Sustainability Planning & Institutional Alignment Manager
- Hired first ever Campus Facilities Wellness Manager
- Adopted Green Purchasing and Break Free From Plastic Policy and created associated Green Purchasing Guide
- Relaunched and reimagined decade-old EcoReps program
- Created and launched Sustainability Ambassadors Program
- Created and launched Green Office Certification programs
- Created and launched Sustainable Event Certification Program
- Created and launched virtual campus sustainability tour
- Hired 24 student employees during Fall 2022 semester
- Staff served on Institutional Strategic Planning Committee and Co-Chaired Facilities & Personnel Work Group
- Participated in creation of Facilities Master Planning process, for both Syracuse and regional campuses
- Installed 10 EV charging stations (18 ports) at the Syracuse campus
- In conjunction with the Rockefeller Institute of Government, hosted the Locally Sourced: Municipal Green Policy Solutions conference at ESF
- Engaged over 1,100 individuals through sustainability tabling, presentations, webinars and workshops etc. in 2022
- Completely redesigned Office of Sustainability web presence
- Began pursuing TRUE Precertification
- Began pursuing WELL Portfolio and Equity Rating
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Historical context:
The Director of Sustainability has reported directly to the College President since the position's inception more than a decade ago. In 2015, the position was changed to Executive Director of Sustainability and Chief of Staff to the President. In 2018, the Executive Director of Sustainability was promoted to Chief Sustainability Officer, continuing to report directly to the College President and serving as the Chief of Staff. The position was then further expanded in authority to Executive Operating Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer. The Office of Sustainable Facilities and Operations (encompassing Facilities Planning, Design and Construction, energy management, fleet garage, building trades, mechanical trades, custodial and grounds units) report to this individual, as do the Forest Properties Department (25,000 acres of forest properties and satellite facilities), University Police, Office of Communication & Marketing, Information Technology, Environmental Health and Safety and the Office of Sustainability.
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):
* Overall supervisor of the Custodial and Grounds units
- Prioritizes operational staff empowerment, involvement in program creation and the development of a respectful, engaging and rewarding work environment
- Serves as an advocate and voice for staff
* Directs College’s materials management efforts (solid waste management), including associated policy development and implementation
- Provides routine oversight of reduction, reuse, recycling and discarded materials management
- Attains college-wide zero waste goals
- Implements plastic-free college initiative
- Co-leads surplus property process on campus, working closely with the Business Office (in keeping with College zero waste goals)
* Leads the College’s sustainability efforts, reporting to the Executive Operating Officer
- Co-develops visionary, strategic, and innovative program and stakeholder engagement
- Leads comprehensive planning efforts
- Leads outreach and engagement efforts
- Leads (or co-lead) ESF efforts to push sustainability related systems change at the SUNY and state levels
- Maintains close working relationships with sustainability leaders at other SUNY & private institutions and state agencies
- Manages AASHE STARS submission and implementation
- Directly manages Office of Sustainability employees and projects
- Supports student club/intern/employee activities
- Creates and implements creative/innovative sustainability projects across all campuses (such as Electric Vehicle Charging Stations as one example)
- Liaises with Energy Division staff; faculty, staff and students performing sustainability-related research; and all other sustainability stakeholders at the College
- Leads further integration of sustainability into coursework and the student experience
- Ensures that campus operations (that fall within the above areas) are efficient, effective and align with campus expectations
- Prioritizes routine contact with campus community and high level of responsiveness and customer service
- Works closely with relevant operational staff at all ESF campuses to ensure policy development and implementation continuity across locations
* Supports NYS Center for Sustainable Materials Management
- Plays a leadership role at the Center
- Maintains close contact with Center Executive Director, other Center staff, investigators, students and researchers, and other partners, and advise when ESF work products support Center objectives
- Offers high level assistance and guidance on Center initiatives that align with ESF objectives
* Works closely with Facilities Director regarding operational improvements
* Identifies and secure external funding
* Minimizes institutional liability regarding College’s compliance with local, state and federal regulations
* Creates and manages zero-based, line-detail budget for the College’s operations and services units and sustainability functions
* Works directly with the Executive Director for Communications and Marketing pertaining to communication, outreach and public information regarding operations and services, and sustainability, including leading the development of related web pages, and effectively tracking efforts and achievements
* Advises Executive Operating Officer and other College executive leadership, including engaging in general and comprehensive policy development and implementation, and communicating policies and procedures to the ESF community
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):
- Co-leads development of College-wide Sustainability Action Plan
- Co-leads development of College-wide Zero Waste Action Plan
- Supports role in developing and maintaining ongoing campus sustainability engagement programs
- Co-leads STARS tracking and ongoing program maintenance
- Leads UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) program alignment and engagement
- Manages sustainability certification submittal and maintenance co-lead and support, as necessary: including TRUE, NWF Plastic Reduction Partner, LEED, WELL Portfolio
- Continually updates Green Purchasing Guide
-Leads development of future sustainability polices, potential examples including: Building deconstruction and reuse, Zero waste
-Serves on SUNY-wide sustainability committees, as necessary
-Leads class collaboration to ensure that Office is promoting and implementing Campus as Living Lab 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.