University of Alabama at Birmingham
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The Sustainability Committee is a steering committee that oversees and coordinates university efforts in sustainability. It provides guidance and support services to individuals, units, departments, the Sustainability Coordinator, and the administration of the University. 1. The full Committee shall consist of 2 main sub-groups with specific membership criteria, as well as individuals that wish to attend meetings as needed: a. Faculty Sustainability Committee. Members who are selected per membership criteria below (Article VI). b. Operations Sustainability Committee. Members are selected per membership criteria below (Article VI).

1. Faculty Sustainability Committee a. Faculty Senate Representative b. College of Arts and Sciences c. Collat School of Business d. School of Dentistry e. School of Education f. School of Engineering g. School of Health Professions h. School of Medicine i. School of Nursing j. School of Optometry k. School of Public Health l. The Graduate School m. Sustainability Coordinator (ex officio) 2. Operations Sustainability Committee a. Faculty Senate Representative b. Office of Public Relations and Marketing c. Campus Purchasing d. Hospital Purchasing e. Business and Auxiliary Services f. Energy Management g. University-Wide Research Centers—member of Council of Center Directors or of Council of Center Administrators. h. Information Technology (IT) i. Office of the Provost (Academic and Student Service Operations) j. Equity and Diversity k. OH&S l. Development/Alumni Relations m. Undergraduate student (selected by SGA) n. Graduate/Professional student (selected by GSA) o. Building Administrator p. Senior Facilities Officer (ex officio) q. Sustainability Coordinator (ex officio

The UAB Sustainability program is administered through the Facilities Division, but is charged with enterprise-wide sustainability programs. The office includes 2 FTE and between 3 and 12 interns (grad and undergrad) depending on time of year and workload.

The committees described above are enterprise-wide and are included on the President's annual list of committees requiring a representative. The activities of the office are part of the President's annual state of the University. The committee and sustainability office have completed most of the projects described in this STARS assessment, in partnership with other units. In particular, the committee and sustainability staff completed UAB's first Sustainability Strategic Plan in 2018.

Provide leadership and strategic planning toward fulfillment of the University's commitment to sustainability. Develop internal and external partnerships and programs to further University mission related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Chiefly responsible for assessing, developing, and benchmarking of sustainability efforts in all facets of the enterprise. Represents UAB Sustainability to internal and external audiences. Lead integration and engagement of sustainability within the daily processes of the enterprise: the management of the University's resources and operations, planning/design, research activities, the curricula, economic development, and extra-curricular life. Pursue standards set forth by professional bodies for sustainability in higher education, including instutional memberships and assessments. Develop benchmarks through strategic planning to improve UAB's performance. Direct daily office operations including personnel assignments for routine operations and special projects. Provide support and University/community connections for sustainability staff to pursue and manage external funds. Maintain communications with key external partners within the city government and community. Oversee the planning and execution of special events and training programs related to sustainability at UAB, including Earth Day, the Red Mountain Project, Bike Safety Week, and other annual and special event to fulfill UAB's commitment to campus and community sustainability engagement. Serve as chair for the both the University Faculty Sustainability and University Operations Sustainability Committees. Set agendas, prepare content and tasks for meetings, enforce bylaws and membership rules, maintain relationships and communications with key members of upper administration within the University regarding the committee activities. Maintain regular interactions with Facilities Communications/Central Communications and UAB Digital Media staff to increase engagement with UAB Sustainability through the website, social media, internal and external press releases, and interviews. Travel to state and national meetings to present on behalf and/or represent UAB Sustainability. Collaborate, interface, and attend committee meetings with the city government and local agencies. Contribute to the formulation of the annual UAB Sustainability budget and oversee regulation of expenditures.

Under the direction of the UAB Sustainability Manager, assists in the development and management of programming in environmental, social, and economic sustainability by carrying out the goals, objectives, and plans of UAB Sustainability. Directs development activities and is responsible for seeking external funding for the Sustainability program from federal, state, and private resources. Manages special projects in support of academic programs, community outreach, and sustainable energy; represents UAB Sustainability in the community and at regional and national meetings; coordinates UAB Sustainability events and directs student work on special projects. Acts as development offical for UAB Sustainability. Develops and maintains relationships with local, regional, and national granting organizations, including federal agencies, corporate representatives, and individuals (including alumni) with the capacity to support Sustainability projects. Researches funding prospects and keeps an active database of prospects. Writes proposals, creates budgets, and manages reporting and compliance on grants, contracts and sponsorships. Communicates directly with the UAB Office of Development and the OSP. Manages special projects for UAB Sustainability in collaboration with UAB faculty, students, and staff, including national initiatives and and local service projects. National and regional level special projects include work with such organizations as the Department of Energy, EPA, Solar Decathlon and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Researches, plans, and implements specific programs that support effective management of University resources and operations, planning and design, research activities, curricula, economic development and extra-curricular life. Supervises student interns and student projects and recruits students, faculty and staff for special projects. Works with the student Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Club to collaborate with federal and local agencies, including the US Department of Energy and the US Green Building Council. Works directly with students on individual academic projects, including supervision of course credit projects focused on sustainability programs. Assists in the planning and execution of events and training programs related to sustainability at UAB, including Earth Day, the Red Mountain Project, Bike Safety Week, and other special events to fulfill UAB's commitment to campus and community special event engagement. Maintains relationships with community organizations and area non-profits to support intersecting programs. Plans collaborative internal and external events and works with community representatives to expand communications, programming and outreach to a regional and statewide constituency. Supports regular interactions with Facilities Communications/Central Communications and UAB Digital media. Crafts Sustainability programming stories and reports for national audiences for communication through such organizations as AASHE, the Arbor Day Foundation, and the Department of Energy. Publicly presents Sustainability program initiatives and activities at local, regional, and national meetings.