University of Alaska Fairbanks
PAE-1: Sustainability Coordination

GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT for the Review of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Energy Board Between the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (ASUAF), UAF Administration, Office of Student Services, Office of Sustainability, Faculty Senate, and Staff Council November 2010 Preamble In order to promote investment in energy efficiency programs and renewable energy projects, to develop opportunities for students in sustainability projects, and to provide direction to the decision-making authority for the use of Student Initiative for Renewable Energy Now (SIREN) fees, we do hereby establish the ASUAF Review of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Energy board, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, hereinafter known as “the RISE Board.” The board is responsible for ensuring that funds collected for the SIREN fee forward projects for the betterment of UAF students. These projects are to be sustainable in nature and a preference will be given to projects or programs that reduce UAF’s non-renewable energy consumption. Article I Purpose and Authority The purpose of the RISE Board is to represent the students’ interests and protect their investment in the SIREN fees. The ASUAF and the RISE Board recognizes that the Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of UAF and has ultimate responsibility for the implementation of Regent’s Policies and in meeting the financial obligations of the institution. A. Staff The RISE Board shall advise the Director for the Office of Sustainability, who implements policies and provides management of the SIREN funds. B. Policy The RISE Board shall review and recommend any and all policies affecting uses of the SIREN fee funds, including but not limited to: 1. Hiring of students 2. Annual budget 3. Proposal reviews C. Finances The RISE Board is responsible for reviewing and recommending a budget for use of SIREN funds each fiscal year and making financial information available to ASUAF and the UAF community. Article II The RISE Board A. Membership The 11 members (8 voting) of the RISE Board shall include: (5 voting students, other voting members include one faculty, one staff, and one appointed by the Chancellor) Two students at large, appointed by the ASUAF President; The ASUAF President (or designee); Three appointed by ASUAF Senate; One faculty member approved by Faculty Senate; One staff member approved by Staff Council; The Chancellor’s designee; The ASUAF Executive Officer (ex-officio); The Sustainability Director (ex-officio). The individuals appointed to the RISE Board shall serve a full year term beginning in the fall semester and ending the following fall semester. A member can only serve 4 terms. In the event no qualified candidate can be found a representative who has already served 4 terms can serve an additional term. The individual appointees shall serve on the RISE Board at the will of their respective governing bodies. Appointed RISE Board members are subject to removal and replacement on the authority of their governing body or Chancellor. B. The Chair The Chair of the RISE Board shall be a student and approved by the ASUAF President. The Chair will not be a voting member. The term of the RISE Board Student Chair shall be one year. The Student Chair shall work closely with the Sustainability Director on agendas and communication with ASUAF. C. Meetings Meeting schedule – The RISE Board shall meet a minimum of two times per semester. Quorum for a meeting of the RISE Board shall be defined as the majority of its voting members. D. Summer Board The Board shall appoint prior to the end of the spring semester an Executive Committee to act on their behalf. The committee shall consist of at least three board members and include a student, faculty, and staff member. E. Parliamentary Authority The parliamentary authority for the RISE Board shall be Robert’s Rules of Order. Article III The Sustainability Director A. Duties and Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of the Sustainability Director shall be to work with the ASUAF RISE Board to facilitate sustainable projects funded by the Student Initiative for Renewable Energy Now (SIREN) fee. The Sustainability Director shall cooperate with the ASUAF president and staff of ASUAF in enforcing the recommendations of the RISE Board. The Sustainability Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the SIREN funds and Office of Sustainability. Furthermore the Sustainability Director will facilitate dialogue and campus-wide programs that build upon UAF’s commitment to sustainability and be a liaison to the larger community outside the university. Article IV Agreements A. Use of the SIREN funds The priority use of the SIREN funds will always be for investing in energy efficiency programs and renewable energy projects.

Heather Currey: Rise Board Chair, Student Brett Parks: Student Michele Hèbert, UAF Sustainability Coordinator Ben LaRue: Chancellors Appointee Wyatt Hurlbut: Student Sabra Phillips: ASUAF Executive Mayanna Bean: Staff Ben Abbot: Student Michaela Swanson: Student Chas Jones: Student

This is the description of the Office of Sustainability at UAF, source UAF Sustainability website. "Sustainability is not a new concept but a new term to address three current problems facing us globally today: climate change, dwindling oil supplies and carbon emissions. Rather than a destination, it is a process. Sustainability is: An opportunity to transform/reinvent the community, organization and the world A capacity for an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems Meeting today’s needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs Sustainability involves actions such as designing green, purchasing local foods, reducing emissions, purchasing wisely, educating green, conserving energy and minimizing waste. UAF has done much over the last 10 years to move towards a move sustainable campus. Many of these efforts have been driven by student enthusiasm and energy. Now UAF has an Office of Sustainability and a director ready to create a campuswide network and engage the community in a sustainable future."