| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.77 |
| Liaison | Andrew Porter |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
University of Cincinnati
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Erin
LeFever Asst Sustainability Coordinator Planning + Design + Construction |
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:
The President's Advisory Council on Environment & Sustainability (PACES) is an All-University Committee founded in 2003 as the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC). Its name was changed in 2007 when UC signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The committee is composed of students, faculty, and staff and is open to all. PACES charge is to provide leadership for the integration of sustainability into educational programs, research and community outreach; to promote and build on existing efforts and strengths around sustainability; to recommend strategies for moving toward a net zero campus in the areas of waste and energy while providing for the needs of campus; to report campus efforts and progress.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
PACES Steering Committee (2019-2020)
Staff
Andy Porter, Director of Space Management, Planning + Design + Construction (Co-Chair)
Joe Harrell, Assoc. VP, Facilities Management (Co-Chair)
Students
Ryan Cook, Undergraduate Student Government Association Sustainability Co-Director
Gabriella Eisel, Undergraduate Student Government Association Sustainability Co-Director
Faculty
Robert Gioielli, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor of History, UC Blue Ash (2017-2020)
Claudia Skutar, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor of English, UC Blue Ash (2018-2021)
Tom Beck, Ph.D., Professor and Department Head of Chemistry, UC Main Campus (2019-2022)
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:
UC's Office of Sustainability was created in 2010 and reports to the PACES Steering Committee (see above). UC hired a part-time Sustainability Coordinator in 2008, and the position became full-time in 2009. In 2018, the Office grew by hiring a full time Assistant Sustainability Coordinator.
The Office of Sustainability is within the Department of Planning + Design + Construction with links to Facilities Management and Central Utilities. The staff includes one full-time Sustainability Coordinator, a full-time Assistant Sustainability Coordinator and a team of student workers that are known as Sustainability Advocates. The Office of Sustainability facilities a diversity of programs including the UC Bike Kitchen, Bearcat Bike Share, UC Garden, Athletics and Special Event Recycling, Re*Use Market, Annual Bike Show and Operation Move-In Recycle, as well as hosts and facilitates co-curricular educational opportunities such as the sustainability film, lecture, tour and workshop series, and also organizes more proactive events such as city-wide clean ups, green infrastructure projects, reforestation events, and community bike rides. Through providing a diversity of programs that seek to educate, engage, and empower, the Office strives to enhance and create a culture of sustainability at the University.
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:
2019
UC published its 2019 Sustainability + Climate Action Plan, providing the blueprint framework for how UC will enhance its culture of sustainability and work towards climate action.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability's 2019 Sustainable Campus Index ranks UC as a top performer in the water category
Sierra Club's Cool Schools list for 2019 ranks UC as 78 out of 282 schools
UC joined the Cincinnati 2030 District.
The Office of Sustainability launched its revitalized Environmental Literacy Certificate Program.
The second Uptown Waste Diversion event took place a collaborative partnership between UC, the City of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and other stakeholders.
UC Clermont Sustainability Committee launches as an official University committee.
2018
UC signs agreement with American Electric Power Energy to purchase 100% of its electric supply to all University Branch Campuses and Satellite Buildings with renewable energy. More information
UC recognized as a platinum level Transit Friendly Destination by Green Umbrella.
UC named to Princeton Review's list of top green colleges and universities.
UC's first living wall was installed on Langsam Library's patio.
The University was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bike Friendly University .
The Office of Sustainability expanded by hiring a full-time Assistant Sustainability Coordinator.
The Bike Share System was revitalized and moved from the Campus Rec Center to the UC Bike Kitchen.
Ten new Bearcat Bike Share Bikes were acquired for check-out at the Bike Kitchen.
Dual unit recycling ErgoCan stations were implemented in Rieveschl.
In June 2018, Market Pointe and On the Green Dining Halls both began to collect pre and post consumer food waste for composting.
In the spring of 2018, the Office of Sustainability began a partnership with the Bearcat Food Pantry to donate produce from the UC garden.
The first Uptown Waste Diversion event took place, a collaborative partnership between UC, the City of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and other stakeholders.
2017
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability's 2017 Sustainable Campus Index highlights UC for our work with innovative research at the Great Miami Groundwater Observatory
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability's 2017 Sustainable Campus Index ranks UC as the top performer in the water category
The UC Bike Kitchen moves into its new home at 101 West Daniels St. underneath Dabney Hall
After completing UC's 2017 STARS Report, The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recognizes UC as a Gold level institution
The Department of Planning + Design + Construction acquires two electric bikes to encourage active, healthy transportation for staff members
The UC Bike Kitchen moved into a temporary location at 2908 Vine St.
Dual unit ErogoCan recycling stations were implemented in DAAP, Langsam Library, the Law complex, TUC, and Care/Crawley.
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
The Sustainability Coordinator oversees operations of the Office of Sustainability, coordinates PACES, and works directly for the University Architect / Sr. Assoc. Vice President of Planning + Design + Construction. The Sustainability Coordinator's responsibilities include programming, outreach and education, project management, promotions, staff management, planning, community organizing, and comprehensive coordination of campus efforts to enhance the University's culture 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):
Under the general supervision of the University Sustainability Coordinator and the direction of the University Architect / Senior Associate VP, the Assistant Sustainability Coordinator will coordinate activities and efforts to enhance the University of Cincinnati's institutional mission related to creating and enhancing a campus culture of sustainability.
The work will begin on the Uptown Campus but may expand to other campuses. The responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• Provide support for the University’s sustainability initiatives and work with students, faculty, and staff
• Provide support to the President’s Advisory Council on Environmental Sustainability (PACES)
• Assist in planning and executing sustainability related engagement and outreach events
• Attend meetings in support of sustainability efforts as required
• Assist in maintaining accurate records of sustainability initiatives and accomplishments
• Assist in the day to day function and operation of the University's Coffee Ground Composting Program
• Assist, attend, and facilitate Bearcat Recycling at all required athletic events
• Assist with developing and maintaining contacts on environmental issues
• Research initiatives as needed
• Provide general administrative work and other responsibilities as required
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):
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.