Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.27
Liaison Konrad Schlarbaum
Submission Date Feb. 15, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Colorado Colorado Springs
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
Yes

The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:

The Sustainability Committee strives to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all interested faculty members, staff, and students, and to involve as many disciplines and perspectives as possible from across campus to improve teaching, research, operations, and practical works related to sustainability. The Sustainability Committee is a Regular Standing Advisory Committee of the UCCS Faculty Assembly.

Bylaws
http://www.uccs.edu/Documents/facassembly/Bylaws/Sustainability%20Committee%20Bylaws_042016.pdf


Members of each committee, including affiliations and role (e.g. staff, student, or faculty):

Campus Sustainability Committee
Faculty: Nanna Meyer (chair)(Health Sciences), Nicole Juhl (Chemistry), Devin Moeller (Geography and Environmental Studies), Margaret Scott (Leadership, Research, and Foundations), David Havlick (Geography and Environmental Studies), Tracy Gonzalez-Padraun (Business), Steve Jennings (Geography and Environmental Studies), Tom Huber (Geography and Environmental Studies), Carole Huber (Geography and Environmental Studies), Janel Nichols (Chemistry), Jeff Spicher (Health Sciences), Daphne Greenwood (Economics), Michael Larkin (Geography and Environmental Studies), and George Cheney (Communications)
Staff: Carol Pina (Gateway Programs), Nancy Moore (Admissions), Joel Tonyan (Systems and user Experience Librarian), Maria Mullins, Cynthia Norton (Environmental Health and Safety), Kimberly Reeves (Office of Sustainability), and Linda Kogan (Office of Sustainability)


Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) employee?:
Yes

A brief description of each sustainability office:

The UCCS Office of Sustainability unites the efforts of faculty, staff and students to support development and lifestyles on campus and in the community that sustain natural resources and protect the environment, ultimately ensuring the ability of future generations to meet their needs too.


Full-time equivalent (FTE) of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
2

Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Yes

Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Linda Kogan, Director; Kimberly Reeves, Sustainability Programs Manager

Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution (e.g. a campus-wide committee or an officer/office responsible for the entire campus)?:
Yes

A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:

The office is responsible for most aspects of sustainability on campus including strategic planning, energy and water conservation, waste and recycling, food, transportation, and education.
Completed 2012-2020 Sustainability Strategic Plan and are currently pursuing many of the goals with stakeholders throughout campus
* Supported pilot project to offer a bus pass to all students in Academic year 17-18. Working to make it permanent.
• Provided LEED support for multiple building projects - total of 11 Gold now.
• Launched Greening of the Office Program to reduce energy use in offices
* Increased diversion rate to over 50 percent.
* Supported incorporation of sustainability in Compass Curriculum General Education Goals
* Assisted with transition of food services from corporate to self-operated
* Held numerous educational events including Bike Month, Adopt a Waterway, Sustainnovation, Campus Sustainability Day, Mr. Trashmore, RecycleMania, Move-Out Diversion, sustainability speakers, Earth Day, etc.
Procured renewable energy installations, wind purchases, and Renewable Energy Credits.
Worked to complete Green Action Fund sustainability projects on campus.


Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Sustainability Director

Job description for the sustainability officer position:
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Job description for the sustainability officer position:

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT COLORADO SPRINGS
Job Description

Director
Office of Sustainability

Nature of Work
Recognizing that institutions of higher learning have a responsibility to exercise leadership and create the future, UCCS actively pursues sustainability as a way to address the University’s focus on increased student recruitment and retention through courses which address contemporary and global issues, effective and efficient resource usage, and fiscal responsibility.

The vision of UCCS is to become a recognized leader in sustainability, integrating social justice, economic, and ecological values into institutional policies, programs, and practices. The Director of the Office of Sustainability works with campus administrators, faculty, staff and the student body to foster a culture of sustainability throughout the campus and also the extended community. The Office of Sustainability and its staff are key agents in pursuing and guiding the effort to increase sustainability both in operations and the culture of the campus.

Professional Field
Sustainability, environmental studies.

Supervision Received
Supervised by the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

Supervision Exercised
Currently supervises student employees. Future supervision will include professional and classified staff .

Examples of Work Performed
• Oversee and Coordinate the strategic components of UCCS’ sustainability efforts including:
o Operations issues:
 Recycling to include collaboration with recycling coordinator, grounds department, custodial staff, and student employees: tracking of program results; managing recycling budget; managing outside vendors.
 Manage all budgets assigned to Office of Sustainability.
 Energy Management: coordinate with Physical Plant Director, electricians, HVAC technicians, Facilities Resources Conservation Group and others as may be hired to identify and prioritize energy efficiency and retrofit projects, manage and apply funds, track and report on performance. Work with Directors of Planning, Design & Construction (PD&C) and Physical Plant to pursue strategies to reduce energy consumption and to reduce significant peak demand charges.
 ACUPCC: Director will serve as liaison for the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) to track and report emissions performance and planned strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 Water Conservation: Work with Physical Plant Director and staff to identify technical retrofits and strategies and apply funding to reduce both domestic and irrigation water. Develop behavioral education to encourage water conservation practices among faculty, staff, and students. Work with Physical Plant Director and PD&C Director on stormwater mitigation strategies.
 New construction: Collaborate with the PD&C Director and UCCS construction project members as well as outside consultants to achieve the highest performance buildings possible.
o Education and Outreach:
 Education: Work with the campus community to institutionalize a culture of sustainability and increase the ecological literacy of UCCS graduates. Work with faculty to support, grow, and publicize the Sustainable Development Minor. Director must be available to make presentations in classes and public forums, and partner with faculty to help direct Independent Study, service learning, and graduate projects.
 Maintain strong collaborative relationship with Provost to further ecological literacy strategies on the campus with all the deans and departments on campus.
 Marketing, outreach, and communication: Director will document and publicize sustainability progress through outlets that include but are not limited to: websites, interviews with media, presentations at local and national conferences, and a sustainability e-mail newsletter. Serve as a liaison to the City of Colorado Springs and the greater community in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance.
o Leadership and Strategic Planning:
 Strategic Planning: Coordinate strategic sustainability planning efforts and consult in efforts to incorporate sustainability goals into the overall strategic plan for UCCS.
 Collaborate with sustainability committees to develop sustainability reporting mechanisms both for within UCCS and to the greater community.
 Stay current on national and global sustainability strategies.
 Collaborate with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity on social equity issues in the greater sustainability context for the campus.
• Supervision
o Provide critical expertise as appropriate with regard to life cycle cost analysis, measurement and verification of energy measures, technical recommendations on energy projects and implementation, retro-commissioning of existing buildings, evaluation of design and construction documents for new buildings, and energy standards for new mechanical equipment purchase.
o Work with Director of Physical Plant to provide essential supervision to physical plant employees engaged in sustainability programs.
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.


Job title of the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Sustainability Programs Manager

Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT COLORADO SPRINGS
Job Description

Programs Manager
Office of Sustainability

Nature of Work
Recognizing that institutions of higher learning have a responsibility to exercise leadership and create the future, UCCS actively pursues sustainability as a way to address the University’s focus on increased student recruitment and retention through courses which address contemporary and global issues, effective and efficient resource usage, and fiscal responsibility.

The vision of UCCS is to be a recognized leader in sustainability, integrating ecological, economic, and social considerations into institutional policies, programs, and practices. The Program Manager for the Office of Sustainability works with campus administrators, faculty, staff and the student body to foster a culture of sustainability throughout the campus and also the extended community. The Office of Sustainability and its staff are key agents in pursuing and guiding the effort to increase sustainability both in operations and the culture of the campus.

Professional Field
Sustainability, environmental studies.

Supervision Received
Supervised by the Director of the Office of Sustainability.

Supervision Exercised
Supervises student employees.

Examples of Work Performed
• Support the work of the Director, Assistant Director, and Office of Sustainability efforts including:
o Supervision
 Supervise student supervisors and student employees to create an effective sustainability office team. Role model appropriate communication and behavior to maintain a positive environment.
 Maintain an organized office setting in an environment with numerous student workers and volunteers.
 Conduct trainings for student workers
 Manage student supervisors to keep track of all necessary paperwork including required trainings, timesheets, and expenses.
 Assist Green Action Fund with project management. Coordinate work space for students of GAF to work well with Office of Sustainability staff and students.
 Organize and oversee student staff meetings.

o Program Coordination
 Work to increase the effectiveness and reach of existing and new sustainability programs.
 Schedule and conduct logistics for the numerous events and continuing programs held by the Office of Sustainability. Current events are Sustainnovation, Earth Day, Bike Month, Mt. Trashmore, Campus Conservation Nationals, UCCS Unplugged, America Recycles Day, Sustainability Day, and a number of other presentations and collaborations with other departments.
 Support energy and water conservation outreach program.
 Secure donations and prizes for office events as appropriate
 Supervise students in preparations for the events as well as tasks at the events.
 Maintain and update the university and sustainability website event calendars, providing training as needed to student workers or volunteers.

o Education and Outreach
 Assist the Office in expanding our reach, developing cross campus relationships, and continuing our efforts to increase the sustainability culture on campus.
 Further develop key relationships with campus departments especially Dining and Food Services, Auxiliary units, and Green Action Fund.
 Supervise students to maintain sustainability website and ensure that content is current and accurate. Track users and measure success of the site.
 Prepare content, edit, and distribute office e-newsletter – 2 per semester. This includes design format, uploading photos and articles, archiving articles, and maintaining a current and expanding audience list. Organize student contributions to the newsletter and edit as necessary.
 Maintain and generate content for social media including Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. Goal is to grow the audiences for these sites. Supervise other students in developing appropriate materials.
 Give sustainability presentations in classes and at other campus events.
 Work with Director and Assistant Director to communicate results of Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System and Climate Action Plan to the campus

o Leadership
 Represent UCCS and the Office of Sustainability professionally and accurately.
 Attend and participate in campus sustainability committees as appropriate.
 Other duties as may be assigned by the Director of the Office of Sustainability.


Job title of the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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