University of Kansas
PAE-19: Community Sustainability Partnerships

The University and City of Lawrence operate a coordinated transit system (http://lawrencetransit.org/) that provides access for faculty, staff, and students. KU's West Campus is also home to the Bioscience and Technology Business Center (http://btbcku.com/), a partnership between local and state entities united to expand the economy by promoting bioscience and technology industries. Less formal partnerships also exist, as members of the campus community have served on sustainability-related City task forces addressing climate protection and solid waste and hold a regular position on the Sustainability Advisory Board. Similarly, city and county staff have served on campus sustainability planning and advisory committees. The community also recently participated in an energy competition, the Take Charge Challenge!, between Kansas Communities, which paired Lawrence with Manhattan, KS, home of Kansas State University. KU staff and students served on our community leadership team and provided support for the effort. The Center for Sustainability also maintains regular communication with City of Lawrence/Douglas County Department of Sustainability to identify potential partnerships In addition to these partnerships, the Facilities Operations surplus program donates unclaimed items to non-profits in the community and maintains regular communication with organizations about available items.