University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
PAE-1: Sustainability Coordination

Mission Statement: (Adapted from Sustainability Advisory Committee Charter) In response to Governor Hunt’s Executive Order 156, UNC appointed its first Sustainability Officer in 1999. A grassroots Sustainability Coalition, consisting of students, staff, faculty, and administrators interested in sustainability formed to evaluate current practices and explore future opportunities. The Sustainability Advisory Committee, established in 2005, advises the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. The Committee makes recommendations on a more holistic approach to the development and implementation of sustainable policies, practices, research, and curricula across the University. The Committee recommends long-term sustainability goals for the University and identifies the means to achieve them. The Committee develops a better understanding of existing incentives and disincentives, and proposes more effective strategies. The Committee members champion these strategies and communicate them to each member’s respective area so that all stakeholders take ownership.

 Co-chair: Van Dobson – Chief Facilities Officer, Facilities Services  Co-chair: Phil Berke – Deputy Director, Institute for the Environment  Carol Tresolini – Associate Provost, Academic Initiatives  Elizabeth Dunn – Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, University Advancement  Carolyn Elfland – Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Services  Mike Crimmins – Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences  Bob Marriott – Associate Dean for Planning & Resources, Medicine Administration  Todd Zakrajsek – Executive Director, Center for Faculty Excellence  Ray DuBose – Director, Energy Services  Jacki Resnick – Director, Office of Research Development  Martha Pendergrass – Director, Procurement Services  Jeff Hughes – Director, Environmental Finance Center  Peter White – Director, NC Botanical Garden  Carol Seagle – Director of Research, Center for Sustainable Enterprise  Alice Ammerman – Director, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention  Steve Lofgren – Associate Director, Facilities Housing & Residential Education  Richie Grimsley – Assistant Director, Athletic Facility Planning and Management  Diane Gillis – Architect, Facilities Planning & Construction  Greg Gangi – Associate Director for Education, Institute for the Environment Cindy Pollock Shea – Director, Sustainability Office  Nick Rogoff – Sustainability Chair, Graduate & Professional Student Federation  Will Leimenstoll – Co-chair, Environmental Affairs Committee (Undergraduate Student Government)  Sara Mishamandani – Co-chair, Environmental Affairs Committee (Undergraduate Student Government)  Sara Rafalson – Co-chair, Environmental Affairs Committee (Undergraduate Student Government)

Organized efforts to institutionalize sustainability at UNC began in 1999. After two years of volunteer efforts, the university became the first in the state to hire a full-time Sustainability Coordinator in 2001, and in 2003 the department added two more employees, including an Energy Conservation Manager. The office currently has three full time employees: the director, a research and outreach manager, and a program assistant. The Sustainability Office catalyzes the development and implementation of more sustainable policies, practices and curricula across the entire University. The office works to advance the triple bottom line of ecological integrity, economic prosperity and social equity. The office serves as the secretariat for the Sustainability Advisory Committee, hosts student interns, manages and facilitates campus sustainability initiatives, and is a primary source of sustainability education and communication.

The Sustainability Director catalyzes and oversees sustainability initiatives across campus. She staffs the Sustainability Advisory Committee; sponsors strategic planning teams in Facilities Services; collaborates on the development of design guidelines for capital projects; co-teaches environmental capstones; publishes a biennial sustainability report; and supervises sustainability office staff and interns.