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

The Sustainability Office catalyzes the development and implementation of sustainable policies, practices, curricula, and behaviors that support the triple bottom line of environmental quality, economic prosperity, and societal well-being. As part of Energy, Environment, Health, and Campus Safety, the Sustainability Office works collaboratively with other offices, departments, and organizations across campus to promote sustainable options for all members of the UNC community.

Mission Statement: (Adapted from Sustainability Advisory Committee Charter) The Sustainability Advisory Committee advises the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. The Committee makes recommendations on 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 is charged with developing a better understanding of existing incentives and disincentives and to propose more effective strategies. Committee members are expected to solicit input on these strategies and to champion and communicate them to each member’s respective areas of involvement so that all campus stakeholders become informed and take ownership of sustainability initiatives.

Carol Hee, Co‐chair- Director, Center for Sustainable Enterprise, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Kenan‐Flagler Business School Phil Barner, Co‐chair- Director, Energy Services Alice Ammerman-Director, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Professor of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health Donna Bailey-Teaching and Learning Consultant, Center for Faculty Excellence Gene Bober- Associate Dean for Planning & Resources, Medicine Administration Jaye Cable- Chair, Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology; Professor, Marine Sciences Jill Coleman- Landscape Architect, Facilities Planning Scott Cutler- Co‐chair, Environmental Affairs Committee, Student Government Greg Gangi- Associate Director for Education, Institute for the Environment Richie Grimsley-Assistant Director, Athletic Facility Planning and Management Kevin Guskiewicz- Senior Associate Dean for Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences Tracy Heenan- Associate Professor, Director Office of Animal Care and Use Jeff Hughes- Director, Environmental Finance Center Steve Lofgren- Associate Director, Facilities Housing and Residential Education Martha Pendergrass- Director, Procurement Services Davis Plunkett- Co‐chair, Environmental Affairs Committee, Student Government Scott Ragland- Director of Development Communication, Office of University Development Pooja Ravindran- Co‐chair, Environmental Affairs Committee, Student Government Veeral Saraiya- Sustainability Chair, Graduate and Professional Student Federation Cindy Shea- Director, Sustainability Office Katherine Shor- Co‐chair, Environmental Affairs Committee, Student Government Jonathan Stupak- Student Government Carol Tresolini- Associate Provost, Academic Initiatives Laura Wenzel- Graduate and Professional Student Federation Peter White- Director, North Carolina Botanical Garden Professor, Biology Anna A. Wu- Assistant Vice Chancellor & University Architect Facilities Operations, Planning & Design

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 two full time employees: the director and a research and outreach manager. The office also hires student interns. The Sustainability Office catalyzes the development and implementation of sustainable policies, practices, curricula, and behaviors that support the triple bottom line of environmental quality, economic prosperity, and societal well-being. As part of Energy, Environment, Health, and Campus Safety, the Sustainability Office works collaboratively with other offices, departments, and organizations across campus to promote sustainable options for all members of the UNC community. 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; advises the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee and Tar Heel Bikes; collaborates on the development of design guidelines for capital projects; co-teaches environmental capstones; publishes a biennial sustainability report; and supervises sustainability staff and interns.