University of Wisconsin-River Falls
PAE-1: Sustainability Coordination

Main activities include: 1 – Develop an organizational structure within the University that will support, enhance, and encourage broadly defined sustainability initiatives within UW-River Falls academic programs, facilities, community and outreach service areas. 2 – Determine the fiscal and personnel resources required to support the organizational structure defined in Task #1 and then incorporate the necessary funding into the University’s operational budget. 3 – Develop a thorough understanding of previous sustainability efforts, current sustainability efforts, and future sustainability opportunities across campus through various methods including, but not limited to audits, benchmarking, surveys, and review of best practices.

2010-2011 members Faculty: Charles Rader, Geography, UWRF Dean Olson, Ag. Engineering, UWRF Claire Kilian, Economics, UWRF Mary Wright, Teacher Ed., UWRF Jim Madsen, Physics, UWRF Deans’ Rep.: Dale Gallenberg, UWRF UWRF Student Rep.: Nicole Larson UWRF Vice Chancellor for Admin. & Finance: Joseph Harbouk UWRF Director of Facilities Mgt.: Mike Stifter UWRF Facilities Mgt. Engineer: Tim Thum UWRF Director of Dining Services: Jerry Waller UWRF Campus Planner: Dale Braun UWRF Director of Outreach: Katrina Larsen UWRF Director of Residence Life: Sandra Scott Duex UWRF Fourth Division Rep. (PES): Pam Weller Director of UWRF Sustainability Institute: Kelly Cain

The Sustainability Office at UW-River Falls serves multiple functions. The office is synonymous with and located at the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development (SCISCD) and housed at the Regional Development Institute building. The Director of the SCISCD serves as Sustainability Coordinator for all campus sustainability initiatives and as Director for all "think and do tank" initiatives for outreach and consulting from local to global. This approach provides significant opportunity for faculty and students to be integrated into both campus and outreach projects for sake of independent studies, research, internships, service learning, and other scholarly pursuits that provide innovative services and solutions to both sets of clients. The office is staffed with 1.5 FTE, student Research Fellows, and work study assistance when appropriate.

The Sustainability Coordinator, who is also Director of the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development, is a 12-month FTE appointment. The Coordinator is Chair of the Sustainability Working Group made up of a diverse cross-section of faculty, staff, and students. The Coordinator is the go-to person for all major sustainability planning and implementation initiatives such as the Climate Action Plan, the Sustainable Campus Community Plan, the AASHE STARS commitment, and others. The Coordinator reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, and has significant support, autonomy, and budget to pursue campus and SCISCD objectives.