Virginia Commonwealth University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Within the past 3 years, VCU has created a Sustainability Certificate within the Environmental Studies department, available to all undergraduate students. VCU Sustainability has also created a full-time Community Garden Coordinator position to run the MCV Community Garden and implement the new Learning Garden on the MPC campus. Additionally, VCU has partnered with VCU Ram Pantry and the Richmond Center for High Blood Pressure to donate healthy, fresh, produce from the Community Garden to those in need in our community.

Sustainability is the goal of maintaining a good quality of life for those who presently experience it, while expanding that quality of life to those who lack it; understanding and respecting the needs of future generations and the limits of natural systems within which quality human lives are necessarily embedded and dependent. Sustainability includes, but is not limited to: * The recognition of threats to the climate system inherent within the continued introduction of carbon into the atmosphere by human activity, especially through carbon-based energy production and consumption, necessitating action to reduce human carbon footprints, both at the individual, community and institutional levels. * The identification and reduction of negative impacts from human activity upon human health (e.g., air and water pollution, other exposures to hazardous substances — both long-term and immediate, stress impacts, etc.). * The identification and reduction of negative impacts from human activity upon ecosystem health (e.g., lost habitat, biodiversity, ecosystem function, etc.). * The recognition of the finite nature of our resource base; necessitating the reduction, reuse and recycling of materials, the identification and development of renewable resources, and increased efficiency in our use of all resources. * On-going dialogue among experts, lay-people, leaders and citizens for the purpose of learning more about the nature of these challenges, both from a technical and a human value-based perspective. Adopted by VCU Sustainability Committee, July 22, 2009

Chair 1 Dr. Beverly Warren - Interim Provost & VP for Academic Affairs Chair 2 Dr. David Hanson - VP for Finance & Administration Ms. Barbara Judy - Degree Audit & Edit Administrator Dr. Catherine Howard - Vice-Provost Psychology, Assoc Prof Dr. Lynn Pelco - Dir of Service-Learning Program Education, Prof Mr. Camden Whitehead - Interior Design, Associate Professor Dr. Van Wood - Marketing, Professor Dr. Jacqueline McDonnough - Teaching and Learning, Assistant Prof Dr. Jody Davis - Social Psychology, Associate Professor Dr. Meghan Gough - Urban Studies & Regional Planning, Assistant Prof Dr. Jason Levy - Homeland Security/Emergency Preparedness, Assoc Prof Dr. Clifford Fox - Assistant Director of Center for Environmental Studies Ms. Nicole Anderson Ellis - Focused Inquiry, Assistant Prof Ms. Katharine Rosemond - Exec Dir of Health Sciences Resources & Planning Dr. Mark Cooper - Chair of Dept of Patient Counseling Ms. Leyla Peachy - Dept of Human & Molecular Genetics Lab/Research Spec Mr. John Nantz - VCUHS Sustainability Manager/Stericycle Ms. Katia Sears - Event Management Assist Mr. Tom Diehl - Director of Recreational Sports Mr. Paul Jez - Associate VP for Business Services and Treasurer Ms. Diane Reynolds -Director of VCU Business Services Ms. Tamara Highsmith - Manager of VCU Dining Sales & Services Mr. Paul Walker - Manager of VCU Parking and Transportation Mr. Brian Ohlinger - Associate VP for Facilities Management Ms. Joyce Foster - Interior Design Project Manager Mr. Carl Purdin - Assistant Director of Design Services Mr. Russell Uzzle - University Planner Mr. Ed Bennett - Executive Director of PPD/Deputy for FM Mr. Carl Beckelheimer - Energy Manager Mr. Jerry Helton - Director of Support Shop & Special Projects Mr. Steve Heinitz - Recycling & Reuse Coordinator Mr. Paul Thrift - Superintendent of Grounds Mr. Jacek Ghosh - Director of Sustainability Mr. Fayez Dajani - Green Building Services Manager Ms. Parker Long - Sustainability Assistant Ms. Jordan Starbuck - Sustainability Coordinator Mr. Brantley Tyndall - Sustainability Assistant Ms. Cynthia Andrews - Executive Director for Human Resources Mr. Ed Gibbs - Director of Procurement & Payment Ms. Betty Lowther (Alt) -Director of University Purchasing Mr. Mark Willis - Chief Information Officer Mr. Samuel Kennedy (Alt) - Assistant Director Dr. Napoleon Peoples - Assoc Dean of Student Affairs/Dean, Student Affairs MCV Ms. Allison Patel - Housing Manager Ms.Leila Ungincius - Public Relations Specialist/Social Media Manager Ms. Pamela Mason - Center for Environmental Studies, Program Support Tech Mr. Michael Newsome - Assistant VP for Research Mr. Benjamin Marshall Brown - Student, MCV Campus Mr. Wyatt Carpenter - Student, MP Campus Ms. Kaelyn Considine - Student, MP Campus Ms. Rachel Elves - Student, MCV Campus Mr. Mark Hill - Student, MP Campus Ms. Melissa Lesh - Student, MP Campus Ms. Alex Little - Student, MP Campus Ms. Melanie Savia - Student, MP Campus

VCU recognizes the importance of sustainability for our quality of life today and for future generations, and protecting the limits of natural systems. In April 2008, VCU’s president Emeritus Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, joining more than 600 college and university presidents in a commitment to neutralize greenhouse gases emitted on their campuses. As a signatory, VCU is working to reduce emissions in all areas of campus life — from educational programs and facilities to dining and residential life — as part of its plan to become climate-neutral by 2050.

Staff VCU Sustainability Committee; lead campus efforts to meet requirements of ACUPCC; develop and maintain VCU Sustainability website; work with VCU Recycling to improve recycling; work with VCU Energy Manager and VCU Steam Plant Manager to reduce energy usage across the campuses; participate in Recyclemania and Earth Day; act as advisor and resource to students groups and other VCU departments on sustainability efforts; lead effort to develop and monitor VCU Climate Action Plan; review all construction projects to ensure that the project is being designed to LEED Silver standards; develop signage/information package for all LEED certified buildings; engage organizations external to VCU to encourage their participation in sustainability activities; grantsmanship