| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.17 |
| Liaison | Emily Vollmer |
| Submission Date | May 16, 2024 |
Virginia Tech
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Emily
Vollmer Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
Yes
The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:
The Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy Committee (CASEC) is part of University Governance.
CASEC CHARGE: To provide guidance to the university administration on implementation of the university's Climate Action Commitment and opportunities to enhance Virginia Tech's pursuit of environmental quality and social sustainability. The committee makes recommendations regarding the application of policies; infrastructural and operational changes; educational strategies and modifications; and other steps intended to foster broad engagement with the university's environmental goals. The committee oversees subcommittees that each carry out aspects of the committee's charge.
The CASEC reports directly to the University Council.
Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy Committee:
https://governance.vt.edu/BodyDetails/CASEC
CASEC Roster: https://governance.vt.edu/assets/documents/casec_roster.pdf
University Council:
https://governance.vt.edu/BodyDetails/UC
CASEC CHARGE: To provide guidance to the university administration on implementation of the university's Climate Action Commitment and opportunities to enhance Virginia Tech's pursuit of environmental quality and social sustainability. The committee makes recommendations regarding the application of policies; infrastructural and operational changes; educational strategies and modifications; and other steps intended to foster broad engagement with the university's environmental goals. The committee oversees subcommittees that each carry out aspects of the committee's charge.
The CASEC reports directly to the University Council.
Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy Committee:
https://governance.vt.edu/BodyDetails/CASEC
CASEC Roster: https://governance.vt.edu/assets/documents/casec_roster.pdf
University Council:
https://governance.vt.edu/BodyDetails/UC
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy Committee 2022-23 Membership:
Chair - President will appoint annually from among members of the CASE;
Ex Officio Vice President for Campus Planning, Infrastructure, & Facilities;
Ex Officio Vice President for Finance;
Ex Officio Assistant Vice President for Infrastructure & Sustainability;
Ex Officio Assistant Vice President Planning & University Architect
Ex Officio Sustainability Manager, Dining Services, Housing, & Residence Life or designee
Ex Officio Director, Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy
Ex Officio Senior Director of Transportation Services
Four representatives from Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities selected by the Vice President for Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities
One representative from Virginia Tech Environmental Health & Safety Services selected by the Vice President for Enterprise Administrative and Business Services
Four faculty representatives elected by the Faculty Senate
Two A/P faculty representatives elected by the A/P Faculty Senate
Two staff representatives elected by the Staff Senate
One dean selected by the Council of College Deans
Two graduate student representatives elected by the Graduate and Professional Student Senate
Two undergraduate student representatives elected by the Undergraduate Student Senate
One representative from the Provost's Office
One representative from Student Affairs
One representative from Student Engagement and Campus Life
Two representatives from student organizations with an environmental focus (appointments provided by the committee chair)
Two representatives from frontline community groups (appointments provided by the committee chair) (one student and one employee)
2022-23 CASEC Roster: https://governance.vt.edu/assets/documents/casec_roster.pdf
Chair - President will appoint annually from among members of the CASE;
Ex Officio Vice President for Campus Planning, Infrastructure, & Facilities;
Ex Officio Vice President for Finance;
Ex Officio Assistant Vice President for Infrastructure & Sustainability;
Ex Officio Assistant Vice President Planning & University Architect
Ex Officio Sustainability Manager, Dining Services, Housing, & Residence Life or designee
Ex Officio Director, Climate Action, Sustainability, and Energy
Ex Officio Senior Director of Transportation Services
Four representatives from Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities selected by the Vice President for Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities
One representative from Virginia Tech Environmental Health & Safety Services selected by the Vice President for Enterprise Administrative and Business Services
Four faculty representatives elected by the Faculty Senate
Two A/P faculty representatives elected by the A/P Faculty Senate
Two staff representatives elected by the Staff Senate
One dean selected by the Council of College Deans
Two graduate student representatives elected by the Graduate and Professional Student Senate
Two undergraduate student representatives elected by the Undergraduate Student Senate
One representative from the Provost's Office
One representative from Student Affairs
One representative from Student Engagement and Campus Life
Two representatives from student organizations with an environmental focus (appointments provided by the committee chair)
Two representatives from frontline community groups (appointments provided by the committee chair) (one student and one employee)
2022-23 CASEC Roster: https://governance.vt.edu/assets/documents/casec_roster.pdf
Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent employee?:
Yes
A brief description of each sustainability office:
VIRGINIA TECH OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
The Office of Sustainability (Two FTEs) is the primary central clearing house for sustainability planning, programs, operations, events and activities on campus. This office is located within the Infrastructure Department and which reports to the Vice President for Administration. They will:
a. Coordinate programs for campus sustainability,
b. Oversee implementation of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan (VTCAC&SP),
c. Monitor annual electricity and other energy use and GHG emissions, and
d. Working with faculty and departments, manage a campus-wide student internship and
undergraduate research program using the campus as a sustainability laboratory, and
e. Coordinate communication regarding campus sustainability initiatives and programs to the university community and external audiences.
(See Presidential Policy Memorandum No. 262 Revision 1, dated May 9, 2013, point #5)
VIRGINIA TECH DINING SERVICES
Sustainability Manager (one FTE) is located in Dining Services within the Division of Student Affairs. Originally created as the Dining Services Sustainability Coordinator to plan and implement sustainability activities for our 11 on campus Dining Facilities, the position was recently expanded and retitled Sustainability Manager to provide advice and supervision on sustainability matters for on campus residence halls and Greek Housing. The Sustainability Manager is directly involved with the Dining Services 6 acre farm at Kentland Farm and supervises our food waste composting program. Dining Services is consistently recognized as having one of the best dining programs in higher education at the national level. The senior leadership is dedicated to having it be one of the best sustainable dining programs too.
VIRGINIA TECH TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
Alternative Transportation Manager (one FTE). Located in the Department of Parking and Transportation within the Vice President for Administration, the Alternative Transportation Manager is responsible for planning and day to day operations for a variety of on campus sustainability programs to include: the Bike, Bus, and Walk Program (BBW), the Bicycle Master Plan, the Bike Parking Master Plan, and the "Heads Up Hokies" Program (an initiative to promote safety for students and employees while driving a car, riding a bike, or walking around campus). In addition, the Alternative Transportation Manager plans and implements the "Active Commute Celebration" which is held the third week of September during Sustainability Week and provides education to all students on alternative transportation options at Virginia Tech and the surrounding community.
The Office of Sustainability (Two FTEs) is the primary central clearing house for sustainability planning, programs, operations, events and activities on campus. This office is located within the Infrastructure Department and which reports to the Vice President for Administration. They will:
a. Coordinate programs for campus sustainability,
b. Oversee implementation of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan (VTCAC&SP),
c. Monitor annual electricity and other energy use and GHG emissions, and
d. Working with faculty and departments, manage a campus-wide student internship and
undergraduate research program using the campus as a sustainability laboratory, and
e. Coordinate communication regarding campus sustainability initiatives and programs to the university community and external audiences.
(See Presidential Policy Memorandum No. 262 Revision 1, dated May 9, 2013, point #5)
VIRGINIA TECH DINING SERVICES
Sustainability Manager (one FTE) is located in Dining Services within the Division of Student Affairs. Originally created as the Dining Services Sustainability Coordinator to plan and implement sustainability activities for our 11 on campus Dining Facilities, the position was recently expanded and retitled Sustainability Manager to provide advice and supervision on sustainability matters for on campus residence halls and Greek Housing. The Sustainability Manager is directly involved with the Dining Services 6 acre farm at Kentland Farm and supervises our food waste composting program. Dining Services is consistently recognized as having one of the best dining programs in higher education at the national level. The senior leadership is dedicated to having it be one of the best sustainable dining programs too.
VIRGINIA TECH TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
Alternative Transportation Manager (one FTE). Located in the Department of Parking and Transportation within the Vice President for Administration, the Alternative Transportation Manager is responsible for planning and day to day operations for a variety of on campus sustainability programs to include: the Bike, Bus, and Walk Program (BBW), the Bicycle Master Plan, the Bike Parking Master Plan, and the "Heads Up Hokies" Program (an initiative to promote safety for students and employees while driving a car, riding a bike, or walking around campus). In addition, the Alternative Transportation Manager plans and implements the "Active Commute Celebration" which is held the third week of September during Sustainability Week and provides education to all students on alternative transportation options at Virginia Tech and the surrounding community.
Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
4
Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Yes
Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Mary-Ann Ibeziako, Assistant Vice President for Infrastructure and Chief Sustainability Officer
Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution?:
Yes
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
Office of Sustainability, Infrastructure Department, Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities Division.
Nathan King, Campus Sustainability Manager, Office of Sustainability - Manages Green Request for Proposals program (funded 133 student projects at $1.75 million). Manages sustainability office (2 FTE, 2 PTE, 3 GAs, 20 student interns). Provides policy recommendations (Policy 5505). Coordinates with external parties to implement CAC goals (Reduction in Motion zero waste contracted consultants). More...
Emily Vollmer, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Sustainability - Primary STARS data manager and responsible for submitting VT's STARS report (2021 Gold, 2024 pending). Producer of Virginia Tech's Sustainability Annual Reports (2018-present). Submits applications for Virginia Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards (2022 Bronze, 2023 pending). Runs student internship program, Earth Week, and other student outreach/engagement efforts. More...
Nathan King, Campus Sustainability Manager, Office of Sustainability - Manages Green Request for Proposals program (funded 133 student projects at $1.75 million). Manages sustainability office (2 FTE, 2 PTE, 3 GAs, 20 student interns). Provides policy recommendations (Policy 5505). Coordinates with external parties to implement CAC goals (Reduction in Motion zero waste contracted consultants). More...
Emily Vollmer, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Sustainability - Primary STARS data manager and responsible for submitting VT's STARS report (2021 Gold, 2024 pending). Producer of Virginia Tech's Sustainability Annual Reports (2018-present). Submits applications for Virginia Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards (2022 Bronze, 2023 pending). Runs student internship program, Earth Week, and other student outreach/engagement efforts. More...
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Nathan King , Sustainability Program Manager, Office of Sustainability
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
---
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
The Sustainability Program Manager is responsible for providing leadership and management with the planning and implementation of high-profile sustainability programs and operations that directly contribute to Virginia Tech being a “leader” in campus sustainability.
Job title of the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Emily Vollmer, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Sustainability
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
See attached position description.
Job title of the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.