Worcester Polytechnic Institute
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The purpose of the WPI Sustainability Advisory Committee, led by Director of Sustainability John Orr, is to provide leadership and coordination for WPI's campus-wide efforts in energy and resource conservation, economic security, and social well-being. We are an educational institution; thus, these goals are interwoven with our academic goals in teaching about the practices of sustainable design and the impacts of behavioral changes, as well as in conducting research in the reduction of environmental impacts and in methods of enhancing sustainability. The committee is drawn from, and works with, all segments of the WPI community: students, faculty, and staff. Further, since WPI is an active member of the local, regional, and world communities, the work of this committee will have impacts beyond the WPI campus. Substantial achievements include: Including the topic of sustainability in the WPI Strategic Plan, Adding an alumnus to the Advisory Committee; Launch a substantial community awareness campaign for single stream recycling; Add a member of the Admissions team to the Advisory Committee to recognize the importance of WPI's sustainability status to prospective students; and form working groups in areas such as energy consumption.

Bruce Bursten, Provost; Jeff Solomon, CFO; Coreh Dehner, Faculty; Scott Jiusto, Faculty; Joe Sarkis, Faculty; Gregg Snoddy, Dean of Students; Bill Spratt, Director of Facilities Operations; Kristin Wobbe, Faculty; John Orr, Director of Sustainability; Liz Tomaszewski, Assoc. Director of Sustainability; Meghan Trahan, student; Ryan Cooney, student; Kathy Loftus, Alumnus; Julie Loveless, Admissions; Martin Luttrell, Marketing; Linda Looft, VP Community and Govnt Relations; Sebastian Rodriguez, Student; Mary Beth Harrity, IT

The Sustainability Office consists of a Director of Sustainability and Associate Director of Sustainabilty and four part-time student interns. The focus of the office is to move forward the goals of the WPI Sustainability Plan.

The Office of Sustainability and the Sustainability Advisory Committee; conducts programming for the institute, oversees the sustainability reporting, and monitors progress on the sustainability plan. Makes recommendations on new initiatives, such as the proposal for developing a GRF, GHG report, and sustainability themed policies.

Director of Sustainability: Provide leadership and direction for sustainability programs at WPI; guide and oversee the implementation of the Plan for Sustainability at WPI. As director, coordinate efforts across all areas while focusing on the academic aspects and working with the Associate Director who focuses on the operational aspects. Provide expertise and position WPI as a leader in sustainability efforts on campus, in the Worcester community, and globally. 1)Promote consensus around the WPI Vision for Sustainability, implement a strategy to achieve that vision, develop partnerships, and foster collaboration around sustainability goals. 2) Oversee and coordinate development and implementation of policy and procedures that incorporate sustainability principles to attain WPI sustainability goals. Track and publicize progress toward goals. 3) Actively seek major external support for sustainability activities. Ensure the financial viability of all sustainability activities through the development and monitoring of operating and capital budgets, and assist in identifying cost savings for the institution. 4) Produce a comprehensive Annual Report on operational, academic, and community sustainability activities. 5) Work with the appropriate departments in Academic Affairs and with faculty governance to support the incorporation of sustainability into the WPI academic programs, project centers, and research programs. 6) Identify opportunities to relate the operational aspects of sustainability to academic and research programs. 7) Work with the student-faculty-staff advisory group on sustainability to guide and support the sustainability efforts on campus. Participate on various campus committees/consortia to help increase awareness both internally and externally. 8) Periodically report to the WPI administrative and academic leadership on the status of sustainability at WPI. 9) Initiate and manage a revolving fund for investment in operational sustainability projects. 10) Engage with all segments of the community regarding their concerns, issues, and recommendations. 11) Initiate and monitor professional development programs for faculty and staff as well as orientation and continuing programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

Associate Director of Sustainability (half time), Work with the Director of Sustainability in planning, implementing, and evaluating sustainability programs at WPI, focusing on operational and community aspects. Assist with implementation of these aspects in the Plan for Sustainability at WPI. Assist in positioning WPI as a leader in sustainability efforts on campus and in the Worcester community. 1) Provide guidance and education for the community to engage in the transition toward a more sustainable campus. 2) Assist with planning and monitoring of financial aspects related to sustainability. Assist in identifying cost savings for the institution through these activities. 3) Oversee the tracking of WPI’s energy and other resource use, as well as other sustainability-related operational activities such as greenhouse gas production. 4) Assist with production of a comprehensive Annual Report on sustainability activities. 5) Work with the director to identify opportunities to relate the operational aspects of sustainability to academic and research programs. 6) Work with the student-faculty-staff advisory group on sustainability to guide and support the sustainability efforts on campus. Participate on various campus committees/consortia to help increase awareness both internally and externally. 7) Support the implementation of operational projects and practices that reduce waste and resource usage, and increase energy efficiency. 8) Establish and incorporate sustainability concepts within operational policies and practices. Develop and implement guidelines for vendors and products with respect to sustainability. 9) Participate in sustainability-related professional development programs for faculty and staff. 10) Other duties as assigned.

Job Description: Student Sustainability Summer Intern The Student Sustainability Summer Intern will be responsible for the writing of the WPI Sustainability Annual Report and updating the Sustainability website. Specific tasks will include: • Gather, track, summarize, and report key performance data (utilities, recyclables, waste, etc.) and gather other relevant sustainability-themed information for inclusion in the report • Seek out key sustainability information on campus, and meet with others to collect information • Identify photos for the report and take additional photos as appropriate • Write WPI Sustainability Annual Report and work with Marketing and Communications regarding design and production • Update WPI sustainability website • Oversee Gompei’s Gears Bikeshare program The student must be a self-starter, have a good understanding of sustainability matters, and be well organized and detail-oriented. Strong data analysis skills and written communication skills are required. The student will be expected to work approximately 37.5 hours per week from May until August. The internship will be located in the Customer Service Center in the Department of Facilities at 37 Lee Street and will take direction from the Director and Associate Director of Sustainability.