Xavier University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The Laudato Si' Action Platform, or LSAP, is divided into 7 working groups each focusing its sustainability initiatives on one of the 7 goals defined in Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical.  Those goals are as follows: Response to the Cry of the Earth, Response to the Cry of the Poor, Ecological Economics, Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles, Ecological Education, Ecological Spirituality, and Community Empowerment and Resilience.  These working groups are managed by a leader from accross the University's faculty or staff.  This leadership is further supported in advisory capacity by the Vice President for Facilities and the University Sustainability Coordinator.

https://www.xavier.edu/green/laudato-si-action-platform-steering-committee

Tim Sundrup, Associate Director of Mission and Identity and University Sustainability Coordinator, serves as the University's top sustainability officer.  This position was created in the spring of 2023 and filled on July 1 of 2023.  Xavier University houses its sustainability efforts in its Center for Mission and Identity thus making the bold claim that sustainability is part of our identity and mission as a Jesuit Catholic university.

https://www.xavier.edu/mission-identity/our-staff

The University Sustainability Coordinator oversees the Laudato Si' Action Plaform (leaders and members) and the Laudato Si' Action Plan.  The Laudato Si' Action Plan is a seven year plan moving the University to be more sustainable.  The plan and a number of recent initiatives can be found on the following website: https://www.xavier.edu/green/

Within the context of the University’s Jesuit Catholic mission and identity and Assoc. Dir position, serves as a coordinator of the University’s sustainability initiatives in support of the President’s committed to being a “Laudato Si’ University” and the University’s strategic initiatives on environmental care.  (50% of time): 

·       functionally serves as the Chief Sustainability Officer through a mission perspective (i.e., integral ecology – the Catholic approach to sustainability) and by way of intentional coordination of specialized and varied activities throughout the University.

·       develops, leads, and supports initiatives and programs that advance Xavier’s sustainability efforts.

·       works with all constituents in the campus community, including students, faculty, and staff to promote an understanding and awareness of sustainability issues through the lens of Xavier’s Jesuit Catholic identity and Laudato Si’ by coordinating informational training and presentations and promoting ‘care for creation.’

·       serves on the Executive Committee of Xavier’s Laudato Sí’ Steering Committee and other campus committees as a sustainability representative, as requested and assigned

·       serves as liaison between various campus entities to assure communication and resource coordination for sustainability programs and projects, in particular Physical Plant, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs/student clubs.

·       coordinates and compiles University data on sustainability and environmental justice initiatives, programs, interventions, and events, that align the University Strategic Plan with the 7 goals the international Laudato’ Si’ initiative:

1.       Response to Cry of the Earth: Renewable energy, carbon neutrality, protecting biodiversity

2.       Response to the Cry of the Poor: Ecojustice, special attention to vulnerable groups, improvement of social systems

3.       Ecological Economics: Sustainable production and consumption, ethical investments, protecting workers.

4.       Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles: Reducing waste, recycling, sustainable dietary habits, greater use of public transportation

5.       Ecological Education: Re-designing curriculum to foster ecological awareness, encouraging ecological restoration activities

6.       Ecological Spirituality: Creation-based liturgical celebrations

7.       Community Resilience and Empowerment: Encouraging sense of belonging in local communities and neighborhood ecosystems

·       ensures that the University’s LSAP annual report is submitted to the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

·       ensures that the sustainability website is current.

·       networks with external organizations to represent the University on sustainability issues, prioritizing those of the Cincinnati Jesuit Family, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, NEXUS garden, and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

·       supports University participation in external sustainability programs, as fitting

remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, professional development, and attending training and/or courses relevant to this responsibility.