UW System Administration Update: Sustainability

1. UW System Administration Update: Sustainability Andrew Richards Senior Special Assistant to the President Tim McClain Policy Analyst – Senior Greta Iliev Sustainability Assistant

2. UW System Sustainability Working Group • Appointed by the UW System President • Mission • Conduct research. • Foster communication on a system-wide basis. • Assist UW institutions in their efforts to promote a campus culture that instills the values and principles of sustainability. • UW System Philosophy and Approach

3. UW System Sustainability Working Group Members * • April Goodwin, Budget and Policy Analyst, Office of Budget and Planning, • Helen Klebesadel, Director, Women's Studies Consortium and Senior Academic Planner, Office of Academic, Faculty, and Global Programs. • Tim McClain, Policy Analyst/Program Auditor, Office of Operations Review and Audit. • Eileen Norby, Waste and Minimization Manager, Office of Safety and Loss Prevention,. • Greg Wanek, Senior Electrical Engineer, Office of Capital Planning and Budget,. • Greta Iliev, Student Sustainability Assistant, Office of Safety and Loss Prevention. *Maria Stroud-Alvarez, Special Assistant to Provost & Vice-Chancellor at University of Wisconsin Extension.

4. UW System Sustainability Working Group Members • Developed listserv to share information among sustainability staff; • Holdingmeetings with all the sustainability coordinators represented by each campus and other stakeholders; • Development of our existing website using our newly-hired student sustainability assistant, • Getting the story out - writing feature stories focusing on accomplishments and best practices on each campus and posting these on the web page • Researching new partnerships with other offices, such as UWEX and non-profits e.g., Growing Power, the Center for Resilient Cities Inc. • Conducting research on organizational models used at other institutions and systems (Stars/AASHE and Sustainability Centers)

5. “Centers for Sustainability” • A small office whose primary task is to conduct ongoingresearch on best practices to support the users who need it (e.g., sustainability coordinators, facility managers on each campus). For example, one director/faculty member directing research provided by grad students working assistantships . • Executive Board made up of Campus Representatives (e.g., Sustainability Coordinators) to provide input in setting the research agenda as well as others such as UWSA. • Allows individual campuses to make their own decisions based on the fact that each campus is unique to the region it serves. But, the center would help connect the dots on sustainability issues between the campuses.

6. Centers for Sustainability-Institutional Structures • No standard definition for “Sustainability Center.” • Broad and varying agendas. • “Try to develop services and programs people want and NEED.” –Cal-Poly • Focus on teaching and curriculum OR on Research. • Need an inclusive and open process in startup, support from administration and the community. • All centers studied have students, faculty, and staff involvement. • Some other stakeholders include researchers/advisory board/ “outside stakeholders” such as businesses or non-profits. • Advice: • Utilize your students and engage all stakeholders! • Find a stable long-term source of funding before startup. • Important to narrow your mission from the beginning.

7. Future Efforts and Initiatives (Continued) We need your Input!! • Investigating the use of FaceBook and other social networking sites to foster communication between System, sustainability coordinators and other UW staff. • Tours of projects and meeting with communities and other organizations to collaborate and to have campuses possibly form partnerships (e.g., Growing Power, SC Johnson, Habitat for Humanity in River Falls).

8. Future Efforts and Initiatives We need your Input!! • Monthly teleconferencing meetings with sustainability coordinators on topics of interest; • March, 2011 Green Energy Summit in Milwaukee - MARK YOUR CALENDERS!! • DRAFT vision statement.

9. Draft Vision Statement Our University of Wisconsin institutions have produced a long legacy of environmental awareness and stewardship that has greatly influenced human ethics, laws and practices, extending well beyond the boundaries of the state to the entire planet. This legacy can be found in the writings of Muir and Leopold, the laws of Gaylord Nelson, our university system’s diverse research and academic disciplines, and the dedication of our faculty, students, and staff to carry these ideas and commitments forward.   As a result, it is our desire as a system of university institutions, that our commitments and behaviors be ecologically sound, economically efficient, and socially responsible now, and for future generations to come.  We see a sustainable future for our system where: • students, faculty and staff develop a shared ethic of responsibility; • our statewide commitment to the environment is honored; and • sustainable principles, practices and values are infused into the culture of our institutions as they continue to change and grow.

10. Questions and Discussion: Andrew Richards Senior Special Assistant to the President Tim McClain Policy Analyst – Senior Greta Iliev Sustainability Assistant