Institutionalizing Campus Sustainability

1. Institutionalizing Campus Sustainability AASHE Conference 10 October 2010 Bailey Kilbourne – University of Florida Executive Director & Founder Gators Going Green Agency Student Government

2. Outline • Uncovering opportunities for effective change on campus • Examples of student-led change efforts at UF • Common threads for success • Gators Going Green

3. Identifying Opportunities The pessimist complains about the wind.  The optimist expects it to change.  The leader adjusts the sails. - William Arthur Ward Optimistic Realism Research Campus Culture

4. Students & Sustainability Student Education • Sustainability Major • Sustainability Minor Student Clubs • Gators for a Sustainable Campus (GSC) • Greeks Going Green • U.S. Green Building Council, UF Student Chapter • Bio-energy and Sustainable Technology Society • American Solar Energy Society at UF • Human Rights Awareness on Campus • UF Environment, Science, and Policy Society • Students Making Trade Fair • Engineers Without Borders • Change the World • UF Roots and Shoots • UF Students in Free Enterprise • EnVeg

5. Setting the Stage • Empowered Leadership • Internships • B20 Buses, Lighting Initiative • Renewable Energy Fee • Minor in Sustainability Studies • Low Hanging Fruit • Green Graduation Pledge • Student Leadership Convergence

6. Creating A Successful Program • Work within institutional framework • Understand how decisions are made • Culture matters • Projects and Organizations already in motion and successful • Consider stakeholders • Meet people where they are • Find common threads – make connections • Importance of reflection on effectiveness • Build Partnerships – Seek Diversity • Change may not happen on your timetable • Political will must be there

7. Student Government

8. Gators Going Green “Gators Going Green’s mission is to constantly work towards implementing policies and programming which brings about sustainable improvements to the University of Florida. Gators Going Green seeks to be the link between Student Government and the Student Body, the University of Florida, and the Gainesville Community by promoting sustainable initiatives, addressing the needs of the student body for future generations, and establishing a permanent culture of environmental awareness”

9. Steps to Implementation • Networking • Point contact and representative to spearhead project • Determine best branch and direction • Point contact in Student Government and Senate to start developing and writing legislation • Develop Framework • Mission Statement, Bylaws, Structure, budget • Approval • Executive Board • Senate Vote

10. Steps to Implementation • Logistics • Positions/Applications • Website • Logo • Realistic First Year Goals • Local and National climate • Partnerships • Evaluation

11. Beginning

12. Current

13. Programs • Director of Outreach • Student Leadership Convergence • Sustainable Organization Fair • Sustainability Monthly Events • Director Of Education • Green Graduate Pledge & Reception • New Student Programs • Alumni Relations & Activities

14. Programs • Director of Programming • Campus Activities, Speakers, and Sustainable Events • TOMS comes to UF, Earth Day • Internal Affairs • Educate Senate and Cabinet • Executive Board Platform Items • External Affairs • Communication with community outside university • State wide campaigns Initiatives - Renewable Energy Fee

15. Growing Pains • Time & Dedication • Starting Small • Saying no to projects • Making it a priority • Pleasing stakeholders

16. What about your campus? • Each campus cultures is different • Questions/comments/discussion Thank you!