Arizona State University
PAE-1: Sustainability Coordination

The Sustainability Practices Network is charged with creating a plan for a more sustainable university. The Network is composed of thirteen work groups and resource committees that focus on their specified areas of expertise while also collaborating with other groups to support participation in sustainability practices across the university. The structure of the Network engages many disciplines and departments from all campuses to foster innovative ideas for reaching the university’s sustainability goals.

Executive Sponsors of the Sustainability Practices Network Ray Jensen (University Sustainability Operations Officer, University Business Services); Rob Melnick (Executive Dean, Global Institute of Sustainability); (Director, University Sustainability Practices in the Global Institute of Sustainability) Chairs of the Sustainability Practices Network Work Groups and Resource Groups David Brixen, Interim Vice President for University Services, Stakeholder group is Energy. Phil Plentzas, Director of University Services Business Operations, Stakeholder group is Water. Polly Pinney, Executive Director of Facilities Management, Stakeholder group is Facilities Operations. Theresa Fletcher, Director of Parking and Transit Services, Stakeholder group is Transportation. John Riley, Executive Director of Purchasing and Business Services, Stakeholder group is Procurement. Kerry Suson, Program Manager of Property Control, Stakeholder group is Solid Waste. Jann Blesener, Director Architecture & Planning, Stakeholder group is Building Design and Planning. Kellie Lowe, Director of Memorial Union, Stakeholder group is Campus Living, Dining, Activities and Events. Terry Hinton, Director of Information Technology, Stakeholder for Information Technology. Karen Leland, Director Communications GIOS, Stakeholder group is Communications. Susan Ledlow, Assoc Instructional Prof GIOS, Stakeholder group is Learning. Teresa Forst, PGO/SIO OFFICER ASU Foundation, Stakeholder group is Development. Director, University Sustainability Practices, Stakeholder group is Opportunities and Best Practices and Literacy.

The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of Arizona State University’s sustainability initiatives. The Institute advances research, education, and business practices for an urbanizing world. Its School of Sustainability, the first of its kind in the U.S., offers transdisciplinary degree programs focused on finding practical solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges. ASU established the Global Institute of Sustainability to: Identify the grand challenges of sustainability Advance knowledge for applied practical solutions Create new tools for improved decision-making Prioritize university-wide efforts toward sustainable practices Build global research partnerships The Global Institute of Sustainability houses the University Sustainability Practices office which is the central office enacting Arizona State University’s sustainability initiatives and tracking sustainability accomplishments. The purpose of the University Sustainability Practices Office is to identify challenges and opportunities to help change operations and individual behaviors across all units to meet the University’s sustainability goals.

Provides leadership at both the tactical and strategic level implementing President Michael Crow's mandate to have Arizona State University achieve the long-term goals of Zero Waste, Carbon Neutrality and 100% Community Engagement by integrating sustainability practices at Arizona State University into such diverse operational areas as water usage, waste management, energy, buildings, food, transportation and purchasing.