Boston University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Since its creation in 2009, sustainability@BU has pioneered many innovative and effective programs at Boston University. The results of the BU community participation to these initiatives has been recognized in various ways. In 2013, The Princeton Review selected Boston University as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the United States and Canada. BU is highlighted for its green buildings and transportation in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition. On May 14, 2013, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the 2013 Greenovate Boston Award winners at Boston University’s Center for Student Services. There were 18 award winners in total including 13 business, three residential and two sustainable food leaders. These winners were selected for their impressive sustainability achievements and commitment to Greenovating Boston. In 2012 and 2013, sustainability@BU enabled six buildings on campus to be awarded Gold LEED certifications. In 2012, in addition to its Silver STARS rating, Boston University ranked 54th Coolest School in the United States, according to Sierra magazine’s Cool Schools ranking. Sierra Club, the nation’s leading grassroots environmental organization, opens their survey to all four-year undergraduate colleges and universities in the United States and sustainability@BU chose to participate using BU's STARS report to complete the extensive questionnaire about the university’s sustainability practices. The Goodwill Not Landfill program won a third-place Excellence Award from NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education), an advocacy and development group of administrators from 1,400 campuses worldwide. In 2011, BU’s Clean Energy and Environmental Sustainability Initiative (CEESI) won a $10,000 award from IBM to create a course titled, “Technology and the Global Urban Challenges: Security, Energy, Water, and the Environment”.

The Sustainability Committee was established in 2008 with a mission to advise the University leadership on matters pertaining to the campus environment and sustainability and included three central goals: 1. Advance sustainable practices on campus to make sustainability integral to the fabric of Boston University 2. Engage the campus in an ongoing dialogue about sustainability and enhance communications across all segments of the community 3. Instill a culture of sustainable long-term planning and forward-thinking The committee includes a Steering Committee and four working groups: Energy Conservation, Sustainable Buildings & Operations, Waste & Recycling, and Communications & Outreach. The Communications & Outreach Working Group continues to meet on a monthly basis, the other three working groups and Steering Committee discontinued regular meetings in 2013, but remain available if needed.

Co-Chairs: Gary Nicksa - Senior Vice President, Operations Cutler Cleveland - Professor, Geography & Environment Administration: Karen Antman - Medical Campus Provost Gary Nicksa - Senior Vice President, Operations Amy Barrett - Director of Academic Facilities, Co-Chair Buildings WG Kenneth Elmore - Dean of Students Willis Wang - Vice President and Associate Provost, Global Operations Faculty: Cutler Cleveland - Professor, Geography & Environment Carolyn Clark - Associate Professor, College of Communications, Co-Chair Communication WG Michael Gevelber - Associate Professor, College of Engineering, Co-Chair Energy WG Mark Correia - IMC Assistant Director, School of Education, C-Chair Recycling WG Richard Reibstein - Adjunct Professor, Geography & Environment Linda Grosser - Clean Energy & Environmental Sustainability Initiative Director Staff: Thomas Daley - Associate Vice President FM&P David Flynn - Assistant VP FM&P, Co-Chair Buildings WG Scott Keene - Executive Director FM&P, Co-Chair Energy WG Dennis Carlberg - Sustainability Director FM&P, Co-Chair Communication WG Barbara Laverdiere - Director of Dining Services Lisa Tornatore - Sustainability Outreach Coordinator

The sustainability@BU office is located within Facilities Management and Planning which provides critical access to ongoing collaboration opportunities within the University’s operational staff and infrastructure. The University employs three full time sustainability professionals, the Sustainability Director, the Sustainability Outreach Coordinator, and the Dining Services Sustainability Coordinator. In addition, student interns provide substantial support in communications and outreach, recycling, green building certification, green office certification, sustainability metrics tracking and reporting, and administrative support.

The Sustainability Director is responsible for developing and implementing a strategy to integrate sustainability principles into the operational functions of the University. Through communicating, informing and promoting these principles and programs throughout the University, the Sustainability Director acts as the campus spokesperson on sustainability, providing outreach to local and national organizations as well as funding agencies. The Sustainability Outreach Coordinator is responsible for engaging faculty, staff, and students in campus sustainability. Through existing programs and newly developed ones, she provides and supports training of faculty, staff, and students. She serves as the primary contact person and outreach coordinator for all on-campus sustainability activities and contributes to strategy development, ongoing evolution, execution, measurement, and reporting of the strategy for sustainability@BU. The Sustainability Coordinator for Dining Services' mission is to serve the BU community wholesome, delicious food in the most sustainable manner through socially responsible procurement, energy efficient operations, and a comprehensive waste management program.