Denison University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The Campus Sustainability Committee and the Campus Sustainability Coordinator developed the college's first Sustainability Plan in 2012. Since that time they implemented the plan and did a complete evaluation of the college's progress over that time. The committee and coordinator were integral in the decision to move away from coal to natural gas in the central heating plant. The committee and coordinator were integral in the decision to move to Bon Appetit as the college's dining provider which has enhanced sustainable dining efforts on campus.

The mission of Denison University is “to inspire and educate students to become autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents, and active citizens of a democratic society.” As critical thinkers, we acknowledge the evidence that climate, air and water quality, and natural resource availability are changing on a global scale in ways that adversely affect the ecology of the planet and human welfare. As moral agents, we recognize that the College and all individuals who are part of the Denison community share responsibility in contributing to environmental change by reducing both resource consumption and the production of waste. As active citizens, individually and institutionally, we are committed to playing a leadership role in advancing a sustainable future for our world. We will do this by example, reducing the environmental impact of the College through the use of sustainable practices, and through education and research, advancing society’s knowledge and commitment to sustainable practices. More specifically, Denison University and all members of the Denison community are committed to reducing resource consumption and waste production with the goal of approaching carbon neutrality. We will assess the environmental impact of the activities and resources needed to fulfill the mission of the College and 1) seek sustainable options for meeting those needs, 2) make the best use of resources and reuse or recycle them when possible, 3) dispose of waste in ways that reduce the negative impact, and 4) take into consideration the life cycle and environmental impact of materials and products purchased by the College. Moreover, we will endeavor to advance the knowledge base that will enable us to protect and preserve the earth's resources. (Adopted by the Faculty Dec. 4, 2008)

Teaching Faculty Jordan Katz - Professor of Chemistry - Chair Doug Spieles - Professor of Environmental Studies - Vice Chair Rusty Shekha - Professor of Sociology & Anthropology Administrative Staff Aaron Fuleki - Information Technology Officer Todd Jamison - Director of Institutional Research Support Staff Liz Barringer-Smith - Modern Languages - Administrative Assistant Dyan Couden - Studio Art - Administrative Assistant Ex Officio Members Jeremy King - Sustainability Coordinator - Office of the President David English - Vice President for Finance & Management Bob Jude - Energy Manager - Facilities Services Art Chonko - Director - Facilities Services Sarah Piper - Sustainability Manager - Dining Services/Bon Appetit Faculty Annabel Edwards, Chemistry Andy McCall, Biology Joanna Mitchell, Modern Languages Supportive Operating Staff Jen Steurer, Alumni Relations Phil Waite, Chemistry Students Lauren Sabo '11 Grace Summers '13

The Sustainability Office operates out of the Office of the President. The Sustainability Office interacts with the administration, faculty, staff, and students to focus attention on ways to maximize the environmental performance of Denison and develop the awareness and tools required to respond to issues affecting them. The office also tries to reach out to the wider community and provide a connection between Denison and off-campus activities.

Taken from the actual job posting: Identify and steward sustainability initiatives on behalf of the university and act as a resource for other university departments in the pursuit of sustainability initiatives. Coordinate effective interaction and communication between the CSC and academic and administrative units for the purpose of providing comprehensive institutional oversight and direction to Denison's sustainability commitments. Oversee the writing and dissemination of an annual institutional sustainability report, which will be published to the public at large. Collaborate with, including but not limited to, Academic Departments, the Department of Athletics, Student Affairs, Building Services, Grounds and Roads, Energy Management, Capital Project planning and management, the Purchasing Office, Dining Services, and the Denison Campus Governance Association, to help define and achieve sustainability goals. Encourage and support the work of establishing, carrying-out, and evaluating sustainable initiatives on an annual basis, working directly with project managers, departmental chairs/heads, and administrative advisory committees. Help establish institutional sustainability principles and standards for energy and water consumption and conservation; new construction and renovation; landscape & grounds operations; waste management to include recycling; procurement practices; cleaning supplies and practices, and others. Develop and maintain tools, metrics, and indicators for assessing progress towards sustainability goals. Interface with Department Chairs to integrate sustainability into curricular and extra curricular student activities. Advise, meet with, and be a resource for individual students and student groups engaging in sustainability issues and projects. Establish and maintain an effective communications strategy, including a website, an electronic newsletter, news articles, case studies, and a range of other vehicles, with the objective of raising internal and external awareness of and support for campus sustainability efforts and related activities, working with the Administrative Director of University Communications. Keep abreast of best practices in sustainability, especially at other institutions of higher education, and participate in conferences and related events to identify new ideas and practices as well as communicate Denison's sustainability efforts. Build effective partnerships with other institutions, especially within the Ohio Five Colleges. Identify and pursue grant and resource development opportunities to support sustainability initiatives. Supervise student interns, assistants, dorm eco-reps, and other student and staff volunteers.

Denison maintains an internal password protected website where most of this information resides. Public access web pages have limited information on this topic.