Slippery Rock University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Herbert Carlson, Assistant Vice President for Construction Design and Management, is the university's Chief Sustainability Officer and chair of the President's Commission on Sustainability. SRU's Office of Sustainability also employs one full-time staff member (Paul Scanlon, Special Assistant to the President for Sustainability Planning and Operations, an architecturel engineer with 35 years experience who is a registered engineer and LEED Accredited Professional) and one full-time Graduate Assistant who support, coordinate and document all sustainability activities on campus. The Sustainability Office's staff member also serves on the President's Commission on Sustainability that represents a cross section of the entire Slippery Rock community, and is also a member of the SRU Energy Conservation Committee. Each year the Office of Sustainability provides a sustainability flyer that is incorporated into the FYRST manual for incoming freshman, provides eduactional materials, and registers incoming students for the SRU Energy Action Pledge campaign as part of the Weekend of Welcome activities for students. The Office also coordinates annual Earth Week activities, usually featuring an educational movie series sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, guest speakers, and sustainability activities supported by the Macoskey Center for Sustainable Education and Research graduate assistants. The Sustainability Office has also created a Campus Sustainable Features Map, completes regular STARS and Greenhouse Gas Emissions reports, and manages the SRU Sustainability website (www.sru.edu/sustainability) and SRU Sustainability Facebook page (www.facebook/SRUsustainability).

Major sustainability initiatives and policies are coordinated through the President's Commission on Sustainability, which is chaired by Herb Carlson, an architect/urban planner who serves as both Assistant Vice President for Construction Design and Management and Chief Sustainability Officer. The Commission identifies and advises the president on establishing and integrating sustainability strategies and policies for the University, such as the SRU Energy Conservation Policy. The President’s Commission on Sustainability is supported by the Office of Sustainability which serves as an umbrella organization for reviewing and recommending to the Commission major sustainability initiatives on campus, with both groups helping to promote and facilitate the cooperative efforts of faculty, staff, students, staff, alumni and community members to educate, share knowledge, and create a culture of sustainability across campus. The Vision Statement for the Office of Sustainability is "To do all within our power to protect the environment, improve social equity, and achieve sustainable economic benefits in order to leave this planet a better place for future generations." The Sustainability Office's Mission Statement is "To expedite the achievement of SRU's sustainability goals by coordinating and leveraging our considerable community resources in an integrated manner."

Members of the President's Commission on Sustainability are as follows (an * indicates the individual also serves on the Energy Conservation Committee): Herb Carlson (Fin/Admin) Chair Julie Snow (Geog., Geo.& Env) * Langdon Smith (Geog., Geo. & Env) David Culp (Schl of Bus) Scott Albert (Facilities) * Brad Kovaleski (Student Leadership) Mary Ann King (Provost's Office)* Rita Abent (Public Relations) Paul Scanlon (President's Office)* Christine Glenn (Parks & Resource Mgmt) Robert McCafferty (Local Business Owner) Paul Dickey (Sewer & Water Authority)

The Sustainability Office is currently colocated in the Maintenance Center building with the Department of Facilities and Planning Offices (which includes the offices of the Director of Facilities & Planning, the Chief Sustainability Officer, and Facilities construction management and maintenance staff). Current plans call for the Sustainability Office to relocate to repurposed space in the more visible/centrally located former student union building pending its renovation.

The leadership position and 20 year length of service by Herbert Carlson helps the University manage the myriad of current sustainability initiatives and develop a strategic pathway for SRU to successfully implement the President’s Climate Commitment. Mr. Carlson chairs the President's Commission on Sustainability and oversees all major sustainability initiatives and policies, while Mr. Scanlon handles the day-to-day affairs of the Office of Sustainability.