State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
EN-9: Staff Professional Development and Training

Green Purchasing & Break Free From Plastic Policy and associated Green Purchasing Guide

- This policy was adopted by the College in November 2021. Four training sessions were held for purchasers in early March 2022. A recording of these training sessions and slides are included on the Office of Sustainability website. An overview of these programs was also given at Academic Governance (ESF's faculty and staff governance body) in January 2022 to a large audience of faculty and staff. Training sessions focused on NYS Executive Order 4, review of ESF's Green Purchasing and Break Free From Plastic Policy, how to use the College's Green Purchasing Guide and ensuring that attendees knew that assistance is available to purchasers from the Office of Sustainability. Many campus purchasers come to the Office of Sustainability to request assistance finding green versions of commonly purchased products. Training specific to Office of Sustainable Facilities and Operations administrative staff, leadership and front line supervisors was conducted during December 2022.

Monthly Custodial and Grounds Divisions Sustainability Training

- Each month, the Director of Sustainable Operations holds a mandatory team meeting for all custodial and grounds staff at the Syracuse campus. Each meeting concludes with a sustainability topic, usually focused on zero waste. The team enjoyed a rousing game of Sustainability Jeopardy during one meeting in 2022! Categories included Reduce and Reuse, Recycling, Composting, and ESF.

Examples of sustainability topics covered in team meetings since 2020 include discussions about bin right sizing and standardization (trash, recycling, compost), improvements in campus-wide diversion rates (recycling and compost), reduction in campus-wide trash rates, desirability of one brand of compost bag vs a different brand of compost bag, benefits of reuse vs single use, the College's Green Purchasing and Break Free From Plastic Policies, review of 2021 STARS report and TRUE Precertification (staff were offered the chance to become a TRUE Advisor - paid for by ESF).

Sustainable Event Certification Program Consultations

- The Office of Sustainability launched its Sustainable Event Certification program in 2021, complete with a Sustainable Events Guide. The Office advertises consultation services to the campus community on its webpage.

Targeted program training sessions

- The Office of Sustainability leads targeted training sessions for new programs as they launch and in periodic refreshers. In February 2023, the Office led a training specifically targeting departmental (non academic and academic) administrative staff, but open to the entire campus community, to provide an overview of the Sustainable Events Certification/Guide, Green Purchasing Policy and Guide and Green Office Certification program.

- The College's DEI focus requires associated DEISJ training for all staff.

Credentials

- The College supports staff in receiving sustainability related credentials, such as LEED, TRUE Advisor, WELL AP etc.

The College encourages and provided release time for non-academic staff participation in sustainability focused or related conferences, including but not limited to:

- Diversity, equity, and inclusion events, such as a session with the founder of Our Human Family, Clay Rivers
- NYSAR3 Annual Conference (NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling)
- Federation of NY Solid Waste Associations Annual Conference
- Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
- National Zero Waste Conference
- NYS Green Building Conference (ESF is a key conference planner and partner)
- SUNY Sustainability Coalition annual meeting/conference
- NY Coalition of Sustainability in Higher Education annual meeting/conference
- Association for Physical Plant Administrators national and regional conferences (Member of Office of Sustainable Facilities & Operations team is Vice President of NYAPPA Board of Directors)

All custodial and grounds staff Performance Programs and Evaluations include language ensuring that staff are aware of, understand and follow through with actions to support campus green cleaning and zero waste initiatives. Many other staff members include language in their performance program stating that they must "adhere to the mission and goals of ESF," but do not explicitly state sustainability goals, programs, and targets.