Texas A&M University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The previous three years for the Office of Sustainability at Texas A&M University has been productive on multiple fronts. The Office provides oversight for the Aggie Green Fund (AGF) which awards grants for on campus environmental improvements. From 2012-2014, the AGF has awarded $836,300 for a variety of projects such as solar-powered trash compactors, water bottle filling stations (now over 100 on campus), and funding for the student-led Howdy! Farm which provides local, organic produce for sale within the community. The Office of Sustainability provides 6-10 internship positions for Outreach Specialists during Fall and Spring semesters. Outreach Specialists are responsible for participating in New Student Conferences, tabling events, canvassing campus and initiating dialogue about sustainability, and hosting formal educational presentations. The Office of Sustainability has also become engaged in the academic institutional assessment via Weave Online. Specifically, we measure our education and outreach targets, survey analysis of events our office hosts, and increasing participation in the Sustainable Office Certification (SOC) Program. To learn more about the SOC visit, http://sustainability.tamu.edu/sustainable-office-certification.aspx. In October 2014, the Office released its second Biennial Report which provides an update to the Campus Sustainability Master Plan. The 2014 Biennial Report may be reviewed at http://sustainability.tamu.edu/Data/Sites/1/downloads/2014SMPBiennialReport.pdf. During the past three years, the Sustainability Environmental Management Committee (SEMC) has set goals for both campus recycling and energy. In Fall 2013, a Recycling Working Group was formed to evaluate campus recycling. The recommendation from the Working Group was to develop campus-wide signage that would provide continuity to recycling options regardless of the type of recycling container. In November 2014, the SEMC directed the Working Group to proceed with developing signs to be used across campus. With respect to energy goals, the SEMC has endorsed the Energy Action Plan (EAP) 2015 which includes 12 initiatives that can be found at https://utilities.tamu.edu/energy-action-plan-2015/. The SEMC anticipates that the goals of the EAP 2015 will be achieved.

The Sustainability Environmental Management Committee (SEMC) serves as an advisory committee to the Executive Vice President and Provost (the President’s designee) and Environmental Health & Safety. The SEMC reviews environmental policy and programs and recommends methods of improving compliance, pollution prevention, and education.

David Breeding - Texas Engineering Experiment Station Howard Meek - Texas Engineering Experiment Station Brad Urbanczyk - Agri-Life Research & Extension Pam Burn - Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Stuart Denner - Texas Transportation Institute Clay Hanks - Health Science Center Gordon Evans - Texas A&M System Ron Steedly - Transportation Services Nathan Jones - Utilities & Energy Management David Wagner - SSC Service Solutions Sarel Lavy - Faculty Andreas Holzenberg - Faculty Julie Singleton - Faculty Len Bierman - Faculty Steve Miller - Athletics Carol Binzer - Residence Life Paul Barzak - Procurement Services Monica Hartman - Environmental Health & Safety Kelly Wellman - Office of Sustainability Ben Kalscheur - Office of Sustainability Staff Homer Bruner - Utilities & Energy Management Vacant - Graduate Student Council Rep Tassie Hermann - Environmental Health & Safety Staff Jeff Truss - Environmental Health & Safety Staff

From its inception as a land-grant institution in 1876 to the additional sea-grant and space-grant designations, Texas A&M University has been a leader in research and education for how we interact with - and impact - our environment. In March 2008, The Office of Sustainability was founded to enhance these efforts by creating a culture of sustainability in Aggieland. We work to respect, protect, and preserve the financial, environmental, and people resources that make Texas A&M and our community so great, not only for today, but also for future generations of Aggies. When Aggies commit to a sustainable lifestyle, we bring Texas A&M's core values to life. Our mission is to educate the campus and local community about the importance of sustainability. We will accomplish this by promoting sustainable practices both on and off campus in academic and non-academic settings, providing resources and support for people who wish to incorporate sustainable practices into their work and life, and advocating for sustainable programs and initiatives.

Develop, plan, coordinate and administer programs and advise policies within the area of sustainability at Texas A&M University. Serve as the Advisor to the Aggie Green Fund Advisory Board. The sustainability officer does not have authority over any existing university department, but serves as a resource for all departments on sustainability initiatives. Acts as a liaison among stakeholder groups such as faculty, students, staff and local community members and facilitates discussion/programs to address environmental issues. Helps to coordinate and promote outreach/education with respect to the three aspects of sustainability: economic vitality, environmental quality, and social equity.

The website with information about the Sustainability Committee (SEMC) is currently under construction, but will be housed on the web address provided above once complete.