University of California, Merced
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Accomplishments associated with the UC Merced Sustainability Committee include: 1. Successful 2015 Earth Day and Campus Sustainability Events 2. Sustainability Speaker Series on Food which promotes sustainable healthy living in the realm of nutritious food sourcing, food systems, and waste management. 3. Development of a LEED Lab Course which allows student teams to perform the Existing Buildings:Operations & Maintenance (EB:O&M) certification for the Classroom Office Building (COB) at UC Merced. 4. Establishment of Campus Garden and Farmer’s Market Committee 5. Establishment of the Water Action Plan Working Group which identified campus progress on strategic planning associated with water systems and processes.

To promote environmental stewardship and development that is based on ecological principles at the University of California, Merced. Sustainability refers to the physical development and institutional operating practices that meet the needs of present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, particularly with regard to the use and conservation of natural resources. The committee is charged with advising the Chancellor on matters pertaining to environmental sustainability, goals, policies, and practices at UC Merced. The Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) advises the Chancellor on all matters of sustainability, development, management and operation of the campus and its facilities, and to advocate for programs and initiatives that continuously improve campus performance on matters of sustainability.

Colleen McCormick – Director of Sustainability, Strategic Facilities Planning Breeana Sylvas – Senior Project Analyst, Strategic Facilities Planning Thomas Hothem – Lecturer / Assistant Director, Merritt Writing Program Matt Hirota – Waste Reduction and Recycling Coordinator, Facilities Management Mark Maxwell - Assistant Project Manager / LEED Coordinator, Design & Construction Jason Souza – Director of Dining Services & CatCard Services, Campus Dining Julie Sagusay – Food Service Manager, Campus Dining Lori Callaway – Equipment Manager, Equipment Management / Business and Financial Services Chris Swarth – Director of the Vernal Pools Grasslands Reserve, Sierra Nevada Research Institute Richard Cummings – Principal Planner, Physical and Environmental Planning Karin Groth – Director, Transportation and Parking Services Gabriel Morabe – Student Representative from PowerSave Organization John Haner – Lecturer, Merritt Writing Program Jason Martin - Organizational Development Consultant, Business and Financial Strategic Initiatives Center Zuhair Mased – Director of Energy, Engineering, and Sustainability, Facilities Management James Brugger - Sr. Engineer, Facilities Management Varick Erickson – Campus Energy Manager, Facilities Management David Noble – Associate Director, Recreation and Athletics Hoaithi Dang – Sustainability Commissioner, Associated Students of UC Merced Teamrat Ghezzehei – Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences Rachel Hadley – Senior Administrative Analyst, representing Staff Assembly Lorena Anderson – Sr. Public Information Officer, University Communications Gene Barrera – Associate Planner, Physical and Environmental Planning Jacob Croasdale – Yosemite Leadership Coordinator, Student Life David Ott – Director, Environmental Health and Safety Ron Durbin – Director of Development, School of Natural Sciences Brian Powell – Assistant Vice Chancellor, Human Resources Peter Arroyo – Custodial Manager, Housing and Residence Life Matt St.Clair (UCOP) – Director of Sustainability Janika McFeely (UCOP) – Sustainability Specialist Lynn Sullivan – Lecturer, School of Engineering

The Director of Sustainability serves as the leader of UC Merced’s sustainability efforts to foster a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff; identifying and prioritizing areas for institutional sustainability efforts; planning and development of short and long range plans and engaging other campus leaders to foster sustainability broadly across campus units.