University of Richmond
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The Office for Sustainability provides leadership and support to the University of Richmond community as it charts a course for sustainability and pursues its climate neutrality goals. The office convenes diverse campus and community stakeholders in an effort to integrate sustainability, adaptation, and resilience into administrative, operational, and academic functions of the University. At University of Richmond’s Office for Sustainability, sustainability means pursuing solutions that lend themselves to the possibility that human and other life can thrive in perpetuity. The goals of the office are as follows: Support institutional and cultural change toward sustainability and climate resilience; Integrate sustainability into operational activities, academic mission, and administrative functions; Provide unique skill and career development opportunities to students; Convene a diverse group of stakeholders and increase institutional capacity to develop, implement, and assess sustainability initiatives Accomplishments in last three years: Signed one of Virginia's first power purchase agreement to establish a 204 kW solar array (to be) installed on roof of Weinstein Recreation & Wellness Center Signed American Colleges Act on Climate Faculty Learning Community on Climate Change established Environmental Justice Think Tank created University of Richmond Sustainability Advocates founded Sustainability Internship Program expanded Parking Lot Project created as part of Tucker Boatwright Festival Ongoing living lab projects as key component to Environmental Studies Program and Geography & the Environment

The Sustainability Working Group, which includes student, staff, and faculty representation, is co-chaired by the Director of Sustainability and the President's Chief of Staff. This group is responsible for the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and strategic planning for the University's environmental efforts. The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) works to increase the University community's knowledge and understanding of environmental issues and objectives. The EAG monitors the campus environment and recommends to the Sustainability Working Group, the Provost, and the University faculty steps that the University should take to protect and improve the natural environment. In addition, the EAG promotes environmental sustainability on campus by supporting (with cooperation from the Sustainability Working Group) the education component of the Climate Action Plan by fulfilling the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment charge of incorporating climate neutrality and sustainability into the curriculum and other education experiences for all students. The EAG also monitors progress toward meeting the environmental goals in the 2011 Campus Master Plan. The EAG membership consists of six faculty - two from Arts & Sciences and one each from Business, Law, Leadership Studies, and Professional and Continuing Studies - in addition to the Sustainability Coordinator (ex officio), the Associate Provost (ex officio), and two student representatives.

Sustainability Working Group members: Rob Andrejewski (Office for Sustainability); Lori Schuyler (President's Chief of Staff); Wendy Burchard (Procurement); Dee Hardy (Campus Services); Amy Howard (Center for Civic Engagement); Professor David Kitchen (SPCS); Andrew McBride (Facilities); Cathy Moran (Dining Services); George Souleret (Facilities); Doug West (nformation Services). Environmental Awareness Group members: Tim Hamilton (Business); Eugene Wu, Chair (A&S); Miriam McCormick (A&S; Chris Von Rueden (Jepson); Law (1st of 2 yr. term, expiring 2017); David Kitchen (SPCS); Rob Andrejewski, Ex Officio (Office for Sustainability); Claire LeCornu (student); Evan McCarthy (student)

The Office for Sustainability provides leadership and support to the University of Richmond community as it charts a course for sustainability and pursues its climate neutrality goals. The office convenes diverse campus and community stakeholders in an effort to integrate sustainability, adaptation, and resilience into administrative, operational, and academic functions of the University. At University of Richmond’s Office for Sustainability, sustainability means pursuing solutions that lend themselves to the possibility that human and other life can thrive in perpetuity. The Office for Sustainability has a Director of Sustainability and and eight student interns.

The Director of Sustainability supports institutional and cultural change toward sustainability and climate resilience at the University of Richmond. This is done through the integration of sustainability into operational activities, academic mission, and administrative functions of the University. The Director of Sustainability is responsible establishing visionary leadership for sustainability and for convening a diverse group of stakeholders and increasing the institutional capacity to develop, implement, and assess sustainability initiatives.