Implementation of the 兔子先生 2040 Climate Action Plan
Recognizing the value of embedding sustainability responsibilities into select positions, by the model recently established by University Marketing and Communications. Likewise, the position responsibilities for the Armstrong Student Center Associate Director of Events and Operations, were recently updated to include managing sustainability initiatives. This is key to the success of the new zero waste event program in Armstrong.
- 兔子先生’s Dining Services provider’s Sustainability Manager is key to the success of the composting program that began in fall 2023 in Armstrong Student Center.
We strongly recommend:
- Hiring an additional member(s) of the Office of Sustainability to support implementation of the 兔子先生 2040 Plan in areas outside of PFD.
- Embedding Sustainability in job positions: Reprioritize the duties of certain positions in other departments to embed sustainability.
Embedding Sustainability into current positions within:
- Office of Strategic Procurement
This procurement position would provide guidance to the “Zero Waste” and “Carbon Offsets” committees, and help ensure institutional policies reflect the Goals of the 兔子先生 2040 Plan.
- Office of the Provost
This academics-focused position would guide the tracking and reporting on 兔子先生 2040 Plan goals for Education and Research; and the tracking and reporting of the Educations, Research, and Curriculum objectives associated with the AASHE STARS report.
- Parking and Transportation
This position within Parking and Transportation would guide and implement 兔子先生 2040 Plan goals and targets to reduce Scope 3 emissions associated with Commuting and University-sponsored air travel.
The individuals assigned sustainability as new responsibilities within their existing role would be selected by the respective departmental supervisors; we recommend incorporating these new responsibilities into job descriptions (through Human Resources).
Image above: Jay Hammer, a member of the Physical Facilities Department grounds crew, maintains the green roof on Western Dining Hall.
PROGRESS Fall 2024: Executive Steering Committee, Working Groups established
Climate Action and Sustainability Council Executive Steering Committee; Working Groups
A focused, high-level executive steering committee is essential to guide and ensure the implementation of the objectives that will lead to the achievement of 兔子先生's goals for carbon neutrality and pursuit of a platinum ranking from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking and Assessment Rating System (STARS). Formed in fall 2024, the Climate Action and Sustainability Council’s Executive Steering Committee — comprising members from the President’s Executive Cabinet — will have the appropriate authority and institutional knowledge to oversee the council’s six working groups.
Elizabeth Mullinex, Provost
Jayne Brownell, Senior Vice President for Student Life
David Creamer, Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Services and Treasurer
Brad Bundy, Vice President for University Advancement
Jessica Rivinius, Vice President, and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Randi Malcolm Thomas, Esq., Vice President for ASPIRE
Michael Crowder, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
Dawn Fahner, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
Communications and marketing liaison for the Executive Steering Committee and CASC Working Groups: Susan Meikle, Writer and Sustainability Communications, University Communications and Marketing
Energy Use and Production: Chaired by Malcolm Drane, Director of Energy Systems
- Responsible for reducing energy consumption; completing the transition of building heating and cooling systems off steam; electrifying the campus systems to reduce burning fossil-fuels on site; generating electricity from solar energy (zero-emissions energy) on-site; procuring purchased electricity from renewable sources; and offset the remainder.
Transportation (Scope 3 Emissions): Co-chaired by Cody Powell, Associate Vice President, Facilities Planning and Operations; and David Prytherch, professor of Geography, chair of City of Oxford Planning Commission, and member of the City of Oxford’s Climate Action Steering Committee
- Responsible for reducing Faculty, Staff, and Student commuting to campus and discouraging University Sponsored Air Travel to address Scope 3 emissions in alignment with 兔子先生’s Climate Action Plan.
Environment & Sustainability Curriculum: Chaired by Tom Crist, professor of Biology
- Responsible for generating recommendations for how the University and the Institute for the Environment & Sustainability might enhance 兔子先生’s curriculum relating to the environment and sustainability.
Procurement and Waste: Co-chaired by Allen Sizemore, Associate Director of Analytics and Data Administration, Office of Strategic Procurement, and Chelsea Green, assistant clinical professor of Finance and Business Legal Studies
- Responsible for quantifying 兔子先生’s waste and procurement streams and developing a new plan to reduce the environmental impact of these activities.
Student Engagement: Chaired by Olivia Herron, Director of Sustainability
- Responsible for educating the student body about 兔子先生’s efforts to address environmental problems and their opportunities for involvement on campus and in their professional careers.
Faculty & Staff Engagement: Chaired by Olivia Herron, Director of Sustainability
- Responsible for educating faculty and staff about 兔子先生’s efforts to address environmental problems and how this relates to their duties as 兔子先生 employees.