Sustainability Advisory Committee Named
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 17, 2008) − After considering
recommendations by members of the former Sustainability Task Force and nominations from campus
leaders, University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr. recently appointed the members of a
new Sustainability Advisory Committee.
The newly elected committee co-chairs are Carol Hanley, director of education and communications for the UK Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment and chair of the Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community, and Mark Williams, associate professor of horticulture in the College of Agriculture.
"I believe we have assembled a knowledgeable and committed team to lead the university and the city in the sustainable management of our natural resources," said Todd. "But this is not the beginning of our work. Since 2002 members of previous sustainability task forces have diligently amassed a wealth of baseline data in four essential fields: business operations, education, research and community engagement. With the city as our active partner, the university is ready to take action to assure a better tomorrow for all of us."
The committee is made up of 12 individuals: two members from university business operations, Bob Wiseman of Facilities Management and William Harris of Purchasing; two faculty members, Ernest Yanarella of Political Science and Richard Levine of Architecture; two student members, undergraduates Aaema Athar and Matthew Harmin; one member from the College of Agriculture, Mark Williams; one member from Student Affairs, Larry Crouch; one member representing the university research mission, Robert Rathbone of the Center for Applied Energy Research; one member from the Lexington community, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Commissioner of Environmental Quality Cheryl Taylor; and two at large members, Shane Tedder of Residence Life Recycling and Carol Hanley. An ex officio membership is being reserved for a sustainability coordinator, as yet unnamed.
"I am very excited about using this committee’s collective knowledge and experience to develop policy and initiatives that will be incorporated into the university community in a way that positions UK to become a model sustainable campus," said Williams. "I also feel that this committee has an outstanding opportunity to strengthen existing connections and develop new collaboration between the university and the city of Lexington in the area of sustainability."
The Sustainability Advisory Committee was preceded by two groups, the Sustainability Task Force, active from January 2005 through spring 2007, and the Environmental Task Force, active from December 2002 through 2004.
"The new Sustainability Advisory Committee reinforces to the community that we are good stewards of the environment," said Hanley. "This is important because UK can be the model for our community; we can demonstrate how sustainability can be achieved. In many ways we are paralleling the city's efforts. Mayor Newberry has listed the environment as one of his six important pillars and has named the city's first Environmental Quality Commissioner, and our sustainability committee shows that UK shares that priority."
Among other goals, the Sustainability Advisory Committee shall:
The newly elected committee co-chairs are Carol Hanley, director of education and communications for the UK Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment and chair of the Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community, and Mark Williams, associate professor of horticulture in the College of Agriculture.
"I believe we have assembled a knowledgeable and committed team to lead the university and the city in the sustainable management of our natural resources," said Todd. "But this is not the beginning of our work. Since 2002 members of previous sustainability task forces have diligently amassed a wealth of baseline data in four essential fields: business operations, education, research and community engagement. With the city as our active partner, the university is ready to take action to assure a better tomorrow for all of us."
The committee is made up of 12 individuals: two members from university business operations, Bob Wiseman of Facilities Management and William Harris of Purchasing; two faculty members, Ernest Yanarella of Political Science and Richard Levine of Architecture; two student members, undergraduates Aaema Athar and Matthew Harmin; one member from the College of Agriculture, Mark Williams; one member from Student Affairs, Larry Crouch; one member representing the university research mission, Robert Rathbone of the Center for Applied Energy Research; one member from the Lexington community, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Commissioner of Environmental Quality Cheryl Taylor; and two at large members, Shane Tedder of Residence Life Recycling and Carol Hanley. An ex officio membership is being reserved for a sustainability coordinator, as yet unnamed.
"I am very excited about using this committee’s collective knowledge and experience to develop policy and initiatives that will be incorporated into the university community in a way that positions UK to become a model sustainable campus," said Williams. "I also feel that this committee has an outstanding opportunity to strengthen existing connections and develop new collaboration between the university and the city of Lexington in the area of sustainability."
The Sustainability Advisory Committee was preceded by two groups, the Sustainability Task Force, active from January 2005 through spring 2007, and the Environmental Task Force, active from December 2002 through 2004.
"The new Sustainability Advisory Committee reinforces to the community that we are good stewards of the environment," said Hanley. "This is important because UK can be the model for our community; we can demonstrate how sustainability can be achieved. In many ways we are paralleling the city's efforts. Mayor Newberry has listed the environment as one of his six important pillars and has named the city's first Environmental Quality Commissioner, and our sustainability committee shows that UK shares that priority."
Among other goals, the Sustainability Advisory Committee shall:
- Develop the university's Statement on Sustainability Policy and Principles
- Set goals and plan actions designed to further advance an institutional culture of sustainability
- Assess the completeness and progress of university sustainability efforts as compared to national benchmark institutions
- Promote and encourage sustainable best practices in university facility planning, design and construction
- Conduct an annual review of UK operations in terms of sustainability, develop indicators to measure progress, and make suggestions and recommendations for improvements
- Prepare a guidance plan (including goals and action items) on how the university can achieve a reduction in campus greenhouse gas emissions and seek to become more climate neutral.
The committee shall report regularly to the President's Office
and publish an annual report each April on university sustainability activities and progress in
meeting goals in campus business operations, education, research and community
engagement.
Any interested person in the university community may attend regularly scheduled meetings. For more information is available by e-mail.
Any interested person in the university community may attend regularly scheduled meetings. For more information is available by e-mail.