| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.35 |
| Liaison | Andrew Porter |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
University of Cincinnati
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Alex
Roman Gonzalez Sustianability Coordinator PDC |
Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:
The President's Advisory Council on Environment & Sustainability (PACES) is an All-University Committee founded in 2003 as the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC). Its name was changed in 2007 when UC signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The committee is composed of students, faculty, and staff and is open to all. PACES charge is to provide leadership for the integration of sustainability into educational programs, research and community outreach; to promote and build on existing efforts and strengths around sustainability; to recommend strategies for moving toward a net zero campus in the areas of waste and energy while providing for the needs of campus; to report campus efforts and progress.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
PACES Steering Committee (2022-2023)
Staff
Andy Porter, Director of Space Management, Planning + Design + Construction (Co-Chair)
Joe Harrell, Assoc. VP, Facilities Management (Co-Chair)
Students
Lucy Aberg, Undergraduate Sustainability Representative
Katie Weitzel, Graduate Sustainability Representative
Faculty
Tom Brinkmann, MAT, MBA, CPA, Asst. Professor of Accounting & Information Systems, UC Blue Ash (2021-2024)
Bradley Wilson, Ph.D, Professor of Health Education and Director of Graduate Studies and Research for CECH (beginning his service August 1, 2020)
Beth Warning, MS, MLS, Associate Professor CAHS (2019-2023)
Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent employee?:
A brief description of each sustainability office:
UC's Office of Sustainability was created in 2010 and reports to the PACES Steering Committee (see above). UC hired a part-time Sustainability Coordinator in 2008, and the position became full-time in 2009.
The Office of Sustainability is within the Department of Planning + Design + Construction with links to Facilities Management and Central Utilities. The staff includes one full-time Sustainability Coordinator, a full-time Assistant Sustainability Coordinator (until 2022), a part-time Graduate student, and a team of student workers that are known as Sustainability Advocates. We are currently working on hiring a full-time Assistant Coordinator position--the job has already been posted. The Office of Sustainability facilities a diversity of programs including the UC Bike Kitchen, Bearcat Bike Share, UC Garden, Athletics and Special Event Recycling, Re*Use Market, Annual Bike Show and Operation Move-In Recycle, as well as hosts and facilitates co-curricular educational opportunities such as the sustainability film, lecture, tour and workshop series, and also organizes more proactive events such as city-wide clean ups, green infrastructure projects, reforestation events, and community bike rides. Through providing a diversity of programs that seek to educate, engage, and empower, the Office strives to enhance and create a culture of sustainability at the University.
Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution?:
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
2022
University of Cincinnati is awarded a Silver BFU designation
Plan and budget for the expansion of the Community Garden
The 5th Uptown Waste Diversion event took place a collaborative partnership between UC, the City of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and other stakeholders.
Installed Urban Cultivator
2021
Sierra Club's Cool Schools list for 2021 ranks UC as 91 out of 328 schools.
The 4th Uptown Waste Diversion event took place a collaborative partnership between UC, the City of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and other stakeholders.
Awarded EPA recycling grant
Purchased 600+ additional waste and recycling ergocan stations
2020
Gold ASHEE STARS rating
The third Uptown Waste Diversion event took place a collaborative partnership between UC, the City of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and other stakeholders.
Ranked on Sierra Club list of Cool Schools
Green Umbrella Innovation Award
Awarded EPA recycling grant
Purchased 600+ additional waste and recycling ergocan stations
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
The Sustainability Coordinator oversees operations of the Office of Sustainability, coordinates PACES, and works directly for the University Architect / Sr. Assoc. Vice President of Planning + Design + Construction. The Sustainability Coordinator's responsibilities include programming, outreach and education, project management, promotions, staff management, planning, community organizing, and comprehensive coordination of campus efforts to enhance the University's culture of sustainability.
Job title of the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Under the general supervision of the University Sustainability Coordinator and the direction of the University Architect / Senior Associate VP, the Assistant Sustainability Coordinator will coordinate activities and efforts to enhance the University of Cincinnati's institutional mission related to creating and enhancing a campus culture of sustainability.
The work will begin on the Uptown Campus but may expand to other campuses. The responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• Provide support for the University’s sustainability initiatives and work with students, faculty, and staff
• Provide support to the President’s Advisory Council on Environmental Sustainability (PACES)
• Assist in planning and executing sustainability related engagement and outreach events
• Attend meetings in support of sustainability efforts as required
• Assist in maintaining accurate records of sustainability initiatives and accomplishments
• Assist in the day to day function and operation of the University's Coffee Ground Composting Program
• Assist, attend, and facilitate Bearcat Recycling at all required athletic events
• Assist with developing and maintaining contacts on environmental issues
• Research initiatives as needed
• Provide general administrative work and other responsibilities as required
Job title of the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.