The Charge to the Campus Sustainability Council

Overview and rationale

In April of 2008 the Chancellor approved the UW Oshkosh Campus Sustainability Plan. The plan calls for wide-ranging and coordinated efforts to promote sustainability on campus. It also calls for an organizational structure that will ensure that substantial progress will continue to be made. A council, with representatives from across the campus, is needed to oversee and help coordinate university efforts in sustainability. In addition, the Campus Sustainability Director requires assistance from a group that represents the campus as a whole.

Responsibilities

The council shall report to both the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services. The council shall assist and provide direction to the Campus Sustainability Director. It also may take leadership in special issues (such as the curriculum), and advise campus leaders on sustainability initiatives.

The council makes recommendations to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services on:

• priorities for sustainability plan goals
• soundness of an annual plan and budget drawn up by the Campus Sustainability Director
• campus-wide sustainability procedures and policies
• sustainability in the curriculum
• educational events on campus
• membership in off-campus sustainability organizations or initiatives
• performance of the director. 

Membership and leadership

The membership of the council is determined by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services. While there is no maximum number of members it is expected to have about 15 members. The council will have representatives from across the campus, including administration, faculty, staff, and students, who are directly involved in sustainability initiatives and have demonstrated commitment to sustainability. Members are expected to serve two-year terms, which are renewable. To ensure continuity, half of the members will have an initial one year term.

The leadership of the council may be shared (e.g., co-chaired) by staff representing both teaching and operational aspects of the university. The goal would be to provide a balanced, well-informed, and objective leadership for this administration-advising body. The co-chairs are expected to serve two-year terms, which are renewable.

As of September, 2008, the Campus Sustainability Council members are

• Steve Arndt, Director of Facilities (Co-Chair of the CSC)
• David Barnhill, faculty, Director of Environmental Studies (Co-Chair of the CSC)
• Victor Alatorre, Residence Life
• Joe Blohm, Director of Parking Services and of University Books & More
• Jim Feldman, faculty, Environmental Studies and History
• Ashley Goral, student, OSA Sustainability Director
• Brian Klinger, Purchasing
• Mike Lizotte, faculty, Aquatic Research Center
• Maureen Muldoon, faculty, Geology
• Cassandra Nagle, student, Green Events Coordinator
• Marty Strand, Assistant Director of Dining Services

Advisory Board

The council will have an advisory board with members from a variety of professional, civic, and educational organizations, including some members of UW Oshkosh. The council will determine the precise meeting times and role of the advisory board. The council will nominate possible members of the board to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, who will determine its membership.