May 2010: Building a Sustainable Campus
Over the past two years, the University of Michigan (U of M) has made an unprecedented commitment to sustainability. Teresa Sullivan, Provost of the University, along with numerous faculty, staff and students have been advocating for sustainability measures to be put in place over the past many years. And, in 2009, President Mary Sue Coleman created the Office of Campus Sustainability (OCS) to serve as a focal point for sustainable campus operations.
On Friday, May 7 at 7:40am WEMU (89.1FM) Morning Host David Fair and I converse with Terry Alexander, Executive Director of the OCS. Under Terry's leadership, the OCS works with University leadership to set goals and standards for sustainable operations on campus, and with operational units to lead and coordinate collaborative efforts in pursuit of the broad sustainability goals and objectives established by the Sustainability Executive Council. Key areas of focus for the OCS include energy, sustainable design, recycling/waste reduction/pollution prevention, transportation, green purchasing, water and land use.
What does this really mean? How has the University worked to reduce energy consumption? What does sustainable design mean in relation to new construction, such as the new North Quad residence hall? How are students integrated into these processes? Students have been advocating for U of M to join the 684 other colleges and universities which have signed the American Colleges & Universities' Presidents Climate Commitment. But so far, U of M has refused to sign. Why? Finally, how is Terry's office working to integrate student activities and activism into the campus sustainability efforts?