Office of the President

President's Council on Sustainability

Power Point presentation to the Faculty Senate, March 12, 2009

Charge to the President's Council on Sustainability

• Leverage the activities currently underway and capitalize on our brand equity by using the phrase "Scarlet, Gray and Green" to promote the university's sustainability initiatives.
• Coordinate a university-wide web site to serve as a central repository for sustainability initiatives.
• Develop a process to implement the President's Climate Commitment.

President's Council on Sustainability at The Ohio State University

In 2008, President Gee signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org), underscoring Ohio State's commitment to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality. The President's Council on Sustainability (PCS) was formed to oversee the development of a plan to meet this objective and to research and coordinate all sustainability initiatives on campus. After conducting interviews with various stakeholders, the following lists have been compiled by the PCS for consideration and discussion. These are evolving lists and further input from the broader campus community is encouraged (send suggestions to sustainability@ohio-state.edu). Critically important is the creation of a campus culture that embraces sustainability, communicates its benefits, and rewards innovation. The university must chart a more sustainable course without diminishing research progress, educational opportunities, or personal safety. We are confident that the people of Ohio State—our most powerful and renewable resource—can meet this grand challenge of the 21st century in ways that benefit our campus and the world.

Celebrate Our Successes

1. Recruited and retained world-class faculty in the fields of energy, agriculture, climate, and environment. Established leading research centers on sustainability, including (but not limited to) the Institute of Energy and Environment; Center for Energy, Sustainability, and Environment; Center for Resilience; and Center for Auto Research.
2. Eliminated trays in dining halls, reducing 70% of food waste while saving water and energy. Currently developing and implementing reusable bags and biodegradable bags, trays, plates, and utensils at various Dining Services' locations.
3. Installed additional recycling containers and increased the percentage of waste recycled on campus from 16.8% in 2004 to 21.2% in 2008. During football season, 47% of the waste at Ohio Stadium is recycled.
4. Purchased 3.3 million kWh of green electricity in 2008, enough to power Hagerty Hall.
5. Achieved high energy efficiency (LEED certification) for new buildings, including the state-of-the-art Nationwide 4-H building. Formulated Green Build and Energy Policy.
6. Partnered to sell Dining Services' used cooking oil as biodiesel fuel.
7. Established sustainability coordinators for residence halls.
8. Switched all campus buses to biodiesel.
9. Installed low-flow showerheads in RPAC, saving 20% in water and heating costs ($40,635/yr ).
10. Encouraged use of public transportation with CABS, van pooling, and reduced-rate COTA service.
11. Implemented a campus-wide policy to use a minimum of 30% recycled computer and copy paper.
12. Received numerous awards, grants, and journal and book publications on sustainability research while continuing to develop new sustainability courses.
13. Made sustainability a part of future strategic planning and building.
14. Put in place an environmentally responsible purchasing policy.
15. Took steps to ensure that Ohio State's print shop will be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified by the end of 2009.
16. Leveraged our purchasing power to encourage sustainability by vendors.

Short-term Goals (next 12 months)

1. Support and encourage curriculum on sustainability and the development of a GEC class.
2. Develop a plan, including action items and interim goals, for climate neutrality.
3. Implement a "turn off the lights" drive to change behaviors and culture (estimated annual savings: $700K). Reduce building energy consumption by changing temperature settings for both heating and cooling, and by powering down in off-peak times (estimated annual savings: $4,000-20,000 per building).
4. Encourage green computing practices (e.g., using hibernation and powering-off monitors).
5. Improve access to recycling bins and educate students, staff, faculty, and community on best recycling practices. Improve access to recycling in the residential areas surrounding the University. Pursue a policy to make recycling mandatory at campus events.
6. Appoint a University Sustainability Officer through the Office of the President to coordinate and build bridges across the university in sustainability efforts.
7. Raise awareness of sustainability initiatives at Ohio State through multi-channel communications: a new website, improved campus signage, fairs, Welcome Week, employee and student incentives, etc.
8. Reduce water usage by installing more low-flow showerheads and other water-saving devices.
9. Pursue policy for the purchase of Energy Star-certified products where appropriate.
10. Complete comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions and report results annually.
11. Conduct energy and environmental audits, and develop campus operating guidelines.
12. Compost food from dining halls.
13. Expand the use of green cleaning products.
14. Pursue travel tax/carbon offsets as part of a travel policy.
15. Support the University Energy Conservation Initiatives proposal.
16. Adopt a plan to meet House Bill 251 requirements, which includes targeted reductions in energy use by 2014 and a 15 year plan for energy efficiency.

Long-term Aspiration and Goals

1. Sustain the momentum of Ohio State's sustainability efforts, and achieve long-term cultural change on the Ohio State campus, through improved communications and integrated practices.
2. Expand the university's renewable energy portfolio by purchasing more green energy and increasing its generation on campus (solar, wind power, and geothermal).
3. Add HEV and PHEV cars and buses to fleet, improve public transportation, reduce campus traffic, encourage carpooling, create a more pedestrian and bike friendly campus, and reduce the number of state vehicles on campus.
4. Expand energy metering and publish energy usage for each building on the web. Invest in improving the energy performance of our existing buildings.
5. Improve collaboration among various campus constituencies working on sustainability issues.
6. Expand the purchase of green cleaning products.
7. Install automatic sensor light switches, where appropriate.
8. Support and encourage the improvement and development of undergraduate and graduate curriculums in energy, environment, and sustainability.
9. Improve and enhance interdisciplinary research programs in energy and sustainability.
10. Design and implement new ways to make units more responsible and accountable for their energy use.

Council Members

• Doug Alsdorf, Assoc Professor, Math and Physical Sciences
• Laura Christobek, Undergraduate, Mechanical Engineering
• Kathy Dillow, Special Assistant to the VP, Business and Finance
• Greg Hostetler, Graduate Student, FAES
• Jay Kasey, Assoc VP for Health Services, University Hospitals
• Bern Kohler, Professor, College of Math and Physical Sciences
• Karen Patterson, Director, University Communications
• RickPrice, MD/PhD Fellow, College of Medicine
• Kate Wolford, Chair, Assistant to the President & Director of Operations, Office of the President

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