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7/27/2019 Sustainability Administrative Structure Recommendations
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May 1, 2009
For President Jim Hamilton
Prepared by Arnica Rowan
Recommended by the
Okanagan College Sustainability Team
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Contributors
Peter Csandl, Operations and Energy Services
Sarah Dieno, Arts
Arch Doody, Security and Parking
Dave Goodall, Networks and Telecommunications
Graham Kershaw, Property and Services
Jen Paulson, Enviroclub (student)
Ellen Peterson, Biology
Brad Piontek, PurchasingSteve Robinson Sr. , Campus Planning and Facilities Management
Steve Ulliac, Enviroclub (student)
Brett VanderHoek, Business (student)
David Williams, Electronic Engineering Technology
Mitch Yrjola, Business (student)
Writer
Arnica Rowan, Business
Additional thanks to
Bob Eby, Finance
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pg. 3
Summary
Okanagan College has committed to taking three steps towards becoming a sustainable institution:
recommending a list of short-term actions, recommending an administrative structure to support
the institutions progress, and writing a long-term sustainability plan.
This document details the second step and recommends an administrative and organizational
structure that will support social responsibility, environmental integrity and financial viability in
classrooms, on campuses, and in the communities Okanagan College serves.
Building on the success of the Short-term Action Plan for Sustainable Change project, the first
recommendation is that specialty area groups (i.e.: Waste or Transportation) continue and
formalize as Sustainability Teams, with an Ambassador from that specialty area at the helm and
meaningful involvement by students and staff from various campuses.
From the Short-term Action Plan for Sustainable Change, many projects and initiatives were
identified that require dedicate staff time. Other important tasks, including writing the long-term
sustainability plan, pursuing funding and applying for project grants, conducting the STARS
assessment, conducting carbon tax assessments and preparing annual social and environmental
reporting to accompany yearly financial reports are also essential to support the colleges
commitment to sustainability.
Therefore secondly, to support the work of the Sustainability Teams and to ensure that the above
tasks and projects will be completed, it is strongly recommended that a Centre for Sustainability be
established with a Director and knowledge-specific Manager and Coordinator. The Centre would
not employ, but also include the Ambassadors from each Sustainability Team, Campus
Representatives from each of the four equal campuses, and representatives from student groups.
The Centre would meet as a whole with the leadership of the Sustainability Director to address
strategic and broad-based projects such as the long-term sustainability plan; the Sustainability
Teams would meet independently and be supported by the Sustainability Manager or Sustainability
Coordinator.
The Centre for Sustainability model encourages partnerships and meaningful contribution from
students and staff at every level of the institution. It is action-oriented, promoting shared decision-making and informed risk-taking, innovation and creativity.1
This document includes the goals of the administrative structure, details on organization and
projected information flows.
1 Okanagan Colleges Strategic Plan Key Directions
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pg. 4
Summary ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Context ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
The Second Step .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Goals ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Tasks to Accomplish .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Standards ............................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Centre for Sustainability ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Sustainability Teams ......................................................................................................................................................... 8Fit............................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Leadership Team Ambassadors ................................................................................................................................ 9
Sustainability Teams Composition .............................................................................................................................. 9
Centre for Sustainability ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Sustainability Director ................................................................................................................................................ 10
Sustainability Manager ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Sustainability Coordinator ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Appendix 1 Colleges with 2000-6000 FTEs and a Green Report Card Administrative Grade A ...... 14
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pg. 5
Context
The Second Step
The current Okanagan College Sustainability Team met for the first time in November, 2008. In
February and March 209, the team decided on a model to guide their work, conducted surveys,
reviewed and rated ideas from the college community on how to make the college more
environmentally sustainable, and published their recommendations in a Short-term Action Plan for
Sustainable Change.
The teams second task was to recommend an administrative and organizational structure that
would enable the college to write a long-term sustainability plan. After the experience of a
successful collaboration by members throughout the institution, writing the short-term plan, and
focused research into institutional success, the team was prepared to recommend an administrative
structure. This document details how to best move their work forward and to support long-termsustainability at Okanagan College.
Goals
To create an administrative structure that will produce a long-term Sustainility Plan forOkanagan College.
To ensure Okanagan College supports and demonstrates social responsibility,environmental integrity and financial viability in our classrooms, on our campuses, and inthe communities we serve.
To foster collaboration, innovation and a sense of community responsibility forsustainability amongst the campuses, schools and function areas of the college.
To support meaningful involvement by students and staff at all levels of the institution. To continue the momentum of positive change catalyzed by the Short Term Action Plan for
Sustainable Change, by implementing the recommendations from the short term and long
term plans.
To leverage Okanagan Colleges commitment to sustainability into enhanced communityand institutional partnerships, student enrollment,2 project revenues and employee
satisfaction.
2 The Princeton Review 2009 "College Hopes and Worries Survey" has found that 66 percent, up 3 percent
from 2008, of respondents would value the ability to compare college and universities based on their
commitment to environmental issues. Nearly a quarter said this information would very much or strongly
affect their college decision. The survey interviewed 12,715 high school students applying to college and
3,007 parents of college applicants.
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pg. 6
Tasks to Accomplish
The teams that recommended the Short Term Action Plan for Sustainable Change are prepared to
continue their work and implement the projects within their areas. However, the administrative
recommendations, as well as several others identified in the document, require leadership and
facilitation to support the teams commitment.
The following large tasks were identified as crucial for the success of Okanagan College
sustainability:
Research and facilitate the process of writing an OC sustainability plan. Pursue funding and apply for project grants. Conduct or facilitate annual STARS assessments. Conduct carbon tax assessments. Prepare annual social and environmental reporting to accompany yearly financial reports. Identify and implement projects that support social, environmental and financial
sustainability.
The following tasks were identified in the Short Term Action Plan for Sustainable Change, as
facilitated or completed by the Sustainable Administrative Structure:
Facilitate and monitor the implementation of the Short Term Action Plan for SustainableChange Recommendations.
Create and administer Sustainable Projects Fund. Vetting and tracking of savings initiatives. Liaise with community and other organizations. Help people build business cases for ideas and change. Support student orientations with up-to-date materials. Organize Sustainability Week speakers, events, etc. Ensure implementation of short-term action plan. Compile information on successful projects, promote, and post on the 3stepsforward
website.
Create and oversee installation of interpretive educational signage on the Centre forLearning building site and on all future construction projects.
Invite guest speakers from a variety of fields to the KLO campus and invite the localcommunity.
Host a sustainability day for Okanagan high school students. Create an in-house carpooling website for OC staff and students.
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pg. 7
Standards
The College Sustainability Report Card3 rates North American colleges and universities on their
sustainable efforts in the following categories: administration, climate change and energy, food andrecycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency,
investment priorities and shareholder engagement.
Other reporting on post-secondary sustainability such as the Sierra Clubs Cool Schools Top Ten4,
Macleans How Green is Your University?5and Forbes Magazines Americas Greenest Colleges6 have
all linked post-secondary institutions level of administrative commitment to their level of
achievement in sustainability.
Published annually by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, the 2008 Green Report Card showed
that schools with full-time staff devoted to sustainability rose dramatically in both colleges and
universities. The number of schools with full-time sustainability staff positions grew from 37 to 66percent from 2007 to 2008.
Of the colleges and universities with overall B- or higher grades
87% have at least one Sustainability Staff member 47% have a Centre for Sustainability with multiple Sustainability Staff members
Of the colleges and universities with overall A- or higher grades
100% have at least one Sustainability Staff member 67% have a Centre for Sustainability with multiple Sustainability Staff members
It is important to look at institutions comparable in size to Okanagan College, which has
approximately 4500 FTEs.
Of the colleges and universities with 2000-6000 FTEs with B- or higher overall grades
72% have at least one Sustainability Staff member 35% have a Centre for Sustainability with multiple Sustainability Staff members
Of the colleges and universities with 2000-6000 FTEs with A- or higher overall grades
100% Sustainability have at least one Sustainability Staff member 75% have a Centre for Sustainability with multiple Sustainability Staff members
3 www.greenreportcard.org4 http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200809/coolschools/5 http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2008/04/17/how-green-is-your-university/6 http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/02/college-harvard-uvm-biz-energy-cx_bw_0502greenu.html
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pg. 8
Centre for Sustainability
The Centre for Sustainability will foster innovation and dialogue, allow Okanagan College students,
staff and community members to share ideas and collaborate on projects together, and foster a
sense of responsibility and ownership for Sustainability in the Okanagan College community.Members throughout the institution belonging to the Centre for Sustainability will be empowered
to integrate sustainability into their primary job practice, wither it be studying or teaching or
managing a campus, and to drive a positive cultural shift through the institution.
Sustainability Teams
In the process of recommending the Short-term Action Plan for Sustainable Change, the specialty-
area groups expressed a strong desire to continue their work. They want to see their
recommendations come to fruition, and help work to write and implement on the Long-term
Sustainability Plan for Okanagan College.
In this model, specialty area Sustainability Teams are lead by an Ambassador with a background or
functional control in the specialty area. The teams will function independently; however, the team
Ambassadors will be members of the colleges Centre for Sustainability and the teams will be
supported by the Sustainability Manager or Sustainability Coordinator.
Fit
This model compliments the Key Directions which guide Okanagan Colleges operations. It involves
students as equal learning partners. Throughout the Three Steps Forward campaign, the project
has been enriched by meaningful student involvement. We attribute this to the passion students
have for environmental topics, as well as a structure that acknowledged students as equals and
facilitated meaningful involvement.
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pg. 9
It encourages shared decision-making and informed risk-taking, innovation and creativity,
through a nuclear structure with independent teams and good communication to the core.
This structure also encourages partnership and contribution to the communities Okanagan College
belongs to, along with meaningful input and support to the four regions. Each region has its own
representative who can bring forward ideas and facilitate support from the Centre forSustainability.
Leadership Team Ambassadors
Each team will be lead by an Okanagan College
staff or faculty member. The ambassador
position will not have a specific term. Some
people will belong to the Centre for Sustainability
and act as an ambassador as a part of their
expected work; others will volunteer from a pool
of applicants. There will not be any release time
expected for faulty members; instead their
contribution will be considered an institutional
contribution.
Each team ambassador must have experience and knowledge in their field. The ambassador must
be willing to collaborate with their Sustainability Team on projects and represent the Sustainability
Team in broad Centre for Sustainability meetings.
Sustainability Teams Composition
Each team would be encouraged to include the following members:
Ambassador A manager in the specific area, if he/she is not in the Ambassador role Membership from multiple campuses At least one student who has an interest in the area Partners for projects when applicable
Community resource people that provide background that the team doesnt have, i.e.: anexpert in Xeriscaping or small lot food production on the Ground Team.
The appropriate Sustainability Manager or Sustainability Coordinator in a support andadministrative role
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pg. 10
Centre for Sustainability
The Centre for Sustainability would include the following staff and student members:
Sustainability Director Sustainability Manager Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Team Ambassadors Sustainability Campus Representatives Enviroclub and other student group representatives
The Centre for Sustainability would require office space for three people (the Director, Manager
and Coordinator), as well as a very small meeting space for four or five people. The Team
Ambassadors will be encouraged to use existing space to conduct meetings with their teams; yet
there would be a small meeting space available for Campus Reps, Team Ambassadors and Student
Group Reps to visit with each other and members of the community. The entire groups of people
involved with the Centre for Sustainability would meet one every month or two in the board roomor a classroom.
Sustainability Director
The Sustainability Director would be the functional manager of the Centre for Sustainability.
He/she would report to the Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Services and serve as a
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pg. 11
member of the college Leadership Team. This position level would ensure that sustainability is
committed to at every level of the college.
The Sustainability Director would be responsible for the following tasks:
Research and facilitate the process of writing an OC sustainability plan. Pursue funding and apply for project grants. Conduct or facilitate STARS annual assessments. Supervise and support the Sustainability Manager and Sustainability Coordinator. Ensure implementation of short-term action plan. Create and administer Sustainable Projects Fund. Vetting and tracking of savings initiatives. Identify and implement projects that support social, environmental and financial
sustainability.
Sustainability Manager
The Sustainability Manager would report to the Sustainability Director. The Sustainability Manager
would work on classroom, research, marketing, communication and community issues and support
the teams associated with those areas. He/she would require a background in marketing or
communications, environmental education and community organization.
Some of this positions specific tasks would include:
Assisting the implementation of the Short Term Action Plan for Sustainable Changerecommendations for his/her assigned Sustainability Teams: Learning Team, ResearchTeam, Communication Team, and Community Team.
Facilitate the implementation of short-term action plan for the Classroom and Learning,Wellness and Community, and Administration action tasks.
Enable the implementation of the Long-term Sustainability Plan in the areas of Learning,Research, Communication, and Community.
Support student orientations with up-to-date materials. Organize Sustainability Week speakers, events, etc. Liaise with community and other organizations. Compile information on successful projects, promote, and post on the 3stepsforward
website.
Create and oversee installation of interpretive educational signage on the Centre forLearning building site and on all future construction projects.
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pg. 12
Invite guest speakers from a variety of fields to the KLO campus and invite the localcommunity.
Host a sustainability day for Okanagan high school students. Create an in-house carpooling website for OC staff and students. Help people build business cases for ideas and change.
Sustainability Coordinator
The Sustainability Coordinator would report to the Sustainability Director. The SustainabilityCoordinator would work on waste, dining, buildings, grounds, transportation and purchasing issues
and support the teams associated with those areas. He/she would require a background in
environmental science, natural resources and/or environmental engineering.
Assisting the implementation of the Short Term Action Plan Recommendations for his/herassigned Sustainability Teams: Waste Team, Dining Team, Buildings Team, Grounds Team,
Transportation Team and Purchasing Team.
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pg. 13
Facilitate the implementation of short-term action plan for the Waste, Dining, Buildings,Grounds, Transportation and Purchasing action tasks.
Enable the implementation of the Long-term Sustainability Plan in the areas of Waste,Dining, Buildings, Grounds, Transportation and Purchasing.
Conduct carbon tax assessments. Prepare annual social and environmental reporting to accompany yearly financial reports.
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pg. 14
Appendix 1 Colleges with 2000-6000 FTEs and a Green Report Card
Administrative Grade A
Green Report Card7 descriptions:
Oberlin College: In 2006, the Committee on Environmental Sustainability was formed toreview, propose, and oversee implementation of the college's environmental policy. The
environmental sustainability office has a sustainability coordinator, administrative staff,
and a detailed website.
Clark University: A full-time sustainability coordinator is responsible for energyconservation, recycling, and other related issues. The Clark University EnvironmentalSustainability Task Force, made up of administrators, students, and faculty members, makes
recommendations to the president in regard to sustainability.
Brandeis University : The university has a full-time energy manager and employs a full-timesustainability coordinator. Brandeis Environmental Sustainability Team, composed offaculty, staff, and students, works to facilitate sustainability initiatives on campus.
St. Lawrence University: The university employs a coordinator of sustainability projects anda coordinator of sustainable behavior.
Middlebury College: A broad-based task force completed a plan for achieving carbonneutrality by 2016.
Dickinson College: A sustainability coordinator heads the sustainability department withinfacilities management. Dickinson Society Advocating Environmental Sustainability, a group
of faculty, staff, and students, meets bi-weekly and makes recommendations on all
environmental sustainability initiatives.
Seattle University: A campus sustainability manager and a sustainability coordinator havebeen hired, and a student initiative led to the creation of the Environmental Advisory
Council to advise environmental policies for the university.
Santa Clara University: A full-time sustainability coordinator has completed a sustainabilityassessment, and the Energy Awareness Task Force implements energy conservation
initiatives.
7The College Sustainability Report Card rates North American colleges and universities on their sustainable
efforts in the following categories: administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green
building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities and
shareholder engagement.