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The Sustainability Leadership Team hosted Chancellor Justin Schwartz at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18. 

During the meeting, Schwartz outlined the following key tasks for the team to address as part of their efforts to shape the university’s sustainability strategy over the coming years.

• The chancellor expressed strong support for the Sustainability Council’s zero-waste proposal. This initiative aims to eliminate single-use plastics, promote the adoption of reusable containers across the campus, expand plastic film recycling and increase front-of-house composting opportunities. He emphasized the importance of galvanizing the entire campus community to align with these goals, citing the proposal as a cornerstone of the university’s sustainability efforts.
• In the lead-up to the onboarding of the campus’s first vice chancellor for sustainability later this semester, the chancellor also asked the team to support the development of a comprehensive vision for sustainability on campus.
• To support this effort, he requested the creation of a detailed landscape map that identifies and categorizes the various sustainability organizations, programs and initiatives currently operating at the university. This map will help streamline efforts, organize priorities and foster greater collaboration among stakeholders.

Miscellaneous agenda items

The team also discussed the ongoing search process for a new vice chancellor for sustainability. Interviews for the role have begun, and the team expressed optimism about identifying a visionary candidate who can drive the university’s sustainability agenda forward.

Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations Jennifer McDuffie has been appointed to chair the Sustainability Leadership Team in the interim between Chief Operating Officer Patrick O’Rourke’s departure and the hiring of the new vice chancellor for sustainability.

Next steps

The meeting concluded with a commitment to advancing the outlined priorities. The team will:

• Support the onboarding of the new vice chancellor for sustainability.
• Compile and organize information for the landscape map of sustainability-related operations.
• Support the campus community in the transition toward zero waste through education and infrastructure improvements.