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VP of Sustainability - Survey results and one mo request

  • 1.  VP of Sustainability - Survey results and one mo request

    Posted 02-01-2008 17:20

    Greetings,

     

    I hope all is well.  As you may remember, I am researching organizational structures for campus sustainability.   I want to thank everyone who provided ideas and advice top date.  I will attach the findings of my first survey.  I have two more specific questions for which to ask, as follows:

     

    1.  What is the title of the highest level representative responsible for campus sustainability (both academic and operational/facilities)

    2.  If possible, please include a job description

     

    As you may recall, our President asked our committee to develop a strategic plan for sustainability on campus.  My role is to define the type of leader to ensure effective implementation of sustainability both on the academic and operational/facilities sides. 

     

    TO AVOID TRASHING OUR LIST SERVER, PLEASE RESPOND TO ME DIRECTLY AT bclemens@wnec.edu.   Again I will be happy to summarize the results of this survey.  Thank you in advance for your help.  Please contact me if I can provide any additional information or if I can help in any way.

     

    Best regards,

     

    Bruce
     

    Campus Leader/Dean/VP of Sustainability

    Results of Literature Search and Communications with ONE-L list server

    ONE-L is the List Server of the Organizations and the Natural Environment Division

    of the Academy of Management

    Background

    ·         An individual with both academic and operational responsibilities needs to be at the VP level.  I was informed that a number of schools such VPs.

    ·         To obtain more information and support, we can join the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) - http://www.aashe.org/index.php.  It will cost $1,000 per year.  By doing so we gain access to a network of approximately 400 College and Universities that are committed to sustainability on campus.

    Potential responsibilities of a Leader/Dean/VP of Sustainability

    ·         The position should be full time, responsible both for developing the academic program and improving the College's environmental footprint. 

    ·         Develop and manage a semi-autonomous Sustainability Center to facilitate research and the search for outside funding.  The Center could prepare proposals keeping the overhead a lot lower than the College's.

    ·         Build and manage an interdisciplinary academic program building upon existing environmental courses in Engineering, Law, and Arts and Sciences.

    ·         Build, facilitate and nurture a strong foundation in the student body.  We recently inaugurated a Student Sustainability Club.  The goal of the club is to both raise the student body's environmental consciousness and lead efforts to green the campus.

    ·         Manage the collection and analysis of appropriate metrics.  We feel that the first step to improve our footprint will be to measure and track campus activities (eg. energy use, resource recovery, recycling, transportation).

    ·         Maintain a preeminent international reputation for research and scholarship, excellence in teaching, outstanding professional service and leadership, and strong collegial values.

    ·         Work extensively with non-academic stakeholders including alumni, employers, business leaders, community representatives and politicians.

    ·         The position would be an endowed chair

    Successful candidates for the position would have:

    ·         A preeminent international reputation for research and scholarship, excellence in teaching, outstanding professional service and leadership, and strong collegial values.

    ·         A terminal degree in relevant field.  We would give preference to a degree in environmental engineering, law, environmental business, environmental science or environmental studies.

    ·         A record of interdisciplinary teaching, research, and service that foster knowledge and understanding of the concept of corporate responsibility.  Corporate responsibility, which is interdisciplinary and international in focus, is defined broadly as the strategic direction of the firm which respects and values its different constituencies.

    ·         Attributes to qualify for tenure requirements at the full professor rank

    ·         Significant Administrative experience

    ·         Demonstrated experience with non-academic stakeholders including alumni, employers, business leaders, community representatives and politicians.

    ·         Experience building programs in an academic arena

    Sources:

    ·         Edith Callaghan, Director, for the Academy for the Environment at Acadia University.

    ·         Joseph Sarkis, Professor of Operations and Environmental Management, Graduate School of Management, Clark University, Editor of Management Research News

    ·         University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Elmer L. Andersen Chair in Corporate Responsibility

    ·         Michigan Technological University, Endowed Chairs and Faculty Positions in Sustainability

    ·         Mount Holyoke's Center for the Environment http://www.mtholyoke.edu/ce/5598.shtml

     
     

    --
    Bruce Clemens
    103 Churchill Hall
    School of Business
    Western New England College
    1215 Wilbraham Road
    Springfield MA 01119
    Phone: 413-782-1500
    Fax: 413-796-2068
    bclemens@wnec.edu
    Campus mailbox number: C5433