State recognizes UNC for sustainability leadership at N.C. Sustainable Energy Conference

University officials received the award Tuesday (March 22) at the second annual N.C. Sustainable Energy Conference held at N.C. State University’s McKimmon Center. Cindy Pollock Shea, UNC’s sustainability coordinator, and Dr. Douglas Crawford-Brown, director of the Carolina Environmental Program and co-chairman of the Vice Chancellor’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, were among the UNC officials at the award presentation.

“This award is particularly gratifying because it reflects a successful collaboration on the part of our entire community: faculty, staff and students,” said Crawford-Brown. “Collaboration, shared commitment and innovation have been the hallmarks of our efforts to increase sustainability and have made a big difference. We still have a lot more to accomplish, but we have a great foundation in place from which to work.”

UNC’s commitment to developing and implementing sustainable policies, practices and curricula began as a grassroots initiative six years ago, Shea said. Nancy Suttenfield, UNC’s vice chancellor for finance and administration, requested the formation of an advisory committee to guide sustainability efforts in 2004. Shea was hired in 2001 as the first full-time sustainability coordinator in the UNC system.

Among UNC’s accomplishments in developing and implementing sustainable policies, practices and curricula universitywide are:

7 “Green” building strategies that guide planning for 5.9 million square feet of new and renovated space;

7 Stormwater management strategies including vegetated roofs, porous pavement parking lots and underground cisterns that store rainwater to irrigate playing fields;

7 A tree protection policy incorporated in all capital projects and GIS (geographic information system) mapping of campus trees;

7 A comprehensive recycling program that includes paper, packaging, food waste and construction debris that saved UNC $800,000 in fiscal 2004;

7 The interdisciplinary Carolina Environmental Program, offering bachelor’s degrees in environmental studies and environmental sciences, through UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences; and

7 Fare-free bus service that provided 5 million rides last year and a Commuter Alternatives Program with enrollment of more than 3,000 members of the campus community.

In addition, UNC is the first university nationwide to offer a joint master’s degree in planning and public health, through the School of Public Health and College of Arts and Sciences. Kenan-Flagler Business School offers a master of business administration degree with a concentration in sustainable enterprise.

Students have twice voted to raise their fees $4 per semester to invest in renewable energy infrastructure on the campus.

“Sustainability extends throughout all that we do at Carolina, from personal behavior such as recycling batteries and bottles to academic programs and administrative policies such as transportation, stormwater and construction management,” said Carolyn Elfland, sustainability officer for UNC and associate vice chancellor for campus services.

“We’re pleased that the efforts of the university community have been recognized by this award for sustainability leadership in state government.”

For more information on UNC’s sustainability efforts, visit http://sustainability.unc.edu.

Note: Contact Cindy Pollock Shea, UNC’s sustainability coordinator, at (919) 843-5251 or Cynthia.Shea@facilities.unc.edu.

News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or deborah_saine@unc.edu

For further information please contact Emily Smith by email at emily_smith@unc.edu