Introduction to Sustainability Resolution

On March 30, 2010 the ASUSF Senate passed a resolution supporting

sustainability efforts at the University and calling for implementation
within a set time frame and explicitly supporting a full-time coordinator
to direct the efforts. While this was the first time the Senate has
discussed and supported this issue it is not the first consideration or
action on the campus. Rather, this resolution is an acknowledgment of
the on-going movements by staff, faculty, and students that requires
expedited attention to ensure university leadership and prosperity.

The ASUSF Senate acknowledges the significant steps that have

already been made:

• Installation of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of Koret,

University Center, and Kalmanovitz Hall

• Cogeneration plant that produces power and steam to heat lower

campus

• Replacement of inefficient lamps in exterior light fixtures

• Expanding composting across university (on-going)

• Completion of draft campus wide carbon inventory (not yet

public)

• Partnership with Zipcar and Zimride to encourage efficient

transportation

• Strong environmental science curriculum and leadership at

graduate level programs

• Bon Appetite sustainable food sourcing and fair trade coffee

implementation

In the Fall of 2009 the University President Fr. Privett signed two
commitments related to sustainability.1 It is important to note that one
of the pledges, the American College and University President’s
Climate Commitment was introduced at the end of 2006 and signed by
nearly 300 presidents by June of 2007.2 The second promise, the
Talloires Declaration was originally introduced in 1990 and by the
beginning of 2008 had been “signed by more than 360 university
presidents and chancellors at institutions in over 40 countries across

1
http://web.usfca.edu/templates/usf_news.aspx?
tid=2147484480&id=2147491111
2
http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/about/mission-history
five continents.”3

The ASUSF Senate is grateful for the President’s action in this area and
is dutifully obliged to highlight specific commitments the University has
made:

1. Create institutional structures to guide the development and

implementation of ideas. (American College and University
President’s Climate Commitment)

2. Within two year of signing this document, develop an

institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral (American
College and University Presidents Climate Commitment)

3. Create an institutional Culture of Sustainability (Talloires

Declaration)
4. Practice Institutional Ecology (Talloires Declaration)

5. Involve All Stakeholders (Talloires Declaration)

Further university progress has been made through coordination by

the Campus Green Team that includes staff, faculty and most recently
a number of students. The Green Team has convened once a month
over the last 3 years owing to the time and resource restraint of its
members whom otherwise function in complementary yet separate job
categories.

In January 2009 the President appointed a “Conservation Task Force”

to “recommend programs and policy changes that [would] reduce the
University’s consumption of natural resources.” The task force
recommended a series of ‘Institutional’ and ‘Individual behavior’
changes as well as possible ‘Educational campaigns’. It is important to
note that nearly every recommendation requires significant
involvement from various stakeholders across the university including:

1. Eliminating Arrowhead Water Service

2. Investigate alternatives to the current lawn fertilizer for cost

reduction and environmental stewardship

3. Investigate network-based software that “powers down”

computers

4. Explore opportunities for federal, state or private monies that

reward “greening” programs

5. Create a web presence that highlights USF’s “green” activities

3
http://www.ulsf.org/programs_talloires_history.html
 6. Partner with existing student clubs

At present there is no one responsible to ensure that the

recommendations of the task force have been completed or followed
through.

Finally, the USF 2028 planning document explicitly states that USF will
"act in an environmentally responsible way...educate students to
issues affecting environmental justice...[and] offer on-site courses,
programs, and experiences that help students understand and
appreciate the complexities of our global reality." Again, the
coordination of the described activities across all departments, schools
and programs is not clear or distinctive.

It is with the utmost respect and admiration that the ASUSF Senate
presents the resolution “Supporting Campuswide Sustainability Efforts
at USF”

Sincerely,