Civic Engagement SubcommitteeAcademic Year Summary 2015-2016

Mission:The Civic Engagement Subcommittee (CES) is a subcommittee of the University Committee on Sustainability that works to expand and deepen sustainability into the U.Va. Community, both on and off of Grounds. This subcommittee seeks to promote, engage, and advocate for policies and practices that build an inclusive, safe, healthy, and equitable community aligned with environmental principles to advance the well-being of this and future generations to come.

‘15-‘16 Co-Chairs:Kristin Morgan (klm3q) & Nina Morris (nmm3a) / Dana Schroeder (ds8nh)

’15-’16 Areas of Focus: Strategic Planning and Sustainability-Related Service

Goals and Objectives AY 15-16

Goals / Objectives / Progress to Date / Next Steps
Develop “Engage” Section of the UVA Sustainability Plan / Submit goals and objectives to be added to the Plan /
  • Goals & objectives were submitted, approved and funded in May 2016
/
  • Implementation/Budget Planning

Align CES work plan with new Plan objectives /
  • Will develop June-August 2016

Think through strategic implementation of Plan /
  • Implementation/Budget Planning

Expand Communication and Resources / Increase participation in sustainability-related service /
  • Brought in diverse range of stakeholders for big picture brainstorming on aspects of sustainability-related service that could be improved.
  • Zeroed in on the scope of the project & the role of CES.
  • Made connections with local community groups who may have service needs.
/
  • Begin compiling modules for a diverse array of sustainability-related projects that “project hubs” could adopt.
  • Find paths/frameworks for connecting sustainability groups to existing services groups & projects.
  • Working with Learning in Action on tracking of volunteer hours.

Get sustainability on the UVA Homepage /
  • Met with McGregor McCance and Carol Keese from UVA Communications to discuss embedding sustainability into the UVA website.
  • It was decided to build sustainability into the website through UVA Today stories and student perspective videos that highlight sustainability at UVA.
/
  • Continue to work with UVA Communications to highlight sustainability-related stories and build sustainability into strategic communications through the Sustainability Plan’s engage goals.

Integrate sustainability into new employee and new student orientation /
  • CES co-chairs and members met with Director, Coordinator, Graduate Student Intern from Orientation & New Student Programs to discuss ways to integrate sustainability into the orientation experience. See progress in Outreach Working Group’s AY Summary
/
  • See next steps in Outreach Working Group’s AY Summary

Identify sustainability champions in each department /
  • Green Workplace Program continued to draw in representatives from across Grounds (19 workplaces now participating).
/
  • Connect more meaningfully with Green Workplace Leaders, perhaps by convening together regularly as a revamped “Sustainability Partners” program.

Expand Committee Membership & External Partnerships / Engage sustainability allies from other faculty/staff committees (General Faculty Council, Staff Senate, etc.) /
  • Met with ODOS staff to identify collaborations
/
  • Help ODOS events go zero waste and look into co-hosting events with sustainability themes

Engage students from diverse student groups (minority advocacy groups, greek life, international students) /
  • Provided sustainability materials for International Thanksgiving Dinner Celebration
  • Promoted CES membership opportunities to minority advocacy groups, greek life and international students
/
  • Identify more recruitment opportunities for membership
  • Work with student groups to provide zero waste resources

Cultivate relationships and add members from city/county groups relevant to our year’s key initiatives /
  • Sent one-off invitations to community groups relevant to sustainability-related service.
  • Saw some attendance, but no repeat “members” of the subcommittee yet.
/
  • Reach out to meeting attendees from the spring with formal requests to join the CES for AY 16-17.

Seek partnerships with UVA Food Collaborative /
  • No progress made
/
  • Look into partnership opportunities