Students call for sustainability coordinator

UConn is considering a full-time sustainability coordinator on campus after Eco-Coalition representatives came up with the idea, according to Lisa Troyer, President Michael Hogan's chief of staff.

The environment is part of the three focus areas of excellence in the university's academic plan.  A sustainability coordinator will be able to bridge the gap between academics and environmental operations on campus. A coordinator is "imperative in order for UConn to maintain its commitment to environmental stewardship," said Catherine Pomposi, vice president of EcoHusky, and an 8th-semester statistics and environmental science major.

In comparison to other universities, UConn has not gone far enough to make its campus green. said Pomposi. She said that there is a lot more left to accomplish in order for the university to reach its goals in sustainability. 

Last year, Hogan signed the President's Climate Commitment and created a campus-wide climate action plan.  The climate action plan outlines the methods by which greenhouse gases will be reduced and carbon neutrality will be achieved.  Pomposi said that a full-time coordinator would be able to advise the UConn administration in dealing with this initiative and help to "oversee its implementation."

Adding extra expenses to the budget may seem unreasonable, especially at a time when tuition costs are rising and state funding is continually plummeting. But, the Eco-Coalition argues that a full-time advisor will be able to advance UConn's movement toward an ecologically-friendly campus.  Programs such as Recyclemania, EcoMadness and Give and Go will benefit from the direction and publicity that a fully-committed coordinator can offer.  Currently, the university has a part-time coordinator with the Department of Environmental Policy. 

Making the position full time will not add much of a cost to the university's payroll, Pomposi said.  Furthermore, a full-time operative can bring new ideas to the table such as more efficient waste handling, water management and electricity usage.  More streamlined utilities and services can bring big savings to UConn and according to Pomposi, this potential benefit can result in the coordinator position paying for itself. 

Representatives from the Eco-Coalition have already met with Troyer and chief operating officer to discuss the feasibility of the request.  The leaders of the coalition are planning to meet with Hogan and UConn's Board of Trustees within the upcoming month.

The group is also requesting  that students who have an interest in the plan write a letter to the president and his administrators in order to show support for the prospect of having a full-time coordinator. 

As more student organizations have become involved in environmental awareness campaigns during the semester, a team of leaders has been created so that a larger task force will be available to work on the shared goals that all of these groups have. 

The Eco-Coalition includes officers from PIRG, EcoGarden, EcoHusky, the Forestry and Wildlife Club and Honors Sustainability Committee.  According to Pomposi, a member of the coalition, the team is attempting to plan more environmental initiatives for the future, such as a sustainability fee and campus bike sharing program.

"We welcome any clubs that would like to work towards a more sustainable UConn community," said Pomposi.