On June 1, 2013 Sandy Bauman (Sustainability
Coordinator) visited our class and presented what University of North Texas
Health Science Center is currently doing with their sustainability program. Their mission is “to improve health and
quality of life for the people of Texas and beyond as a leader in primary care
through excellence in education, research, clinical care, and community
engagement”.
Sandy explained that there were five
primary things that they do with reference to sustainability:
1. Reduce environmental impact
2. Save money
3. Educate and motivate people
4. Track and report data
5. Various other stuff
She described sustainability as “efficiently
using our resources in ways that benefit our campus and community both now and
in the future”. One of their goals is
for their buildings to become LEED Silver certified or higher.
With their current initiatives they stand
to save approximately five million dollars in the next six years. Some of their programs are public transit
discounts, battery and ink cartridge recycling, bike sharing, earth days to
educate people, and stressing the power of one mindset.
The Sustainability Coordinator position is
a relative new position being established throughout businesses, schools, and
government entities. Because of the “newness”
nature of the position several hurdles have become a challenge. Sandy was kind enough to share the top five
lessons learned in her tenure in this position.
1. Start small and
prioritize
2. Celebrate
successes and people
3. Be a life
learner
4. Frame
sustainability appropriately
5. Sustainability is
a collaborative field
I think given her experience and level of
dedication, the University of North Texas is lucky to have her in their
employ. Additionally, I think that if we
all network her lessons learned it would set us up allow us to gain from her valuable experience.
Useful Links:
sustainability.unthsc.edu
No comments:
Post a Comment