the environmental caucus: nau.edu/green breaking down silos to create a culture of sustainability
DESCRIPTION
nau.edu/green History and Organization Self-organized, not appointed Began with conversations with key faculty leaders, then an electronic poll to determine priority roles and initiatives Non-hierarchical – faculty, staff, students Cross-disciplinary – Everyone welcome, even community partners people participate in monthly meetings, plus action teams and Steering Committee; 400 on listserv 1/3 time staff support through Research Division; currently 2 paid student interns at 10 hours/weekTRANSCRIPT
The Environmental Caucus:
nau.edu/green
Breaking Down Silos to
Create a Culture of Sustainability
Breaking Down Silos: The Environmental Caucus
Mission Statement:
The Environmental Caucus facilitates creative and strategic communication across campus to advance the institutional commitment to sustainability and to promote education, research, and collaboration on the environment.
nau.edu/green
History and Organization• Self-organized, not appointed
• Began with conversations with key faculty leaders, then an electronic poll to determine priority roles and initiatives
• Non-hierarchical – faculty, staff, students
• Cross-disciplinary – Everyone welcome, even community partners
• 30-40 people participate in monthly meetings, plus action teams and Steering Committee; 400 on listserv
• 1/3 time staff support through Research Division; currently 2 paid student interns at 10 hours/week
nau.edu/green
Greatest strengths• Forum for cross-campus networking
• Unexpected partners
• Incredible catalyst for student engagement
• We are all equals and involved in decision making
• Viral energy – leading to creative, solutions-oriented approach to implement the Climate Action Plan
Synergy -- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Current Action Teams
•Advocacy for the ACUP Climate Commitment
•Ponderosa 2.0/Curriculum and the Environment
•Student Environmental Caucus
•Action Group for Water Advocacy (AGWA)
•Transportation
•Sustainable Environmental Practices
•NAU's Environmental Identity
Accomplishments in 2009-2010• Launched Green NAU website – www.nau.edu/green
• Sparked completion of ACUP Climate Action Plan
• Supported significant student action (Green Fund, ARTs, etc.)
• Reactivated the Ponderosa Group
• Advanced the Global Learning Initiative
• Developed sustainability as NAU Marketing theme
• Connected faculty, staff, students in cross-boundary initiatives
• Gave first annual Sustainability Leadership Awards
• Linked student energy to operations and academic programs.
nau.edu/green
Perhaps the most sustainable of all practices is building relationships, networking, and sharing
information and resources.
RESULTS…
BUY-IN: Ownership by multiple groups (staying power)
HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS: Creativity/diverse perspectives
RELATIONSHIPS: Network for future initiatives
EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS: Purposeful use of resources
FULFILLMENT AND FUN: Building a positive community!
Shelley Silbert, Chair Environmental [email protected](928) 523-7635
www.nau.edu/envcaucus
www.nau.edu/green
