Working Groups and Their Charges

Curriculum and Research
Chair: Kevin Foster, 212-650-6201, kfoster@ccny.cuny.edu.

• Conducts literature reviews on the subject of sustainability in curriculum in higher education.
• Performs surveys throughout the college – undergraduate, graduate and adult & continuing education – to identify if existing courses and programs includes components that examine issues related to sustainability and environmental literacy, as well as courses that have the potential to do so.
• Has monthly meetings with faculty to promote awareness of sustainability goals and the aspiration to have sustainability integrated into the curriculum across all disciplines.
• Works with the core curriculum committee of the Faculties for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the professional schools to insure that no student graduates from CCNY without having taken some coursework that incorporates sustainability.
• Works closely with Faculty and administration staff to explore potential new programs, especially interdisciplinary Masters/PhD programs and continuing and professional education that relates to sustainability.
• Observes and make recommendations on how to incorporate sustainable practices into teaching, including, but not limited, to reducing use of printed materials and reduced usage of toxic materials in laboratories.
• Explores service-learning opportunities, study abroad and other opportunities to involve students in the global impact of sustainable practices.
• Examines course curricula and program requirements at other higher education institutions for best practices that can be incorporated into CCNY’s classed.  Contacts organizations that currently assist in environmental academic intercollegiate collaboration such as the Environmental Consortium and the American Association of Literature and Environment (ASLE).
• Offers independent study opportunities for graduate students who wish to explore environmental topics in all disciplines.
• Developing a plan to Make CCNY a national leader in education in sustainable studies.
• Identifies existing funded and unfunded research and scholarships across all disciplines that relate to sustainability, including recently published studies.
• Works with the Faculty and administration staff to effectively promote and prioritize research and scholarships that relates to sustainability, and to seek external funding for these activities.
• Looks for unique synergies at CCNY that can lead to externally funded research and scholarship.
• Encourages undergraduate students’ participation in research in sustainability-related matters.
• Works with Deans and Chairs to consider increasing the numbers of faculty involved in sustainability studies when filling vacancies or creating new positions

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Student Affairs
Chair: Carmelo Rodriguez, 212-650-5371, crodriguez@ccny.cuny.edu

• Encourages students to participate in special events and ongoing activities that relate to sustainability, including purchasing, recycling, commuting, energy conservation, etc.
• Actively promotes education about sustainability and also helps develop the necessary behavioral changes relating to incorporating sustainable practices in daily life.
• Sponsors and hold at least one annual event promoting the theme of sustainability (such as a commitment to an Earth Day Festival).
• Works with CCNY student clubs whose values relate to the environment  to develop programs related to sustainability.
• Encourages students’ participation in academic programs, research/scholarship and service-learning opportunities linked to sustainability.
• Works with the Sustainable CUNY Student Affairs Committee

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Procurement
Chair: Richard Metz, 212-650-7401, rmetz@ccny.cuny.edu

• Examines all items typically procured centrally through CUNY, centrally by the college or typically by individual departments and offices and recommend standards that meet or exceed those developed by the Sustainable CUNY Procurement Committee.
• Works closely with the departments that use procured items to ensure their standards maximize environmental benefit, balanced with cost effectiveness.
• If feasible, compiles and maintains a database of green products that meets our standards.
• Reviews best practices used at other universities and large organizations, in conjunction with the work being done by the Sustainable CUNY Procurement Committee.
• Works with other working groups, as necessary, to recommend means to fulfill this mission.  Specifically, works with Waste Management to reduce campus consumption of new materials and, as a result, waste output.

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Facilities
Chair: Robert Santos, 212-650-8830, rdsantos@ccny.cuny.edu

• Examines the best practices used by each working group, while developing recommendations based on the standards for sustainable practices for all areas of facilities operations, including:
• • Energy efficiency (conservation, generation)
  • Operations (custodial services, grounds/landscaping installation and maintenance, etc.)
  • Indoor and outdoor air quality, and
  • Greenhouse gas reduction. 
• These standards shall be consistent with or exceeding those being developed by Sustainable CUNY.
• Sets up historical database and benchmarks for use in developing metrics, assessing progress and producing the Greenhouse Gas Inventory required for the Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
• Examines possible use of renewable resources for energy use, such as wind, solar, geo-thermal and co-generation.
• Considers feasibility of collecting, treating and using grey water for landscaping and other non-potable uses
• Promotes energy awareness and conservation on campus, and encourages the development of behavioral changes necessary to reduce energy and resource use.
• Works with the Sustainable CUNY Energy Efficiency and Operations Committee on developing and implementing standards.
• Makes recommendations to the Task Force regarding joining U.S. Department of Environmental Protection programs, such as Energy Star.

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Planning, Construction and Renovation
Chair: Peter Gisolfi, 212-650-8750, pgisolfi@ccny.cuny.edu

• Advises CCNY on interactions with DASNY, CUNY, contractors, project and construction managers, and on all capital construction projects on campus to maximize sustainable practices in design and construction fornew buildings and facilities and renovations of existing facilities.
• Recommends plans for landscaping that increases sustainability on campus.
• Looks at potential areas for improving sustainability in existing facilities, including installation of solar panels, green roofs, day lighting, with emphasis on area with a short pay-back time frame.
• Works with the Sustainable CUNY Building Green Committee, as needed, to develop university-wide standards
• Helps the other working groups; particularly Procurement and Facilities, develop recommended standards for using sustainable products and practices at CCNY.

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Transportation
Co-Chairs: Richard Slawski, 212-650- 7061, rslawski@ccny.cuny.edu and Gerry Miller, 212-650-8687, gmiller@ccny.cuny.edu

• Makes recommendations for policies that will reduce reliance on private, gasoline-fueled cars for commuting, and increase the use of public transportation, car pools, and alternative fuel vehicles
• Looks for and makes recommendations to the Task Force on ways to reduce or offset the use of non-renewable fuels by faculty, staff and students who are traveling.
• Considers and make recommendations to the Task Force on alternative fuels for all campus vehicles, including biofuels (bio-diesel, ethanol), electricity, hybrids, fuel cells and natural gas.
• Collects data to assist with the Greenhouse Gas Inventory
• Works with the Sustainable CUNY Fleet/Transportation Committee

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Waste Management
Co-Chairs: Richard Slawski, 212-650- 7061, rslawski@ccny.cuny.edu and Gerry Miller, 212-650-8687, gmiller@ccny.cuny.edu

• Educates faculty, staff and students on the importance of waste reduction by encouraging behavioral change, on purchasing requirements (in conjunction with the Procurement working group), along with reusing and recycling.
• Works with the facilities and Administration staffs to develop recommendations for the recycling programs that are cost effective, and will make a substantial reduction in the waste stream.
• Investigates the feasibility of composting of yard and food waste, possibly in conjunction with city agency or neighborhood groups.
• Makes recommendations to the Task Force regarding joining US Department of Environmental Protection programs, such as WasteWise, and participation in events such as RecycleMania.

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Auxiliary Services & Residence Hall
Chair: Paul Vuille, 212-650- 7034   

• Addresses health issues, and defines a model of sustainable campus food, low-waste generation, regional purchasing and sustainable farming practices by looking at best practices.
• Makes recommendations on changes to current practices, in concert with other working groups, particular the Waste Management group.  Areas include, but not limited to, environmentally friendly packaging and utensils, composting, recycling used oil and other wastes, reducing chemical use in food and cleaning products, and increasing the use of healthy cooking methods and healthy foods.
• Works with the food service contractor and the Auxiliary Enterprise Corporation to develop recommended modifications to the contract to incorporate specific targets for increasing sustainable practices in all food service operations.
• Partners with the City College Bookstore, ATM-vendors, printer/copier vendors and other Auxiliary Enterprise Corporation contractors to develop recommendations for reducing energy usage, packaging waste, promoting purchasing for sale of sustainable products, and introducing other sustainable practices.
• Collaborates with CCNY residence hall staff and the Student Affairs Working Group to increase sustainable practices at The Towers, including, but not limited to, energy use reduction, conservation, recycling, reduced reliance on printing, sustainable procurement (e.g. green custodial products) and development of programming designed to educate and encourage sustainable practices by staff and residents.
• Works with Sustainable CUNY committees to promote environmental friendly practices throughout the university.

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Communications & Public Education
Chair: Ellis Simon, 212-650-6460, esimon@ccny.cuny.edu

• Works with all working groups to effectively promote sustainable practices across the campus, educate the college community and general public in the sustainability initiative and how CCNY is contributing to the CUNY initiative and the Presidents Climate Commitment.
• Creates vehicles to encourage the general public to adopt sustainable practices based on research and practices taking place at CCNY.

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Community Affairs
Chair:Karen Witherspoon, 212-650-6754, kwitherspoon@ccny.cuny.edu

• Works with elected officials, community organizations and alumni to educate them about sustainability and sustainability initiatives at CCNY
• Works on developing programs, workshops and continuing education programs that would allow CCNY to use sustainability as a means to increase collaboration with the community.

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