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February 2008 Presidential Task Force on Sustainability Hosts Listening Forum
By Julia Parmley More than 80 GW faculty, staff, students, and community members filled the Marvin Center Amphitheatre to share ideas on sustainability efforts across the University with GW’s Presidential Task Force on Sustainability on Jan. 17. Co-chaired by Mark Starik, professor and chairman of the Department of Strategic Management and Public Policy in the School of Business, and Lewis Rumford, senior advisor for business development, GW’s Task Force on Sustainability was formed in September 2007 by President Steven Knapp to develop recommendations to enhance GW’s academic initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship and to propose improvements to relevant University policies. The task force is evaluating the University’s existing academic and administrative programs and developing recommendations addressing energy conservation, resource and waste management, sustainability awareness, research programs, learning/curricular opportunities, procurement policies, and service initiatives and partnerships. The task force will issue its report on June 1. Participants in the forum addressed the reasons why GW should be a more sustainable institution; which sustainability initiatives and actions are most important for the classroom, community, and campus operations; if there are known sustainability campus practices that would benefit the University; and why the University should assume a leadership role in sustainability efforts. Many potential financial, marketing, and environmental benefits of adopting sustainable practices were offered. One of the major issues discussed was the establishment of an environmental program or building to centralize University environmental programs. Participants also expressed concern about the lack of an established recycling program and suggested projects such as windmills, green roofs, and increased campus greenery. Rumford said that he and the task force are committed to increasing sustainability efforts on campus and that the task force shares its sense of urgency. “It’s great for us to have you here,” said Rumford. “The questions you’ve raised are very helpful, and it’s an energy boost for us to hear your comments.” Task force members include: Starik; Rumford; Jonathan Deason, professor of engineering and applied science; Maggie Desmond, student; Nancy Giammatteo, campus architect for facilities planning; Diane Robinson Knapp; Jill Bond, director of corporate relations; Josh Lasky, presidential administrative fellow; Lee Paddock, associate dean for environmental law; Casey Pierzchala, student and member of Green GW; Tracy Schario, director of media relations; Doug Spengel, manager of energy and environmental programs of the Facilities Department; and Sarah Tuntland, student.
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