The
Environmental Advisory Council is a standing committee
of the university created in Fall 2004. The EAC acts as a seed bank and catalyst for
campus sustainability and environmental initiatives coming
from administrators, staff, students and faculty. Our vision is to
offer advice and leadership regarding the identification,
creation, assessment, and implementation of environmental
planning and policies for the University.
2007-2008 Projects
Strategic Planning Task Force White Papers
The EAC wrote white papers for each of the Strategic Planning task forces, illustrating ways that sustainability could be integrated with each of the strategic priorities. Our specific recommendations ranged from curricular innovations (Academic Excellence and Global Education) to a more explicit understanding of environmental justice as a component of faith and social justice (Catholic Character) to innovative strategies for reducing our resource footprint during sporting events (Division I). The information was valuable to the task force members in understanding what sustainability is and how to achieve it. You can download the white papers from the Meeting Agendas & Minutes page.
Beverage Vending Machines Contract
Did you know that soft drink vending machines on campus consume nearly $10,000 of electricity in one year? Significant energy savings could be achieved by using more efficient machines, by using energy conservation devices, or by changing the settings on the machine to a slightly higher temperature or to turn off the display light when the machine is installed in a well-lit corridor. After discussions with the Bookstore Manager and Facilities staff, the EAC provided a document of recommendations requiring the beverage machine vendor to decrease the electricity consumption of the machines on campus. This will be part of the vendor contract negotiations underway in March 2008.
2006-2007 Projects
Sustainability Challenge
An EAC subcommitte created the SU Sustainability Challenge. The Challenge was a six-week competition to educate and motivate the SU community to be the change they want to see in the world. The Challenge took place April 2- May 13, 2007.
2005-2006 Projects
Academics
EAC members collected information on the sustainability-related coursework and research happening across campus.
Participate
The SU Community is welcome to attend EAC meetings. Go to the Meeting page for the schedule. If you would like to be an active member, please contact one of the co-chairs, Jen Sorensen or Karen Price.
“Preserving the integrity of
creation underlies growing concern for the environment.
Ecological equilibrium and a sustainable, equitable use of
the world’s resources are important elements of justice
towards all the communities in our present ‘global
village;’ they are also matters of justice towards
future generations who will inherit whatever we leave
them. Unscrupulous exploitation of natural resources and
the environment degrades the quality of life; it destroys
cultures and sinks the poor in misery. We need to promote
attitudes and policies which will create responsible
relationships to the environment of our shared world, of
which we are only stewards.”
-34th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, #58, 1995
Questions about the EAC? Contact eac@seattleu.edu.
Questions about contents of the EAC Web?
Contact the webmaster. |
