The document summarizes UVM's sustainability efforts and initiatives over time. It discusses how the Environmental Council was established in 1994 to address campus environmental impacts and was later replaced by the Office of Sustainability. Major projects include establishing sustainability requirements, becoming carbon neutral and using more renewable energy through initiatives like the Clean Energy Fund. The operations section outlines UVM's commitments to LEED building standards, increasing real and local food to 20% by 2020, and transitioning buildings like Aiken Center to net-zero energy use. Student groups have also been instrumental in driving sustainability on campus.

1. SUSTAINABILITY AT UVM

2. PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION
u In 1994, Professor Stephanie Kaza proposed and initiated the
Environmental Council at UVM.
u Under the coordination of Gioia Thompson, the Council
created a baseline review of campus operations
environmental impact
u A few of the projects undertaken include:
u Publishing Greening UVM and Tracking UVM
u Hosting the first Vermont Campus Sustainability Network
Conference
u 2007, President Fogel signed on to the American College &
University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (now called the
Carbon Commitment). UVM became a charter signatory of the
commitment.
u This led to disbanding of the Environmental Council and the
establishment of the Office of Sustainability in 2008

3. u Office of Sustainability’s mission:
u To foster sustainable development and promote environmental responsibility at
the University of Vermont by strategically bridging the academic activities of
teaching, research, and outreach with the operations of the University.
u The Office works to:
u Educate and involve the campus community and public on sustainability issues
u Track UVM’s campus-wide sustainability performance
u Support organizational strategic planning for the “Environmental University”
u Facilitate the implementation of sustainability-related projects
u Socially Responsible Investing Advisory Council (SRIAC)
u Aids the VP of Finance and the University Treasurer in their responsibilities
u The Council uses UVM’s “Our Common Ground” as a criteria to take on issues based
on ethical, moral, and socially responsible criteria in their decision-making.

4. EDUCATION & RESEARCH
u In 2011, Campus Sustainability class piloted the documentation of the Operations section for AASHE
STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System sponsored by AASHE).
u Due to the pilot documentation and support from campus stakeholders, President Sullivan signed onto
AASHE STARS in 2012.
u The first STARS report (version 1.2) was submitted in February 2014.

5. u The Clean Energy Fund was approved in 2008 after first gaining momentum in
2005 as a student-led initiative
u Designed to advance renewable energy research, education, and infrastructure on
campus
u $10 per semester student fee supports the fund
u 40+ projects document in the projects portfolio from 2009-present

6. u Installations
u Equine Center Solar PV
u Aiken Solar Trackers
u Feasibility Studies
u Biomass Feasibility Study for Trinity Campus
u Comprehensive Campus Renewable Energy Feasibility Study
u Green Labs Program
u Lecture Series
u Climate Action Seminar
u Energy Action Seminar (2013-2017)
u Internships
u Clean Energy Industry Internship Program
u Clean Energy Internships

7. u Research
u Clean Energy Greenhouse
u Compost Power: Using Compost Power to Heat a Greenhouse
u Hybrid Street Lamp System with Helix Bamboo Wind Turbines and Solar Panels
u Off-Campus Student Energy Conservation Study
u Internships
u Clean Energy Industry Internship Program
u Clean Energy Internships
u For a list of the CEF projects and their progress go to: www.uvm.edu/sustain/cef

8. u In March 2015, UVM Faculty Senate approved the Sustainability General Education
requirement
u All newly matriculated undergraduate students are now required to take a course that
satisfies this requirement.
u For a list of the sustainability courses offered at UVM, go here.

9. OPERATIONS
u In 2012 became a part of the Real Food Campus
commitment
u Goal: 20% real food by 2020
u “Real food is defined as that which is locally
grown, fair trade, of low environmental impact
and/or humanely produced.”
u In 2009 a student sustainability intern began
tracking Real Food using the Real Food
Calculator
u Most recent data shows 12% real food in
Spring 2013 at UVM.

10. u In 2005, President Fogel committed UVM to the US Green Building Council’s new construction policy,
which by 2007 included all new buildings minimum LEED silver or higher.
u Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines address the use of:
u Water
u Materials
u Energy
u Land Use
u Quality of indoor air
u UVM currently has 12 LEED-certified buildings on campus including research labs, dorms, the Aiken
Center and the Dudley H. Davis Center.
u Davis Center was the first LEED Gold certified student center in the US.

11. u The Aiken Center, hub of RSENR is working on transitioning towards becoming a Net-Zero
energy building.
u Built in 1982, Aiken Center was renovated in 2012 becoming LEED platinum certified.

12. u UVM is recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a “Bicycle Friendly University”
u UVM’s fleet has both hybrid electric and compressed natural gas-powered buses
u Two Toyota Prius vehicles are available on campus to the UVM population through
CarShare Vermont

13. u UVM committed to the creation of a
$13 million Energy Revolving Fund
u In 2012, UVM became the 34th
college in the US to commit to the
Sustainable Endowment Institute’s
Billion Dollar Challenge.
u Establishment of a revolving fund to
finance energy efficiency
improvements on campus with up to
a 7-year payback on projects.

14. ENGAGEMENT
u The student population at UVM is a huge driving force for many of the
commitments and changes on campus
u For example:
u Signing the Real Food Campus Commitment
u AASHE STARS
u Creation of the Clean Energy Fund
u The Eco-Reps Program is the second oldest college peer-to-peer education
program in the US, beginning in 2004
u Throughout the year they host events and educate students on sustainability issues
and the power of making simple changes in our lifestyles
u A few other examples of clubs focusing on sustainability around campus
include: VSTEP, SEEDS, REN and BUG

15. UVM’s Operations Data & PV System Data
https://goo.gl/UizZo2

16. LINKS TO VIDEOS
https://vimeo.com/uvmsustain/commitments1 https://vimeo.com/uvmsustain/commitments2