I. Double student, staff, and faculty sustainability engagement by 2024

UW Sustainability will have added staff resources in FY24, including revising the job description for a vacant position. This role is expected to be hired in Fall 2024, and the duties will include enhancing engagement with students and faculty, including identifying and promoting Living Lab opportunities and overseeing the lab and office certification programs.

Steps we will take in FY 2024

• Update the UW Sustainability website to better present sustainability information 
• Revamp the Green Office and Lab Certification programs 

Update the UW Sustainability website to better present sustainability information

Continuing the work of updating the sustainability.uw.edu website, UW Sustainability will be launching a new homepage design intended to modernize the look and feel of the website, while also improving the ability of users to discover information about the UW’s sustainability performance and resources.

In addition, this year UW Sustainability will focus on auditing and updating the content on the site, with an initial focus on the topic pages in the “campus” section. The intent is to expand these pages to provide a more complete overview of UW’s sustainability work around topics such as energy, water, buildings, etc.

Revamp the Green Office and Lab Certification programs 

The Green Office and Green Laboratory Certification programs run by UW Sustainability have served as an outreach program to encourage and recognize sustainability practices in workspaces across the UW. These programs were put on hold during the pandemic response when most work was being done remotely. Now that instruction and many staff have returned to in-person or hybrid schedules, UW Sustainability is evaluating these programs to determine programmatic changes to help us meet our goals. This work started in FY23, however, staff turnover put the work on hold. We expect to resume the work in FY24.
 

While there are many student organizations and individual students working on and advocating for sustainability at the UW, there is no structured way for students to consistently make their voices heard in sustainability discussions.

Over the past year, UW Sustainability and the Campus Sustainability Fund developed a structure and framework for a student sustainability advisory committee, which will help foster collaboration and coordination among student groups as well as creating a more direct connection to students for sustainability engagement. 

In the upcoming year, UW Sustainability and the CSF plan to launch this committee, identifying student representatives and holding regular meetings. This first year will serve both as the start of the committee and a learning opportunity to determine what changes might be needed to make the committee serve as an even better method for communication with students and providing a method for student voices to inform sustainability actions.

Steps we will take in FY 2023

1. Revise the UW Sustainability Website to better serve as a central HUB for information and resources across UW sustainability across UW 
2. Revamp the Green Office and Lab Certification programs 

Revise the UW Sustainability Website to better serve as a central HUB for information and resources across UW sustainability across UW 

The UW Sustainability website is the primary online resource for sustainability information at the UW. In addition to highlighting sustainability programs and efforts at UW, the site provides sustainability related information across a variety of areas including research & academics, operations, and community and global leadership. 

UW Sustainability has identified a need to revise and update the website navigation and homepage, making it easier to discover, engage in, and access the content. We intend for the website to better serve as an information hub for sustainability across the University, elevate communication on current projects and opportunities, and promote opportunities for engagement across campus.

This is an initial phase of a larger website revamp, with an overall goal of creating a central clearing-house of sustainability related information where users can easily find resources, learn about UW’s sustainability efforts and get involved. UW Sustainability has reviewed a wide selection of university sustainability websites to identify best practices for navigation structure and information presentation. In addition to making existing content easier to find, UW Sustainability will audit existing website content, update outdated information, and fill gaps where information needs to be added. We will create a schedule for updating website content, making it easier to ensure information is consistently updated in a timely manner going forward.

UW Sustainability will also continue expanding our stakeholder network, identifying efforts on all three UW campuses and UW units to share and highlight.

Revamp the Green Office and Lab Certification programs 

The Green Office and Green Laboratory Certification programs run by UW Sustainability have served as an outreach program to encourage and recognize sustainability practices in workspaces across the UW. These programs were put on hold during the pandemic response when most work was being done remotely. Now that instruction and many staff have returned to in-person or hybrid schedules, UW Sustainability is evaluating these programs to determine programmatic changes to help us meet our goals. 

Steps we will take in FY 2023

1. Create a student energy task force at the Seattle campus 

2. Develop a framework for a structured student sustainability group

3. Coordinate with Continuum College on sustainability education 

Create a student energy task force at the Seattle campus 

UW Sustainability, UW Facilities Energy, Utilities & Operations, and the Campus Sustainability Fund are partnering to organize a student task force related to the UW’s decarbonization effort. This taskforce will provide an opportunity to share information and updates with students, as well as give students an avenue to voice suggestions, concerns and other feedback regarding the project.

Develop a framework for a structured student sustainability group (advisory to UW Sustainability) to start in fall 2023

There are dozens of official student organizations at the UW focused on aspects of sustainability, and many more students working on sustainability related projects or activism efforts  Yet, there is a need for a structured student group to consistently make their voices heard in sustainability discussions.

UW Sustainability will work with the Campus Sustainability Fund to create a representative student sustainability committee, to help foster collaboration and coordination among student groups as well as creating a more direct connection to students for sustainability engagement. The sustainability committee is also intended to serve in an advisory and activism role, supporting UW sustainability efforts and cross-disciplinary efforts across the organization.

In the upcoming year, we will develop a draft framework for the new student sustainability committee, including the role of the committee, governance structure, member selection, and more. To begin developing this draft framework we will conduct stakeholder outreach, including existing student organizations, to provide their input on  the initial committee framework. This year will also help determine how best to structure and support a student sustainability committee to maximize impact, and ensure consistent engagement over time.

Coordinate with Continuum College on sustainability education 

UW Sustainability will work with the Continuum College to determine opportunities for developing innovative sustainability content, including community lectures and summer youth programs.

Outreach to underrepresented groups is key, specifically targeting and obtaining feedback from these groups on the plan actions and connections with sustainability is imperative.

Steps we will take in FY 2022

1. UW Sustainability continue to work to define “sustainability engagement” in measurable terms, and use information gathered in FY21 for event attendance. The defined measurement unit shall correlate to an individual receiving an encouragement toward considering environmental impact, human health, diversity, equity or inclusion in the context of their participation in the UW community.
2. The Whole U plans to continue offering a seminar every quarter in collaboration with UW Sustainability and will add sustainability features to a monthly editorial calendar and encourage UW Sustainability to contribute articles or recommend other UW faculty and staff for participation.
3. UW Sustainability will revamp the Green Office and Lab Certification programs and include student ambassadors; provide student capstone internships to engage with underrepresented groups and RSOs; and develop an inclusion plan for outreach communication.

Responsible party

UW Sustainability & Whole U

Statuses and linkages

Whole U quarterly seminars and wellness programs, Green Office and Lab Certification Program, Sustainability Stories virtual and on-campus events, promoting virtual and on-campus events to underrepresented groups.

Financing

• Additional financing needed in FY2022.

Continued University support of the Whole U program will ensure this Action will involve reach to all UW faculty and staff members.

Metrics

• Number of participants as a percentage of the promotional reach of communication (e.g. website traffic, email distribution or newsletter subscribers) based on the FY21 baseline.
• Number of new certified offices and labs (when applicable for on-campus return) as a percentage of the promotional reach of communication (e.g. newsletter advertisement, tabling at events, presentations via in-person or online).
• Annual Sustainability Plan survey response count, beginning with the 2020 results and continuing with subsequent Annual Sustainability Plan surveys.

The Whole U will work with Professional and Organizational Development (POD) on incorporating further slides and information on important sustainability resources and training at New Hire Orientation. UW Sustainability will support the Whole U through resources such as campus sustainability data and metrics and facilitation for training programs. Established faculty will be encouraged to share and talk about their experience or on-going projects. We will explore creating an incentive for staff/faculty to attend sustainability & DEI events and have a quarterly reporting or check-in meeting with colleges and academic departments.

Steps we will take in FY 2022

1. Work with UW Departments to identify an incentive for staff/faculty to attend Sustainability/DEI related events.
2. Set up a way for departments (both academic and operational) to track sustainability and DEI related work/ classes/programs or training.

Responsible party

UW Sustainability & Whole U

Statuses and linkages

This will complement Target II (Identify Minimum Learning Outcomes)

Financing

• Continued University support of the Whole U program will ensure this Action will involve reach to all UW faculty and staff members.

Metrics

• Calculate the number of new faculty and staff participation in the professional development network as a percentage of new hire orientations conducted.
• Calculate the number of existing faculty and staff participation in the professional development network as a percentage of those reached through outreach presentations and communications.
• Utilize surveys and survey data to measure engagement, and specifically to determine reach with underrepresented groups.

Part 1

Build an inventory of courses with an existing community engagement component, and create a targeted outreach campaign to include departments with sustainability-focused community engagement work. Create a targeted outreach campaign to include departments with a focus on sustainability work. Work with Continuum College in developing innovative sustainability content, beginning with community lectures and summer youth programs. Create a list of underrepresented groups and establish a targeted outreach strategy for measuring engagement with underrepresented groups both online and in person.

Part 2

Expand Community Engagement across campus, while offering enough time for groups to review and add input.

Steps we will take in FY 2022

1. Utilize the course inventory being done as part of our AASHE STARS reporting to start an inventory of sustainability coursework.
2. Collect data on sustainability-focused Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), and promote student engagement with community service through these RSOs. Depending on current levels of engagement, provide information and resources to these RSOs regarding engagement with both episodic and long-term volunteer opportunities. Evaluate expanding opportunities to all RSOs.
3. Coordinate with Continuum College to incorporate sustainability into their curriculum, track attendance for these courses and offer continuing communications to attendees through newsletters, websites and social media.

Responsible party

UW Sustainability & Continuum College

Statuses and linkages

This will complement Target II.

Financing

• No additional financing needed in FY 2021.

Metrics

• Number of attendees of Continuum College sustainability courses as a percentage of audience reached through promotions and marketing.
• Number of departments contacted with sustainability related community engagement programs or activities.
• Number of new student volunteers from RSOs as a percentage of service learners.

A collaboration between Whole U, UW Sustainability and other campus communicators to create a comprehensive and integral package of sustainability communications for the UW Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell campuses. This Action is an important platform for integration between diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental sustainability, following the Sustainability Plan’s third Guiding Principle. Historically, UW Sustainability has been about the natural environment, while Whole U has been about human well-being. At UW, we will be building the bridge connecting these previously disparate efforts into a united platform of sustainability.

Contributing programs and concepts include:

• Expanding Sustainability Stories virtual and on campus events with diversity, equity and inclusion topics.
• Launching expanded Whole U signature wellness initiatives centered around each year’s Earth Day.
• Expanding the existing Whole U Quarterly Seminars program.
• Revamping the Green Office and Lab Certification program with student ambassadors

Steps we will take in FY 2021

1. UW Sustainability will lead an effort to define “sustainability engagement” in measurable terms, and assess a 2020 baseline. The defined measurement unit shall correlate to an individual receiving an encouragement toward considering environmental impact, human health, diversity, equity or inclusion in the context of their participation in the UW community.
2. The Whole U plans to continue offering a seminar every quarter in collaboration with UW Sustainability and will add sustainability features to a monthly editorial calendar and encourage UW Sustainability to contribute articles or recommend other UW faculty and staff.
3. UW Sustainability will revamp the Green Office and Lab Certification programs and include student ambassadors; provide student capstone internships to engage with underrepresented groups and RSOs; develop an inclusion plan for outreach communications.
4. The Whole U will add a sustainability focus for every signature program that involved overall wellness.

Responsible party

UW Sustainability & Whole U

Statuses and linkages

Whole U quarterly seminars and wellness programs, Green Office and Lab Certification Program, Sustainability Stories virtual and on-campus events.

Financing

• Additional financing needed in FY2021.

Continued University support of the Whole U program will ensure this Action will involve reach to all UW faculty and staff members.

Metrics

• Number of participants as a percentage of the promotional reach of communication (e.g. website traffic, email distribution or newsletter subscribers)
• Number of new certified offices and labs (when applicable for on-campus return) as a percentage of the promotional reach of communication (e.g. newsletter advertisement, tabling at events, presentations via in-person or online)
• Annual Sustainability Plan survey response count, beginning with the 2020 results and continuing with subsequent Annual Sustainability Plan surveys.

This Action may contribute points toward STARS credit EN-2 Student Orientation where UW shows a point gap of 0.56.1 UW has already achieved the full value of most credits grouped under the STARS Campus Engagement subcategory.

The Whole U to work with Professional and Organizational Development (POD) on incorporating further slides and information on important sustainability resources and trainings at New Hire Orientation. UW Sustainability will support the Whole U through resources such as campus sustainability data and metrics and facilitation for training programs. Established faculty will be encouraged to share and talk about their experience or on-going projects. This can provide opportunities for new faculty to get recruited into existing programs so they don’t need to re-invent the wheel.

Steps we will take in FY 2021

1. The Whole U will work with POD in including UW Sustainability resources for New Hire Orientation. The Whole U will also include sustainability resources when tabling at the new hire events and virtual events.

2. Work with UW Marketing to reach faculty, and develop a faculty sustainability network and outreach strategy. May include a Faculty Sustainability Fellows program modeled after Western Washington University.

Responsible party

UW Sustainability & Whole U

Statuses and linkages

Whole U quarterly seminars and wellness programs, Green Office and Lab Certification Program, Sustainability Stories virtual and on-campus events.

Financing

• Additional financing needed in FY2021.

Continued University support of the Whole U program will ensure this Action will involve reach to all UW faculty and staff members.

Metrics

• Calculate the number of new faculty participation in the professional development network as a percentage of new hire orientations conducted.

• Calculate the number of existing faculty participation in the professional development network as a percentage of those reached through outreach presentations and communications.

This action can gain points in STARS credit EN-9 Professional Staff Development & Training where UW shows a point gap of 2.00.

Part 1
Build an inventory of sustainability coursework currently offered through Continuum College through a web review of published information and feedback from Continuum College program directors. Sustainability foci in offerings would be identified following AASHE STARS definitions. Begin a conversation with Continuum College to integrate relevant sustainability content into continuing education offerings. Explore ways to assist Continuum College in developing innovative sustainability content, beginning with community lectures and summer youth programs.

Part 2
Collect data from the Carnegie Classification on sustainability related opportunities and promote these opportunities with student service learning opportunities.

Steps we will take in FY 2021

1. Coordinate with Continuum college to incorporate sustainability into their curriculum, track attendance for these courses and offer continuing communications to attendees through newsletters, website and social media.
2. Collect data on sustainability focused Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), and promote student engagement with community service through these RSOs. Depending on current levels of engagement, provide information and resources to these RSOs regarding engagement with both episodic and long-term volunteer opportunities. Evaluate expanding opportunities to all RSOs

Responsible party

UW Sustainability & Continuum College

Statuses and linkages

Linkages to: Carnegie Classification, Carlson Service Learning

Financing

• No additional financing needed in FY 2021

Metrics

• Number of attendees of Continuum College sustainability courses as a percentage of audience reached through promotions and marketing.
• Number of new student volunteers from RSOs as a percentage of service learners.

This action can gain points in STARS credit EN-12 Continuing Education where UW shows a point gap of 2.65, and in credit EN-13 Community Service where UW shows a point gap of 3.77.