Office of the President
Monday Morning Memo | February 23, 2009
Dear NMSU Campus Community:
I am eager to tell you about the progress that is being made in the area of sustainability at New Mexico State University. As you may recall, 2009 has been designated as the Year of Sustainability at NMSU and already we have seen some excellent events on our campus.
To guide our efforts, we have created the NMSU Sustainability Council. Under the direction of Steve Loring, associate director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, the council is made up of four teams: Campus Operations, led by Glen Haubold, assistant vice president for OFS; Outreach, led by Paul Gutierrez, vice provost for outreach and engagement; Communications, led by Ellen Castello, director of marketing services for University Communications; and Learning and Curriculum, led temporarily by Steve Loring. The Sustainability Council also will include a representative of the Cooperative Extension Service, sustainability committee leaders from the community colleges and representatives of various campus groups (such as Faculty Senate, ACAP, ASNMSU and the Graduate Student Organization). Each team welcomes volunteers and to help you decide what area of this initiative you may consider becoming involved in, here is a brief outline of the teams.
The Campus Operations Team will focus on operational efficiencies, alternative fuels, LEED design and other issues related to the infrastructure and operation of NMSU facilities. The team will analyze building schedules for operational efficiencies. It will collaborate to establish policies that will adopt the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standards or equivalent for new construction and for remodels. The Operations Team will be responsible for initiating the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality and for the completion of an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions at all of NMSU's facilities.
The Outreach Team will provide targeted information, educational outreach, and technical analysis. Climate change as well as the practical, prudent and sustainable evaluation and utilization of renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind and solar as alternative sources of energy will be an important outreach effort. The Outreach Engagement Green Schools Program will provide materials, hands-on activities and background information to teachers who are interested in facilitating learning through the investigation of environmental topics. The team will engage students in creating energy-saving activities in their schools, using real-world projects and applications of energy-efficiency lessons in their homes and communities.
The Learning and Curriculum Team will work to incorporate sustainability into the curriculum at NMSU. We have already had a panel discussion, sponsored by the Teaching Academy, to illustrate how faculty from the Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities incorporate sustainability-related issues into their courses. We hope to recruit people who will work to broaden that sensibility, as well as work toward whatever formal structures (majors, minor, certificates, etc.) might be appropriate for NMSU to offer our students as they prepare to enter a "green" economy.
The Communications Team will build on our already established image of being leaders in sustainability. The team will help inform the on- and off-campus communities about NMSU goals, programs and accomplishments. We are looking forward to working with the NMSU Foundation and other organizations and volunteers across campus to enhance the image of NMSU as a university that values and supports sustainable principles.
It is important to emphasize that these efforts will not be confined to our Las Cruces campus. The role of sustainability has no borders, and neither will our efforts. Already, representatives at each of our community college campuses have been involved in the work being done toward sustainability. Individual sustainability committees will be organized at each community college campus, and I encourage the participation of students, faculty and staff at each campus.
I believe the Year of Sustainability can be a resounding success, evidenced by a list of many activities that will demonstrate engagement by the entire university community. And, perhaps the most profound outcome of this will be to foster a strong sense of community.
Have a great week!
Waded Cruzado
