Chief Operating Officer Patrick O鈥橰ourke has announced the formation of a Campus Sustainability Executive Council aimed at driving action and accountability around 彩民宝典鈥檚 carbon neutrality commitments and implementation of the forthcoming campus Climate Action Plan (CAP).听
Charged by Chancellor Philip DiStefano to lead overarching campus sustainability implementation efforts, O鈥橰ourke will chair the council, which brings together leaders with operational responsibilities from across campus to make policy and resource recommendations needed to move this vital work forward.听
The big picture
鈥淐ampus leaders share our community鈥檚 values and desire for urgent climate action,鈥� O鈥橰ourke said.
鈥淲e also recognize that action, transparency and accountability are critical if we are to make 彩民宝典 carbon neutral and identify the intermediate milestones and resources needed to achieve that goal. With this council, we are pulling together leaders whose day-to-day roles impact planning, financing and upgrading our campus infrastructure.听听
鈥淥ur Climate Action Plan will outline our path, including the significant financial investment and logistic coordination required. The council will be focused toward action, accelerating our efforts to achieve carbon neutrality while making sure we maintain the resilience that is critical to ensuring our academic and research mission thrives without interruption.鈥�
Council goals
Council structure
The executive council is organizing its structure in alignment with the STARS reporting categories. The executive council (Planning and Administration category) will include:
- Chairperson: Patrick O鈥橰ourke, COO
- Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability
- Todd Haggerty, chief financial officer
- Katy Kotlarczyk, vice chancellor for advancement
- Kim Kruchen, associate director of strategic initiatives
- Jon Leslie, chief communications officer
- Shelly Miller, Boulder Faculty Assembly chairperson
- D鈥橝ndra Mull, vice chancellor for student affairs
- Josh Radoff, Masters of the Environment Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialization lead
- Kirsten Schuchman, associate vice chancellor for public policy
- Heidi VanGenderen, chief sustainability officer
An Operations Working Group鈥攃o-led by Ewing, VanGenderen and Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management Brian Lindoerfer鈥攚ill lead implementation of the Climate Action Plan and ensure key performance metrics are met.
A Campus and Public Engagement Working Group鈥攃o-led by Leslie and Associate Vice Chancellor for Local Government and Community Relations Lori Call, and including representatives from campus governance groups鈥攚ill coordinate communications and outreach, including educational content on how individuals and groups can contribute to 彩民宝典鈥檚 climate goals.
The executive council will ensure STARS reporting needs are met for the Academics and Innovation/Leadership categories through regular information sharing with Academic Affairs and Research & Innovation Office leadership, as well as with other campus administrative stakeholders.
The existing 彩民宝典 Sustainability Council鈥攁 cross-campus group of students, faculty and staff established in 2022 to make recommendations regarding policies, programs, initiatives and investments to advance sustainability鈥攚ill help inform the work of the executive council.听听听
Learn more about the Campus Sustainability Executive Council, including working group structure and progress.
Climate Action Plan engagement opportunities
In follow-up to the Climate Action Plan kickoff in October 2022 and CAP town hall in April, the CAP steering committee will engage key campus stakeholders for additional feedback in January prior to the draft CAP being released for student, faculty and staff open comment.听
Additionally, students, faculty and staff are where O鈥橰ourke and others will provide an overview of the new council structure and the status of the CAP, as well as answer questions from campus and community stakeholders.
