Establishment of the Chancellor's Sustainability Commission

Go to Sustainability website AUGUST 2008, REVISED 2015 AND 2018

Charge

Promote the environmental, social, and economic well-being of UNL and its stakeholders through the socially responsible stewardship of resources and the creation of resilient systems that are adaptable and recoverable to short- and long-term environmental and technological changes.

Vision

Create a culture that applies sustainability-centric values and practices to everything we do at UNL.

Why

To build a more sustainable and resilient community for all citizens in keeping with our land grant mission.

Purpose of the Commission

The Chancellor's Environment, Sustainability and Resilience Commission (CESRC) provides strategic recommendations to the Chancellor related to sustainability initiatives, development of resilient infrastructure systems and socially responsible economic practices through the involvement of all major stakeholders within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL).

Membership and Responsibilities

The Commission will consist of nine members – two co-chairpersons and seven action team leaders. The co-chairs will be the UNL Sustainability Coordinator and the Director of UNL Sustainability Initiatives - a UNL faculty member appointed by the Chancellor. Each of the seven action teams elect a team leader that will serve as a member of the Commission.

The Commission will develop and update the UNL Environment, Sustainability and Resilience Master Plan that will instruct the integration of sustainability into business practices. The Commission will establish University-wide goals, outcomes, timelines, responsibilities, and metrics. The Master Plan will also draw upon the action plans that will be developed by each of the action teams. The Commission will oversee the integration and implementation of the action plans from the Action Teams to achieve the University-wide outcomes.

There are seven action teams that have general areas of responsibility:

  • Teaching & Learning
  • Health & Wellness
  • Research & Innovation
  • Land Resources & Ecosystems
  • Campus Operations
  • Campus Facilities
  • Community Engagement

Action teams consist of five (5) to eight (8) members including at least one student. Members are selected through a simple and transparent application process. Applications (or nomination forms) include a statement of relevant experience and expertise, and the identification of the committees that are of interest. Applications must be submitted through the Sustainability Office website. The ad-hoc UNL Sustainability Initiative Team will do the initial screening of applications for action team members. After the initial appointments, action team members will be selected by the members of the commission.

Each action team will create action plans that identify goals, outcomes, time lines, responsible parties, and metrics for their area of responsibility. These will serve as the foundation of the UNL Sustainability and Resilience Master Plan. The commission co-chairs will work with the CSC members in finding representatives for each Action Team from the campus community. Each Action Team will have access to student support through the Sustainability Office to conduct the necessary research and provide logistical support.

Meetings

The Commission and Action Teams shall meet based on need. The co-chairpersons are responsible for calling Commission meetings, preparing the agenda, and presiding at meetings. Action team leaders are responsible for calling Action Team meetings, preparing the agenda, and presiding at meetings.