The Sustainability Institute works in collaborative ways to identify innovative pathways that accelerate the transition towards sustainability across all aspects of our mission and practice and to track and report our progress. The work of sustainability requires collaboration across fields, disciplines and sectors of society … and it requires us to work in creative and often unconventional ways. Critical to our success is a variety of university-wide task forces and committees. The Sustainability Task Force is the overarching coordinator, and it ensures that this work is guided by a shared vision.
In 2020, we also created an external Sustainability Advisory Board, which ensures that the Sustainability Institute and UNH have the resources to advance and achieve key initiatives and invest in the future.
Student involvement
Student involvement and input is critical to the success of the goals of the task forces. Students can apply to serve as a representative on a task force and make an impact on the university.
A vote to establish this committee was made by the Asset Allocation Committee of the UNH Foundation Board in spring 2017, and the first meeting of the committee was held in July 2017. Its charter is as follows:
Sustainability is a core value at the University of New Hampshire and it underpins our academics, research and practice. As part of UNH’s ongoing institution-wide commitment to sustainability, the UNH Committee on Investor Responsibility (CIR) shall be formed to help support the Foundation in sustainable, socially responsible investment practices and policies.
- The UNH Endowment Fund is capital of the University of New Hampshire Foundation (UNHF) created by donors, invested and managed for the benefit of the University of New Hampshire, and providing funding to support the academic, research, and public service missions of the University.
- The primary investment objective of the Endowment is to achieve the highest long-term return on investment assets that is compatible with the University’s risk tolerance and time horizons and consistent with prudent investment practices.
- “Sustainable investment” practices are consistent with that objective in that they entail consideration of short- and long-term risks of environmental and social harm—which can present financial risk for investors.
- By acting in an advisory role to the Asset Allocation Committee (AAC), the CIR can increase the AAC’s capacity for making informed and prudent decisions regarding the management of the Endowment. The role of the CIR is purely informational; all decision-making authority will continue to rest with the AAC and UNHF Board of Trustees
- Research opportunities relevant to the sustainable investment of the Foundation’s endowment monies—including opportunities that may arise for increased shareholder engagement or proxy voting, as well as specific investment strategies or opportunities.
- Consider proposals from the UNH community (e.g. students, staff, faculty, alumni, etc) relevant to sustainable investment of Endowment monies.
- Make recommendations to the Asset Allocation Committee (AAC) of the UNHF Board of Directors on possible courses of action.
- Help educate and inform the broader UNH community about sustainable investment practices in general and about UNH’s sustainable investment practices in particular.
- The Committee shall meet quarterly, or as called by chair/s.
- The initial work of the committee will be to set goals and identify priority actions or research questions for the Committee’s work during AY17-18 (i.e., to create an AY17-18 work plan.) Thereafter the Committee’s priority goals/issues will be revisited and updated annually.
- UNH community members may submit concerns/suggestions regarding sustainability issues and the University's investments to the Committee on Investor Responsibility. The UNH CIR will consider and vote on what recommendations (if any) to make to the Foundation's Asset Allocation Committee and/or Board regarding proposals brought to them.
CIR Chair
- Julie Gorte, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Investing, Impax Asset Management (Industry Professional, Parent of UNH Alumnus)
CIR Members
- Paul Anderson '90, Executive Managing Partner, Ironwood Investment Management, LLC (Alumnus, Industry Professional)
- Molly Betournay '05, '09G, Director of Social Research and Shareholder Advocacy, Clean Yield Asset Management (Alumna, Industry Professional)
- Ned Dane ’88, Chief Strategy Officer, Aidentified LLC / Partner, Position A Partners (Alumnus, UNH Foundation Board Investment Committee member)
- Alexys Gilcreast ’18, Wealth Planning Associate, Ballentine Partners (Alumna, Industry Professional)
- Erik Gross ’97G, Treasurer, UNH Foundation (Staff)
- Lisa Olsson '22, Business Administration (Finance, Information Systems & Business Analytics) (Current Student)
- Matt Oriente '23, Business Administration and Sustainability (Current Student)
- Austin Perea ’14, Pricing and Policy Manager, SunPower Corporation (Alumnus)
- Sarah Samuels '94, Partner, NEPC LLC (Alumna, Industry Professional, UNH Foundation Board Investment Committee Chair)
- Steve Trzaskoma, Center Director, Center for the Humanities, Director, Responsible Governance & Sustainable Citizenship Project, Professor, Classics, Humanities and Italian Studies, College of Liberal Arts (Faculty)
- Fiona Wilson, Director, UNH Sustainability Institute, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, UNH, Paul College (Staff and Affiliate Faculty)
- Sarah Wilkinson ’22, Analytical Economics and Sustainability (Current Student)
- Cameron Wake '93G, Research Professor, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, & Dept. of Earth Sciences, Josephine A. Lamprey Professor in Climate and Sustainability, UNH Sustainability Institute (Faculty and Alumnus)
Mission
The UNH Ecosystem Task Force (EcoTF) examines sustainability issues related to land use, development, and ecosystem management. The overarching goal of the EcoTF is parallel to that of the UNH Energy Task Force: to serve in an advisory capacity to the UNH President and be responsible for making recommendations on the full range of issues that relate to land use, landscaping, ecosystem health, biodiversity and development. Recommendations will be formulated taking into account the teaching, research and engagement mission of the university, its core value of sustainability, and its long-range Master Plan, including the Landscape Master Plan contained therein.
Charge of the Ecosystem Task Force
In particular, the EcoTF is charged with:
- Developing a long-term plan for sustainable management of biodiversity and ecological integrity of UNH lands including the core Durham campus.
- Developing tools for assessing, evaluating and managing ecosystem function and services within the Oyster River and Lamprey River Watersheds including approaches to landscape design and management in support of the Campus Landscape Master Plan and in accord with knowledge and best practices of sustainable ecosystem management.
- Identifying mechanisms that support professional development opportunities for UNH faculty/staff to contribute to the goals of the EcoTF including related curriculum, research, operations and engagement activities.
The EcoTF complements and integrates the work of related UNH groups including:
- Committee on Real Property Acquisition and Disposal
- UNH Stormwater Center
- UNH Campus Planning
- UNH Water Resources Center
- Office of Woodlands & Natural Areas
- Campus Recreation
EcoTF Chair
- Doug Bencks, Director of Campus Planning
- Former Co-Chair, John Aber, University Professor Natural Resources and the Environment
EcoTF Members
- Cheryl Smith, Extension Plant Health State Specialist
- Cathy Neil, Extension Nursery & Landscape Horticulture State Specialist Emeritus
- Jim Malo, Grounds Supervisor and Arborist
- Matt O’Keefe, Director of Energy and Utilities
- Jamie Houle, Research Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Tom Ballestero, Director UNH Stormwater Center
- Shawn Herrick, Campus Planning GIS Specialist
- Michelle Shattuck, Research Scientist Natural Resources
- Allison Leach, Sustainability Institute Research Assistant
- Stephen Eisenhaure, Office of Woodlands Land Use Coordinator
- David Bowley, Utility Systems Manager
- Glen Tuttle, Utility Distribution Technician
- Brian Mead, Grounds Supervisor
Mission
Chaired by the Associate Vice President for Facilities and coordinated by the Sustainability Institute at UNH and UNH Facilities, the ETF began in 2005 to develop new ways to reduce energy consumption in response to fast-rising energy prices. The mission of the ETF soon broadened to serve in an advisory capacity to the UNH President and make recommendations on the full range of issues that relate to climate change and energy.
These issues include energy generation, demand management, and efficiency and conservation; to greenhouse gas mitigation policy and action; to participation in energy and carbon markets; to campus adaptation planning, to prepare for the increasingly-evident impacts of a changing climate; to curriculum, research and outreach opportunities related to climate and energy. The overarching goal is to guide UNH toward a systematic and integrated energy policy that emphasizes health and integrity, climate protection, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and stability, fairness for all University constituents, and consistency with priorities set by the UNH Strategic Plan and UNH Campus Master Plan.
The ETF’s role in advising the campus administration on climate and energy issues took on even greater prominence when UNH became the first land-grant university in New England to sign the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in February 2007. A member of the leadership circle of ACUPCC signers, UNH pledges to take immediate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to develop a plan to move the University toward carbon neutrality.
In particular, the ETF is charged with:
- Developing timelines, targets, and action items under a UNH Climate Action Plan (called “WildCAP”) to help move UNH towards carbon neutrality.
- Developing immediate and future actions to reduce energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy conservation through technological improvements, increases in efficiency, reductions in waste and selection of fuels.
- Inventorying and promoting curricular, research and engagement programs intended to increase awareness of and behaviors around energy use, efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Other Resources
The ETF complements and integrates the work of related UNH groups including the following:
- UNH Facilities
- Energy & Utilities
- Transportation Policy Committee
- Environmental Advocates
- WildCAP (UNH's Climate Action Plan)
Task Force Chair
- Bill Janelle, Associate Vice President for Facilities & Operations
Task Force Members
- Jennifer Andrews, Sustainability Project Director, Sustainability Institute
- Susanne Bennett, Director of Administration and Contracts for Facilities
- Jackie Bresnahan, Sourcing Specialist
- Dr. J. Matthew Davis, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences
- Dr. Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Director, Sustainability Institute
- Matt L’Heureux, Energy Manager
- Rick Macdonald, Director of Business Affairs
- Jess Manning, Senior Environmental Engineering Major
- Mark Milutinovich, Director, Large Center Development
- Dr. Clay Mitchell, Lecturer in Natural Resources
- Matt O’Keefe, Director of Energy and Utilities
- Dr. Terence O’Sullivan, Associate Professor of Security Studies
- Dr. Stephen Pesci, Special Projects Director in Campus Planning
- Dr. Cameron Wake, Research Professor, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space and Josephine A. Lamprey Professor in Climate and Sustainability, Sustainability Institute
Purpose
Objectives
Process
Task Force Chairs
- Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Director, Sustainability Institute
- Bill Janelle, Associate Vice President for Facilities & Operations
- Stephen Trzaskoma, Department Chair, Classics, Humanities, and Italian Studies
Task Force Members
- Jennifer Andrews, Sustainability Project Director, Sustainability Institute
- Kim Babbitt, Associate Dean, COLSA
- Jenni Cook, Associate Dean, COLA
- Kim DeRego, Interim Vice Provost of Enrollment Management
- Josh Dubroff, Chief Procurement Officer
- Pelema Ellis, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management
- Luciana Echazu, Associate Dean, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
- Michael Ettlinger, Director, Carsey School of Public Policy
- Eleta Exline, Scholarly Communication Librarian, Dimond Library
- Diane Foster, Director, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering
- Martie Gleason, Executive Director, Compensation, Benefits & Services, Human Resources
- Andy Glode, Environmental Health and Safety
- Erik Gross, Senior Executive Director, Advancement
- Kenneth Holmes, Senior Vice Provost for Student Life
- Bill Janelle, Associate Vice President for Facilities & Operations
- Tom Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Director, Sustainability Institute
- Ken LaValley, Vice Provost of Outreach and Engagement/Director, UNH Extension
- Dovev Levine, Assistant Dean, UNH Graduate School
- Marian McCord, Senior Vice Provost, Research, Engagement and Innovation
- William McNamara, Executive Director, Hospitality Services
- Mark Milutinovich, Director, Large Center Development
- David Mortensen, Chair of the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems
- Danielle O'Neil, Chief Marketing Officer, University of New Hampshire
- Allyson Ryder, Program Director, Community, Equity, and Diversity
- Mica Stark, Chief Communications Officer & Associate Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs
- Kenneth Weston, Executive Director of Campus Stewardship
- Fiona Wilson, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer and Director, Sustainability Institute
Student Members
- Chelsea Cabral '22G, Master of Arts in English
- Katie Troy '24, Student Senate, Campus Structure Council Chairperson
UNH has long worked to minimize the waste it generates as well as the amount it sends to the landfill. In spring 2022, UNH began working with the Post Landfill Action Network’s (PLAN’s) Atlas Zero Waste project. Atlas was developed by PLAN to aid colleges and universities—who are collectively, like UNH, struggling to envision and embody truly zero waste systems—to take a holistic and effective approach to this challenge. It is a three-stage process:
1) Assess Capacity
2) Develop a Zero Waste Vision for the campus
3) Create a Zero Waste Roadmap for achieving the vision.
All three phases are co-facilitated by UNH student Fellows who are trained by PLAN to gather and synthesize input, ideas and information from a wide range of stakeholders. We are grateful to the following contributors and advisors from across UNH who are helping shape this process.
Atlas Advisory Group
Jesse Ambrose, Analytical Instrumentation Engineer III, Technical Service Center, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Jennifer Andrews, Project Director, Sustainability Institute
Shawn Banker, Director, University Instrumentation Center
Melissa Beecher, Director, Memorial Union & Student Activities
Anton Bekkerman, Associate Dean, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, Director, NH Agricultural Experiment Station
Adam Carignan, Facilities Project Manager
Kevan Carpenter, Director, Technical Service Center, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Kristin Carpenter, Acting Director of Housing and Associate Director of Residential Life
Jessica Carver, Assistant Director, Child Study Development Center
Paul Chaloux, Grounds & Events Manager, Facilities
Jade Chalkley, Peer to Peer Education Program Coordinator, Sustainability Institute
El Farrell, Project Director, Sustainability Institute
Katelynn Fehn, Contracts Department
Jesse Frink, Director, Contract Management, USNH Procurement
William Gagnon, Facilities
Kristine Guest, Quality Control Coordinator, Facilities
Donna Han, Facilities and Operations Manager, Housing
William Janell, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations
Mackenzie Johansmeyer, Clinic Manager, Health & Wellness
Tracey Lauder, Assistant Dean for Library Administration, Dimond Library
Heather Lascelle, General Manager, Hospitality Services
Jim Malo, Grounds and Events Supervisor, Facilities
Dorrie McClintock, Director, Conferences, Catering and Concessions
Sean McMahon, Special Events & Projects Coordinator
William McNamara, Executive Director of Hospitality and Campus Services
Jeff McKay, Executive Director of Operations/Facilities
Steve Pesci, Campus Stewardship Special Projects Director, Facilities
Jeremy Purdy, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Facilities
Paul Rhodes, Strategic Sourcing Manager
Mike Romeo, USNH Procurement Contracts Specialists
Rich Rouleau, Service Contract Manager, Facilities
Peter Russel, Aramark
Fiona Wilson, Director, Sustainability Institute and Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, UNH
