Sustainability

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Guiding Principles of the Director

by John Pumilio

Mission Statement

I WILL promote opportunities, provide leadership, and contribute practical solutions in a manner that will significantly advance sustainability in the College’s operations, educational programs, mission, and value set. Above all, I WILL be a valuable member of the Evergreen community by being compassionate, trustworthy, and honest.


In helping to fulfill the promise of Evergreen’s Director of Sustainability

I WILL… FACILITATE community members in their effort to advance sustainability. How?

  • Be visible, approachable, knowledgeable, and insightful.
  • Reach out to student groups, academic programs, faculty members, staff, and learning centers.

I WILL… COMMUNICATE the Evergreen sustainability story by staying informed of work being done throughout the College and by sharing that story enthusiastically and with integrity. How?

  • Sustainability Newsletter.
  • Sustainability Website.
  • Presentations at Regional and National Conferences.
  • Presentations (publicly, in academic programs, and in staff meetings).
  • Magazines, Newspapers, and Radio Interviews

I WILL… EDUCATE myself and the Evergreen community on advances in the field of sustainability. How?

  • Be familiar with new and ongoing government mandates and initiatives that effect sustainability at Evergreen.
  • Research other academic institutions and their ongoing work (i.e. Middlebury, Lewis and Clark, Oberlin, Berea, Warren Wilson, etc…).
  • Research organizations concerned about the advancement of sustainability in higher education (i.e. AASHE, Society for College and University Planning, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, the Presidents Climate Commitment, COPLAC, etc…).
  • Research activist groups and events (i.e. Focus the Nation, Campus Climate Challenge, RecycleMania, etc…).

I WILL… ADVOCATE sustainability at every level of the institution. How?

  • Apply good judgment and careful consideration in decision-making.
  • Know when and who to approach when promoting new ideas.
  • Consider whole-systems thinking, trade-offs, and life-cycle costs before making a clear, concise, and compelling case for why change is necessary.

I WILL… INITIATE and promote community projects and teamwork that transcend all levels of the campus community. How?

  • Make a concentrated effort to promote diversity in the Task Force and in our sub-committees.
  • Encourage Graduate theses and Independent Learning Contracts that link students/staff/faculty.
  • Encourage academic program projects that work with staff members involving the greater work of the college.

I WILL… CELEBRATE and recognize the efforts and accomplishments of community members that demonstrate extraordinary work in Evergreen’s progression of sustainability. How?

  • Acknowledge or profile in print the exceptional efforts of individuals or group projects. “Print” includes newsletters, the Cooper Point Journal, campus listserves, sustainability website, etc.
  • Host potlucks or evening social events in recognition of work well-done.
  • Profile community members on sustainability website.

Vision Statement

Through exceptional teamwork, dedication and commitment, I will build honest relationships that will help drive sustainability at The Evergreen State College.

In a caring and creative manner, I will embrace the challenge of helping to build a community that is environmentally and socially responsible. In the process, I will help The Evergreen State College create:

  1. a learning and work environment that is rich and fulfilling;
  2. a laboratory for sustainability that is apparent in our operations, in our class rooms, and in our built environment; and
  3. a national model for sustainable thinking and planning

Values Statement

Equanimity, compassion, and genuine kindness are inherent values that I believe are the fundamental pillars of sustainable thinking and planning. These traits will always be salient in the way I conduct myself as Evergreen’s Director of Sustainability. My professional commitment is to advancing sustainability at The Evergreen State College and at no time under any circumstance will I base decisions or be influenced by a personal agenda or act out of self-interest.