“Compliance” and “Beyond Compliance”: Bridging the Culture Gap Michelle Smith Mullarkey Green Building Coordinator The University of Vermont AASHE Conference November 10-11, 2008

Definitions EHS: management of compliance with state and federal ehs regulations, among other things Campus Greening: work designed to reduce the ecological footprint of an institution (by going “beyond compliance”) Sustainability: the environmental aspect of the triple bottom line The Culture Gap: difference in priorities and timetables between parties that agree on goals

A Brief UVM Profile 10,000 students Medical school, agricultural school, engineering school, natural resources school, as well as liberal arts program 500 laboratories; 200 buildings of all ages Highly active and involved environmental faculty, students and community Recycling begun in late 1980’s due to student activitism

Origins of the Connection Between Environmental Safety and Campus Greening Recognition of the need for an Environmental Safety program at UVM started in 1986 with a RCRA fine; a Part B facility was opened in In 1995, the UVM Environmental Council was established as a joint academic/administrative body to promote “campus greening”. A grad student was recruited to staff the Council half time Her first project was to develop a set of environmental indicators that could be used to measure UVM’s greening successes Her approach was to interview campus managers to understand their environmental challenges and opportunities

The Development of a Working Partnership In 1999, UVM joined the Lab XL project and needed a local stakeholders group to provide comment; the Environmental Council was recruited for that role. Environmental Management Systems concepts were the basis of the XL Project. Around 2000, the EC was made permanent and the staff position was made full time. Through XL connections, the Council received an EPA grant to support increased indicators work and publication of “Tracking UVM”.

Professionalization of the Relationship An EMS approach proved useful in organizing the variety of ideas coming at the Environmental Council The various “greening aspects” of UVM were organized into environmental academics, environmental culture, environmental campus and environmental accountability. The EC Coordinator and ES Manager jointly developed an EMS course for undergrads to prepare them to help the EC office on projects.

Some Lessons Learned A “greening network” of UVM professionals is developing with a common interest in management systems The joint approach pays off in outreach to operational personnel (no one likes a single change agent) Making the academic connection breathes life into both programs by connecting with the institutional mission. Important synergies can be achieved by using EMS to foster EHS / sustainability understanding and collaborations

Introduction of Green Building at UVM Capital Planning and Management Department established in 2000 Assistant to the Director hired in 2004; closely collaborated with EC Coordinator “Environmental Design in New and Renovated Buildings” Policy approved in 2005 Required LEED Certified level rating Green Building Coordinator position created in 2006 Policy updated in 2007 after signing the ACUPCC to require LEED Silver rating

Some Specific Points of Assistance and Stress Biodiesel - Is it ok to make it in a campus lab? CFL’s – what happens when they break? Culture change – changing behaviors of campus in sustainable directions without disrupting safety practices Lab energy use – managing the energy / safety balance Constructing buildings isn’t “green” – how can we best meet our facility and programming needs? Bureaucracy – selecting ideas that are politically feasible

Upcoming Challenges/Opportunities The evolution of the Office of Sustainability amid increased upper administration attention Attention comes before the resources arrive Gathering information about climate change issues requires resources and patience, but some topics such as recycling, styrofoam, and the attributes of toilet paper continue to get attention. Ongoing EHS oversight of the many good ideas that get thrown at the Office of Sustainability, as well as a growing participation with Capital Planning. Maintaining the academic connection through the class

Upcoming Challenges/Opportunities The progression of green building as a sustainability tool as current capital campaign wraps up Certify LEED-NC buildings with LEED-EB Address significant deferred maintenance and a variety of building types/needs Ie: The culture gap can be more intense in existing buildings because we're trying to change present operational habits rather than build new ones Monitor and ensure new buildings perform as designed Continue collaboration with “greening network” of professionals to address Top 10 energy intensive buildings outside of LEED Labs 21

Thank you Michelle Smith Mullarkey Green Building Coordinator The University of Vermont