March 20, 2024

The Sustainability Council brings together representatives from across campus to promote and align sustainability efforts as well as share observations, insights, experience, and expertise related to sustainability. The structure and function of the Council is intended to help ensure that NMU is effectively communicating and coordinating sustainability initiatives and programs across campus and in the community. 

The Sustainability Council is also designed to demonstrate NMU’s commitment to the 8 Key Principles for Action outlined in the Okanagan Charter:  

  1. Use settings and whole system approaches
  2. Ensure comprehensive and campus-wide approaches
  3. Use participatory approaches and engage the voices of students and others
  4. Develop transdisciplinary collaborations and cross-sector partnerships
  5. Promote research, innovation, and evidence-informed action
  6. Build on strengths
  7. Value local and indigenous communities’ contexts and priorities
  8. Act on an existing universal responsibility

 

Council Charge

The Sustainability Council exists to build a culture of sustainability at NMU. Members help coordinate and communicate sustainability-related projects and mobilize sustainability initiatives related to (1) curriculum and research, (2) campus operations, and (3) community engagement. 

 

Proposed Sub-Committees

  • Curriculum & Research

  • Campus Operations

  • Community Partnerships

  • Green Fund Review & Implementation

  • Strategic Planning & Initiatives

     

Meeting Frequency

  • Entire Council - meet at least twice per semester; a minimum of four meetings per academic year. 

  • Subcommittees - meet at least twice per semester; a minimum of four meetings per academic year (in addition to the meeting of the entire council). 

     

Council Membership

Standing Members

  • Assistant VP for Sustainability

  • Associate VP for Engineering & Planning / Facilities

  • Associate Director - Facilities, Building Services & Sustainability

  • Director, Center for Native American Studies

  • EcoReps Faculty Advisor

  • Sustainability Fellow

 

Students (up to 15)

  • SHINE interns

  • EcoReps Executive Director or designee

  • ASNMU President or designee

  • Student Athletic Council / Green Athletics Working Group Chair or designee

  • Environmental Sustainability Student Org Leaders (Conservation Crew, GTU, etc.) 

  • Diversity Student Org Leaders (BSU, NASA, ASU, Q&A, Feminism for All, etc.)

 

NMU Faculty and Staff (up to 15)

Representatives from each of the employee unions (AAUP, NMUFA, AP, TOP, AFSCME) College deans and/or department heads

 

Community Members (up to 5)

  • Regional Tribal Representatives KBIC, Sault, Hannahville, Bay Mills

  • Climate Adaptation Task Force

  • Environmental NGO representatives (Superior Watershed Partnership, Michigan Environmental Council, etc.)

  • City and County municipal government representatives

 

Regular Invited Guests

  • Vice President, People, Culture and WellBeing

  • AVP for Diversity & Inclusion

  • AVP for Wellbeing

  • Department Head, Earth Environment and Geographical Sciences

  • Chief Marketing Officer, or designee

 

Leadership: The Council shall elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary by simple majority vote at the last meeting of the academic year. The officers will assume their duties on July 1. The elected leaders will work with the AVP for Sustainability to set the Council’s meeting dates and agenda for the following academic year. 

 

Terms of Appointment: Faculty/staff members appointed in the first year will have randomly staggered terms from 1-3 years. However, once first-year membership is established, non-student members will be eligible for an additional three-year term. Student members are appointed for one year with renewal possible for up to 3 years. 

Categories: NMU, Sustainability, Council, SHINE,