2012/2013 - 01
PROPOSED MANDATE FOR UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
TITLE: Proposal to make the Institute for Environmental Stewardship permanent
OBJECTIVE: Review by Faculty Senate and University Council of a proposal to make the grantfunded Institute for Environmental Stewardship a permanent institute at Saint Joseph's
University.
REASONS FOR PROPOSED MANDATE: The Institute for Environmental Stewardship (IES)
was formed to oversee and coordinate the educational, research and community outreach efforts
funded by a $1 million Department of Energy grant to the College of Arts & Sciences in 2010.
The grant is now entering its final year and as the IES mission fits well with the university's
mission and strategic plan goals (see proposal) we request that it be made a permanent institute.
The SJU Guidelines for the Establishment of Centers and Institutes require that such proposals
be reviewed by both Faculty Senate and University Council and that is the reason for this
mandate.
RECOMMENDED FOR STUDY BY WHICH BODY?
__X_ Faculty Senate
_____ Faculty Senate:
Academic Policies and Procedures Committee
_____ Faculty Senate:
Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee
_____ College Council:
College of Arts and Sciences
_____ College Council:
Haub School of Business
_____ Standing Committee on Student Affairs, Full-time Undergraduate
_____ Standing Committee on Student Affairs, Part-time Undergraduate/Graduate
_____ Administrative/Staff Council
Signature:
______Michael P. McCann_______ Date:_____8/15/12_____
Please forward to the Provost who serves as Chair of the University Council, along with
complete documentation to substantiate the need for the proposed mandate.
Proposal to establish the Institute for Environmental Stewardship
Overview:
In 2010, Saint Joseph's University was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of
Energy in support of several projects. These projects were:
 the installation of an experimental vegetative roof system on the Science Center, as part
of the planned re-roofing of the building
 the support of research by Dr. Clint Springer (Biology) on the impact of changes in
precipitation, temperature and carbon dioxide levels upon the growth and development of
switch grass, a candidate plant for use as a renewable energy source
 educational outreach efforts to the local community regarding storm water management
and related issues
 the establishment of a permanent SJU Institute for Environmental Stewardship (IES)
To perform the work required by the grant award, a temporary organization, the Institute for
Environmental Stewardship (IES) was formed within SJU. The grant award has now entered the
third and final year and will conclude in June of 2013. Given that the goals and objectives of the
IES fit well with the SJU mission and long-range strategic plan, there is interest in exploring the
possibility of making the IES permanent. This document is the request for a formal review by
University Governance of the proposal to make the IES a permanent part of SJU.
Institute for Environmental Stewardship - Mission:
The IES is will serve as an interdisciplinary organization to support teaching, research and
scholarly work, and community outreach efforts, in all areas related to environmental
stewardship and sustainability. It is intended, first and foremost, as an academic unit, although it
will need to have close operational connections to non-academic units within SJU, such as
Facilities Management, Dining Services, etc., in order to fulfill its mission.
The mission of the IES is to promote socially, economically and ethically responsible
environmental stewardship within Saint Joseph’s University (SJU), the greater Philadelphia
Community and the region. As such, it is our institutional response to recent papal teaching that
emphasizes the connection between natural and human ecology, environmental justice, and
concern for creation and the poor and the vulnerable. The Institute seeks to fulfill its mission by:
1- Fostering interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary teaching efforts wherein environmental
stewardship and sustainability issues are addressed in a substantive way. Such teaching will
address the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability and our obligation,
as moral agents, to address these concerns. These efforts will be informed and guided by the
Catholic and Jesuit nature of Saint Joseph's University.
2 - Fostering research and scholarship that addresses issues of environmental stewardship and
sustainability. Such work will typically be multi-disciplinary, bringing together faculty, staff and
students from both CAS and HSB in collaborative efforts to address these critical issues. Again,
the Catholic and Jesuit traditions will provide crucial guidance shaping these efforts.
3 - Engaging the SJU community in educational outreach efforts both to bring our understanding
and ideas to a broader audience and also to learn from our neighbors as we work together to
address these issues.
4 - Internally promoting and advancing SJU operational practices that serve the greater good by
reducing our environmental impact in terms of energy use, resource consumption, waste
production, etc. By implementing these best practices in our business operations, Saint Joseph’s
can demonstrate to our students, faculty, staff and alumni the viability of such practices, with
emphasis upon their economic benefits as well as their direct positive environmental impact.
Given this mission, the proposed IES seems to be appropriately classified as an
Academic/Research Institute, according to the "Classification of Centers and Institutes” (pages 1
and 2) of the "Centers & Institutes Policy."
Relationship to Plan 2020:
The proposed IES strongly advances Plan 2020 in a number of ways:
Academic Distinction and Transformative Student Experience:
I. Academic Distinction:
1. Academic Challenge and Curricular Innovation
Goal H: Encourage students to be initiators, collaborators and leaders in
interdisciplinary inquiry and problem-solving.
Goal I: Encourage a classroom and campus environment that energizes
students’ curiosity and creativity.
Goal K: Recognize Institutes and Centers as assets and strengthen those
currently in existence; explore the establishment of new academic centers and
institutes such as . . . the Institute for Environmental Stewardship.
3. Ethical Leadership
Goal C: Offer a rich array of coordinated programs through the institutes
on campus with an ethical focus . . .
4. Student Research
Goal E: Develop discipline/program specific training on how to frame
and present discipline-specific research in all majors . . .
Goal G: Host conferences or symposiums highlighting student and faculty
research, mentoring and presentations.
5. Experiential Learning
Goal C: Enhance opportunities . . . which could include a wide array of
components such as on-campus courses, internships, co-op experience, student
teaching, field trip courses and travel courses.
Goal D: Increase number of student-based experiential projects, including
on-campus experiences that can also assist academic and administrative
departments.
6. Multicultural and Global Perspectives
Goal A: Increase the number of courses with diversity, global and nonWestern subjects to meet the needs of the new General Education Program.
Goal B: Recruit and retain students, faculty and staff with wider
multicultural perspectives.
Goal C: Continue to focus education on issues affecting the global
community including the environment, sustainability, health, education, regional
conflict and wealth/poverty.
Goal D: Develop corporate partnerships which enable faculty, students
and corporate leaders to interact on global research topics.
II. Transformative Student Experience:
1. Implement Transformative Learning Goals
Goal C: Assist students in realizing a satisfying and productive life.
Goal D: Provide opportunities for servant leadership focused on social
justice.
5. Provide Positive Athletic and Recreational Opportunities
Goal D: Develop personal responsibility for healthy, physically active
lifestyles among all members of the SJU community.
Mission and Identity:
Goal 5: Infuse aspects of mission and diversity throughout all curricula (undergraduate,
graduate and PLS), including Catholic Social Ethics, interreligious dialogue, dialogues on
race and contemporary culture, social values, faith-based traditions of social justice, civic
engagement and sustainability.
Goal 6: Continue to build upon and evolve the Faith-Justice focus by developing
additional service learning courses, including reflection on all service experiences, and
promoting community-based research.
Goal 11: Develop educational experiences to engage incoming students and faculty in
deeper dialogues on race and contemporary diversity issues that impact U.S. culture and
history (e.g., academic orientation, PSIP, first-year seminars).
Global and Community Engagement:
I. Local Focus
Goal 2: Define and implement a comprehensive community relations strategy
based on a reciprocity model. . . . Based on this shared understanding of needs,
expand collaborative community programs that build on Saint Joseph's strengths
and expertise in order to meet needs and maximize positive impact.
Goal 4: Coordinate and focus community engagement and investment in the
University’s local neighborhoods and, more broadly, in the Philadelphia region in
order to maximize impact.
II Regional Focus
Goal 7: Expand internal and external awareness of Saint Joseph’s community
investments by communicating frequently and providing recognition programs to
highlight and reward model programs and contributions.
III. National and Global Focus:
Goal 8: Provide global exposure and educational opportunities to participate in
efforts to facilitate peace and social justice, particularly in developing countries.
Goal 9: Provide direct opportunities for service for students, faculty, staff, and
alumni in regions, national and international efforts for peace and social justice by
extending the number and types of immersion trips to developing nations for
faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Goal 10: Be recognized for leadership in the areas of peace and social justice
regionally and, wherever possible, nationally and internationally.
Financial Health
Goal 10: Continue significant capital investments through the budget process to address
facilities and technology infrastructure improvements critical to achieving Plan 2020
goals, including the Campus Master Plan revision and the Information Technology
Strategic Plan update.
Proposed Institute Structure:
The proposed structure for the Institute for Environmental Stewardship would be as follows:
Director:
Qualifications: The director would be a faculty member from within the natural science
departments of Saint Joseph's University (either a current faculty member or one recruited by a
national search, see below). The reason for this is that the director will need the technical
expertise to oversee the operation, maintenance, and use--for teaching and research purposes--of
infrastructure facilities such as the experimental green roof system on the Science Center that
will be part of the IES. The director will be expected to pursue extramural grant funding, and the
most probable source for such support will be in areas relating to the natural sciences.
Responsibilities: The Director will have a 50% teaching position (nine contact hours per
year). The balance of their position will be serving as the Director of the IES and managing
related functions (see below). The specific courses that the Director would teach will be
determined in consultation with the Director's department chair.
The Director of the IES will also serve as the ex officio Chair of the SJU Sustainability
Committee. The reason for this is because 1) the Chair of the Sustainability Committee should
be the central nexus for promoting sustainable business and operating practices at SJU, and 2)
the Director of IES should facilitate the integration of those practices with the teaching and
research efforts of the Institute. The most effective way to accomplish the goals of the
Sustainability Committee and of the Institute is to have the same person serve in both capacities.
Relationship to Environmental Science Program:
We propose that the Interdisciplinary Environmental Science Program (which oversees
the major in Environmental Science and the minors in Environmental Science and in
Environmental and Sustainability Studies) form a close partnership with the Institute for
Environmental Stewardship, with the Director of the Environmental Science Program serving as
Assistant Director of the IES. (The relationship of the Interdisciplinary Healthcare Ethics Minor
to the Institute for Catholic Bioethics is analogous.)
Such a relationship will provide several benefits:
1. By connecting the Environmental Sciences program to the IES, the internal academic
and educational goals of the Institute can be more easily achieved.
a. It is important to note that the Environmental Science Program will continue
under the guidance of the internal faculty advisory board and that the partnership
between the Program and the Institute is not meant to alter the oversight of the
academic program.
2. By combining the resources and expertise of the IES and the Environmental Sciences
programs, securing external funding will be facilitated.
Relationship to Other Academic Programs at SJU:
As the IES will be a broad, interdisciplinary Institute, and as there are a wide-variety of
existing courses, programs and majors in both colleges (the Leadership, Ethics, and
Organizational Sustainability major in HSB, courses in Economics, History, Philosophy,
Political Science, Theology and other areas in CAS, the graduate program in Environmental
Protections and Safety Management, etc) that directly or indirectly relate to issues of
environmental stewardship, we propose that the IES reach out to all interested areas to explore
similar partnerships to that proposed with Environmental Science to support educational,
research, community service and other initiatives as appropriate.
IES Advisory Boards:
The Institute for Environmental Stewardship would be guided by two advisory boards,
one external and one internal. The external board would draw upon SJU alums and friends of the
university to provide advice and guidance for the direction of the institute's efforts, especially in
terms of preparing SJU students for future careers, pursuing funding for institute projects, and
engaging in community outreach efforts. The internal board would consist of SJU faculty, staff
and students, and would play a primary role in guiding the academic and educational efforts of
the institute within SJU.
Both boards would be advisory in nature. The external board is expected ultimately to
consist of 10 - 12 members. The director, in consultation with the Provost, the Deans, the
Development Office and the members of the internal advisory board, would select external board
members on the basis of: a) their knowledge of, and interest in, issues relating to environmental
stewardship and sustainability, b) their knowledge and support of SJU and its mission, and c)
their ability to assist in fund-raising and related efforts for the institute. Terms will be for three
years and will be renewable.
The internal advisory board would also be 10 - 12 members. The largest single group
would be SJU faculty (with at least one representative from each division or unit in the two
colleges - Business, Education, Humanities, Natural Science, and the Social Sciences, for a total
of at least five faculty representatives). In addition, there will administrative, staff, and student
representation (two or three representatives from each of those groups). Members of the internal
advisory board will be recruited based on: a) their knowledge of, and interest in, issues relating
to environmental stewardship and sustainability, b) their interest in developing and supporting
educational, research and scholarly efforts relating to sustainability and stewardship at SJU, and
c) their interest and expertise in developing and executing educational outreach and other
community efforts. Terms will be for three years and will be renewable, except for the student
representatives. Student terms will be for one year and will be renewable.
Selection of the Initial and Subsequent Directors:
Once the Institute is fully established and operating, it is expected that the director's
position will be filled by a national search for a faculty member (at advanced rank) in the natural
sciences with expertise in interdisciplinary work in sustainability. This search will be open to
internal candidates as well. The ideal director will have significant teaching experience, an
established research/scholarly agenda (ideally relating to sustainability), experience in Facilities
Management and/or other business operations relating to a university, etc. As described above,
the director would have a 50% teaching load with the balance of their time committed to the IES
and its operations.
The search for this director would, of necessity, be more complex than in the normal
recruitment of a faculty member. The search committee would be comprised of faculty from the
three natural science departments and faculty representation from the other three divisions of the
university. It would also include representation from academic administration. Given that this is
a faculty position, the prospective home department would grant final approval of any candidate
to be housed in its department. Such a candidate would then be expected to go through the
normal rank and tenure processes as per the Faculty Handbook.
In the near term, in the absence of funding for such a position, the Associate Dean for the
Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science division will serve as the initial director
with no compensation. He is currently serving as the director of the DOE grant and will continue
to oversee these operations until funding is secured for a permanent faculty director.
Space Needs:
Other than the need for office and research space for the permanent director, no
additional space or facilities are needed or requested. Obviously the existing infrastructure
components (the green roof on the Science Center, etc) will need to be maintained and be
accessible to students, faculty and staff for educational and research purposes, but no additional
facilities needs are anticipated at this time.
Budget
Year one – 2013-14 (FY14): $21,500
With the appointment of the Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences as the initial Director, operating
funds of $21,500 will be needed to manage initial projects after the grant is completed.
1 - a fall educational event for SJU students, faculty and staff addressing an issue relating
to sustainability ($2000 total for speaker honoraria, travel, food, advertising, etc.) This would
involve several presentations by internal and external speakers [internal speakers would not
receive honoraria] analogous to the storm water management workshop we held with Lower
Merion Conservancy through the DOE grant, each workshop cost about $2000 - $2500 total)
2 - Earth week educational events in the spring (during Earth week) for students, faculty
and staff ($4000 total for speaker honoraria, travel, food, advertising, etc). There would be
multiple events over the course of the week for students, faculty and staff involving internal and
external speakers, demonstrations, etc. The events would likely begin before Earth work and
continue through it. A primary goal would be to have events that are tied to existing courses so
as to ensure a good audience.
3 - Continue the public outreach program in conjunction with the Lower Merion
Conservancy that was started with the two storm water workshops in 2011-2012. Host at least
one such workshop in '13 - '14 ($2500 total for speaker honoraria, travel, food, advertising, etc.).
This workshop will be open to the SJU community as well.
4 - Establish a summer workshop on integrating sustainability into existing SJU courses
modeled on the Scranton sustainability workshop. The requested funds ($9000) will be used for
faculty honoraria for participating ($1,000 each for six faculty, totaling $4500), honoraria for
presenters (up to $1500), food and incidentals. The faculty who participate in year one will
become the primary presenters for year two, and so forth. Participating faculty will attend a twoday workshop with internal and external presenters (in May or June) and will then re-convene for
a morning session (a month later) during which they share out their proposed syllabi for the
courses indicating where and how they will integrate sustainability topics. The remainder of the
money (about $1000) will be used for small grants for faculty to obtain materials, supplies, etc
needed to address the sustainability topics in their courses the next year.
5 - The balance of the funds ($4000) will be used for graduate assistantships. The
graduate assistants will be tasked with developing and implementing new programmatic efforts
(i.e. using work study students to expand the recycling program pick ups into the residence halls
- develop a plan to locate recycling collection bins in each suite in LaFarge (as a trial) and use
work studies to provide the labor for the collections. The ultimate goal is to develop a selfsupporting system with "senior" work study students acting as managers to ensure first and
second year work study students are doing the collections - this will allow expansion of recycling
program at little additional cost to the university).
Summary Year One – 2013-14 (FY14):
Operating funds:
1 - Fall 2013 sustainability event
$2,000
2- Earth Week Spring 2014
$4,000
3- Outreach- Lower Merion Conservancy $2,500
4- Faculty Summer Workshop 2014 $9,000
5- Graduate Assistantship stipends
$5,000
$21,500
Year two – 2014-15 (FY15): $ 125,000
Grant income: The current economic/government funding climate makes predictions of such
funding difficult. Opportunities for energy efficiency grants through DOE, educational grants
through private foundations, etc. exist but accurate predictions are not possible. The IES will
aggressively pursue such opportunities as they become available.
Expenses:
Director salary + benefits $100,000 (Assoc. Professor @ $75K plus 32% benefits)
Start up (computer, etc.)
$5,000
Total new funds FY15
$105,000
Year three – 2015-17 (FY16): $133,105
Grant income: Same as above, the IES would continue to pursue opportunities as they become
available but it is very hard to make any meaningful predictions.
Director salary + benefits
ongoing
Additional operating funds $5,000
Total additional in FY16
$5,000