In April 2009, the first UNC Focus Forward Conference was supposed to occur. When the conference was first planned in August 2008, a mandate to comply with a UNC-wide sustainability policy was to be in place by November, making this April conference a reasonable time to discuss how to incorporate sustainability into the mission and operations of all UNC campuses. Unfortunately the economic downturn and a delay in adopting a UNC sustainability policy both contributed to low registration for the event and thus the event had to be cancelled. The UNC General Administration is now saying the sustainability policy will be presented to the Board of Governors in the Fall 2009.

Future Plans: We would like to compile presentations created for the cancelled conference or others related to the theme, in an on-line, multi-media format to serve as a portal of resources for all UNC schools. We believe that sharing our knowledge and highlighting best practices is important. The UNC FOCUS FORWARD will now be an online portal for providing sustainability guidance to all UNC schools.

We are issuing a call to every UNC institution: Send us your power points, white papers, case studies, pictures, descriptive narratives, videos, and anything else we can upload and share! We know many of you are facing the same challenges. We also know you have some inspiring success stories. The UNC FOCUS FORWARD website will highlight your best practices in sustainability and provide a valuable, easily accessible resource for the entire UNC system. We are looking for as many submissions as we can get so that we can kick-off soon. Please pass this message on to the students, staff, and faculty who are sustainability champions at your school! We are seeking accounts of your approach to sustainability integration in the following areas:

• Master Planning,
• Design & Construction,
• Operations & Maintenance,
• Climate Change Mitigation & Renewable Energy,
• Dining Services,
• Social Justice,
• Transportation,
• Recycling & Waste Management,
• Purchasing,
• Partnerships with communities,
• Integration of sustainability in academics.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Dining Services was selected by the Committee as last year’s “Champion of Sustainability”!

Anna Marshall Baker received the “Founder’s Award” for her tireless efforts in service to the UNCG Committee on Sustainability.

“Sustainability is an approach to discovering and implementing a balance of economic and social equity with ecological awareness in order to minimize damage to the environment caused by human activity.”

Mission

To shape a legacy of ecological stewardship, social equity, and prosperity for future generations.

Charge

To identify and recommend responsible and sustainable practices in all aspects of our institutional culture, including operational activities, academic programs and community relationships.