The Chancellor’s Environment, Sustainability and Resilience Commission has formed a new council to guide implementation of the university’s sustainability master plan.

The Environment, Sustainability and Resilience Council launched in 2022. Outlined in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Environment, Sustainability and Resilience master plan, the council will work with the commission to lead and support efforts that further progress toward sustainability goals.

Council members, all designated by the university’s executive leadership team, are:

• Mike Boehm, vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources;
• Jane Ferreyra, director of the University of Nebraska Press;
• Charlie Foster, specialist assistant to the vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion;
• Dave Gosselin, co-chair of the commission and director of Environmental and Sustainability Studies;
• Amy Goodburn, senior associate vice chancellor and dean of undergraduate education;
• Morgan Hartman, co-chair of the commission, university’s sustainability coordinator;
• John Ingram, associate athletic director of capital planning and construction;
• Josh Overocker, associate vice chancellor for student affairs; and
• Chris Walsh, executive director of university operations.

Reorganized by Chancellor Ronnie Green in 2019, the Chancellor’s Environment, Sustainability and Resilience Commission provides strategic recommendations related to the environmental, social, and economic well-being of the university and its stakeholders. The commission also promotes the achievement of N2025 aims related to the responsible stewardship of resources.

The commission’s initial task was the development of a master plan that outlines the university’s strategic vision related to environment, sustainability, and resilience areas. Adopted in 2020, the master plan outlines the university’s sustainability goals, guiding the institution toward a sustainability-centric culture.

Since adoption of the master plan, the university has made significant progress toward its goals. Those advancements include:

• Adoption of the “All in the Hall” recycling standards;
• Creating a new central location for the Office of Sustainability;
• Landscape Services earning its reaccreditation;
• Students participate in Project Energy Nebraska; and
• Students organizing a successful Earthstock celebration.

Students, faculty and staff are key contributors to these successes, a reflection of the campus community’s commitment to advancing sustainability. The results of a 2022 survey on the state of resilience and sustainability at the university showed that more than 70% of faculty, staff and student respondents felt that the university is committed to sustainability and resilience as a university-wide goal.

The commission will continue to impact sustainability efforts through an evolving role as sustainability ambassadors, peer educators and conduits of information within their respective units on campus. The campus community is encouraged to reach out to council and commission members to share ideas regarding sustainability.

How to get involved

As the university continues to pursue increased sustainability, campus community members can help make a difference! Here are a few opportunities:

• Become a member of the commission by sending email to sustainability@unl.edu;

• Sign up for the sustainability newsletter ;

• Follow the Office of Sustainability on Twitter and Instagram for the most up-to-date information on sustainability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln;

• Attend the commission’s Lunch and Learn events hosted monthly throughout the academic year. These events focus on why sustainability is the smart choice for the university and how the university is committed to sustainability through presentations by university community members leading various efforts that encourage progress. Keep an eye out for those on the events page.