“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

Sandra Lynn Neuse, MBA, REM, CHMMEH&S Program ManagerBoard of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Guiding College/University Environmental Performance:

A System Perspective

“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

OutlineOutline

About the University System of Georgia About the University System of Georgia EH&S Program StructureEH&S Program Structure Common Compliance Areas & System Common Compliance Areas & System

ResourcesResources EMS & SustainabilityEMS & Sustainability

“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

University University System of System of GeorgiaGeorgia(USG)(USG)

“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

USG FactsUSG Facts

>253,000 Students >253,000 Students 89.7% GA residents89.7% GA residents

9,000 faculty9,000 faculty 35,000 staff35,000 staff

7%

13%

10%

1%

11%

32%

6%

20%

GIT

UGA

GSU

MCG

RegionalUniversitiesStateUniversitiesState Colleges

Two YearColleges…7 consecutive years of

enrollment increases

“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

USG Facts (continued)USG Facts (continued)

67 million ft67 million ft22 of space of space 3,000 buildings 3,000 buildings

700 >50 years old700 >50 years old >9,000 laboratories>9,000 laboratories 79 USTs 79 USTs 93 ASTs93 ASTs

“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

USG Governance StructureUSG Governance Structure

18 Regents: 7 year terms18 Regents: 7 year terms Chancellor: Chief Executive OfficerChancellor: Chief Executive Officer Presidents selected by RegentsPresidents selected by Regents

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EH&S StructureEH&S Structure

““Strategic Plan for Environmental Strategic Plan for Environmental Compliance" adopted by Regents in 1994Compliance" adopted by Regents in 1994

Recognized need to integrate EH&S Recognized need to integrate EH&S planning into every level of decision planning into every level of decision making making

Established 10 “guiding principles” that Established 10 “guiding principles” that apply to all USG institutions apply to all USG institutions

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EH&S PrinciplesEH&S Principles

PolicyPolicy Compliance commitmentCompliance commitment

PlanningPlanning Facility construction Facility construction

Pollution preventionPollution prevention Energy efficiencyEnergy efficiency Sustainable developmentSustainable development

Source: C2E2.org

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EH&S PrinciplesEH&S Principles

ImplementationImplementation AuthorityAuthority

• EHS coordinatorEHS coordinator ProceduresProcedures TrainingTraining

Review/ImproveReview/Improve Program reviewsProgram reviews

Source: C2E2.org

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BOR EH&S StaffBOR EH&S Staff

Serve as central resource for institution Serve as central resource for institution EH&S staffEH&S staff

Create policies and guidelines Create policies and guidelines Provide compliance assistance Provide compliance assistance Interface with regulatory agenciesInterface with regulatory agencies Offer training opportunitiesOffer training opportunities Develop resourcesDevelop resources

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Common Compliance AreasCommon Compliance Areas

Hazardous/universal wastesHazardous/universal wastes Asbestos/lead based paintAsbestos/lead based paint Storm water discharges Storm water discharges

associated with constructionassociated with construction Fuel storage tanks/SPCCFuel storage tanks/SPCC C&D wastesC&D wastes Property assessmentsProperty assessments

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System EH&S ResourcesSystem EH&S Resources

Web siteWeb site Online trainingOnline training

MeetingsMeetings Held quarterly around the stateHeld quarterly around the state

Technical assistance visits Technical assistance visits GrantsGrants

PP22AD, EPA, GEMAAD, EPA, GEMA

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www.usg.edu/ehs

“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

What’s NextWhat’s Next

Development of formal, institution-specific Development of formal, institution-specific Environmental Management Systems Environmental Management Systems (EMS)(EMS) USEPA letter & regional initiativesUSEPA letter & regional initiatives P2AD Partnership/Performance TrackP2AD Partnership/Performance Track

Continued progress towards more Continued progress towards more sustainable campusessustainable campuses

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Challenges to EMS/SustainabilityChallenges to EMS/Sustainability

Enrollment growthEnrollment growth ResourcesResources Awareness / understanding of conceptsAwareness / understanding of concepts Decentralized structures – academic and Decentralized structures – academic and

operational ‘silos’operational ‘silos’ Integration of EH&S into core missionIntegration of EH&S into core mission Need for more campus champions Need for more campus champions

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EMS Development EffortsEMS Development Efforts PP22AD Partnership ProgramAD Partnership Program

BOR joined as charter “White Ribbon” partner in 2004BOR joined as charter “White Ribbon” partner in 2004 GSU and GSW have since joined the programGSU and GSW have since joined the program

Encouraging EMS development via:Encouraging EMS development via: Leveraging PLeveraging P22AD & PEER Center resources to AD & PEER Center resources to

provide training to institutionsprovide training to institutions Pursuing ways to help offset costs to institutionsPursuing ways to help offset costs to institutions Developing web-based metrics and assessment tool Developing web-based metrics and assessment tool

to help identify aspects/impactsto help identify aspects/impacts

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Sustainability EffortsSustainability Efforts Initial focus on sustainable buildingsInitial focus on sustainable buildings

Promote existing “green buildings”Promote existing “green buildings” Create sustainable design guidelines and life Create sustainable design guidelines and life

cycle costing toolscycle costing tools Track and communicate related successesTrack and communicate related successes

UGA – biodiesel use; rain gardens UGA – biodiesel use; rain gardens GIT – stormwater collectionGIT – stormwater collection

“Creating A More Educated Georgia” www.usg.edu

Sandra Lynn Neuse, MBA, REM, CHMMEH&S Program ManagerBoard of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Guiding College/University Environmental Performance:

A System Perspective

"Informed decision-making designed to preserve our "Informed decision-making designed to preserve our campus' natural beauty, while simultaneously making the campus' natural beauty, while simultaneously making the most efficient use of limited resources, translates into good most efficient use of limited resources, translates into good sense for the future of our University."  sense for the future of our University."  President Michael L. Hanes, Ph.D.President Michael L. Hanes, Ph.D.