ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for University of South Florida

Submitted on June 6, 2008; last updated on November 12, 2010

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification RU/VH: Research Universities (very high research activity)
Control Public
Location Tampa, FL
Community Setting Urban fringe of large city
USDOE Climate Zone 2
Current President or Chancellor's Name Judy Genshaft
Current President or Chancellor's Title President
Main Web Site http://www.usf.edu
Sustainability Web Site http://www.usf.edu/sustainability

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Christian Wells
Implementation Liaison's Title Director
Implementation Liaison's Department Office of Sustainability
Format of Structure Other
Number of Individuals in Structure 6
Stakeholder Groups Represented Faculty, Students, Executive, Staff
Description In 2006, Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Ralph Wilcox hired Dr. Linda Whiteford (Professor of Anthropology) to serve as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, identifying campus and community sustainability as one of the key target areas for development and investment. In 2007, Dr. Whiteford convened a Sustainability Initiative Steering Committee consisting of 30 faculty, staff, and students from across the university serving on 14 different subcommittees engaged in a wide array of sustainability initiatives on campus. In 2008, USF President Dr. Judy Genshaft signed the ACUPCC during the first annual Going Green Tampa Bay EXPO. In 2009, the Office of Sustainability was created by Provost Wilcox to manage USF's climate impact assessment and reporting, as well as to serve as the single point of contact for sustainability programs and activities for USF.

Tangible Actions

1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent.

No: No information provided.

2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.

Yes: The University has a group examining current purchasing standards and is examining how to implement such a program.

3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.

Yes: The university is currently developing structures for implementing this type of policy.

4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution.

Yes: The university currently provides significant mass transit options for faculty, staff, and students. Discounted transit options are available through public transportation.

5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources.

No: No information provided.

6. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested.

Yes: The university is currently in conversations with key individuals who can provide input on how to develop this policy appropriately.

7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.

Yes: The university has an active recycling program (since 1990) and has participated in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition.