Hi, Missy.

As sustainability coordinator, I report directly to the president at our small college here in Maine.  This report serves two key functions (with lots of other benefits): 1., it keeps sustainability at the forefront of the president's agenda (our president happens to be great champion for sustainability, but our weekly meeting keeps us on the same page); 2., it gives me an organization-wide perspective on sustainability programming -- a sense of how my work fits into the overall picture of the institution.  I'm happy to discuss this reporting structure and how it's worked for us.

Jesse, Unity College in Maine

Two Vice-Chancellors         

I serve as Director of Sustainability at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (13,000 students) and report to two Vice-Chancellors: The Vice-Chancellor for Administrative Services (CFO) and the Provost/Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.  

I reported directly to the Chancellor for a special project, our Climate Action Plan for ACUPCC.  My supervisors have requested I brief the Chancellor on other topics and initiatives (e.g.  a major tree-planting collaboration with our city).

The logic behind the dual-reporting is to ensure we balance our needs in operations, teaching, research and outreach.  I have a monthly review with these two vice-chancellors and the Campus Sustainability Council co-chairs (again balanced with one from academics and one from operations).

Mike Lizotte

Hi Missy,

I apologize for just now weighing in. I saw your question on the bottom of an AASHE newsletter and felt I had an opinion or two to share...hopefully it's still relevant for you.

I report to 2 Vice Presidents, one of which is the Executive VP of Administrative Services and Campus Operations and the other is the VP of Academic Affairs. We're a large community college, but don't have chancellor's as in Mike's example. But our logic is about the same. We also have faculty release time faculty members working on curriculum development and I help support that which supports the Academic Affairs reporting logic as well. Otherwise, I am an office of 1 and enjoy my reporting structure. I try to meet weekly with both of them and then monthly as a trio.

While there could be some benefit of reporting directly to our President, I feel that by going to two VPs I am able to cover more ground more quickly. They are fully supportive and give me a lot of autonomy. When a big project comes up, I am sometimes asked to present to the entire executive leadership team: all VPs, the President and our CFO. We involve them as much as possible in big projects so that the message of importance and priority is echoed across departments and the community .

We also have a Green Team comprised of students, staff and faculty which both VPs sit on. We have 2 co-chairs, one from faculty and one from student life. And I serve the Team similarly as our President serves our Board.

That is about it for reporting and governance. If you have any questions feel free to email or call me directly.

Sustainably yours,
Stephenie

Stephenie Presseller

Sustainability Manager
Moraine Valley Community College
9000 W. College Parkway, T-100
Palos Hills, IL 60465
Phone: (708) 974-5412
www.morainevalley.edu/sustainability