One VCU Sustainability Plan development
In 2022, more than 100 subject-matter experts and key stakeholders across VCU, VCU Health and the local community, embarked on a planning process to create a holistic and evidenced-based sustainability plan. Throughout the planning process, this team of passionate experts prioritized engaging with more than 1500 community members to understand VCU’s priorities as well as its challenges as they relate to sustainability initiatives. Through their outreach, new partnerships emerged as did fresh perspectives.
Guiding principles
Established principles guided the process for developing the One VCU Sustainability Plan.
- Collaboration. Inclusive engagement from the VCU and VCU Health communities.
- Strategy. Goals aligned with VCU’s strategic plan Quest 2028: Together we Transform.
- Evidence-based research. Research, data and science-driven priorities and recommendations.
- Local and global impact. Careful consideration for how this plan impacts VCU’s mission, local communities, the nation and the world.
- Meaningful and achievable goal setting. Prioritized initiatives and commitments based on impact and feasibility.
- Transparency. Connecting openly and often through communications and engagement opportunities.
Focus areas
Drawing on scientific consensus regarding global climate change and its regional impacts, survey feedback, and best practices in higher education and other fields, the focus areas were developed to address the pressing challenges facing our institution and community. The majority of plan development is attributed to five working groups charged with taking a deep dive into specific topics, studying the current state of sustainability at the university and health system, and recommending goals, strategies and initiatives to include in the One VCU Sustainability Plan. Working groups consisted of subject-matter experts and student interns. A full list of working group members can be found in the acknowledgements section.
Biodiversity and campus ecology
Biodiversity – the variety of life in all its forms and interactions – is omnipresent on urban campuses, in the James River watershed and beyond. Understanding this rich biodiversity and campus ecology (the relationship of organisms and their environment) allows us to explore how to coexist with nature, give it the space and protection it needs to thrive, and also benefit from its presence.
Campus environmental impact
As a large, urban institution with a prominent footprint in Richmond, VCU and VCU Health have the opportunity as well as the responsibility to provide leadership by making decisions that will preserve natural resources and the environment for future generations. VCU is responsible for managing the energy and emissions, water consumption and waste generated by the facilities and operations supporting its growing community, teaching and research activity, and comprehensive healthcare.
Environmental equity, partnerships and engagement
At VCU and VCU Health, we have a responsibility to understand sustainability issues and opportunities that exist at the intersection of the environment, economy and equity. This working group created and supported the Community Advisory Committee with the mission of developing and implementing a plan that is informed by community input.
Health and well-being
Well-being is the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. Well-being consists of eight areas: physical, emotional, financial, occupational, intellectual, environmental, social and spiritual. This working group explored the challenge of building a sustainable structure and framework for health and well-being at VCU and VCU Health as it relates to the integration of programs and policy approaches to benefit patients, employees and a more resilient community.
Teaching, research and innovation
Teaching, research and innovation are central to VCU’s identity as a premier research university and academic medical center. Through its commitment to providing high quality healthcare, conducting cutting-edge research and educating the next generation, VCU endeavors to provide the resources and tools needed to help build a sustainable future.
Acknowledgements
Developing a comprehensive sustainability plan is a team effort, especially for an institution of VCU’s size and complexity. More than 100 VCU and VCU Health employees, students and local community members actively contributed to this effort through our governance committees, advisory committees and working groups. Without their commitment, leadership and expertise, this plan would not have been possible. A full list of committee members can be found in the acknowledgements section. Governance for the One VCU Sustainability Plan development included the following:
Executive committee
The executive committee consisted of VCU and VCU Health leaders who provided input during the development process and established high-level priorities in alignment with their respective missions and the VCU strategic plan, Quest 2028: Together we Transform. Looking ahead, the executive committee will provide leadership to implement the plan and advocate for the goals set in the plan.
Team members:
- Marlon Levy, M.D., senior vice president, VCU Health Sciences and interim CEO, VCU Health System
- P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president, VCU Research and Innovation
- Ralph Rios, vice president of support services, VCU Health, co-chair
- Michael Roussos, president, VCU Medical Center
- Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, VCU Office of the Provost
- Meredith Weiss, Ph.D., senior vice president for finance and administration and CFO, VCU, co-chair
Development committee
The development committee consisted of students and employees from VCU and VCU Health, and included those who served as co-chairs of each of the five working groups. Their primary responsibility was to guide the development of the plan, create strategic goals and guiding principles, review working group recommendations, and make sound recommendations to the executive committee.
Team members
- Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., professor for health behavior and policy, VCU School of Medicine, Faculty Senate representative
- Stephen Barr, director of business services, VCU Business Services
- Sara Barton, senior manager of sustainability programs and policy, VCU Sustainability, environmental equity, partnerships and engagement working group co-chair
- David Berdish, instructor, term faculty, supply chain management and analytics, VCU School of Business, advisory co-chair and environmental issues working group co-chair
- Jay Bonfili, M.P.A., senior associate vice president for health sciences, finance and administration, VCU
- Tom Briggs, assistant vice president, VCU Safety and Risk Management
- Carlos Brown, executive director of support services, VCU Health, environmental issues working group co-chair
- Nathan Cunningham, MPH, director of patient experience, VCU Health, environmental equity, partnerships and engagement working group co-chair
- Michael S. Donnenberg, M.D., professor of internal medicine, microbiology and immunology, biochemistry and molecular biology; senior associate dean for research and training; director, medical scientist training program; VCU School of Internal Medicine; teaching, research and innovation working group co-chair
- Jeff Eastman, university planner, VCU Planning and Design
- Lisa Ellis, MS, MD, MCAP, associate professor, VCU School of Medicine Internal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, health and well-being working group co-chair
- Jesse Goldstein, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology, VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty Senate representative
- Puru Jena, Ph.D., distinguished professor of theoretical condensed matter and theoretical nanoscience, VCU Department of Physics, teaching, research and innovation working group co-chair
- Ann Kildahl, Ph.D., director, VCU Sustainability, co-chair
- John McHugh, director, VCU Procurement Services
- Michael McNeely, vice president of finance, VCU Health
- Steve Montgomery, operations manager, Plant Operations, VCU Health
- William Nelson, executive director of academic finance and administration, VCU Office of the Provost
- Brett Neville, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, associate vice president, associate chief nursing officer, VCU Health
- Josh Plauny, senior director, supply chain, VCU Health
- Robert (Bobby) Scott, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, VCU School of Medicine student
- Larry Shirts, director, support services, plant operations & maintenance, VCU Health, biodiversity and campus ecology working group co-chair
- Amanda Simmons, associate director for facilities & operations, VCU Recreation and Well-Being, Staff Senate appointee
- Rich Sliwoski, associate vice president, VCU Facilities Management
- Josh Stone, CAPP, executive director, VCU Parking and Transportation
- Paul Thrift, grounds superintendent, VCU Facilities Operations, biodiversity and campus ecology working group co-chair
- Rob Tombes, Ph.D., vice provost, VCU Life Sciences and Research
- Suzi Weaver, M.S., director for operations and wellness, VCU Employee Health Services, and health and well-being working group co-chair
Advisory committee
The advisory committee consisted of advocates from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, including employees and students from VCU and VCU Health. The committee provided critical operational and academic feedback throughout the development of the plan.
Team members
- Daniel Albrecht-Mallinger, assistant professor, VCU Center for Environmental Studies
- Lauren Bailey, project manager, VCU Planning & Design
- Sarah Barber, project manager, VCU Planning & Design
- Orina Chen, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Andria Davis, MBA, CMRP, director, supply chain operations, VCU Health
- Dean Hendricks, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Corin Hewitt, professor, Department of Sculpture + Extended Media, VCUarts
- Jonathan Jones, Ph.D., assistant professor, VCU Center for Environmental Studies
- Nitin Kanuri, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Kevin Last, program manager capital programs, VCU Health
- Parker Long, manager of sustainability administration and operations, VCU Sustainability
- Trey Mount, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- William R. Muth, Ph.D., professor emeritus, teaching and learning, VCU School of Education
- William Neston, manager, food and nutrition services, VCU Health
- Hank Papiernik, operating room, VCU Health
- Roxanna Rafat, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Jade Shull, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Adam Silvis, senior director of food & nutrition, VCU Health
- Carissa Trieu, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Christine Wellstood, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Jim Welsh, director for environmental services, VCU Health
- Mark D. Wood, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU School of World Studies
- Wilhelm Zuelzer, MD, Orthopedic Surgery, VCU Health
Working groups
Working groups consisted of a variety of experts from VCU and VCU Health who specialized in one of five focus areas. Each working group included student interns.
Campus environmental impact
- David Berdish, instructor, term faculty, supply chain management and analytics, VCU School of Business, advisory co-chair and environmental issues working group co-chair
- Carlos Brown, executive director of support services, VCU Health, environmental issues working group co-chair
- Lauren Bailey, project manager, VCU Planning & Design
- Anya Baranova, biotechnology professional, Ambulatory Surgery Center, VCU Health
- Sarah Barber, project manager, VCU Planning & Design
- Sylvia Britt, director for support services and contract management, VCU Facilities Operations
- Orina Chen, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Andria Davis, MBA, CMRP, director, supply chain operations, VCU Health
- Jane Hagen, sustainability data coordinator, VCU Sustainability
- Nitin Kanuri, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Mike Risley, analytics engineer, VCU Engineering & Utilities
- Larry Shirts, director for support services, plant operations & maintenance, VCU Health
- Gabe Susca-Lopata, energy manager, VCU Engineering & Utilities
- Mike Trzesniowski, director, VCU Engineering & Utilities
Biodiversity and campus ecology
- Daniel Albrecht-Mallinger, assistant professor, VCU Center for Environmental Studies
- Larry Shirts, director, support services, plant operations & maintenance, VCU Health
- Paul Thrift, grounds superintendent, VCU Facilities Operations, co-chair
- Sara Barton, senior manager for sustainability programs and policy, VCU Sustainability
- Dan Carr, assistant professor, VCU Department of Biology
- Dean Hendricks, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Jade Shull, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Keith Van Inwegen, assistant director of planning and design, VCU Planning & Design
- Catherine Viverette, Ph.D., assistant professor, VCU Center for Environmental Studies
Health and well-being
- Lisa Ellis, MS, MD, MCAP, associate professor, VCU School of Medicine Internal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, health and well-being working group co-chair
- Suzi Weaver, M.S., director for operations and wellness, VCU Employee Health Services, and health and well-being working group co-chair
- Dana Burns, D.N.P., RN, FNP-BP, clinical associate professor, VCU School of Nursing
- Theresa Erichsen, RN, BSN, FACCE, LCCE, IBCLC, co-founder and executive director, VCU Health Orchestra
- Karen Landrum, LCSW, CEAP, Employee Assistance Program manager, Department of Psychiatry, VCU Health
- Trey Mount, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Cindi Phares, program manager for employee recognition and well-being, VCU Human Resources
- Trisha Saunders, EdD, NCC, associate director for programs and assessment, VCU Recreation and Well-being
- Curt Sessler, MD, FCCP, FCCM, associate chair of faculty development, VCU Internal Medicine
- Robert (Bobby) Scott, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, VCU School of Medicine student, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
Teaching, research and innovation
- Daniel Albrecht-Mallinger, assistant professor, VCU Center for Environmental Studies
- David Berdish, instructor, term faculty, supply chain management and analytics, VCU School of Business, advisory co-chair and environmental issues working group co-chair
- Radhika Barua, Ph.D., assistant professor, VCU Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
- Anna Bon-Harper, VCU student
- Michael S. Donnenberg, M.D., professor of internal medicine, microbiology and immunology, biochemistry and molecular biology; senior associate dean for research and training; director, medical scientist training program; VCU School of Internal Medicine; co-chair
- Rodney Dyer, Ph.D., director and professor, VCU Center for Environmental Studies
- Brent Fagg, M.S., assistant director for innovation, VCU TechTransfer and Ventures
- Stephen Fong, Ph.D., director, VCU Center for Integrative Life Sciences Education
- Greg Garman, Ph.D., director, VCU Rice Rivers Center
- Corin Hewitt, professor, Department of Sculpture + Extended Media, VCUarts
- Puru Jena, Ph.D., distinguished professor of theoretical condensed matter and theoretical nanoscience, VCU Department of Physics, co-chair
- Nastassja Lewinski, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU Department of Chemical and Life Sciences Engineering
- Damian Pitt, Ph.D, associate professor, VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, and associate director of policy and community engagement, VCU Institute for Sustainable Energy and Environment
- Jeff Shockley, associate professor for supply chain management and analytics, VCU School of Business
- Cristina Stanciu, Ph.D., associate professor of english, VCU Department of English; director, Humanities Research Center
- Carissa Trieu, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Christine Wellstood, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Mark D. Wood, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU School of World Studies
- Donald Young, Ph.D., professor, VCU Department of Biology
Environmental equity, partnerships and engagement
- Sara Barton, senior manager of sustainability programs and policy, VCU Sustainability, co-chair
- Nathan Cunningham, MPH, director of patient experience, VCU Health, co-chair
- Verenda Cobbs, senior manager for civic innovation and transformation, VCU Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success
- Jen Early, Ph.D., program manager for emergency preparedness & event medicine, VCU Health
- Meghan Gough, associate professor, VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
- Stacy Johnson, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action manager, VCU Health Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Roxanna Rafat, One VCU Sustainability Plan intern
- Shruti Syal, assistant professor, VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Community Advisory Committee
The committee consisted of representatives from local neighborhood associations who were tasked with sharing their perspectives on how the plan will impact the local community. Committee members were also encouraged to share information about the development of the plan with their associations and the greater Richmond community.
Team members
- Copeland Casati, Historic West Grace Street Association
- James Fune, Randolph Neighborhood Association
- Stephanie Harrington, Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
- Rachel Loughlin, Newtown West
- Jerome Legions, Carver Area Civic Improvement League
- Tom Lisk, Prestwould Resident Council/Association
- Rob Long, Greater Scott's Addition Association
- Chris Morem, Fan District Association
- Felicia Shelton, Historic Jackson Ward Association
- Tom Stallings, West Avenue Improvement Association
Project team
The project team provided administrative support to the various committees and working groups. They were also responsible for keeping stakeholders informed about progress as well as actively seeking and participating in engagement opportunities.
Team members
- Sara Barton, senior manager of sustainability programs and policy, VCU Sustainability
- David Berdish, executive-in-residence, supply chain management and analytics, VCU School of Business
- Jessica Bryant, senior director, strategic initiatives, VCU Finance and Administration
- Molly Case, communications manager, VCU Finance and Administration
- Carolyn Conlon, assistant vice president for finance and administration, VCU
- Jeff Eastman, university planner, VCU Planning & Design
- Mark Emery, program director, sustainability, hazmat, & waste, VCU Health
- Jane Hagen, sustainability data coordinator, VCU Sustainability
- Elsa Hoppe, VCU Sustainability intern
- Ann Kildahl, director of sustainability, VCU Sustainability
- Heather King, sustainability coordinator, VCU Administration
- Steve Montgomery, operations manager, Plant Operations, VCU Health
- Lisa Morris, project coordinator, VCUHS Enterprise Portfolio Management Office
- Isabella Schmidt, VCU Sustainability intern
- Liv Weatherford, VCU Sustainability intern
- Megan Wood, senior project manager, VCU Finance and Administration