Training manual spring2014 (abridged) by Sustainability Director

Graduate and Undergraduate Staff Training Manual Spring 2014

Welcome to the Office of Sustainability Table of Contents Introduction to Sustainability………………………………………………………………………………..2 Access, Inclusion, Diversity…………………………………………………………………………………….2 An Open Letter from the Director………………………………………………………………………….3 General Office Guidelines…………………………………………………………………………………..4-9 FY14 Staff, Job Descriptions and Policies/Procedures.……………………………………..10-59 Sustainable Investment Manager (Nabanita Talukdar) Education and Outreach (Tess Phinney) Garden and Service Learning Manager (Unfilled) Reporting Manager (Megan Graver) Education and Administration (Brad Grant) Implementation Manager (Katie Lasco) Administrative Coordinators (John Benson, Hallie Zarbakhsh, TBD) Professional Development Coordinator (Liz Emley) Garden and Landscape Coordinator (Richie Janssen) EcoSkills Coordinator (Leigh Wagner) OU Southern Liaison Curriculum Reporting Intern (Unfilled) Tour and Presentation Coordinator (Christa Lamendola) Social Media Coordinator (Cheyenne Feinstein) Alternative Transportation and Energy Advocate (Nick Kroncke) Tour Training……………………………………………………………………………………………….…….29-45 Standard Presentations…………………………………………………………………………………………..46 Style Guide………………………………………………………………………………………………………………47 Community Relationships………………………………………………………………………………………..48 Recruiting and Retaining OoS Staff ……………….…………………………………………………………49

A Note about this Training Manual: This is the nitty-gritty, rules-oriented piece of the job. Every job has it. It sounds mean and restrictive. I know. We are, actually, a pretty easy-going and enjoyable office to work with. Language associated with rules can be off-putting. So, please understand that these rules are in place in an effort to make this a safe space for all employees. Adhering to these protocols will make this an even more enjoyable place to work. Thank you for all you do!

Defining Sustainability: Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of today’s society without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. That means we must appropriately utilize resources and advance our own knowledge in all disciplines in order to contribute to the success of future generations. At Ohio University, we look at Sustainability through the lens of the Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, Prosperity. - People: We believe in personal sustainability…we must manage our own health and well-being so we may care for others within our community. We must invest in community growth. - Planet: We encourage the conservation, preservation and restoration of our Earth’s precious natural resources. - Prosperity: A thriving local economy is paramount in our efforts to achieve true sustainable development. It is the mission of the Office of Sustainability to provide services and support to the campus community; advocate for innovation and research; and, ensure fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Our office works to provide the campus community with the support they need to implement sustainability in their respective units on campus. We collect and report on our progress toward sustainable development. We offer professional development opportunities to students interested in infusing sustainability into their academic and professional careers.

Access, inclusion and diversity: We are dedicated to offering all students fair access to sustainability resources and involvement. In your conversations with other students, please always be sensitive to their unique needs and alert the Director of Sustainability if any of our programs or buildings are not able to accommodate any needs. Such access and inclusion concerns also apply to our office’s graduate assistants, interns and staff. Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, physical or otherwise, should contact the Director of Sustainability privately to discuss specific needs. The student should be able to provide written documentation from the Office of Disability Services. Any student not yet registered as a student with a disability can do so by contacting the Office of Disability Services at 740-593-2620 or by visiting the office in 348 Baker University Center. Successful sustainability initiatives are dependent on a diverse set of backgrounds, interests, learning styles, and approaches to leadership. We must constantly push ourselves beyond our comfort zones to expand our diversity through our staff, our programs and our communication.

A Welcome Letter from the Director of Sustainability.

August 12, 2013

You are more powerful than you realize. And you are more needed than ever. The social and environmental welfare of our world sits in the hands of today’s young leaders; it is your action or inaction that will determine the lives that your children and grandchildren will be given. For decades, our country has excelled at building technologies, communicating hope and allowing for certain freedoms. Those American ideals, though, are both the reason we have seen environmental and social degradation and the potential solution that will encourage positive growth. Our country is in need of young leaders such as you who can reinterpret the American Dream, examine the technologies and resources in front of us, and offer grand solutions to restore and protect our natural environment and social justices around the globe. I see beauty everywhere…mostly in unexpected places. A woman’s rosy cheeks, flushed from running wild in the woods; a child’s sparkling eyes upon discovering a slimy toad; a cool breeze reminding me that, with my faith and Mother Nature by my side, I will never be alone. These are things I’m sure each of you has encountered in your own way. All too often, I fear we take advantage of them. So, I’m calling you to action; asking you to speak out among your peers. You see, I want to protect these everyday miracles of nature and culture so that you get to watch your children experience them just as you did. Protecting environmental and social justices is vital to a positive and healthy life. But, it cannot happen without bright, young leaders who can promote issues such as livable wages, pollution reduction, or the elimination of toxins in our food and cosmetics. Often times, the young leaders I work with admit that issues of environmental and social sustainability, while important, can feel overwhelming. It is difficult to know where to begin, how to find a niche, develop a community, and feel like you’re making a significant impact on the movement. Believe me, I understand these hesitations. So, I encourage you to start small. Begin by exploring the types of chemicals used in your cosmetics and experiment by making your own with natural ingredients (local honey can do wonders as a hair spray and natural moisturizer). Or, sit down with nature and think about the land or outdoor spaces that stir up emotions in you…then, find a group or a website that agrees with your environmental concerns for protecting those spaces. Learn as much as you can about the impacts you make in this world by taking an online assessment of your own carbon footprint. These initial activities may seem small, but you’ll be amazed by where they can take you. Once you commit to a sustainable cause, you’ll have thousands of allies just waiting to support your efforts. Sustainable advocacy is hard work; but, it is rewarding and filled with supportive faces. After all, college can be a tough road…you need to find the support systems that breathe life into the work you do. You don’t need a background in hard sciences or sociology to make big impacts (though, those are fantastic fields!). You simply need to apply your unique talents to a cause and be the voice for the land, resources or people who cannot speak for themselves. Connect. Learn. Discover. Protect. These are some of the most valuable actions you will ever take in your life. You can be successful because you are needed and you are capable of helping communities all over the globe make positive impacts on our environment and neighbors. As representatives of Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability, you will be charged with an important job of embracing sustainability in your own worlds and encouraging it in others’. I am here for you during each step of this journey. Thank you for joining me on it. Sincerely, Annie Laurie Cadmus

General Office Guidelines:

Staffing: 1.) The Office of Sustainability cannot accommodate volunteers. a. Those wishing to volunteer to assist with sustainability implementation must do so with the Sustainable Ohio University Leaders (SOUL) an ad-hoc â&#x20AC;&#x153;committeeâ&#x20AC;? for sustainable implementation as a directive of the Climate Action Plan. b. This rule is in place to remain in compliance with the Fair Labor Act. 2.) Paid employees and for-credit-internships are allowable within the office. a. These are the only individuals allowed to do work for the Office. b. All students who are awarded a paid position or for-credit-internship with the Office of Sustainability must adhere to the rules and protocols outlined in this training document. Training and Evaluations: - All OoS staff must read the Training Manual (and adhere to its protocols) and attend regular staff meetings and training sessions (to be scheduled throughout the semester). o Protocols are subject to change and, therefore, staff must remain flexible in alterations to protocols. - Student employees must meet with their direct supervisor at least once per month for performance evaluations. o If you are unsure who your direct supervisor is, please refer to the organizational chart provided in this document. - An end-of-year evaluation must occur no later than April 23. o This evaluation will determine whether or not the employee will return the following term. Work Hours: - Students are not legally allowed to work more than 20 hours per week at Ohio University. If you are employed by another office on campus, please make sure your accumulative hours do not exceed that limit. - Hourly Employees are not to exceed the weekly maximum number of hours agreed upon at the beginning of the semester. - All current student employees of the Office of Sustainability are scheduled to terminate on April 26, 2014 (they are not to work finals week). See below for details on renewing a position. - In Mid-April, all positions will receive an end-of-year evaluation. At that time, the Director will determine staffing for Summer 2014 and Fall 2014. Depending on performance, your position may be eligible to renew in summer or fall. - Student employees are not eligible to work during holidays and spring break. Students are not eligible for overtime. Student employees are also not eligible for sick/vacation/personal time. No exceptions will be given in Spring 2014. - Employees are not permitted to work on personal homework assignments during work hours. Responsibilities: Everyone working in this office is working toward the common goal of successful implementation of the Sustainability Plan and the Climate Action Plan. While we all have different job descriptions, we must pitch in to help with general office tasks and we must commit certain information to memory. - All staff members must read and be familiar with the Sustainability Plan and the Climate Action Plan. These documents can be found online at www.ohio.edu/sustainability. If, after reading these documents, you have questions about their contents or how your position relates to these documents, please contact the Director of Sustainability, the Sustainability Specialist or returning student employees.

All files must be saved to the Sustainability Shared Drive and organized appropriately. All Graduate Assistants and long-term undergraduate staff have access to the Shared Drive. (New employees: please note that it can take several weeks for your access to be granted) Accessing the Shared Drive for Mac: 1- Double Click on OHIO bobcat icon on dock (OUADShared) 2- Click on volume: administration 3- Open 'Finder' 4- Click on 132.235.51.48 Port 5- Open Administration folder 6- Open fac-sustainability folder, view drive. Accessing the Shared Drive for PC: 1- Try right clicking on MY COMPUTER and selecting MAP NETWORK DRIVE. The letter doesn’t matter. 2- Then type: \\shared.ohio.edu\administration\fac-sustainability 3- Then select FINISH. 4- Click shared drive desktop icon to access fac-sustainability drive. Printing should be done sparingly! If you have a file that you insist on printing and it is under 10 pages, you may utilize the printer called “VPA-VisitorsCenter-200.” If you have a larger file or want to print in color, you may do so using the color copier in the University Service Center called, “VPA-Facilities-100 Color.” Please go to the USC promptly after printing to pick up your copies so they do not get tossed. o For now, that is all you need to do to print. Within the next year, though, we’ll require an access code to print. You will receive that information as it becomes available. All staff members must be trained and able to facilitate at least one of the following: Compost & Ecohouse Tour, Ridges Tour and the Classroom Presentation. Scripts for these can be found in this training manual and on the shared drive. You may also contact the Tour/Presentation Coordinator for assistance with the scripts. o Once you select which you’ll be trained on, please schedule a training with the Tour/Presentation Coordiantor. o Then, you must provide your availability for facilitation to the Tour/Presentation Coordinator (can be during your regular office hours). Everyone is responsible for office maintenance. o At the start of every shift, check the telephone for voicemails. If the red light is blinking, follow the directions on the phone to write down the message. Then, either respond to the message or email the message to the recipient. Delete messages after you have delivered them. o At the start of every shift, check your mailbox (located in the small office upstairs) for any new information. Your mailbox should remain empty---it is not a storage cubby.  If you do not have a mailbox, please alert the Director of Sustainability and one will be assigned to you. o During your shift, keep your personal belongings in one location, as neatly packed away as possible (and away from foot traffic) so as not to create tripping hazards for others. o If you spill anything or are working on any messy projects please clean up after yourself. Cleaning supplies are available in the kitchenette area (lower cabinets). o At the conclusion of your shift, clean up the room --- even if there are messes that you didn’t create. o Anything left in the office at the end of the day may be disposed of.

Office Hours: - All GAs and paid staff have a contracted (or agreed upon) number of weekly hours with the OoS.  You are expected to complete all of these hours in the Office of Sustainability, Bingham House (unless otherwise arranged) during: Mondays-Thursdays: 7am-6pm and Fridays: 7:30am-4:30pm o We understand that academic schedules may make such times difficult. Therefore, it is expected that, if such a schedule is difficult, you will contact the Director of Sustainability. From there, we will establish alternate times for the office to be open and we will also arrange for various work-from-home situations, as needed. Telephone: - The main office phone number (located in the Main office, 2nd floor): 740-593-0460 - The private office phone number (located in the small office, 2nd floor): 740-593-0026 - At the start of every shift, check the main phone for voicemails. If the red light is blinking, follow the following directions for accessing the voicemail (please write down or respond to messages as appropriate): o Pick up the receiver and hit the button next to the red flashing light. o When prompted, type “52545254” o Listen to messages – write them down and respond as appropriately. If you do not know how to respond, email the message to sustainability@ohio.edu. - When answering the telephone, greet the caller with “Office of Sustainability, this is (insert name).” - The two phone lines mentioned above are linked. If you happen to answer a ringing phone in the student office and you hear a dial tone upon picking it up, that means the call is coming in on the private line. In that instance, simply hang up the phone and allow the call to go to voicemail. - If the caller is a solicitor (selling something), ask them to email their inquiry to sustainability@ohio.edu. - If the caller is someone with a question that you cannot answer, forward the call to the Director (if she’s not in the office, forward the call to 593-0026 and let it go to voicemail). Directions for call transfers are available in the pull-out menu on the phone base. - If the caller has the wrong number, look up the correct number and provide them with it. If the correct number is an on-campus number, offer to transfer the call for them. - When calling to other offices on campus, you only need to dial the last 5 digits (for example, the student office number is 740-593-0460. You only need to dial 3-0460 if calling that office from an on-campus phone). - If you need to make a long distance call for work purposes, use the following directions: o Pick up the receiver and dial 8013491738# o When you hear the tone, dial the number (area code included) as usual - Toll free numbers are dialed just as from any other phone. - You are not expected to use your personal cell phone for office purposes. - If you choose to give the Director of Sustainability your cell phone number, she will not provide that information to anyone requesting it. Your personal information will be respected! Dress Code: While the office is a casual environment, we are still a place of business and must, therefore, represent ourselves appropriately. While in the office, you are expected to speak and act respectfully (think: PG Rated). - Maintain proper hygiene: You are expected to be clean and free of odor when representing the office. - No strapless tops - No excessively low necklines or large armholes - No offensive language or images can be visible on clothing, tattoos, accessories or office supplies. - Shirts and bottoms (shorts, pants, skirts) are all required when working in the office. - Skirts and shorts should not be shorter than the tip of the wearer’s thumb when arms are resting at one’s side. The Director of Sustainability reserves the right to deem any attire or behavior inappropriate for the office. If it is determined that you have violated any of the above guidelines, you will be asked to cover up, alter your behavior or leave the office. 7

Communication Protocol: The Division of Finance and Administration at Ohio University adheres to a strict Communications Protocol in an effort to maintain integrity and offer a unified voice. As a member of that division, Office of Sustainability must also practice proper communication. All representatives of the Office of Sustainability must follow the Communications Protocol offered here. Failure to comply with this protocol is grounds for immediate termination. - If you are speaking to ANY individual or group outside of the Office of Sustainability (that includes any type of communication to on- or off- campus groups/individuals) on behalf of this office, you MUST receive prior approval from your direct supervisor AND the Director of Sustainability. - No hourly paid employee is allowed to email more than three individuals at one time without prior approval of the message from the employee’s direct supervisor AND the Director of Sustainability. o If you do receive permission to send a mass email, you must place sustainability@ohio.edu in the “To” line, your direct supervisor in the “CC” line and all other email addresses in the “BCC” line. - Any emails sent on behalf of the Office of Sustainability must utilize proper grammar, spelling and titles (Dr., Mr., Ms. etc.). Emails should be succinct, accurate, polite and respectful. - No employees, other than the Director of Sustainability, Sustainability Specialist and the Implementation Manager, are allowed to add new email addresses into Basecamp without the Implementation Manager’s approval. - Any requests for interviews must be immediately directed to the Director of Sustainability who must then send the information to her supervisor and University Communications and Marketing. o This includes interviews for person websites, homework assignments, newspapers, social media, etc. o This can be a very difficult protocol to follow since, often times, we know and respect the reporter/student requesting the interview. I understand that it is difficult, but please know that it is imperative that all OoSers receive approval of any requests. - When in doubt, always err on the conservative side and refer questions to the Director of Sustainability.

Meeting Protocol: Prior to setting up a meeting with any entity external to the office, receive approval from the Director of Sustainability. When you are attending a meeting representing the Office of Sustainability, you must follow the following guidelines: - Always invite your direct supervisor to join you. - If you are leading the meeting, email the attendees the proposed agenda at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting and let them know whether or not you will be providing a hard copy of any necessary documents. - Wear professionally appropriate attire (business casual preferred for most meetings) - Arrive a minimum of 5 minutes early - Be polite and professional in your demeanor - Do not commit to anything unless the Director of Sustainability gave you explicit directions on the matter at hand prior to the meeting - Turn off your cell phone and put it in your bag or keep it at the office o Texting during a meeting will not be tolerated! You are allowed to have your phone on and set to vibrate or silent during regular office hours, but it is inappropriate to use your cell phone during any other meeting--- even if everyone else at the meeting is doing it. - If you prefer to type on your laptop during a meeting rather than take notes on paper, you may do so. However, you may not be working on other tasks or socializing with others online. You must be fully present in the meeting and not distracted by your computer screen. - Provide any follow-up to meeting attendees within 1 business day. - Immediately following the meeting, please contact any individuals from our office who may need to be alerted of any conversations that occurred. Calendar Sharing: - Undergraduate Students o Please log all of your hours in the Gmail Calendar:  Log-in: www.gmail.com, username: SustainableOU, password: __________________  Click on “Calendar” (top right of screen)  We NEVER use the mail function of this account  Create a new calendar with your name  Follow the “How to Use This Calendar” guidelines located in Sunday of each week.  Your work hours must always be current on this site. - Graduate Students o In addition to the gmail calendar, you are asked to keep your Outlook calendar up to date.  GAs must also share this calendar with the Director and fellow GAs. Completing Weekly Hours - Depending on your work arrangement, you may or may not have set hours established each week. For example, Graduate Assistants are contracted for a set number of hours per week, whereas some hourly employees may have looser hour requirements. - Regardless of your work arrangement, it is important that your anticipated weekly hours are input into your gmail (and Outlook for GAs) calendar(s) for the duration of the semester. o It is understood that hours may change occasionally. You can change your calendar as it becomes necessary.  If you change the hours in your calendar less than one week from the date changed, please send an email to cadmus@ohio.edu explaining the change. - If contracted to complete a set number of hours per week, you may speak with the Director of Sustainability to make any schedule adjustments to accommodate academics and personal issues as they arise. - If you are scheduled to be in the office and need to call in sick or absent for any other reason, you must call the office at 840-593-0026. Or, you may email cadmus@ohio.edu. Speaking of calling in sick….

Sick? STAY HOME! Do not, for any reason, come to the office if you are sick. It does not matter how important you think it is. The Director has no tolerance for unnecessary germs being brought into our work environment. Individuals who are sick are required to stay away from the office. If you come to the office and we discover you are sick, you will be told to leave immediately. Take care of yourself, tell us if you need anything and only return when you are 100% healthy.

No exceptions.

Professional Development - Anyone who works in the Office of Sustainability is asked, though not required, to spend time on Professional Development. - For those individuals with set weekly hours, we ask that you spend approximately 15% of your time on professional development. - For your convenience, we do have a Professional Development Coordinator (student paid position) who is responsible for ensuring that you feel supported in your efforts. - Samples of professional development projects can include, but are not limited to: o Online portfolio/blog o Resume building o Conference attendance o Workshop hosting o Webinar attendance o EcoSkills Workshop development/facilitation o Career exploration activities - It is our goal to assist students with job attainment upon graduating from OU. Please utilize the resources in the office whenever necessary. - Upon graduating, all former office staff members will be asked to complete an Exit Survey so we can continually improve our professional development efforts. - While we offer this perk, you are asked to be the one to take the initiative to take advantage of it. Personal Sustainability It is important to establish clear boundaries in your development of a work/life balance. We will talk frequently of the important role “Personal Sustainability” plays in our lives. You are encouraged to explore this conversation throughout the year. Here are some quick pointers that may assist you: - Create an Office of Sustainability filter on your email. You can set a filter to have all OoS-related emails go directly to a new folder. This way, when you’re working on personal or academic items and not in the office, OoS work does not distract you. We will all work different hours, we will receive emails when we’re not at work. You’re not expected to respond to work emails outside of your work hours if you don’t wish to. - If you have a one-on-one or small group meeting scheduled, consider hosting the meeting outside. Take a walk or sit in the grass…get some fresh air! - If you’re working in the office on a beautiful day and you aren’t the designated individual for answering the phone, please feel welcome to work outside. Our wireless should extend to our lawn (called Tailgreat Park). - If you know you have a really busy week coming up, consider being flexible with your work hours. Work with the Director to see if you can work an excess of hours one week in order to work a reduced load another week. - Constantly reassess! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, talk to the Director. Nothing is written in stone. If we need to amend a workload, change your hours or find a work environment that reduces your stress, we’ll do it! You should love what you do and this office should not be a source of stress or resentment. - Work in the Ecohouse Garden/Lawn – If you’re feeling particularly stressed or uninterested in your work, maybe you just need a few shifts to reboot. Ask the Garden Manager if they have any work available. Then, spend a shift or two outdoors at the Ecohouse. - Help us with social media – we’ll always need people “pinning” to our Pinterest boards or researching articles or news items for our facebook feed. So, spend an hour “playing” online and submit your results to our Social Media coordinator. - Sustainability is a truly interdisciplinary topic. If there are ever any activities or practices that you haven’t participated in but would like to, consider exploring them for your professional development hours. This job should be about personal growth, too. (Professional Development is a rare perk, so utilize this opportunity to learn how to be proactive about your own personal/professional growth so that you can be your own advocate after you graduate and get a full-time job)

Getting Started: As you get familiar with the Office of Sustainability and your role within our efforts, here’s a quick list of tasks for your first week(s): - Set-up your calendar (as described above). - Set the office printers up as your office printers (with VPA-VisitorsCenter-200 as your default printer). - Set-up your access to the Shared Drive (see Communications/Marketing Protocol) - Read the FY 14 Position Descriptions. You will be expected to understand what your peers do in the office so you can help at a moment’s notice, if needed. All current positions are made available in this training document. - Read and become familiar with the OHIO Sustainability Plan- The Ohio University Sustainability Plan outlines 35 sustainability-focused priorities of the institution. - Read and become familiar with the OHIO Climate Action Plan- The Ohio University Climate Action Plan serves as a guide in the institution's efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2075. - Read the Fall 2012 Annual Sustainability Report and the Fall 2013 Sustainability and Climate Action Report. - Write a biography for the Staff section of the website and have a photo taken for that site. - Create a Yammer account. All staff are required to sign-up for Yammer. You are expected to log-in to Yammer and post something at least once per shift. o www.yammer.com o Create an account using your OHIO email address. o When setting up your profile, request to join the Office of Sustainability page. o Learn the important feature of Yammer (this is how our office communicates, so is very important!):  OHIO Network versus OoS Network  Various features for posting comments, etc.  Fire Sharing  Posting Praise/Questions/Polls/Comments - Check out our facebook page (www.facebook.com/SustainableOU). All members of the staff are invited and encouraged to “like” the Office of Sustainability facebook page. If you ever have any items that you’d like us to feature on the facebook page, please email them to the Social Media Coordinator. - Connect to the Shared Drive (\\shared.ohio.edu\administration\fac-sustainability) and learn how to navigate appropriately. The server is organized, mostly, by the tasks assumed by graduate staff within the office. We have been working on cleaning/organizing this drive since 2011, but we still have a long way to go…this is a good task to engage in a little later in the semester once you have a stronger understanding of your role (and associated files) - Read through the Ecohouse Tour, Compost Tour, Ridges Tour and Classroom Presentation scripts. o Tour scripts are available in this training manual. o The classroom script is available on Yammer in the “Classroom Presentation” PowerPoint (script is noted on each slide of the presentation).

Office of Sustainability Spring 2014 Staff Responsibilities and Protocols

Graduate Assistant in Sustainability Position: Sustainable Investment Manager, Nabanita Talukdar 9 hours/week Position Description: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Sustainable Investment Manager will advise the sustainable investment student managed portfolio group, coordinate research projects and assist the Office of Sustainability with grant writing projects. This position reports directly to the Director of Sustainability and must commit to regular office hours in the Office of Sustainability. Responsibilities:  Assist with the research, planning, implementation and promotion of the student management sustainable investment portfolio.  Offer support to Sustainable Ohio University Leaders (SOUL) in their efforts toward achieving grant funding for various projects on OHIO campuses.  Manage and submit the university’s external annual greenhouse gas inventory report.  Support the implementation of tours of the campus-wide composting system and Ecohouse.  Present programs to various classes, organizations and departments when appropriate.  Coordinate with office staff to ensure proper completion of work and transparency in communication of efforts.  Will require some peer management.  Serve on institutional and/or community committees as requested. Qualifications:  Applicants must be graduate students at Ohio University and eligible to receive aid through a Graduate Assistantship. Applicants from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires 9 hours per week when classes are in session (hours negotiable depending on academic program).  Some evenings and weekends may be required.  All staff must be available for training on Tuesday, August 20, 9am-4pm Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Ability to take initiative, work independently and seek assistance when needed.  Excellent computer skills required; experience with graphic design and publication layout is preferred.

Graduate Assistant in Sustainability Position: Education and Outreach Coordinator, Tess Phinney 15 hours/week Position Description: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Education and Outreach Coordinator will assist the Director of Sustainability with communication, education and outreach programs targeting the campus community and will coordinate with the campus community to assist with programmatic efforts such as tours, presentations, outreach and reporting. This position reports directly to the Director of Sustainability and must commit to regular office hours in the Office of Sustainability. Responsibilities:  Assist with the planning, implementation and promotion of initiatives, including:  The OHIO Ecohouse (www.ohio.edu/Ecohouse)  As a resident, this individual will serve as the liaison between the Ecohouse and Office of Sustainability. Facilitate program development including: maintenance, planning, development, marketing, recruitment and events.  Energy Challenge program coordination  Create bulletin board templates for Residential Halls.  Support the implementation of tours of the campus-wide composting system and Ecohouse.  Present programs to various classes, organizations and departments when appropriate.  Coordinate with office staff to ensure proper completion of work and transparency in communication of efforts.  Will require some peer management.  Serve on institutional and/or community committees as requested.  Recruit and advise Routes staff.  Support the development, implementation and assessment of service learning opportunities and curriculum development for the Common Experience Project on Sustainability (CEP-S) where appropriate. Qualifications:  Applicants must be graduate students at Ohio University and eligible to receive aid through a Graduate Assistantship. Applicants from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires 15 hours per week when classes are in session (hours negotiable depending on academic program).  Some evenings and weekends may be required.  All staff must be available for training on Tuesday, August 20, 9am-4pm Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Ability to take initiative, work independently and seek assistance when needed.  Excellent computer skills required; experience with graphic design and publication layout is preferred.

Graduate Assistant in Sustainability Position: Garden and Service Learning Coordinator Unfilled for Spring 2014 Position Description: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Garden and Service Learning Coordinator will: manage the Ecohouse Community Garden; organize service learning events; collaborate with community organizations on skills-based workshop offerings; and, facilitate collaborative efforts with the International Student Union. This position reports directly to the Director of Sustainability and must commit to regular office hours in the Office of Sustainability. Responsibilities:  Manage all day-to-day tasks associated with the Ecohouse Community Garden.  Facilitate 2-3 service learning events that will augment the Common Experience Project on Sustainability.  Manage a team of undergraduate student staff.  Coordinate collaboration with external organizations through workshop and service learning offerings.  Establish a working relationship with International Student Union.  Support the implementation of tours of the campus-wide composting system and Ecohouse.  Present programs to various classes, organizations and departments when appropriate.  Serve on institutional and/or community committees as requested. Qualifications:  Applicants must be graduate students at Ohio University and eligible to receive aid through a Graduate Assistantship. Applicants from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires 15 hours per week when classes are in session.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.  All staff must be available for training on Tuesday, August 20, 9am-4pm Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management, education and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Ability to take initiative, work independently and seek assistance when needed.  Excellent computer skills required; experience with graphic design and publication layout is preferred.

Graduate Assistant in Sustainability Position: Reporting Manager, Megan Graver Summer and Spring semesters, 15 hours/week Position Description: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Reporting manager will be responsible for the collection, management, interpretation and submission of all institutional sustainability reporting requirements. This position will also support office efforts such as tours, presentations, outreach and reporting. This position reports directly to the Director of Sustainability and must commit to regular office hours in the Office of Sustainability. Responsibilities:  Manage data collection and submission for institutional Greenhouse Gas emissions.  Take a leadership role in the development of the FY13 Sustainability and CAP report.  Attend all SOUL meetings and assist in the management of meeting minutes.  Support the implementation of tours of the campus-wide composting system and Ecohouse.  Present programs to various classes, organizations and departments when appropriate.  Assist with annual reports; with special focus on sustainability-related research (tracking and promotion).  Serve on institutional and/or community committees as requested. Qualifications:  Applicants must be graduate students at Ohio University and eligible to receive aid through a Graduate Assistantship. Applicants from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires 15 hours per week in summer and spring terms for FY14.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.  All staff must be available for training on Tuesday, August 20, 9am-4pm Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management, education and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Ability to take initiative, work independently and seek assistance when needed.  Excellent computer skills required; experience with graphic design and publication layout is preferred.

Graduate Assistant in Sustainability Position: Education and Administration Coordinator, Brad Grant 20 hours/week Position Description: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Education and Administration Coordinator will: teach one section of the Fall Sustainability Learning Community Course; further develop, market and implement the energy education programs offered within the office; coordinate communication, education and outreach programs targeting the campus community (and, specifically, Athletics); and, support office efforts such as tours, presentations, outreach and reporting. This position reports directly to the Director of Sustainability and must commit to regular office hours in the Office of Sustainability. Responsibilities:  Instruct one section of UC1900, Sustainability Learning Community in Fall 2013 (5 hours/week commitment).  Support the implementation of tours of the campus-wide composting system and Ecohouse.  Present programs to various classes, organizations and departments when appropriate.  Assist with annual reports; with special focus on sustainability-related research (tracking and promotion).  Coordinate with and manage a small team of office staff responsible for various projects, including photography, social media and outreach.  Serve on institutional and/or community committees as requested.  Support the development, implementation and assessment of service learning opportunities and curriculum development for the Common Experience Project on Sustainability (CEP-S) where appropriate (namely, through the energy education program). Qualifications:  Applicants must be graduate students at Ohio University and eligible to receive aid through a Graduate Assistantship. Applicants from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires 20 hours per week when classes are in session.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.  All staff must be available for training on Tuesday, August 20, 9am-4pm Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management, education and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Ability to take initiative, work independently and seek assistance when needed.  Excellent computer skills required; experience with graphic design and publication layout is preferred.

Lead Undergraduate Staff, Sustainability Position: Implementation Manager, Katie Lasco 17 hours/week Position Description: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Implementation Manager will: assist in a variety of in-depth efforts aimed at advancing institutional sustainability implementation; coordinate and attend all SOUL meetings; delegate responsibilities for all SOUL implementation efforts; serve as lead presenter to the Natural Beauty EcoSkills workshops; advise all office administrative interns; assist with professional development programming as needed; and, support office efforts such as tours, presentations, outreach and reporting. This position reports directly to the Director of Sustainability and must commit to regular office hours in the Office of Sustainability. Responsibilities:  Coordinate and attend all SOUL meetings.  Delegate responsibilities for all SOUL implementation efforts.  Serve as lead presenter to the Natural Beauty EcoSkills workshops.  Advise all office administrative interns. Meet with them regularly to provide adequate supervision.  Assist with professional development programming as needed.  Support office efforts such as tours, presentations, outreach and reporting.  Assist with annual reports (tracking SOUL progress).  Serve on institutional and/or community committees as requested.  Support the development, implementation and assessment of service learning opportunities and curriculum development for the Common Experience Project on Sustainability (CEP-S) where appropriate. Qualifications:  Applicants must be graduate students at Ohio University and eligible to receive aid through a Graduate Assistantship. Applicants from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires up to 17 hours per week when classes are in session.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.  All staff must be available for training on Tuesday, August 20, 9am-4pm Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management, education and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Ability to take initiative, work independently and seek assistance when needed.  Excellent computer skills required; experience with graphic design and publication layout is preferred.

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Position: Administrative Coordinators: John Benson, Hallie Zarbakhsh, Jackie Fain 15 hours/week, each Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Position Description: The Administrative Coordinators will work collaboratively with the Implementation Manager and the Implementation Advocate with their efforts toward implementing the SOUL program. This will include attending meetings, taking meeting minutes, serving as a support resource, conducting research and making professional contacts with outside entities. These positions report directly to the Implementation Manager and indirectly to the Director of Sustainability. Responsibilities include:  Regularly research resources and programs being utilized and implemented at peer institutions.  Further develop professional development offerings and website presence.  Regularly respond to comments and requests posted in Basecamp.  Collaborate with the Implementation Advocate.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication.  Memorize the Ecohouse and Compost tours and be able to personally conduct them.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires a flexible number of hours per week depending on the time of year. Additional hours may be required during certain weeks.  The unique nature of this position allows the employee to work part-time in the office and part-time from home (doing research). Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Interest in or experience with sustainability.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required.  Strong communication and customer service skills.

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Position: Professional Development Coordinator, Liz Emley 5 hours/week Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Position Description: The Professional Development Coordinator is responsible for assisting all Office of Sustainability staff with their efforts toward achieving resources to aid in their professional and personal development. the tours/presentations as deemed necessary. Responsibilities include:  Regularly research professional development and various associated resources available to OoS staff.  Further develop professional development offerings and website presence.  Regularly respond to staff requests regarding professional development programs.  Collaborate with the EcoSkills Workshops Coordinator.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication.  Memorize the Ecohouse and Compost tours and be able to personally conduct them.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires a flexible number of hours per week depending on the time of year. Additional hours may be required during certain weeks.  The unique nature of this position allows the employee to work part-time in the office and part-time from home (doing research). Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Interest in or experience with sustainability.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required.  Strong communication and customer service skills.

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Position: Garden and Landscape Coordinator, Richie Janssen 7 hours per week Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Position Description: The Garden and Landscape Manager is responsible for the management the grounds at the OHIO Ecohouse, including the landscape and the community garden. Management of community garden plots must occur daily to ensure all plots are properly cared for rand harvested as needed. This position must work to arrange donations of harvested foods and/or organize staff meals utilizing harvested foods. Tour and Presentations Coordinator will organize all requests for tours of the Compost Facility, Tours of the Ecohouse and Classroom Presentations from the Office of Sustainability including: scheduling tours/presentations, assigning Guides/Presenters, training Guides/Presenters, maintaining communications with tour groups and improving the tours/presentations as deemed necessary. Responsibilities include:  Moderate to Heavy lifting, pulling, pushing required in garden and landscape work.  Maintain an aesthetically pleasing lawn and garden while contributing to a successful harvest.  Regularly respond to email requests regarding the grounds and garden plots.  Maintain the “Garden” board on OoS’s Pinterest site.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication to outside organizations and tour groups.  Memorize the Ecohouse and Compost tours and be able to personally conduct them.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Participate in professional development programs as appropriate.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires a flexible number of hours per week depending on the time of year (20-30 in summer, 5-15 in Fall/Winter --- hours negotiable). Additional hours may be required during certain weeks.  The unique nature of this position allows the employee to work part-time in the office and part-time on-site at the Ecohouse. Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Interest in or experience with sustainable gardening and landscape management.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required.

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Current Position: EcoSkills Coordinator Updated Position: TITLE and UPDATED DESCRIPTION TBD, Leigh Wagner Undergraduate position 10 hours/week Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Position Description: The EcoSkills Coordinator will work closely with the Professional Development Coordinator to ensure that OoS staff members are given adequate exposure to professional development opportunities while simultaneously growing the OoS’ offerings to the campus community. The EcoSkills Coordinator will nurture existing programs such as the Natural Beauty and Sustainable Res Hall Foods workshops. This individual will encourage growth of new programs or one-time events to fit the professional development needs of the OoS staff. Responsibilities include:  Mild physical activity required for transportation of supplies to events.  Research new program opportunities and maintain existing programs.  Ensure supplies are regularly inventoried and updated as needed.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication.  Memorize the Ecohouse tour, the Compost tours and a variety of EcoSkills workshops targeting Residential Housing and be able to personally conduct them.  Maintain a variety of boards on the OoS Pinterest site.  Assist with the marketing and promotion of EcoSkills offerings.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Participate in professional development programs as appropriate.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires a flexible number of hours per week depending on the time of year (20-30 in summer, 5-15 in Fall/Winter --- hours negotiable). Additional hours may be required during certain weeks.  The unique nature of this position allows the employee to work part-time in the office and part-time on-site at the Ecohouse. Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Interest in or experience with sustainable gardening and landscape management.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  Ability to take initiative in research and program proposals.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required. 23

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Position: OU-Southern Sustainability Liaison Remuneration: at the discretion of Southern campus Includes: free registration/accommodation to the AASHE Conference October 5-9 ($1,500 value). Duration: September 2013-June 2014 (flexible) Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Office of Sustainability is housed on the Athens campus and, therefore, it is important for each regional campus to host a Sustainability Liaison who can serve as the sustainability leader and coordinate communications, programs, and efforts unique to each regional campus. Position Description: The Sustainability Liaison will assist the Director of Facilities at OU Southern with programs and initiatives relating to sustainability. This individual will be present at any sustainability events at OU Southern and assist with marketing/education relating to recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation and sustainability. Additional tasks will be determined on the successful candidate’s unique interests and abilities. This position is eligible for internship credit, dependent on the student’s academic program. The successful candidate will be supervised by the Director of Facilities at OU Southern. Responsibilities include:  Regularly communicate with the Office of Sustainability (Athens campus) regarding efforts happening at OU Southern and requesting support as needed.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication to sustainability-related inquiries.  Provide professional services and support to the Director of Facilities as appropriate.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Participate in professional development programs as appropriate.  Including attendance at AASHE Conference in Nashville, October 5-9  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University Southern and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required. Work Hours:  Requires approximately 5 hours per week when classes are in session (hours negotiable). Additional hours may be required during certain weeks. Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required. How to apply: Applicants are to electronically submit a cover letter and current resume to sustainability@ohio.edu (addressed to Adam Riehl, Director of Facilities) by September 12, 2013 for full consideration. 24

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Position: Curriculum Reporting Internship, Unfilled in Spring 2014 Office of Sustainability: Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. The Office of Sustainability is housed on the Athens campus and, therefore, it is important for each regional campus to host a Sustainability Liaison who can serve as the sustainability leader and coordinate communications, programs, and efforts unique to each regional campus. Position Description: The Curriculum Research Intern will organize and create proposals for potential class projects that will aid in the implementation of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plans. This individual will be present at Sustainable Ohio University Leaders (SOUL) meetings whenever possible and/or read all minute meetings from SOUL meetings to ensure project offering listings are current, accurate and complete. Additional tasks will be determined on the successful candidate’s unique interests and abilities. This position is eligible for internship credit, dependent on the student’s academic program. The successful candidate will be supervised by the Director of Sustainability. Responsibilities include:  Organize and create overview proposals of potential class projects that will assist with the implementation of the Sustainability Plan.  Manage the annual collection of Benchmark 35 data (sustainability-related research)  Offer assistance in surveying and data collection.  Draft feature stories about sustainability in the curriculum for various media sources, as directed by the Director of Sustainability.  Engage in additional research and support projects as needed.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication to sustainability-related inquiries.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Participate in professional development programs as appropriate. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University Southern and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required. Work Hours:  Requires approximately 5 hours per week when classes are in session (hours negotiable). Additional hours may be required during certain weeks. Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required.

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Position: Tour and Presentation Coordinator, Christa Lamendola 10 hours per week Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Position Description: The Tour and Presentations Coordinator will organize all requests for tours of the Compost Facility, Tours of the Ecohouse and Classroom Presentations from the Office of Sustainability including: scheduling tours/presentations, assigning Guides/Presenters, training Guides/Presenters, maintaining communications with tour groups and improving the tours/presentations as deemed necessary. Responsibilities include:  Regularly respond to email requests for tours or presentations.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication to tour groups.  Memorize the tours and presentations and be able to personally conduct them.  Train new and staff members on tour and presentation protocol.  Schedule tours and ensure proper customer service is given to tour groups.  Provide feedback for script changes to the Director of Sustainability when appropriate.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Participate in professional development programs as appropriate.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.   An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires up to 6 hours per week when classes are in session (hours negotiable). Additional hours may be required during certain weeks.  The unique nature of this position allows the employee to work from home. Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required. How to apply: Applicants are to electronically submit a cover letter and current resume to sustainability@ohio.edu (addressed to Annie Laurie Cadmus).

Undergraduate Staff in Sustainability Position: Social Media Coordinator, Cheyenne Feinstein 5 hours per week Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Position Description: The Social Media Coordinator will manage all social media accounts for the Office of Sustainability including, but not limited to: Twitter, facebook, Pinterest, Zenfolio, Basecamp and Yammer. Responsibilities include:  Regularly respond to email requests for assistance with marketing on social media.  Conduct research on a wide range of sustainability-related topics to use as posts for various media outlets.  Facebook and Twitter (using HootSuite):  Informative postings at least twice daily.  Pinterest:  Manage the OoS Pinterest account, regularly promote the account and add to the depth of information on the boards.  Assist with the organization and maintenance of project management sites such as Zenfolio and Basecamp.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Participate in professional development programs as appropriate.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires up to 6 hours per week when classes are in session (hours negotiable). Additional hours may be required during certain weeks.  The unique nature of this position allows the employee to work from home. Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Confidence in written and oral communications.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Excellent computer skills required. How to apply: Applicants are to electronically submit a cover letter and current resume to sustainability@ohio.edu (addressed to Annie Laurie Cadmus).

Research and Reporting Advocate Nick Kroncke Office of Sustainability: Ohio University¹s Office of Sustainability provides services and support to the campus community; advocates for innovation and research; and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. Position Description: The Research and Reporting Advocate will assist the Office of Sustainability with special projects and research efforts as needed. This individual will be asked to generate partnerships with various campus and community entities in order to honor the Benchmarks of the Sustainability Plan and to contribute to the overall goal of the Climate Action Plan. Duties will be fluid as programs and seasons change. This individual must be flexible and interested in a wide variety of sustainability-related issues. This individual will need a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new skills and knowledge. Responsibilities include:  Mild physical activity required for bike-related projects.  Contribute to SOUL efforts and attend meetings when possible.  Serve as a support resource to SOUL projects and efforts.  Maintain professionalism and promptness in written and verbal communication.  Memorize the Ecohouse and Compost tours and be able to personally conduct them.  Regularly contribute to staff conversations on Yammer.  Attend OoS events when appropriate.  Participate in professional development programs as appropriate.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications:  Applicants must be current students at Ohio University and eligible for hourly employment at Ohio University.  An academic focus on sustainability or environmental issues is, by no means required.  Diversity among our staff members is considered an asset to our initiatives. Work Hours:  Requires a flexible number of hours per week depending on the time of year (20-30 in summer, 5-15 in Fall/Winter --- hours negotiable). Additional hours may be required during certain weeks.  The unique nature of this position allows the employee to work part-time in the office and part-time on-site at the Ecohouse. Skills Required:  Strong organizational, management and leaderships skills.  Interest in or experience with sustainable gardening and landscape management.  Ability to work independently; generate ideas for projects; and, contribute to a team.  Ability to take initiative in research and program proposals.  An interest in environmental education, sustainability and resource conservation.  Computer skills required. How to apply: Applicants are to electronically submit a cover letter and current resume to sustainability@ohio.edu (addressed to Annie Laurie Cadmus).

Tour Training Last Updated: 8/14/13 All Office of Sustainability staff are expected to be able to facilitate the full Sustainability Tour as outlined here.  The full Sustainability Tour is a three-part tour: Class II Compost Facility, The Ridges and OHIO Ecohouse.  Anyone (faculty, staff, student, community member, outside entity) can request a tour, as long as there are a minimum of 10 participants (and a maximum of 25). To request a tour, they must complete the Tour Request Form and email to sustainability@ohio.edu.  Participants are permitted to take photos.  If any questions are asked that cannot be answered, please take note of the questions and tell the participants that the answers will be emailed to the individual that scheduled the tour. Then, email your questions to sustainability@ohio.edu along with the name and email address of the individual to send the response.  Accessibility: This tour requires a great deal of walking (and light hiking). At the start of the tour, assess the mobility of the group. Does anyone have a difficult time walking? If so, those individuals may drive to the compost site and to the Ecohouse – they may want to opt out of The Ridges nature walk.  Office of Sustainability does NOT provide transportation to tour participants. It is their responsibility to get to the site on time. Our tour guides will meet them on site and leave directly following the tour.  All Tours will be scheduled using the Tour/Presentations calendar in gmail. ALL Office staff are responsible for checking this calendar during every shift.  All office staff are required to provide the Tour and Presentation Coordinator with their availability for tours or presentations so as to streamline the tour process.

Compost: Location: The Class II Compost Facility is located on Dairy Lane, just west of the Dairy Barn. If using GPS or Google Maps, the following address will work: 7876 Blackburn Road, Athens, OH. Parking: A parking lot is located on site upon entering the driveway to the facility. All cars must park at the bottom of the hill and walk to the facility – unless there are any mobility concerns (those individuals may drive up to the facility). Parking is free for the duration of the tour but must be removed from the lot upon completion of the tour. Note: If you have anyone with mobility restrictions in your group, have them drive to the top of the hill and, instead do the following section at the site of the facility. While still in the parking lot: - Introduce yourself (name, year in school, major, position in the Office of Sustainability). Thank them for joining you on a tour today. - Define sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to use resources today in a manner that does not negatively impact future generations’ ability to utilize resources. Or, at least, that’s the textbook definition. To take it one step further, OU’s Office of Sustainability looks at sustainability through the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Prosperity. People: We believe in the power of personal health and wellness and in the importance of contributing to the vitality of our communities. Planet: We’re concerned about the responsible management, conservation and preservation of our earth’s natural resources. And, Prosperity: A strong local economy is a key aspect of a truly sustainable community…We need to invest in economic development and proper utilization of the resources at hand so as to allow us to grow in a healthy manner and address issues of economic justice in this country and beyond. - Define composting. Ask if anyone is familiar with composting – does anyone compost at home? Composting is the natural decomposition of organic materials into a nutrient rich soil. Organic materials can include things such as food scraps, leaves and landscape waste. The key is to get an even ratio of carbon to nitrogen. Then, allow the waste to heat and aerate and natural decay will occur, turning your food waste into valuable fertilizer. As you walk the gravel road up to the facility: - This road was an old farm road which had to be improved in 2009 when truck traffic was going to start coming through. It is now made of reclaimed asphalt from demolished parking lots at OU. Top of the Hill: - Stop at the top of the hill (at the fork in the road) before you get to the facility. - The site is located on land that we now call The Ridges which used to be a part of the State Psychiatric Hospital. The facility that sits on this land was originally called the Athens Lunatic Asylum. Since it has undergone so many name changes (9 different names!), we’ll call it The Ridges for the remainder of this tour for the sake of clarity. - The Ridges has received plenty of local and national attention for its unique history. The Office of Sustainability is particularly interested in this history due to its unique connection to sustainability. - There are approximately 700 acres at The Ridges. We’ll only cover a small portion of that today. - Facilitate Questions: If appropriate, talk to the participants about their relationship to food. Issues that come up in their own lives would be appropriate. People may mention that they eat “bad” or 30

lots of processed foods. They may say they don’t eat fruits and vegetables or they grow a garden or shop at farmers market. How do they dispose of food? Does their kitchen trash can get stinky? o When you can, tie their responses back to ecology (see “Phrases and Concepts” section). Walk toward Composter, stand near collection bins: - Ohio University currently produces Class II Compost (food and landscape waste) and Class IV Compost (landscape). - Collection: o Food is currently collected from Central Foods Facility and all dining halls. Both pre- and post- consumer waste is collected. Though, it should be noted that our kitchen preparation process is incredibly streamlined, so a significant portion of the weight collected comes from post-consumer waste.  This is one area that our office is currently working to rectify through behavior change programming. o With the previous system, we were only able to collect approximately 40% of the food waste generated on campus. The expansion project will allow us to capture 100% of our organic waste on campus. There are conversations with the city to potentially capture some of their landscape waste, as well. o The food is collected from each of the sites from these green collection bins, wheeled onto the loading dock and picked up daily by our compost staff. o We do not use plastic liners in the bins. Many other colleges that compost do use compostable liners. We save the resources and money by not using the liners and, instead, we use a high pressure wash of rainwater in the bins… Walk to the rainwater harvesting system: - This is a rainwater harvesting system. While we do have plumbing up on this site, we use rain water instead of municipal water for the use of the facility. Rain is collected through gutters on the roof and then funneled into the cistern at each building. The biofilter is located here in the box that you can see, that filters the water. Then, it is collected and stored in two large containers buried under the ground. The two cisterns are connected underground. - Water is a limited natural resource. What water conservation efforts do you do at home? What ideas do you have for additional water conservation efforts at OU? - We’ll talk more about the process of cleaning the bins when we get inside the building and I can show you the process. Walk into the larger pole barn. - Point out the bin washing station. - When you walk in the pole barn you can have people look around and see what seems “sustainable” about the site. They might notice the windows to provide day lighting, the insulation, and the boxes on the wall (invertors). The boxes on the wall are invertors; they show how much energy is being generated by the solar arrays at the moment. They also convert AC power to DC power. Some people who have solar at their house will try to buy AC appliances so that they don’t have to lose some power in conversion. But most electric outlets provide DC current and that’s what we use at the site. - In 2009, Ohio University became the university with the largest in-vessel compost facility in the nation thanks, in great part, to a $350,000 grant from Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that allowed the institution to purchase a 2 ton 31

in-vessel composting system from Wright Environmental Management Inc. (a Canadian company). That system is in the smaller building next door. o We received an additional $35,105 for the solar array from the Department of Development's Energy Loan Fund grant program. o The remaining funding was provided through the operational budgets of two Ohio University departments: Facilities Management and Auxiliaries. The original system (Wright Environmental Management, Inc. WEMI-4000) that was installed in 2009 cost $355,370.00. However, the total start-up costs associated with the project were more than twice that, or about $800,000.00. Some of the costs included a road upgrade, a cement pad, and a heated pole barn. The total cost also included bringing utilities to the site, creating a leach field, installing a 10 kWh solar array and installing a rainwater harvesting system. The facility was expanded in 2012 thanks to an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant in the amount of $1,088,571. The expansion included the addition of: a 4-ton expandable in-vessel system (WEMI-8000EX), enabling the university to compost 100% of its pre- and post-consumer dining waste; a 31.1 kilowatt solar array to completely power the current site and expansion; a 1.4 gallon solar thermal water heating system to improve the ability of workers to clean the collection bins with harvested rainwater; a windrow turner; and a waste-oil burner to heat the pole barn. o The ARRA funds do not encompass all of the costs for this project. Ohio University committed $579,646 of matching funds for successful implementation of the compost expansion. The In-Vessel Composting Machine: Ohio University elected to employ this type of in-vessel composting system for management of all its food waste for several reasons: the system features a highly efficient contained system, which has the capacity to manage all forms of organic waste (including meat, dairy, biodegradable service-ware and landscape waste); it speeds the processing of waste into usable soil; it controls odors, vectors and leachates; and minimizes staff time needed for operation. The tunnel optimizes the natural composting process by controlling airflow, moisture levels and temperatures thereby accelerating the decomposition cycle of organic wastes. Composting material is moved in a plug flow fashion through the tunnel in the designated number of retention days. Material is supported on a series of stainless steel perforated trays that form the tunnel floor. The trays are pushed forward as a continuous unit by an external hydraulic ram. When the ram is moving an empty tray into the tunnel, all trays within the tunnel are moving forward. As an empty tray is being inserted, compost from a single tray is being unloaded at the tunnel discharge end using a series of vertical breaker bars and a discharge auger. The auger discharges the compost from the unloading tray onto a conveyor and the empty tray emerges from the tunnel ready for inspection and re-use. Surges of waste quantities or changes in composition can be accommodated by inserting and filling more trays than the number required on a typical loading day. The tunnel is controlled for air supply and temperature using dedicated control proves, supply and exhaust fan and an air circulation system with associated air plenums. Composting material then moves through a set of spinners that act to invert, homogenize, agitate and stack the material into the next zone. Water is added during material cross-mixing (if needed) to re-establish proper moisture levels. Material remains in the second zone for an addition number of days equivalent to the retention time in Zone 1 (e.g. 7 days in Zone 1 and 7 days in Zone 2 equals 14 retention days) while significant stabilization occurs through control of air supply, water and temperature. The tunnel is equipped with a series of probes that monitor temperatures. These temperatures, in relation to control panel set points, are used to operate supply fans. The optimum temperature range for composting organic waste is 50 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius. The temperature set point in the first composting zone is typically set between 58 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius for greater than three days to ensure pathogen reduction. A set 32

point between 52 degrees Celsius and 54 degrees Celsius is used in the second zone to maximize conversion of putrescible materials. Any moisture that drains out of the composting material flows into the plenums that run along the base of the tunnel and from the plenums to sump boxes through pipes located at the sides of the tunnel. Leachate is pumped back onto the composting materials from the sump boxes through pipes located at each sump box. Some leachate is released to the on-site septic system when the overall water balance is positive inside the machine. The organic waste is combined with bulking agents (wood chips from landscape waste are commonly used) and then processed in the in-vessel system for approximately 14 days. Note: The new facility has an electronic weighing station and conveyor belt to increase worker safety/facility efficiency. You can let the group walk up to the top of the system to see where the material is loaded. After the arms turn the material around a few times the bottom is dropped out and the material falls onto one of the trays below. (In the smaller building, OU added the splash guard, the railing, the safety chain, and the controls up top. The larger building with the new system has advanced safety features built into the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newer model) The University has spent several years testing out a variety of biodegradable/compostable serviceware (plates, cups, forks, etc.). It was discovered that certain products, particularly potato starchbased, do not break down quickly enough to be used with our system. We have had recent success in PLA (polylactic acid) service-ware. During our transition from a 2-ton daily load to 6+-ton daily loads, the use of service-ware as a bulking agent slowed. Now that our new system is running more consistently, we are hopeful that we can reintroduce service-ware as a primary bulking agent in the compost recipe. o Note: Details regarding the â&#x20AC;&#x153;compost recipeâ&#x20AC;? are not provided here since it can be a temperamental process depending on individual batches of organic matter, among other things. This is a learning process that can only be mastered by experiencing it first-hand. Typically, we strive for 60% food waste and 40% bulking agents. The compost staff was trained by Wright Environmental following the installation of each facility. o Additionally, various other staff members at the institution have completed trainings for successful operation of the facilities. o Waste pick-up and management was originally handled by one full-time staff member and approximately 5 part-time student staff members. Staffing increased FY 12 to accommodate the increase in composting practices.

Temperature Gauge: - When you come back down the machine you can see a temperature gauge. By providing insulation the machine helps control temperature, but it does not heat or cool the material. The temperature of the material is a result of the heat created as the material breaks down. Highlighted in yellow is the ideal zone that the system should be in for optimal break down. Walk to the rear of the machine (outside portion): - Explain the process of the waste being pushed out the end of the machine and then placed in windrows on site. - Once removed from the system, the compost needs to cure for at least 90 days. - Point out the windrows and the windrow turner - The windrows are turned regularly to offer a more homogenous mix to the compost. The 2012 expansion project included the purchase of a Windrow Turner which streamlines this turning process. 33

The resulting nutrient-rich soil is used on-campus (intramural athletic fields, gardens used by Plant Biology students, Ecohouse community garden, etc.).

Walk to the solar Panels: - The original compost facility had a 10kw solar array and the new system features an additional 30.1 kw. As of Summer 2013, we just completed our first year of the expanded program, so we can’t offer hard data on this, but we’re anticipating that we’ll be generating 100% of our usage. Both systems are grid-tied. “Grid tied” means that we sell our generated electricity back to the power company. You can also set-up systems that have battery packs and the energy is stored (we do not do that). And, then there’s also the option to remain off-grid where you are dependent upon battery packs and use a different type of converter. What are the pros and cons to each of these options? o Possible Answers:  Battery packs are often times inefficient and the batteries contain harmful materials (and need to be replaced frequently).  Grid-tied systems allow you to utilize electricity from the grid should you need more electricity than you produce.  Back-up battery on a grid-tied system requires more maintenance and has more start-up costs, but can provide comfort in emergencies.  Off-grid systems are not dependent upon local power and less vulnerable to blackouts. - The solar panels are on a Manual Tilt. Twice annually, we tilt the panels to maximize their efficiencies. - Point out the Solar Thermal panels: Those panels may look like regular Photovoltaic Arrays, but they’re actually part of a solar thermal system. These panels use a glycol solution to heat the water used to clean the bins. We’ll explain solar thermal more in-depth at the Ecohouse because we can get closer to the panels and it will make more sense. Walk to the opposite side of the Pole Barn: - Point out the stormwater management site. - We worked closely with EPA to develop an acceptable stormwater management plan for this facility. The first thing is to note that leachate (excess fluid) from the machine is funneled from the machine to a bioswale that naturally filters the fluid. It is then piped to this retention pond that has been carefully dug to offer an even flow of excess water (in the case of heavy rains) into bioswales. - Why is stormwater management an important feature to a facility like this? o Possible answers:  The leachate contains toxins (from the food) that could contaminate local waterways.  Oil/grease from foods and from vehicles will naturally occur in runoff, so it needs to be cleaned before it comes in contact with our water supply. Closing: -

While composting is an excellent way to divert waste from the landfill, Ohio University is also excited to be able to use this project as a way to promote student engagement and academic programs while improving the efficacy and sustainability of our program. The opportunities for research studies and programming surrounding soil analysis, PLA testing, sociological impacts, 34

behavior change, etc. is at the heart of what we hope to offer. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Sustainability with research requests as they relate to the Compost Facility. Talk about how our goal is not to maximize compost, but to minimize food waste. You want your food waste to be zero. You want to put the compost system operation out of business. You may also talk about how Ohio Uâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food waste per person was twice that of students at other institutions who did food waste audits. Why might that be the case? What can individuals do to change that statistic?

If continuing to The Ridges: Next weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take a small hike through The Ridges and talk about Sustainability and its relationship to community and history. Phrases and Concepts

Food and Ecology: Food Chain: In ecology, the sequence of transfers of matter and energy from organism to organism in the form of food. Food chains intertwine locally into a food web because most organisms consume more than one type of animal or plant. Plants, which convert solar energy to food by photosynthesis, are the primary food source. In a predator chain, a plant-eating animal is eaten by a flesh-eating animal. In a parasite chain, a smaller organism consumes part of a larger host and may itself be parasitized by even smaller organisms. In a saprophytic chain, microorganisms live on dead organic matter. Because energy, in the form of heat, is lost at each step, or trophic level, chains do not normally encompass more than four or five trophic levels. People can increase the total food supply by cutting out one step in the food chain: instead of consuming animals that eat cereal grains, the people themselves consume the grains. Because the food chain is made shorter, the total amount of energy available to the final consumers is increased. - Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. Biofilter, Biofiltration: A pollution control technique using living material to capture and biologically degrade process pollutants. Common uses include processing waste water, capturing harmful chemicals or silt from surface runoff, and microbiotic oxidation of contaminants in air. - Wikipedia Bioswale: Landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides (less than six percent) and filled with vegetation, compost and/or riprap. The water's flow path, along with the wide and shallow ditch, is designed to maximize the time water spends in the swale, which aids the trapping of pollutants and silt. Depending upon the geometry of land available, a bioswale may have a meandering or almost straight channel alignment. Biological factors also contribute to the breakdown of certain pollutants. A common application is around parking lots, where substantial automotive pollution is collected by the paving and then flushed by rain. The bioswale, or other type of biofilter, wraps around the parking lot and treats the runoff before releasing it to the watershed or storm sewer. - Wikipedia

The Ridges: Location: The Ridges is situated between Route 682 and Dairy Lane in Athens, OH. Both of the previous tour sites are located on The Ridges. Parking: If this is the first or only portion of the tour, participants may park in metered parking. For an accessibility map of The Ridges, view: http://www.ohio.edu/disabilities/upload/the_ridges.pdf.

Introduction: Begin the tour at the crest of the hill at the compost facility. (This section is also included at the start of the compost tour, so you may omit it if you already said this part) - The site is located on land that we now call The Ridges which used to be a part of the State Psychiatric Hospital. The facility that sits on this land was originally called the Athens Lunatic Asylum. Since it has undergone so many name changes (9 different names!), we’ll call it The Ridges for the remainder of this tour for the sake of clarity. - The Ridges has received plenty of local and national attention for its unique history. The Office of Sustainability is particularly interested in this history due to its unique connection to sustainability. - There are 668 acres attached to The Ridges. We’ll only cover a small portion of that today. Begin Walking toward trail: - It started as a psychiatric facility in 1874 and functioned as such until 1991 when it was shut down. It transitioned to university-owned property in 1988, leasing the space in the overlap. - The land around the compost site was orchards or was farmed, and the dairy barn we passed on the way to the site provided the dairy for the Hospital. It was almost self-sufficient, as the patients were the workers, providing their own food. Eventually it was ruled inhumane for patients to work the land or in the dairy barn and then the operations began to fall apart. The brick for the buildings was mined and fired on these grounds. All of their needed services, such as barbers and doctors, had space on site in the lower levels of the buildings. So, this is its own little sustainability project. When the hospital shut down it was gifted to the University for a fee of $1. - The reasoning behind the beautiful landscape as the setting for this facility suggested a strong connection to the environment. Mental Health Professionals felt that the serene beauty of this space would naturally improve the health of some patients. This is a belief that we still hold onto today. Many of us find great peace and relief in the silence and beauty of nature. In fact, the Office of Sustainability works very hard to focus on something we call Personal Sustainability. We believe that strengthening our own mental and physical health is the very first step toward achieving true sustainable development of our communities, economy and environment. When you reach the first cemetery: - A number of cemeteries were developed on the grounds of The Ridges to serve as the final resting place for any bodies that were unclaimed by their families. - The earliest headstones were numbered, rather than provide specific information about the deceased. In 1943, they began adding names and dates – but, still on a stone that eroded quickly. Any newer headstones were provided by families who, in more recent years, were able to trace their relatives’ locations and offer them a newer headstone. - Burials at this time were much more environmentally-friendly than more contemporary burials. Bodies were not embalmed, were wrapped in a light cloth and placed in a simple, unfinished coffin. 37

All of these practices allow decomposition to occur more naturally, faster and with fewer toxins present in the soil. Sadly, due to budgetary restraints, many of the headstones entered a state of disrepair and, in turn, many rumors regarding the haunted activity of The Ridges has become one of OU’s biggest mysteries. Superstitions aside, we in the Office of Sustainability feel deeply connected to this space. Our contemporary beliefs regarding personal well-being are grounded deeply in the history of the Mental Health Professions. We are now told that regular exercise, exposure to nature, meditation and stress-relief are essential if we wish to be responsible stewards of our space. The land on this site has always been manipulated by humans, and like the rest of SE Ohio, anything here is second growth.

As you walk toward the clearing: - Deer and turkey frequent the open areas we can see from here. Bobcat, first sighted in 2004, may be responsible for the piles of turkey feathers sometimes found here and elsewhere on the walk. Open areas such as that at the base of the hill and in all the cemeteries are ideal feeding grounds for bluebirds attracted by the dozen nesting boxes erected for them in these areas. At clearing: - Have the participants sit in a circle. Ask them to close their eyes. - Read the following script: I have spoken, on several accounts, of the importance of personal sustainability and generating connections with nature. In our busy lives as college students, parents, siblings, friends (insert any other nouns here), we are rarely presented with interruptionfree time to reconnect with our own thoughts and values. We are constantly plugged in, literally – we’re connected to electronic devices and are limiting our own creativity by stifling free, uninterrupted thought. Keeping your eyes closed, I want you to think about one thing you’ve done this week that required an electronic device. (pause) Now, I want you to think about one thing you’ve done this week that required the absence of electronic devices, or machines. (pause) Which activity caused you more stress? Why do you think that is? Take a minute to think about your own life and the stresses you encounter…what can you do to remove those stresses? (long pause). Now I want you to open your eyes. Thank you. Based on all we’ve already already discussed today, can anyone talk about their own personal impacts on sustainability? (long pause, allow them time to think…if no one answers, then offer a story of your own). Thank you for your thoughtful reflection. We have another ¼ mile to the Ecohouse, where we will talk about sustainable living. On that walk, I want us to really take advantage of the opportunity to be outside and away from our computers. I challenge you to keep your phones and ipods in your pockets and to take in your surroundings. Listen and look for wildlife. Reflect on the historical surroundings. Simply be present with your classmates/colleagues and enjoy their company. - We will be taking the stairs down to Dairy Lane and turning left. I ask that you stay on the grassy area to the left of the road. Other Ridges Facts: -

The residents of Athens purchased this land from the Coates family in 1867 and then donated the 150 acres to the state for construction of the facility. Athens was selected for this facility since its location was centrally located among the rail lines at the time. 38

There was ready access to pure soft water thanks to a variety of springs on the land. The land is positioned in such a way that is favorable to natural drainage. Henry O’Bleness was hired for the making and laying of the bricks needed for the initial construction. o The bricks were made on site from clay dug on site. o It is predicted that there are approximately 19 million bricks used in the facilities. The buildings are constructed using the Kirkbride model (named after architect Thomas Kirkbride, who believed that beautiful and serene settings promoted healing in the mentally ill). Food was prepared on site in the kitchen and then distributed to the wings by transporting on a small railroad in the basement and up to the appropriate floors via dumbwaiters The campus was really a self-sustaining system (in fact, the only real cost was purchase of local coal and oil for heating and electric). o The food was harvested and prepared on site through the garden, dairy barn and orchard.  By 1911, the dairy provided enough milk to supply each patient with one pint per day! o Amenities and resources such as a barber and medical services all had offices on site. o Other facilities included a sewing room, kitchens, bathrooms, chapel, a visitor’s room, an amusement hall and staff quarters. o Under the direction of George Link, over 10 miles of roads and walks were constructed using one horse carts and manual labor. o In 1913, a still for making alcohol was discovered on the grounds.  It turned out to be the product of a patient, with the help of carpenters and maintenance personnel. The original facility (1874) had enough beds for 570 patients. Additional buildings were added throughout the years, reaching approximately 600, 000 square feet of building space and accommodating as many as 1, 362 patients by November of 1911. The rechanneling of the Hocking River in 1968 destroyed much of the carefully constructed grounds (including 4 ponds- shaped like a heart, spade, club and diamond - that were used as ice skating ponds in the winter and for ice for the facility). o This shift in grounds also shifted community use of the space – community members no longer utilized the facility for recreational purposes. By 1981, there were fewer than 300 patients in the facility. In 1982, Ohio University was gifted 344 acres of the facility and received the remaining acreage in 1988. The mental health facility transitioned to a new space in 1993.

Ecohouse: Location: The Ecohouse is located at 8133 Dairy Lane, Athens OH. Parking: This is a private residence. So, we ask that tours do not park at the house (park at the Compost facility or The Ridges). The exception to this is for one single transport vehicle to park at the house to take a carload of participants (drivers of other cars) back to their vehicles. Begin at the bottom of the hill: - This is the OHIO Ecohouse. It is a student residence with a sustainable twist. - The house is 100 years old, and for most of its existence it served as a single family residence. OU acquired the Ecohouse when it purchased all of the Ridges, and it was used for years as a temporary housing for visiting professors or professors in transition that haven’t yet found a home in Athens. In 2005, with the help of motivated students, professors, and community members the Ecohouse project was launched. The 2005/2006 school year was the first year students lived in the house, and it was an Ecohouse in name only. At first, it was all about the motivation of the students who lived there. They were interested in sustainability and experimenting with different ways of living to reduce their impact on the environment. Since then, there has been a lot of money invested in the house, but it is constantly changing and continues to be a place that is led by the motivations of its residents. - Students are chosen to live here after participating competitive application process. The next round of applicants will be selected in October for the following academic year. - Three students currently reside in the house. And, they are asked to learn about and practice a sustainable lifestyle. They aren’t asked to be experts on sustainable living, merely to learn about the lifestyle and help us educate others. - The entire goal of the Ecohouse Project is to show that it is possible to live a sustainable life in an affordable and respectable manner. Sustainable can look nice and be affordable! It’s also a great time for self reflection. With that said, going back to our earlier conversation, what have you thought about in your own life that may have a connection with sustainability? (let all who want to answer the question, if there’s silence, tell them something you do that is NOT very sustainable---it helps break the ice and remove the guilt). - Many of the features of this house are so subtle, we won’t even talk about them. Sustainable living can be as simple as recycling, bringing your own bag to the grocery store or humanely managing rodent problems to more obvious such as the Solar Thermal array here. Walk to the Solar Thermal array: - We talked briefly about Solar Thermal at the Compost facility. You’ll recall that the array at the compost facility was on the roof. This one is ground mounted. Both are completely acceptable styles of installation. - So, let’s start with the basics…what is a solar thermal array? (pause for answers). It’s essentially a hot water heater….It’s a sustainable way to heat your water. See, we use a glycol solution in the tubes that run along these panels and the water flows through those tubes, the water passes through the glycol loop and heats the water. o Glycol solution- like antifreeze. 1. More efficient at transferring heat. 2. Doesn’t freeze - In warmer climates, you will see water piping painted black on the exterior of homes. That’s actually a cheaper, even more efficient way to heat your water---but, it’s just not as sexy as a panel in your yard. 40

So, if Solar Thermal is using the power of the sun for the purpose of heating water and a Photovoltaic array is using the power of the sun to create electricity, which of these two technologies do you think is more efficient? The Solar Thermal! Why? Well, we’re using heat to create heat, so nothing is lost in the conversion. But, with PVs, we’re using light and converting it to electricity, so we lose some efficiencies in the process. Costs: $7000, payback in 5-7 years. fast payback. Great investment for most homes. Can be subsidized by government.

Solar Powered Clothes Dryer: - Make a joke about the “expensive solar powered clothes dryer” and talk about how the residents save electricity by allowing the clothes to air dry. Rain Barrel: - Much like the rainwater harvesting cistern at the compost facility, we collect rain and use it for a variety of purposes: flushing the toilet, watering the lawn/garden, washing garden equipment, etc. Compost: - This is a more traditional in-home composter. The general idea is still the same, but on a much smaller scale than the university-wide compost facility. The food waste and landscape waste from the house is placed in the barrel, which is rotated regularly (about once per week) and that allows the breakdown of materials to happen faster. - A third and fourth example of composting are available in the basement (vermicomposting) and in the community garden (bin composting) – and, all are acceptable ways to compost in the home. Photovoltaic Array: - We have a 2.4kW, grid-tied system installed by Dovetail solar and wind. OU paid $20,000 for the solar array after government rebates/subsidies/incentives. The cost of solar has decreased significantly since this was installed, making it much more accessible for the average homeowner. - There are 2 kinds of electricity demand: instant high demand and long-run total demand. Our system is grid tied because we use more electricity than we produce. However, even if we produced enough on average, we still might not produce enough for short periods of high demand. In addition, battery storage is inefficient and it is more efficient to use the grid as our battery. - Efficiency of the PV array is relatively low, about 12%. Our array is not in an ideal spot because we live in a holler and therefore don’t get as much direct sunlight as we would in a flatter area or higher up. The PV panels work more efficiently in the winter, but they provide more electricity in the summer because there are many more hours of good sunlight. What about solar electricity in SE Ohio in general. We already have good high voltage power lines infrastructure which are good for connecting to solar. We don’t get as much sun as many places, but we do have population centers nearby. Energy is also lost in the transport of electricity. Because of this, a desert out west might seem like a great place for solar, but there aren’t any population centers nearby and the electricity has to be transported and so it loses a lot in transmission. - Downsides to solar: not affordable, takes up a lot of space, not enough power, embodied energy (the amount of energy needed to create the panels), PVs need to work for 10 years before they repay embodied energy, wind energy is much better, PV panels are made from mined silicon with a limited supply - Upsides: some places solar is critical if the location is off the grid, creates incentives for R & D, everything first generation costs a lot, over time price declines, economies of scale, cleaner option, many of the costs of fossil fuels are not economic such as air quality and health. 41

Community Garden: -

This space was once just a garden for our residents, but we’ve spent a lot of time and energy converting it to a campus garden. Any student, faculty or staff member is able to adopt a plot for free! Everything grown in the garden is organic. What is organic? Why does it matter? Organic among commercial products is a certification that verifies that something was grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Chemicals are all around us, why should it matter if they’re used in growing our food? First of all, fertilizers and pesticides are usually petroleum based; this increases our reliance and dependency on foreign oil. Also, these chemicals may have a negative impact on our health in the long run. However, there is no conclusive research that shows how chemical pesticides affect our health. Chemical fertilizers can seep into groundwater or get carried off in rainwater runoff into surface bodies of water such as streams, lakes and oceans. Why is that bad? When a water bodied is contaminated with excess nutrients, it can stimulate the rapid reproduction of algae causing an algal bloom. These algae multiply and use up the majority of these excess nutrients until there is no longer enough nutrients in the water to support the large population of algae. As a result, the algae begin to die. At this time, there is a lot of dissolved oxygen in the water, a necessity for aquatic life. As the algae die, they are decomposed by aerobic bacteria which themselves quickly multiply and use up all of the oxygen in the water. The bacteria continue to do so until there is no oxygen left. At this point, the affected area becomes a dead zone where plants and animals can no longer live, and the remainder of the algae are decomposed by anaerobic bacteria which produce greenhouse gas. Chemical pesticides can create resistance among the pests that they target, and as a result higher and higher doses of the toxic chemicals must be used. How else is conventional agriculture petroleum dependent? Transportation- farm goods are mass produced in certain regions and then shipped throughout the country. This may actually be more efficient use of fossil fuels overall if sufficient economies of scale reduce the fuel used per unit produced. Mechanization- Modern agriculture is extremely capital/machine intensive and uses very little human power. All of these machines require fossil fuel. Does anybody recognize anything in the garden? Does anyone have any gardening/farming experience? Has anyone been to the Athens farmers’ market? Why? Know who grew your food. Eating seasonal is natural and good for the earth. There are natural conditions favorable for different foods at different times. Creating artificial conditions requires more resources such as fuel/water/nutrients/etc. Our market was rated in the top 10 farmers’ markets in the country by the Audubon Society. Sustainability is not about depriving yourself, rather it is a way to have a higher quality of life and not degrade the environment. Does anyone have a diet that has an impact on resource use? Local? Meat? Vegan? Fast food? Slow food? Point out the compost pile – it’s different than the other two we have viewed today. There are as many ways to compost as there are people who compost.

Optional: Indoor Tour: Note: Participants are only allowed in the kitchen and basement out of respect for our residents’ privacy. - Kitchen: o Compost collection 42

o Appliances- Energy Star- EPA rating for energy efficiency. This is a mandatory labeling to assist consumers. Also for buildings (like LEED). Shows operating costs instead of just initial costs. Electricity only, not water. o Dishwasher- small, more likely to be full, water efficient o Fridge- energy star, freezer on bottom o Insulation- house re-insulated to reduce heating/cooling costs. Windows insulated o Programmable thermostat- allows us to save energy when house doesn’t need to be hot because people are sleeping or not home Bathroom (talk about it, but stay in the kitchen): o Grey water system- save water, $, energy; don’t need drinking water to flush toilet. Use rainwater, dishwater, dehumidifier water o showerhead- saves water, low-flow, and kill switch on showerhead Basement o Vermicomposter o Washing machine- water efficient, energy star, uses less detergent, manufactured in ohio, $1200 o Dryer- manufactured in Ohio, lint goes to worms o On-demand water heater- gas powered, heats water as needed instead of having a full tank of hot water 24 hours a day, costs $900 (private homes can get $300 rebate) o Insulated hot water tank - pays off very fast, should be standard o A-Maize-ing heat- can use recycled wood but doesn’t always if demand is too high, carbon neutral because trees are part of the current carbon cycle unlike fossil fuels which are stored carbon (terminology debatable), dirtier with respect to particulate matter  wood vs. maize- wood is not a food product, price difference, also wood has higher heat potential per weight, (BTUs),  self-augering, different than a traditional wood stove that needs human-powered fuel addition, $2000 cost of furnace, can save money (depends on fuel costs) o Inverter- DC to AC current. Panel produces DC, most home appliances use AC. 2 kW inverter, but we have a 2.4 kW array, more cost efficient because we rarely produce full capacity, right sizing- buy a cheaper inverter that will have sufficient capacity most of the time

Questioning Techniques Effective questioning techniques can be easily developed with practice. Some guidelines to keep in mind are:  Keep the wording of the questions free of jargon  Use familiar terms – familiar to both you AND your audience  Use age-appropriate language  Be clear and direct  Pose questions one at a time – not in rapid-fire succession  Allow time for answers, rephrasing the question if necessary. When rephrasing, make sure you don’t totally change the question or the answer desired.  Not all questions need to be answered  Above all, be flexible! Levels of Questioning: 1.) Focus Questions – the most basic type of question, this level of questioning allows the interpreter to sum up background information the visitor may have. It requires the visitor to obtain specific information using perceptual skills (listen, see, touch, smell, taste) or language skills (verbal, written). a. Answers require knowledge of the subject b. Allows interpreter to determine if information is already known or is being learned c. Involves recall/identification/definition d. Sometimes a yes-no or a one-word answer e. Key Words/phrases: Name, List, Count, Define, Label, Identify f. Sample Question: Can you describe the types of food you eat in the dining halls that can be composted? 2.) Process Questions – This type of question has a wider scope of possible responses. The audience is asked to integrate information rather than just remember or describe. At this level, the participant will build on information acquired earlier and apply reasoning skills to information about objects. a. Require application of reasoning b. Require organization of information to form an opinion or justify it c. Involve explanations of relationships between objects, things, etc. d. Integration of new information into previous experience i. Key words/phrases: Compare, explain, justify, organize, categorize, plan, summarize, develop and argument. e. Sample Question: Why do we compost? 3.) Evaluative Questions – At this level, questions are used to ask the participant to go beyond the known. The questions deal with matters of value, choice or judgment of the audience. This type of question will often stimulate interest and creativity. They encourage the participant to: a. Transfer new information or ideas, then make judgments b. Go beyond known or given information c. Make predictions d. Formulate hypotheses e. Key words/phrases: Suppose, speculate, imagine, revise, compose, decide f. Sample Question: Imagine what our world would look like if everyone composted instead of sending so much to the landfill…how would our lives be different? 4.) Affective Questions – This type of question deal less with the cognitive aspect of the experience and instead focuses on the emotional aspects. Affective questions are those that enable participants to clarify values and explore feelings; that enable participants to get in touch with some intangible elements of their experience. a. Sample question: What personal changes do you feel you can make in your life to assist with our sustainability efforts? Adapted from Questioning Techniques by Tess Schatzer

Presentation and Group Facilitation Tips: When Asking Questions:  Direct most questions to the entire audience rather than a single individual. This indicates to the group that everyone is expected to think.  Ask only one question at a time.  Allow time for an answer. This is called “wait time.” Try not to answer your own question. If no one offers a response, leave it open to be answered later, or rephrase the question.  Do not start a question with “Does anyone know…” or “Can anyone tell me…” Such phrases express doubt that the question can be answered.  Pace questions to the ability of the group.  Develop ideas and concepts through a series of questions. Build from focus questions to process questions to evaluative questions. This challenges your group to higher levels of thinking.  Accept answers gracefully, even if the answers are wrong. Never make someone feel foolish for participating in the program.  Avoid asking questions that require a simple yes or no. When Using Props:  Involve different senses with props. Odors and noises capture a group’s attention. The sound of a ringing bell, a rifle firing, even a silence can all be powerful tools (though, Office of Sustainability discourages the use of firearms).  Use historical artifacts (or reproductions). They can be used to invoke a bygone era, helping the visitor to travel back in time.  Involve the visitor with the propr. When possible allow them to touch the object, to hold it. We remember what we experience.  Use familiar objects in unfamiliar ways in order to help you draw analogies between common objects and the natural world. For example, assembling a flashlight clearly shows the concept of interdependence – the ideas that different parts work together to make a system. When Using Humor:  Relate the story to the talk. Humor should be used only if it illustrates an important point. If it is used only to gain a laugh, it is inappropriate.  Use a story only if it is not offensive and is one with which the audience can identify. It is important to exercise good taste and not embarrass your audience or the Office. If anyone is the target of the humor, make it you.  A humorous story or anecdote should arrive unannounced. It should drift in and out of the plot unobtrusively.  Humor requires timing and delivery to be effective. Use it only if you feel comfortable with it and understand it.

Standard Presentation Classroom Presentations: Office of Sustainability is commonly invited into classrooms to present on the basics of sustainability. - Every graduate assistant in the Office of Sustainability should be prepared to give presentations about sustainability to classes and other gatherings. - These presentations were originally created by OoS staff and interns. - You are invited to change the presentations slightly to fit your specific presentation style. This does not mean you’re allowed to alter facts. - The presentations are available on Yammer in the classroom presentation page under “Sustainability final,” Sustainability-Basics” and several others that have been adapted to staff needs. There are also various activities that can be used in the classrooms, such as Human Bingo and Carbon Footprint Analyses. - Faculty can request a presentation by utilizing the online form found at www.ohio.edu/sustainability. The Tour and Presentation Coordinator then schedules an OoS-er to present at the requested time(s). - Every graduate assistant and staff member in the Office of Sustainability should memorize the basic sustainability presentation. - Staff members at the Office of Sustainability should be prepared to make a presentation whenever one is requested. If other presentations are created, the deadline would depend on the need (i.e., if a class requested a special presentation, we would accommodate that only if we had the staffing available to meet the need).

Style Guide In media, the groundwork for any production is a style guide. This guide would set theme, mood and create a brand. The Office of Sustainability style guide was created in FY12 to comply with a more modern brand. Now, whenever the OoS creates content for any type of publication, this style guide is followed. It creates one cohesive voice that is easily recognized as the Office of Sustainability.

The Style Guide can be found on the shared drive (sustainability Marketing & Outreach  OoS Logos Design) and on Zenfolio (“OoS Branding”).

Community Partnerships: Our staff is frequently asked to sit on a variety of community committees. If you are approached by a committee, please take down their personal information, the details of the committee and the specific request. Then, bring that information back to the Office Sustainability and we will decide if it is a commitment that fits our scope. Currently, we represent the following: City of Athens Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee What: These meetings are a good place to network with the city administration and should be used to work with the city to make progress on benchmark 27 of the Sustainability Plan (decrease use of single occupancy vehicles). The collaboration between the city and the university could result in the creation of maps of safe biking routes through the city and campus, or the building of a bike facility at the edge of campus for city and university alike to share. The committee also could be used for marketing and event planning. Where: Meetings are held at the City Building on E. Washington St near Court St., usually in the first floor conference room. Who: A graduate student from the OoS is idea. Paul Logue, Athens City Planner, plogue@ci.athens.oh.us chairs the meetings and sends out meeting announcements. When: Meetings are supposed to be held monthly, around lunchtime. Paul can give more specific info about this year’s meetings. Designee for FY14: __________________________________

Athens Food Policy Council The AFPC is currently identifying their agenda and processes for how to “grow healthy and sustainable food systems in the region”. Know that they are, or hopefully will be, a potential resource for learning what policies local organizations are pursuing to support the regional food system. For example, based on what other local institutions have tried, the AFPC may have suggestions for how to increase the percentage of local food at rates greater than the 5% increase per year that the Sustainability Plan calls for. Also, know that the Office of Sustainability can propose policy items be put on the AFPC agenda. If you (or a representative/proxy) are not able to attend the meetings, I would request that you be sent the meeting minutes to stay up-to date on what is happening in the community in terms of food issues and learn about opportunities to partner together. For example, July is 30 mile meal month with the following themed weeks. By promoting this on our facebook and webpages we are promoting more sustainable eating habits and helping to connect the campus community with the greater Athens community. Week 1: local eating promotions Week 2: We Love Our Farmers Week 3: Restaurant week Week 4: Specialty food producers week Designee for FY14: __________________________________ City Commission on Sustainability Designee for FY14: Markie Miller? Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Committee Designee for FY14: Annie Laurie Cadmus Athens City Transit: Designee for FY14: ___________________________________

Recruiting and Retaining OoS-ers Office of Sustainability is committed to providing students with a diverse set of valuable experiences that increase knowledge-base of sustainability concepts while allowing the student (and their resume) to grow. Sustainability, historically, has utilized a very homogenous vocabulary and outreach approach. The OoS-ers of FY14 are going to be challenged to reach beyond our usual suspects and recruit students who may not, initially, appear to be sustainability advocates. We need to diversify sustainability so we can continue to learn from one another, grow our cause and positively impact a greater audience. Outreach and recruitment efforts currently planned for FY14: - Static recruitment table at Bobcat Student Orientation - Presentation at Resident Assistant training o And participation in the RA Resource Fair - Presentation to Communications Teaching Assistants - Outreach to all faculty through the Common Experience Project o Inclusion in New Faculty Orientation keynote  And handouts at the end of the presentation o Potential Inclusion in an email from the Provost to all faculty o Potential inclusion in President McDavis’ FY14 welcome speech to all faculty - Sustainability Kick-Off event in September - SOUL Recruitment event in September (one at Athens campus one at OU Southern) - ALL GAs are to serve as a regional campus liaison (one campus per GA) - Service Learning events for classes - EcoSkills Workshops - Sustainability Tours/Classroom Presentations - Increased marketing is needed…what else should we be doing? Once we find interested students, we must RETAIN them! Here are some things we hope you keep in mind throughout the year: - If you see someone new in the office, please introduce yourself and take a few minutes to get to know them. If they have questions, help them. Make them feel welcomed. - Always carry your OoS business cards with you and hand them to people who you think are interested in sustainability…they’re a low-pressure way to invite someone to participate in our program offerings. - Assist students with their professional development. Share with them what you’re doing for professional development. - Help build a cohesive, welcoming office environment. What are your ideas for improving this space? - Help plan team building or staff development workshops. Share any of your ideas with the Director of the Professional Development Coordinator. We’d love to help make your ideas come to fruition. - Help others learn how to explore (and practice for yourself) a positive and healthy work/school/life balance. Do not burn out! - Engage in meaningful work and make sure our student employees have meaningful work, too! - Regularly schedule one-on-ones with your supervisor and with the student staff you manage. Come to those meetings prepared – ask questions, offer ideas, engage! What else should we be doing in the Office of Sustainability? Brainstorm! No idea is too ridiculous…if we can’t do it now, we can always explore variations of it and/or put it on our “bike rack” (i.e. “parking lot” or “we’ll think about it later”) list! Remember, you were hired for a reason – we deeply value your ideas, insights and observations.