Sustainability Committee

NEXT MEETING: T.B.A. Fall 2015

This committee promotes environmental awareness, resource conservation and sustainable practices. It serves as a recommending body to the administration concerning safety and environmental issues. The primary goal of the committee is to make the University a safer place to work and study. The committee reports to the Vice President for Administration and Finance.

History
The rich Native American heritage of Northeastern State University is expressed in our concern for the environment. NSU has always been concerned with environmental issues, even back when we were known as the Cherokee National Female Seminary and later as Northeastern State Normal School. The university had a long-standing group called the Campus Environment and Sustainability Committee.

In keeping with NSU's second strategic goal (building sustainable communities), the committee was commissioned to explore ways in which the university could engage with the surrounding communities of Tahlequah, Broken Arrow and Muskogee to lessen our carbon footprint and preserve the well-being of our planet.

In January 2011 the group voted to change our name to the Committee for Sustainability. Like the university as a whole, our name has changed, but our commitment remains steadfast. We are joining efforts with the Northeastern Student Government Association's Sustainability Committee and NSU's Tree Campus USA Committee to further advance sustainability issues. Given NSU's history as a teaching college, it is imperative that we continue to teach the next generation to be good stewards of the environment. Join us on our journey toward more sustainable practices, one choice at a time.

Membership
Ten members of the faculty and staff to include the university safety officer and school nurse plus two students appointed by the Northeastern Student Government Association. The university risk manager is an ex officio member.

Ms. Deborah Hyde (chair)
Ms. Donna Agee
Dr. Mark Buckles
Ms. Courtney George
Ms. Patty Buhl, ex officio
Ms. Amanda Harrie
Ms. Libby Rogers, ex officio
Ms. Sandra Martin
Mr. Thad Turman
Dr. Pam Christol
Ms. Lauren Lowe-Thompson, NSGA Rep.
Ms. Taylor Melone, NSGA Rep