With preparations for the University’s new strategic plan underway, one group on campus is focused on making sure environmental sustainability is a priority for the University in the next 10 years.

The Sustainability Working Group was started by University President Michael Adams in February, with its main purpose being to catalogue the University’s efforts in sustainability, as well as present goals and recommendations for future sustainability projects.

The group, which is comprised of University students and faculty, recently released its 69-page report on the University’s sustainability efforts and goals.

“The main reason Dr. Adams called us together was that he wants UGA to do more with sustainability,” said Kathy Pharr, who chaired the Working Group. “There is a lot of interest on campus to do more with sustainability. I don’t think anyone is satisfied; we want to do better.”

Pharr said one of the most important recommendations the report presents is to develop a way to synthesize all the sustainability-related work and research that students and faculty are participating in. Many groups on campus are working toward creating a more sustainable University, but their efforts and results are not often communicated with other environmentally-based groups and researchers or with the rest of the campus.

“In order to maximize our potential, we don’t need to be duplicating our efforts,” Pharr said. “We need to be able to inventory what we are doing, as well as maximize awareness of this issue on campus.”

To accomplish this goal, the report recommends creating a Committee of Sustainability to oversee and record the University’s sustainability-related activity. According to the report, the sustainability committee could provide “a vital connection to the local community on the University’s efforts.”

This year, GreenReportCard.org gave the University a C in sustainability, and the Sierra Club rated it a D on its list of “Cool Schools.”

Mark Milby, co-chair of the Go-Green Alliance, said a central body for information would help the University score better in these reports. He said the Go-Green Alliance is pushing for an office of sustainability to serve as this central body.

“There is no unifying voice for this issue, ” he said. “Universities with offices of sustainability score higher on report cards, and there is an increased level of communication that comes with a central location.”

Emily Karol, co-chair of the Go-Green Alliance, said an office of sustainability would also help fund environmentally centered projects.

“There are a lot of individuals who want to do things, but the biggest problem is funding,” she said. “An office would help these students accomplish what they want to do.”

To fund the development of the office, the Go-Green Alliance is pushing for the addition of a $3 green fee to student activity fees. The fee would go toward creating the office and hiring a director, as well as providing funds for student and faculty initiatives.

Milby said other important recommendations outlined in the report included rejoining the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and strengthening the University’s environmental literacy requirements for undergraduates.

“In general, the Go-Green Alliance is really happy with the report,” he said.

William Vencill, a professor in the crop and soil sciences department, is leading the committee responsible for outlining the University’s 2010-2020 strategic plan. He said sustainability is a goal that will be included in this plan.

“The University needs to be a responsible steward of resources,” he said. “We need to be a light on the hill to other entities in state, and also instruct students on the importance of sustainability.”

Vencill said the University has been making strides in energy efficiency and sustainability, but it has a responsibility to continue to make progress in these areas.

“Sustainability is important to the University, and by putting it in the strategic plan, we are saying this is a long term goal,” he said.