The process of effectively advancing sustainability on a university campus
takes a coordinated effort achieved through an institutional commitment. Wayne State
University (WSU) embarked upon a campus-wide initiative to develop a report that
would guide the institution toward achieving the triple-bottom line of environmental,
economic, and social sustainability. A multi-disciplinary group made a series of
recommendations that would usher WSU forward in sustainable best practices within
the campus environment. Of singular importance among these recommendations was
the call for a dedicated office that would have oversight of University sustainability
initiatives. Nearly four years following the initial report, WSU established an Office of
Campus Sustainability (OCS) charged with coordinating the University’s efforts to
move toward an environmentally-friendly institution. The pathway leading to opening
the OCS was long and arduous with various results yielding successes and challenges.
The office structure played an important role in the scope of activities that the
sustainability office could become engaged. Importantly, initial administrative support
became tepid through leadership changes slowing attempts to gain traction on campuswide
initiatives. Through continuous attempts at campus engagement OCS has been
able to build a foundation that would help solidify its standing as a campus resource
while proving to be a valuable means of developing worthwhile sustainability
programming.
Keywords: Administration, Alternative-transportation, Campus, Community,
Detroit, Education, Energy, Environment, Facility, Fund, Outreach, Recycling,
Research, Stormwater, Students, Sustainability, University, Urban-garden, Waste,
Watershed.
