Sustainability Committee

Terms of Reference

The Sustainability Committee plays a key role in enabling the achievement of the University’s sustainability objectives through the University of Tasmania Strategic Framework for Sustainability. The Committee will perform this role through:

1. Providing high-level direction and advice on environmental, social and economic sustainability across the University, including assessing and developing advice on matters of policy, strategy and planning to achieve sustainable outcomes for the University and broader community, including in relation to:
   • facilities and operations
   • learning, teaching and research
   • partnerships and engagement
   • leadership and governance.
2. Reviewing and monitoring progress against the objectives and goals of the University of Tasmania Strategic Framework for Sustainability and providing guidance on further actions and initiatives to achieve these objectives.
3. Promoting a culture of continuous improvement in sustainability through identification and sharing of actions and initiatives that embed sustainability principles and deliver positive outcomes across Colleges and Divisions.

The Executive Sponsor of the Sustainability Committee is the Head of Student Services and Operations, who will notify key initiatives to the University Executive team (and through to University Council committees as appropriate).

A University Executive Team Sustainability Working Group will actively engage with the work of the Committee, and will consist of:

• the Vice Chancellor
• the Head of Student Services and Operations
• the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)
• the Executive Director Campus Services
• the Chair; and
• the Deputy Chair.

Relationships

• The Sustainability Committee will consult with the Academic Senate and relevant academic and research committees on sustainability initiatives that affect curriculum and research.
• The Sustainability Committee will consult with other relevant committees on sustainability initiatives that affect other areas.
• The Sustainability Committee will coordinate with and advise Colleges and Divisions across the University on internal sustainability matters and initiatives.

Membership

• Chair (Chief Sustainability Officer or equivalent)
• Deputy Chair (senior academic)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or delegate
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or delegate
• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Aboriginal Leadership)
• Chief Financial Officer or delegate
• Chief Marketing Officer or delegate
• Chief People Officer or delegate
• Executive Deans/Chief Executive, College of Arts, Law and Education or delegate
• Executive Deans/Chief Executive, College of Business and Economics or delegate
• Executive Deans/Chief Executive, College of Health and Medicine or delegate
• Executive Deans/Chief Executive, College of Sciences and Engineering or delegate
• Principal, University College or delegate
• Executive Director, Student Equity and Success or delegate
• Executive Director, Recruitment (International) or delegate
• Executive Director, Strategic Communications or delegate
• Executive Director, Campus Services or delegate
• Chief Executive, University Services
• Education for Sustainability Community of Practice representative
• Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) - 2 representatives (e.g., President, Environmental Officer, Equity Officer, Postgraduate representative, preferably one South, one North)
• Students for Sustainability Working Group facilitator or delegate

Where delegates attend meetings on behalf of named member positions, in order to fulfil the mandate of the Committee to provide a conduit for reporting and oversight, the delegate must be in a leadership role within that organisational unit.

Secretariat

Secretariat will be provided by Sustainability.

Cheryl Wickham is the Secretary to the Sustainability Committee.

Member roles

Members are expected to:

• regularly identify and share actions and initiatives that embed sustainability principles and deliver positive outcomes in their areas, including via a Plan on a Page
• proactively liaise with and report to their areas of the University to promulgate the efforts of the Committee and serve as a conduit of activity from their area back to the Committee

Delegates will formally report back to and seek direction from the appointed member with respect to Committee activities.

Membership Appointment and Terms

The Chair and Deputy Chair will be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor

Members, other than student representatives, will be appointed to the Committee for a period of two years (may be reappointed). Student representatives will be members for a period of one year, coinciding with their roles as elected Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) and Student for Sustainability Working Group representatives.

The Chair, in conjunction with the Executive Sponsor, may co-opt members (to a maximum of two) whose expertise, background or current work are especially relevant to the Committee for a period of up to one year (may be reappointed).

The Chair may also include invitees for consideration of relevant agenda items.

In appointment of members, gender-balanced representation is the goal (maximum 60% representation for either gender, if not 50/50) as is having multi campus representation.