Going Green: Meet Our New Sustainability Coordinator, Sarah Miller ‘16
What sparked your interest in sustainability?
Being sustainable means valuing the health and prosperity of all people and the planet we share. Having the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to others’ lives and our environment is something I’m very passionate about.
What does a typical day look like in your role as sustainability coordinator?
The majority of my day is spent working on projects and initiatives that come from our sustainability strategic plan, as well as The Green Team and Campus Environment Committee. Currently, some of the projects I am working on include overhauling our campus printing program, increasing the number of residence hall water bottle filling stations to reduce single-use plastic bottle consumption, and participating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System 2023 cohort to measure our campus’ sustainability performance. I also spend time attending professional development opportunities and publish a weekly communication on sustainability called “The Green Scene,” which can be found in the DSU Daily every Friday.
Who’s your sustainability hero?
Hazel M. Johnson. Through her continuous advocacy for the cleanup of hazardous waste and pollution in her Chicago neighborhood, Hazel was able to bring national attention to environmental justice. Hazel’s passion and persistence in fighting for what was right, even in the face of consistent adversity, encourages me to continue moving forward during the tough times. I am moved by her genuine care and concern for people.
What gives you hope?
Remembering we can always try again.
What song motivates you to tackle anything?
“Up We Go” by Lights.
What are some ways our campus is already sustainable?
We have four electric vehicle charging stations located at Dooling Hall that can charge up to eight cars simultaneously, energy-saving LED lighting systems and occupancy sensors in the majority of academic and residential buildings, energy-saving curtailments in buildings not occupied during the summer and holiday breaks, water-saving low-flow plumbing fixtures in all residential buildings and the majority of public restrooms, accessible recycling, and sustainability governance through our Green Team which has student, faculty, and staff representatives.
What are some ways we are looking to improve?
We are looking to take an enterprise-level approach to campus sustainability instead of depending on an ad-hoc approach. The STARS 2023 cohort will help us to establish a baseline level of campus sustainability, which will then be used as a benchmark for continued progress and goal setting. Our sustainability strategic plan will then guide us through achieving these goals.
In addition to updating our approach, we are looking to improve sustainability education and outreach through the expansion of resources, course offerings, and sustainability events provided to the campus community.
