U Michigan Hires Shana Weber as AVP for Campus Sustainability

Shana S. Weber was recently appointed as the university's first associate vice president for campus sustainability. Currently the founding director of Princeton University’s Office of Sustainability, Weber will work with all 19 schools and colleges, Student Life, Michigan Medicine, Athletics, and various organizations within Business & Finance to advance sustainability and carbon neutrality across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses. She assumes the role on Sept. 5.

AASHE Publishes 2023 Higher Education Staffing Report

Using data provided through AASHE's Higher Education Staffing Survey, the 2023 Salaries & Status of Sustainability Professionals in Higher Education Report examines the nature of sustainability positions at colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada and other countries. The report provides insights into salaries, funding, supervision, job satisfaction, challenges and more. Among the key findings, there was an increase in responses from chief sustainability officers and sustainability directors, and 73 percent of respondents indicated their position was housed in an office or unit with sustainability in its name, compared to 68 percent in 2020.

Seattle U Completes Fossil Fuel Divestment

As of late June, the university's endowment portfolio has been divested from publicly traded fossil fuel investments.

U California Implements Equity Weighted Social Cost of Carbon

UC implemented recently an equity-weighted social cost of carbon in its carbon neutrality planning. The SCC incorporates the societal costs of climate change into university investment decisions to reduce campus energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Kwantlen Polytechnic U Waives Tuition for First Nation Students

Beginning fall 2023, the university will waive tuition for incoming and current students who are members of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Musqueam, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem First Nations. The announcement was coupled with the release of a framework to address and reduce ongoing systemic colonialism, oppression and racism toward Indigenous people.

Georgia Southern U Launches Earth, Environment & Sustainability School

In early July, the university's College of Science and Mathematics launched a new School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability (SEES). The new school will blend several science disciplines to better serve a growing student demand for sustainability and environmental science education. Under the new school, students can pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Science while working toward their undergraduate degree.