Choose

The university will be an environmentally literate community whose members think critically and act, individually and collectively, as model stewards of the natural world. – A JMU Defining Characteristic

Committee Work



The Awareness Committee develops programs and approaches to share knowledge and information that promotes personal and cultural change for faculty, staff and students. The committee has completed a framework and outreach program. In 2009-10 they are presenting to organizations and departments across campus. Please contact us at stewardship@jmu.edu to arrange a presentation to your department.

  • Chair: Marsha Mays-Bernard, Associate Vice President for Multicultural Awarness and Student Health
  • Vice-chair: Andy Perrine, Associate Vice President, University Communications and Marketing

The Education & Research Committee promotes curricular development across disciplines and general education, as well as research opportunities to engage faculty, staff, students and the community in improving our environment. They have completed a draft inventory of sponsored programs research and undergraduate courses. They are benchmarking educational and research efforts at JMU related to stewardship of the natural world. Benchmarking includes reviewing literature, developing and implementing instruments (surveys), and identifying best practices. They are defining student learning outcomes for all students that operationalize the JMU environmental stewardship defining characteristic. This is a first step in ensuring these outcomes are addressed and assessed within the JMU curriculum and co-curriculum. This includes review and synthesis of existing work in this area and defining/implementing assessment techniques to measure learning outcomes. They are also considering goals for other members of the JMU community.

  • Chair: Linda Halpern, Dean of University Studies
  • Vice-chair: Ken Newbold, Director of Research, Research and Public Service and Director, Institute for Energy and Environmental Sustainability

The Operations Committee reviews how the university manages such areas as grounds, the physical plant, waste and recycling to incorporate stewardship practices that will improve the environment and our community. They are developing recommendations for sustainable landscaping and the Facilities Management Operations Manual.

  • Chair: Towana Moore, Associate Vice President of Business Services
  • Vice-chair: Jim McConnel, Associate Vice President, Student Life

The Campus Accessibility Committee reviews the transportation, parking and motor pool issues and opportunities. The committee has drafted recommendations for improved bicycling and carpooling. They are developing recommendations for the Transportation Master Plan, including a Bicycle Master Plan; researching bicycle libraries; and, researching expanded carpool matching opportunities. JMU-related transportation information is available at the transportation portal.

  • Chair: Mack Moore, Risk Management Coordinator
  • Vice-chair: Jini Cook, Space Management Coordinator

The Policies & Practices Committee reviews university policies and recommends changes that will impact stewardship in areas such as dining, procurement and housekeeping. Five sets of policy recommendations have been submitted for 2009-10.

  • Chair: Maggie Evans, Director, Office of Residence Life
  • Vice-chair: Brian Charette, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources