Like many universities, UBC has a history of pursuing strong operational sustainability goals and targets. And, like many universities, UBC emphasizes teaching and research on sustainability. Where UBC demonstrates innovation is in going a step further to integrate our efforts.

UBC has committed, at the corporate level, to the deep integration of our operational and academic efforts in sustainability. The UBC Sustainability Initiative (USI), established in 2010, is the University’s agent in this innovation. USI fosters partnerships and collaborations that extend beyond traditional boundaries of disciplines, sectors and geographies to address the critical issues of our time. The initiative's work is carried out under two cross-cutting themes: campus as a living laboratory and the University as an agent of change.

Every two months, senior leaders of the University come together as the USI Steering Committee to provide strategic guidance and oversight to the Initiative.

The Initiative is comprised of four groups:

• A central office that oversees all USI efforts including communications and engagement activities and the work of the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
• A Teaching & Learning Office
• A Research & Partnerships Office responsible, in part, for the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability research program and partnerships
• An Operational Management Group comprised of senior administrators from Campus & Community Planning, Infrastructure Development, Building Operations, Supply Managment, Student Housing & Hospitality Services, and Risk Management who come together to address sustainability.

Within Campus & Community Planning, the Campus Sustainability office coordinates UBC's numerous operational sustainability initiatives and provides a central hub on the Vancouver campus to engage with the campus community and facilitate operational sustainability learning and practice.

Steering Committee

- Pierre Ouillet, Vice President Finance, Resources and Operations
- John Hepburn, Vice President Research and International
- David Farrar, Provost and Vice President Academic
- Eric Hall, Dean pro tem, Faculty of Applied Science
- Hugh Brock, Associate Provost, Academic Innovation
- Simon Peacock, Dean, Faculty of Science
- Tristan Miller, Vice President, Finance, AMS Student Society
- John Robinson, Associate Provost, Sustainability

- Nancy Knight, Associate Vice President Campus and Community Planning, ex officio
- Brent Sauder, Director, Strategic Partnerships Office, ex officio

The UBC Sustainability Initiative Office

Central Office

- John Robinson, Associate Provost, Sustainability
- Alberto Cayuela, Associate Director of USI and The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
- Ann Campbell, Director, Communications and Engagement
- Jeffrey Preiss, Communications Coordinator
- Jen Crothers, Projects Manager
- Theresa Rollins, Administration Manager
- Debra Dolan, Executive Assistant to John Robinson
- Jamie Witt, Administrative Assistant
- Angelique Pilon, Projects Coordinator
- Tim Herron, Theatre Manager, CIRS
- Pani Pajouhesh, Work Study Student
- Dmitriy Ryabika, International Work Study Student

Teaching and Learning Office

- Nicholas Coop, Director, Teaching and Learning
- Jean Marcus, Associate Director, Teaching and Learning (on leave)
- Alison Munro, Acting Associate Director, Teaching and Learning
- Kshamta Hunter, Manager, Advising and Student Involvement, Teaching and Learning
- Ileana Costrut, Manager, Advising and Student Involvement, Teaching and Learning
- Andrew Riseman, UBC Sustainability Initiative and UBC Farm Liaison

- Teaching & Learning Fellows

Research and Partnerships Office

- John Robinson, Associate Provost, Sustainability
- Alberto Cayuela, Associate Director of USI and The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability

- Research Fellows

Operational Management Group

- Nancy Knight, Associate Vice President Campus & Community Planning
- David Woodson, Managing Director Building Operations
- John Metras, Managing Director Infrastructure Development
- Dennis Silva, Director, Payment & Procurement Services
- Robert Brown, Vice President, UBC Properties Trust
- Andrew Parr, Managing Director Student Housing and Hospitality Services
- Orion Henderson, Director, Operational Sustainability Campus Sustainability
- John Robinson, Associate Provost, Sustainability
- Alberto Cayuela, USI Associate Director  

UBC Sustainability Initiative

Located in the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS)
2260 West Mall, 2nd Floor
Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4

Phone: 604-822-9376

General Inquiries: usi.office@ubc.ca
Contact information can be found in the UBC Directory

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