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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Deputy Vice -Chancellor (Research)
- the Executive Director Campus Services
- the Chair; and
- the Deputy Chairs.
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 Chairs (senior academics)
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or delegate
- Pro Vice-Chancellor (North) or delegate
- Pro Vice-Chancellor (Northwest) or delegate
- Pro Vice-Chancellor (South) 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,Tasmanian School 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, Strategic Communications or delegate
- Executive Director, Campus Services or delegate
- 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.
Mode of Operation
The Sustainability Committee will at minimum have five scheduled meetings per year. Further meetings can be added as required, at the discretion of the Chair.
Specific initiatives may be progressed through Working Groups of the Committee, which will operate with Committee oversight (e.g., to address regional campus issues or specific initiatives).
Quorum is more than half of members (including the Chair and/or Deputy Chair).
The Sustainability Committee Terms of Reference were approved by the UET Sustainability Working Group on 05 June 2023.
Working groups
While some working groups are quite specific in membership, others are open to interested parties that want to help deliver sustainable change across the breadth of sustainability areas. Current Working Groups include:
Working Group | Goal(s) | Contact(s) |
---|---|---|
Education for Sustainability Community of Practice (EfS CoP) | Ensure that Education for Sustainability principles are integrated across all areas of the University. The Education for Sustainability Tasmania network, a UN recognised Regional Centre for Expertise, reports to the University of Tasmania via the EfS CoP working group. |
|
Sustainable Food Systems | Establish a sustainable food culture at the University |
|
Students for Sustainability | Provide support for student leaders working to integrate sustainability through University experience for students in operations, research, teaching and learning, community engagement |
|
Plastic Minimisation | Minimise petroleum-based single-use plastics use on campus |
|
Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) | Realise the Sustainable Development Goals through responsible management education |
|
Cradle Coast Environmental Sustainability | Foster the interest and passion of staff and students for sustainability in the region and deliver outcomes |
|
SDG Mapping and Implementation | Ensure that SDGs are integrated across all areas of the University |
|
Meeting dates 2025
Meeting # | Meeting date / time |
---|---|
1 | Friday, 7 February 2025 / 10:00-11:30 am |
2 | Friday, 4 April 2025 / 10:00-11:30 am |
3 | Friday, 20 June 2025 / 10:00-11:30 am |
4 | Friday, 8 August 2025 / 10:00 - 11:30 am |
5 | Tuesday, 14 October 2024 / 10:00-11:30 am |
6 | Friday, 12 December 2025 / 10:00-11:30 am |
Queries
If you have any questions regarding the Sustainability Committee please contact Secretariat.