Environment and Sustainability Committee holds first meeting

The University's Environment and Sustainability Committee (ESC) has met for the first time and are determined to implement a number of initiatives, which will be of benefit to staff and student's at all three campuses.

Chair of the Committee Dr Jerry Maroulis said that the group would provide a conduit between the campus and broader community on issues relating to environmental management and sustainability at the University.

'The Committee was established after there was a need for the University to look at its water and energy use,' Dr Maroulis said.

'Our aim is to be able to improve the quality of life on all three campuses of the University, in a number of different areas.'

All of the initiatives, Dr Maroulis added would promote and encourage an ethos of environmental awareness and sustainability.

'Things as simple as recycling were issues that were raised in the first meeting,' he said.

'The idea is to encourage initiatives that raise the profile of environmental management and sustainability in USQ's learning and teaching, research and community engagement programs.'

Determined to lead by example, the ESC was also hopeful that the University's environmental and sustainability practices would be seen as innovative by the wider community.

'USQ is seen as a leader in the field when it comes to the environment and sustainability,' Dr Maroulis said.

'What we do here at the University can be exemplars of this.'

While all decision making will be left up to the ESC, there was the chance for staff to have their say.

'There are 11 experts on the committee, but there is an opportunity for staff to contribute.

'Each year there will be four meetings where we will consider relevant emerging strategic issues and assess their implications for the University.'

The ESC includes representatives from the Vice-Chancellors office, ACSC, CAIK, Student Guild, and the Springfield and Fraser Coast campuses.

Media Contact: Josh Ada USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1268