In more than eight years of leadership, Chancellor Nancy Cantor has led Syracuse University into the 21st century, progressing in myriad ways — especially in the realm of environmental sustainability.

On Oct. 12, Cantor announced her plan to leave the university at the end of her contract in 2014. She stressed her continuation of improving the university by saying she is “sprinting to the finish line,” according to her email.

Though Cantor has dedicated her remaining time to the continued development of the university, environmental sustainability initiatives must not be put on the back burner.  It’s easy to foresee the temporary forgetfulness that can ensue in crunch time, but Cantor’s history shows she has dedication to our campus and its environmental initiatives.

Although Cantor has never quoted environmentalism as a main goal, she built pathways for future sustainability efforts. Cantor has created university departments and set the university’s stance on climate change with the creation and signing of commitments.

The university has made great improvements in sustainability, predominantly with the restructuring of the Energy and Computing Management department to Energy Systems and Sustainability Management in 2007. ESSM is further divided into six functional service areas, including the SU Sustainability Division.

The creation of the Sustainability Division brought the hiring of four full-time employees focused on the environmental sustainability of the university. The division has run multiple campaigns a year focusing on everything from transportation to recycling.

A rideshare system has been created so faculty, staff and students can connect and carpool to campus, reducing carbon emissions. Electronic recycling programs have sprouted up on campus to properly dispose of e-waste. The dining centers compost food waste. All of this is due to the Sustainability Division and involvement of passionate students.

The highest point of sustainability progression has been the chancellor’s signing of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. In February 2007, Cantor signed the agreement, making SU one of the largest private universities committed to zero net greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Sustainability Division website.

With the signing of the agreement, SU created its Climate Action Plan in 2009, which created a goal of climate neutrality by 2040. This has far-reaching effects from a chancellor, since most hold the position for at least a decade.

The creation of the Sustainability Division and SU’s Climate Action Plan cemented sustainability progression for our campus. Cantor has not only made sustainability efforts possible in the here and now, but has also made these efforts possible in the future by forming goals and divisions to continue on without her leadership.

Though Cantor may not have set environmental sustainability as her main goal, change has been made. She has set an example for our campus — you don’t have to be an environmental activist to care about sustainability. Whether you are a leader or not, environmentalism can be inclusive throughout our lives.

Meg Callaghan is a junior environmental studies major and writing minor at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at mlcallag@syr.edu.

 

Published on October 24, 2012 at 1:00 am