In 2007, President William Powers appointed the first UT Austin Sustainability Steering Committee comprising faculty, administrators, staff and student representatives as a forum for an ongoing discussion about sustainability priorities at UT Austin.
The President’s Sustainability Steering Committee (PSSC) recommended policies and practices to the university administration that reflect and expand the university’s commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the environment; monitored implementation of the campus Sustainability Master Plan; ensured the campus policy is in alignment with UT System policy; guide a communications plan for both internal and external audiences.
Major activities include:
- 2008: Developed the first UT Austin Campus Sustainability Policy, then adopted by President Powers.
- 2009: Set a standard of LEED Silver for new capital projects.
- 2010: Created the Office of Sustainability.
- 2011: Adopted the Natural Resources Conservation Plan, which has led to new departments such as Energy and Water Conservation and the Resource Recovery unit
- 2012: Served as a major stakeholder group advocating for integrating sustainability into the a new Campus Master Plan.
- 2014: Served as major stakeholder group advocating for sustainability into subsequent planning efforts such as the Campus Landscape Master Plan, East Campus Plan and Medical District Plan.
- 2016: Adopted the first ever UT Austin Sustainability Master Plan under President Gregory Fenves.
