President Barchi's response to S-1703 on May 8, 2018. After the Executive Committee discussed his response at the June 8, 2018 EC meeting, it was determined a return-response was to be drafted by the RGPEC and submitted to the Executive Committee by October 2018.

Evaluate the current systems and processes, status of plans for University research facilities and infrastructure and whether they are capable of sustaining competitive and cutting-edge research.

External funding agencies that the University provides and maintains the core infrastructure necessary for proposed and currently funded projects. Those involved in the entire spectrum of research activities (researchers) are impacted by the disconnected between researchers and those - at the various administrative levels - who make decisions about building, improving, and maintaining facilities and infrastructure. Serious problems in existing facilities and infrastructure influence daily research activities, the ability to compete for new grants, and the recruitment of our next generation of research faculty and graduate students. The process for prioritizing and funding facility maintenance and improvements, and the parties responsible for this, are not consistent or well defined. The committee plans to evaluate the relevant systems and plans and to make recommendations to create a comprehensive, robust, actionable, and sustainable plan that will support infrastructure needed for world-class research at the university.

Consider if the student-used university locker system should be expanded; provide recommendations on what, if any, changes should be made.

Commuter students in New Brunswick have indicated a need for lockers on all campuses. The students who drive have stated that their cars are usually far away from their class/bus stops. It is inconvenient to go back and forth so they are forced to carry a heavy load each day. Students who use public transportation to get to and from campus are also buried with that same burden. Currently, there are only lockers on Cook and College Avenue Campuses with a code that expires at 12 a.m. each night.

Research and make recommendations regarding the creation of a university-wide Office of Sustainability and Engagement.

Global organizations such as the United Nations have taken a holistic approach to Sustainability to address the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. They have encouraged universities to be leaders in this movement. The Rutgers University Strategic Plan states its dedication to sustainability. Furthermore, as a land-grant university, Rutgers has a responsibility to promote, health, welfare, and economic prosperity of people in New Jersey. Rutgers Business School has signed on to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education, as a step towards demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. However, Rutgers still stands alone in the Big 10 as the only school that does not have an Office of Sustainability to provide leadership in benchmarking its sustainability efforts. As a result, or efforts to fulfill our Strategic Plan and land-grant mission have many gaps, as they are often siloed and unable to reach their full potential.

A Sustainability Committee of mostly faculty, created in 2005 and reinvigorated in 2014 has attempted to fill these gaps. The Committee has created a University-wide sustainability website to be released soon, and it has held the event, RU Sustainable, each semester for the last three years. Students working with the committee have formed their own coalition of close to 20 student organizations looking to address these issues at the student level. Within RUSA, the Sustainability Task Force, further research the topic and compiled their findings in a 2017-18 report, also recommending the creation of an Office of Sustainability.

Together, we have learned that understanding and coordinating our sustainability efforts across campuses is a full-time job, and cannot be left to what little time staff and students are able to contribute on a volunteer basis. What's more the information gap created by the current lack of communication and leadership in sustainability is leading us to missed opportunities. Our students are missing chances to learn and engage in an up-and-coming field. Our researchers lose out on collaborative projects, access to funding opportunities, and a seat at the table when policy solutions are being discussed. Our centers and academic schools are missing out on chances to easily collaborate across schools and disciplines. With an office, we can take action on these opportunities and more. Potential students would be attracted to study at Rutgers to network with multi-national organizations and add sustainability to their academic and professional experience. If those potential students are engaged in sustainability efforts they are more likely to stay in contact with Rutgers as alumni, and mentor other students in their sustainability journey. An Office of Sustainability and Engagement under the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement would work with stakeholders and on-going efforts on and off campus to ensure that our students, alumni, faculty, staff, administration, and our state can live, learn, and succeed in sustainability. Rutgers has the potential to become a national and global leader in sustainability continuing its lasting legacy.