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Facilities Manager Magazine

From the Editor

by Steve Glazner

According to a 1987 United Nations report, sustainability is defined as “The ability of current generations to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

As sustainability becomes more ingrained into our consciousness as a natural perspective, it is important to note that the definition makes no mention of energy savings, green design, non-mainstream lifestyles, net-zero impact, tree-hugging, red states versus blue states, or environmental stewardship, the theme of this issue. In fact, this definition of sustainability more succinctly applies to the choices we make at all levels of our personal and professional lives, and the legacy we want to leave.

On May 9 I had the pleasure to hear a presentation by Ray C. Anderson, chairman and chief executive officer of Interface, Inc., a manufacturer of floor coverings. The occasion was a meeting of the newly formed Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (www.heasc.net), of which APPA is a founding member. There were about 40 education association representatives in the room—Anderson is used to speaking to thousands as a keynote presenter— and we had the rare opportunity to hear him speak in a more intimate setting on his conversion to sustainability.

Anderson, a captain of industry and self-professed fierce competitor in business, remains as both as he guides his company to be a more responsible, sustainable entity. He describes his journey from “polluter and plunderer” to leader of a more sustainable, and profitable, enterprise in his 1998 book, Mid-Course Correction, and in his many speeches throughout the world. You can learn more about Ray Anderson at www.interfacesustainability. com. In addition, he will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural meeting of AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, which will be held October 4-6, 2006 in Tempe, Arizona. For more information, visit www.aashe.org.

In this issue of Facilities Manager, we do spend some time talking about energy savings, green design, and environmental stewardship. The authors have done a tremendous job in providing us with practical concepts and tools to improve your educational facility, save money for your department, and provide a cleaner environment more conducive to the teaching, research, and public service missions of your institution.

You’ll also learn more about the research efforts of APPA, as well as of the National Association of College and University Business Officers and the Society for College and University Planning, with whom we’re sponsoring the Campus of the Future conference in Honolulu July 8-11, 2006. And the second part of David Cain and Gary Reynolds’ major research project on the impact of facilities on student recruitment is included here as well.

To register for the joint conference or to review our rich resources, visit www.campusofthefuture.org.  Most of the concurrent presentations will be posted on the site after the conference. Aloha!  

From the Editor (PDF Format)