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Work Environment

In addition to sound environmental and economic stewardship, the third interdependent element of sustainability is human wellbeing.  The university is a living community, and the health and wellbeing of all its members is a fundamental component of the community’s prosperity.  All of us must do our part to ensure that our departments are safe and healthy.

 

Help foster a cultural climate that supports a full range of creative expression, artistic experience, and recreational opportunity in our community.

 

• Take advantage of the varied cultural destinations on campus, such as the UF Cultural Plaza and the campus galleries.  Help orient new colleagues so that they are aware of these resources as well.

 

• Start a sustainability reading/discussion group in your department, or join an already existing group. You can choose from the list provided in the Resources section, or pick a book or article you have always wanted to read related to sustainability.  Invite your fellow staff and/or faculty to join you in reading it, and getting together to discuss it. You may choose to have this be a one-time event, or this may become a regularly occurring opportunity -- reading and discussing one chapter or a different reading each time. Book clubs typically work best with a fairly small group.  If you get a good response, consider breaking up into two or more groups to facilitate better discussion. As with all work-related opportunities, make sure to get your supervisor’s permission if you plan to organize a community building activity during work hours.

 

 

Work with your supervisor and other members of your department to:

 

• Ensure that an established method to raise complaints and concerns without fear of reprisal exists for your department.

 

• Share information with staff about flexible schedules and alternate arrangements, such as telecommuting, as appropriate.

 

 

Each of us can also contribute to a healthy social and cultural environment on campus.  Diversity within the university community enriches the professional and educational experience for staff, faculty, and students. We learn from those whose experiences, beliefs, and perspectives are different from our own, and these opportunities are most accessible in a richly diverse and dynamic intellectual and social environment. Sustainability also encourages collaboration and open communication.  Good communication and a sense of community help us foster the relationships and conversations necessary to bring about change for sustainability.

 

• Work with the Council on Diversity to help develop and implement policies and programs related to diversity on campus. 

 

• Foster awareness of and support programs which serve under-represented groups on campus.  Human Resources offers a wide array of trainings which you may find useful in this regard. Our campus also hosts a wealth of educational and cultural events which we encourage you to participate in.

 

• For TEAMS employees, take part in the Academic and Professional Assembly in order to be part of UF’s commitment to shared governance. The APA consists of administrative employees classified as “TEAMS employees and all career faculty who are not members of the University of Florida Faculty Senate.” The purpose of the APA is to promote representation, recognition, professional networking, and university and community service opportunities for its members.

 

• Take part in periodic faculty and staff surveys administered by the university in order to measure employee satisfaction and improve the work environment.     

 

 

As stated in the university’s Leadership Values Statement: “Choosing to be a member of the University of Florida community involves supporting the land grant mission to develop leaders and citizens. Community members are integral components in leadership for positive change through meaningful, reciprocal contributions within the campus, local, and global communities.”  Accordingly, UF staff, faculty, and students should seek out opportunities to serve the wider community.  The UF Office of Community Relations offers numerous resources to Gators who would like to get more involved in the community.

We hope the Green Team Network will serve as a supportive community for sustainable change at the University of Florida. By actively participating in the meetings, trainings, and gatherings, you will have the opportunity to learn and share experiences with fellow Green Team members. 

We also hope that you will consider exploring ways to create camaraderie in your own department or unit.  This will help you work collaboratively with your colleagues to find common ground for implementing sustainable practices in your area. By getting to know your fellow Gators, you will begin to find out the shared values that will help you create a new community of accountability.

One way to do that is to create a "coffee clutch," an informal opportunity for people in your area to socialize, network, and learn from one another.  With a supervisor’s permission, simply send out an email to invite fellow staff and/or faculty to join you at a given day and time each week or month for a cup of coffee, lunch, or some other activity.