Jim Dees Named Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Guilford has appointed Jim Dees as environmental sustainability coordinator, the staff position charged with overseeing the efforts of the Guilford community to reduce its environmental impact, including the President’s Climate Commitment.
Dees comes to Guilford with almost 20 years of experience in the areas of resource conservation and assessment and education. Before arriving at Guilford, Dees was an environmental staff professional with S & ME Environmental Engineering in Greensboro. He also worked several years with the engineering consulting firm Rummel Klepper and Kahl, of Baltimore, Md.
Dees will develop and implement campus–wide education efforts to improve recycling, reduce waste and conserve resources. Within the last year, Guilford has committed to a number of long-term initiatives, such as installing solar panels on Shore Hall, switching to waterless urinals and energy-efficient light bulbs and increasing campus recycling efforts.
Last June, the college became one of the first colleges in North Carolina to sign the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, now signed by more than 500 schools. The agreement calls for Guilford to become climate neutral within several years and to increase education on efforts to halt climate change.
"Guilford has a long-standing commitment to environmental protection that has been re-affirmed by signing the Presidents Climate Commitment," said President Kent Chabotar at the time of the signing. "However, it will not be enough just to sign the commitment. We must invest time and money to support sustainability efforts that our students and employees are ready and able to accomplish.”
Dees replaces Kim Yarbray, who is now serving as leadership for social change coordinator at the college.
March 11, 2008