The Shorthorn - Meghna Tare will take over as the university’s first sustainability director

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Meghna Tare will take over as the university’s first sustainability director

Written by John Harden, The Shorthorn senior staff

Monday, 18 January 2010 09:39 PM

Meghra Tare is the newly appointed sustainability director for UTA. She graduated from San Jose University in May 2006 with a Master of Science with a focus in environmental studies. (The Shorthorn: Michael Minasi)

To continue its commitment to environmental awareness, the university hired its first sustainability director to help the university bleed blue, orange and green. Meghna Tare was hired Jan. 4 after a previously named director resigned before the job began last fall.

As director, Tare said she will coordinate programs geared toward conservation. Tare received her master’s degree in environmental studies from San Jose State University. Her knowledge in environmental sustainability made her a strong candidate for the position, said John Hall, administration and campus operations vice president.

Hall, a President’s Sustainability Committee member, said the university could become a leader in conservation with Tare’s leadership.

Amy Schultz, communications and community relations associate vice president, said Tare’s appointment will further the university’s name in sustainability.

“Having a sustainability director at UT-Arlington, especially one the caliber of Meghna will not only accelerate and enhance current efforts of the President’s Sustainability Committee but will help take our university to the next level of environmental leadership in North Texas.”

Sustainability director duties:

Initiate and coordinate programs related to carbon footprint reduction, recycling and waste reduction, campus master planning, sustainable building design and construction.
Develop short and long-term strategic plans, needed to advance sustainability initiatives. Perform sustainability-related outreach to UTA students, faculty and staff as well as the wider Arlington and North Texas community.
Facilitate team building and work with diverse students, faculty, staff and others.
Apply for grants and other external funding opportunities and develop public-private partnerships with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, City of Arlington.
Provide general supervision, guidance, and direction to the University’s Recycling and Composting Program.

The committee helps to address environmental concerns in several areas including facilities management, construction, waste management and public awareness. Tare said she wants to increase student involvement in the university’s sustainability efforts.

“It’s very important for [students] to get involved,” she said. “They are the ones who set the tone for what needs to be done and they are the ones who can make a difference.” Tare said she encourages students and committee members to provide suggestions to make sure all issues are addressed.

Before coming to UTA, Tare worked for the city of Dallas as an environmental manager for three years. As manager, she was responsible for creating a community garden and a plastic reduction program. Tare said she would look to the sustainability committee to help with the move from the city to a university.

“I expect to work with the committee very closely,” she said. “They’ve been here longer than I have so I will need them for support.”
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