As part of its commitment to furthering the goals of environmental sustainability, the University of New England has created the new role of sustainability coordinator. Althea Cariddi, of Biddeford, will soon join the university in that position.
“In response to the growing concern about global warming, (the university) is committed to reducing our carbon footprint,” said Bill Bola, the school’s
director of contract management, purchasing and risk. “With this new position, we will create a benchmark to assess our current carbon footprint, implement initiatives to reduce it and invite all faculty, staff and students to join us in this endeavor.”
Cariddi will develop and implement a comprehensive plan of sustainability initiatives on both campuses of the University of New England, which together serve more than 5,000 students, faculty and staff.
She will also serve on the university’s Environmental Council and advocate for organizational awareness of and participation in sustainability projects.
“Universities across the country are seeing the need to hire sustainability coordinators for environmental and economic reasons. Environmental and economic thinking are required so that we make sustainable decisions today and avoid large and unnecessary costs in the future. Since forming three years ago, the Environmental Council has done a tremendous job advising the president on a range of environmental issues,” said Prof. Michael Daley, Ph.D., co-chairman of the environmental council
In her new role, Carridi will build on the university’s efforts to explore “green” alternatives and pilot projects that reduce consumption. For example, this spring the university’s grounds department will mulch all mulch beds with pure organic compost. In addition to the environmental benefits of this change, the university anticipates significant cost savings.
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