Host Organization

Finding a host organization to serve as the "home base" your green living program (GLP) will prove to be very helpful. If your college or university does not have a sustainability or campus-greening office yet, there is likely group that would be amenable to hosting the program. Possibilities could include, but are not limited to the following departments and offices:

  • campus life
  • housing or residential
  • student activities
  • facilities or operations
  • waste management or recycling
  • employment

Academic departments with a GLP-related focus—such as earth sciences, environmental studies or engineering—are also possible hosts.

The host organization provides:

  • legitimacy to the program;
  • an administrative base for finances, payroll and recruitment;
  • basic infrastructure such as an office, phone and computer;
  • management expertise to keep the GLP funded, politically supported and generally on track;
  • access to skilled support for Web development and other types of communications;
  • a broader connection between GLP and the wealth of other sustainability efforts on your campus.

Budget

If your host organization is providing items such as office space, phone and computer, be sure to include these items in your budget, either as something you have to pay for through rent or something that is an in-kind contribution from the host organization.

Mentorship

Ideally, the host organization would provide a mentor for the GLP coordinator. Especially if the program is based in a sustainability or campus-greening organization, a resident administrator may be able to advise the coordinator about the the college or university's environmental history and provide insight into the current political landscape on campus. If your coordinator is a recent graduate, or is new to the campus, then it would be especially helpful to find a mentor for her to work with and report to. A representative from the host organization should be included in the GLP steering group.