Environmental Management System
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are we implementing this EMS, anyway? Is it required?
A: The University's implementation of the EMS is completely voluntary. UVa is continuing in its role as a leading academic institution by being one of the first large universities in the country to undertake EMS implementation. Both the EPA and DEQ are encouraging the implementation of EMSs to prevent problems before they occur. Some localities and other academic institutions have been required by the EPA to implement an EMS in lieu of large fines in non compliance cases. Implementing an EMS is also consistent with UVa’s commitment to sustainability, i.e., reducing or limiting our impacts on the environment.
Q: I've been chosen to be on my facility's EMS Team. What does that mean?
A: Congratulations! You've been chosen to play a key role in the implementation of the EMS at your facility. You'll be helping to determine the significant impacts for your facility and helping to set objectives and targets. Being on the team will require the most time during the implementation process. Team meetings will be held once every two to three weeks until the implementation process is completed. Meetings will run no longer than an hour. You will also be periodically assigned 'homework' between meetings, which usually means reviewing a few documents for accuracy. After the implementation process has been completed, you will have to attend meetings once or twice a year to ensure the EMS is updated and improved on a regular basis. You may also be assigned tasks in Intelex, as necessary.
Q. How much of my time is this going to take?
A: If you're not on the EMS Team for your facility, it shouldn't take much time at all. Any changes implemented at your facility will be determined by your facility's EMS Team. They should not consent to any changes that would be unreasonable for your operations or be unfairly burdensome to your facility. At the very least the EMS should increase environmental awareness at your facility. Hopefully you and everyone in your facility will think about the environmental impacts of your job on a daily basis, whether it means printing less, buying environmentally friendly products, or making your computer go to sleep when not in use. The EMS will encourage everyone at the University to be environmentally responsible in their decision making.
Q: How will the EMS affect my work?
A: The EMS will probably not your daily operations significantly. The goal of the EMS is to compile all of the University's environmentally related information in one place. We do not want reinvent the wheel, but to document what you're already doing correctly. Any improper procedures will be corrected and you will be trained on any changes made that affect your job. We also want to make any improvements that we can to reduce UVa's impact on the environment. Our hope is that these changes are suggested by you or your staff, working with your EMS Team. If there are specific changes that you would or would not like to see at your facility, contact your facility's EMS Team or ask if you can join the team. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the EMS as much as possible.
Q: Who is in charge of EMS implementation?
A. Professor Ralph Allen, Associate VP and Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of the EMS for the entire University. He has appointed Jeff Sitler, Jess Wenger, and others from the EHS to manage the day to day implementation process. An EMS Steering Committee has been selected from a variety of positions in the University in order to help guide the implementation process.
Contact EHS with Environmental Management System related questions or comments at storm-water@virginia.edu.
EHS Environmental Management System website questions or comments should be directed to Jess Wenger at jsw6d@virginia.edu or 982-5540.
