Program aims to offset environmental impact of air travel
YDS has become the first school within Yale to develop a program to offset the environmental impacts of academic and administrative air travel. Reflective of Yale’s commitment to integrate sustainability into its academics and campus life, the Divinity School has instituted a flat-rate “tax” on all domestic and international flights taken by staff or faculty for academic or business travel. Revenue from the assessment—domestic flights incur a $50 charge; international flights, $100—will support sustainability efforts at YDS. Initial possibilities include new water-bottle fill stations and expansion of the Divinity School’s composting program. Initially proposed by Dean Greg Sterling, the program was adopted by votes of the faculty and staff. The Dean’s Advisory Council subsequently voted to apply the assessment to their own YDS-related air travel.
Advisory council chair steps down
After 16 years chairing the YDS Dean’s Advisory Council, Christopher Sawyer ’75MDiv is making the transition to chair emeritus, leaving a legacy of leadership, innovation, and rebirth. The Atlanta-based Sawyer began his role with the DAC in 1995 at the invitation of then-Dean Thomas Ogletree. Sawyer helped catalyze the renovation and rejuvenation of the Divinity School’s quadrangle and encourage the school to maintain its historic commitment to educating ministers and serving churches. “Chris Sawyer has been a guiding light not only for myself, but for a total of six deans throughout his tenure,” YDS dean Greg Sterling said. “He is to be celebrated for his contribution to the Divinity School’s past, present, and future and congratulated on his well-earned appointment as our first chair emeritus.” Stepping in as the new cochairs are Nancy Taylor ’81MDiv, senior minister and CEO of Old South Church in Boston, and Samuel Croll III ’75MAR, CEO of Croll Reynolds Company, Inc.
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