Vice Chancellor Gary Matthews has an eye for organization – whether he’s indulging in his photography hobby or helping to shape the university’s future development and physical environment. As the leader of Resource Management & Planning, Matthews is responsible for some of the university’s most critical functions including policy development and management of the campus operating and capital budgets; facilities design and construction; real estate development; land-use planning; capital planning; audit and management advisory services; and administrative records. His primary goal is to help people, and he’s passionate about working with students and promoting environmental sustainability on campus.

Matthews: Over the last few years, UC San Diego has grown physically with the construction of graduate student housing, the Student Services Center, expansion of the Price Center, rehabilitation of the Student Center, the Life Sciences Library, a parking structure and thousands of square feet of additional lab space.  While all contribute to the quality of campus life, our greatest growth has been in our efforts to respond to our unique responsibilities as “stewards of the earth.”  A long-time leader in climate science and research, we have developed attainable goals to reduce our carbon footprint in a manner that improves overall efficiency for the campus, while improving the quality of life for the entire community.

Matthews: We play a unique role in planning for the future including: developing a new energy-efficient facility; planning for the arrival of improved transportation options, such as the Trolley or BRT in 2016; negotiating collaborative research ventures in UCSD’s Science Research Park or stem cell research; and providing for the utility needs of the campus in a sustainable manner, while also ensuring that our costs are reduced through building design and construction oversight.  Our Budget Office works closely with Facilities Management in the purchase of natural gas futures to help lower the cost of utilities.

Matthews: In any discussion of our successes we need to first and foremost discuss our students and their desire to help others become energy efficient.  They have a collective energy that is captivating and inspiring.  Our graduates are out in the community imparting that wisdom and inspiration to others.  Our curriculum is also reflective of our faculty’s concern for climate change, with over 200 courses offered to impart their vast knowledge in many disciplines.

We have been very successful in integrating our operational and building programs into well-focused collaborations that cut across the campus.  Our success has been the collective pride and good will of our staff who understand that we each play a part in the overall success of the university.  From our buildings and grounds staff, to the nurses and clinical staff in the hospitals, there is recognition of a collective responsibility to act as stewards of the earth and advocates for each other.  Whether one has a full understanding of climate change or not, there are several basic points of agreement – to survive, all human beings need clean, fresh air, clean water to drink, and food free from pesticides, poison and other harmful pollutants.  This collective requirement has generated a tremendous energy and passion to contribute.  That energy is our greatest success.

Specific to facilities, we have design professionals who excel in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) energy efficient design standards and who ensure that all new buildings attain a minimum LEED Silver rating.  LEED is an international standard for building energy efficiency that ensures buildings meet their stated program requirements in an energy-efficient manner.  Use of natural lighting, operable windows and efficient lighting, specific to the use of space, are a major part of the process.

Equally important are the operating parameters of the campus that include waste minimization in Housing, Dining and Hospitality, recycling, and use of alternative transportation (e.g. car pools, van pools, free bus pass programs, and greater access to public transportation.)

Matthews: UC San Diego is the third largest employer in the County of San Diego.  For every one dollar spent by the university, an additional 92 cents in spending occurs.  That represents a tremendous return on investment.  Our alumni, faculty and staff have developed over 193 companies and each has helped create jobs and had an economic impact on the region and State. [To learn more about the Economic Impact Report, click here.]

Matthews: The lack of funding has required increased focus on our essential functions and highest priorities. While we have focused resources on the academic program and research, other areas like deferred maintenance have continued to grow in need, and will require increased funding in the near future.

Fun Faves

Favorite part of your job: “Connecting the dots” to help others.

Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is wherever I can interact with students

Favorite place on Earth: The USA - vast, diverse and welcoming

Favorite campus event/tradition: Welcome Week activities, as they represent many new beginnings

Favorite time of day: Mid-afternoon

Favorite hobby: Photography

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