| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.09 |
| Liaison | Matthew Liesch |
| Submission Date | Oct. 15, 2020 |
Central Michigan University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Eric
Urbaniak Student Reviewer OID |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
BACKGROUND:
Central Michigan University (CMU) is committed to projecting a positive example through sustainable operations and education. CMU conserves energy, water, recycles, recovers food waste, cultivates sustainable human community, and builds sustainable decision making into the purchasing process. These guidelines are established to aid decision makers in purchasing environmentally preferable products and services.
PURPOSE:
Central Michigan University desires to comply with the highest standards of sustainability outlined by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Therefore, this document serves as a tool-kit for CMU purchasers in order to guide in making decisions to achieve the best sustainable return on investment.
POLICY:
Central Michigan University will make life cycle purchasing decisions, whenever possible, to reduce the University footprint on the environment. This includes, but is not limited to, purchasing products which will minimize air, water, and grounds pollution, energy and materials consumption, environmental destruction, single use products, and unsustainable packaging. This shall be achieved through balancing environmental, cultural, social, and economic sustainability when making purchasing decisions, and reusing and repurposing whenever possible.
Therefore, purchasers should make every effort to achieve the best sustainable return on investment. Consider short-term and long-term costs as well as quality and environmental impact when comparing product alternatives. Evaluate the total costs expected during the time a product is owned. All parties may collaborate to inform others of sustainable purchasing opportunities, and work to balance cultural, economic, social, and environmental sustainability when making a purchase.
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
The University's Plant Engineering and Planning department employs Life Cycle Cost Analyses when considering the procurement of many new energy and water-using products and systems. These LCCA's are used in the consideration and decisions of purchasing. Moreover, these tactics allow CMU to make comprehensively educated and responsible procurement decisions, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Central Michigan University abides by Certified Green Cleaning protocol. Please reference the link below for detailed specifications:
https://www.cmich.edu/fas/fmgt/pep/Documents/Green%20Cleaning%20Policy.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
The CMU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines mandates that all purchasing decisions must be made in the context of a Life Cycle Cost Analysis. Therefore, when all consumable office products are purchased, purchasers must consider the environmental implications for all products. Consequently, all lamps purchased are eco-friendly, all paper is at a minimum 30% recycled material, and all batteries must be recyclable post usage, as mandated by the Municipal Solid Waste Policy. Any other products are purchased based on recognized certifications included in the Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines, and a "toolbox" of resources designed to help purchasers make the most sustainable purchasing decisions.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
As detailed in the CMU wood, plastics, and design standards (quality assurance standard 4): "Certified Materials: Whenever possible, provide interior architectural woodwork produced from wood or materials obtained from an accredited certification body to comply with LEED requirements for Materials and Resources Credits 4.1 and 4.2 (Recycled Content), Credits 5.1 and 5.2 (Regional Materials), Credit 6 (Rapidly Renewable Materials), and Credit 7 (Certified Wood). LEED requirements for Indoor Air Quality Credits EQc4.1, 4.2 and 4.4 Low-Emitting Materials."
These CMU standards can be found in the following document: https://www.cmich.edu/fas/fmgt/pep/Documents/Division%206%20-%20Wood,%20Plastics%20and%20Composites.pdf
Additionally, as noted on page 21 of the CMU electrical design standards, "Long Term Cost of Ownership Analysis may be required to determine the most cost effective lighting solution." This document can be found through the following link: https://www.cmich.edu/fas/fmgt/pep/Documents/Division%2026%20Electrical.pdf
Finally, as detailed in the CMU general design requirements, several LEED qualifications must be met when constructing new buildings on campus. See general requirement in the following document: https://www.cmich.edu/fas/fmgt/pep/Documents/Division%201%20General%20Design%20Requirements.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
The CMU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines mandates that all purchasing decisions must be made in the context of a Life Cycle Cost Analysis. Within the Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines, the following attached document lists "green" certifications such as EPEAT that CMU recommends all purchasers adhere to.
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-01/documents/pdf_version_of_recs_1.30.20.pdf
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to purchase sustainable and environmentally IT and equipment that adheres to both the Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines, and the Municipal Solid Waste Policy.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
In accordance with the CMU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines, the University must consider location, diversity, cost, and environmental implications of food service providers. CMU must evaluate food service providers through collaboration between the board, president, and several departments, all of which help to make the most sustainable decision which adheres to the Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
The CMU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines mandates that all purchasing decisions must be made in the context of a Life Cycle Cost Analysis. This applies to garments and linens, so that all items purchased are sustainable for students, staff, faculty, and the environment. Waste and disposal implications along with the needs of the community are heavily considered, in accordance with the CMU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
The Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines indicates that a service provider which operates sustainably, and uses environmentally friendly products and services is preferred over alternative service providers.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
In the CMU Operation of Motorized Utility Vehicle Policy, CMU has authorized the purchase of low-speed environmentally friendly vehicles to complete on-campus tasks while reducing potential environmental and safety implications of larger vehicles. This policy can be found here: https://www.cmich.edu/office_president/general_counsel/Documents/p03041.pdf
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The CMU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines were authored by student Eric Urbaniak in 2020. This was a collaborative effort between Facilities Management, Purchasing, and the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion which acted as a catalyst for the promotion of sustainable purchasing on campus. The Guidelines (attached in the optional fields section) encompass all departments, and are designed to ensure that all purchases adhere to a Life Cycle Cost Analysis that ensures the purchase of sustainable teams, contractors, and items across campus. Overall, this will have exponential benefits for the environment.
This policy in partnership with the Municipal Solid Waste Policy and Green Cleaning Policy enables purchases to help cultivate a more sustainable University through the purchasing process.
Solid Waste Management Policy: https://www.cmich.edu/office_president/general_counsel/Documents/p09003.pdf
Green Cleaning Policy: https://www.cmich.edu/office_president/general_counsel/Documents/p09004.pdf
Sustainable Purchasing Policy is attached in "optional fields."
The CMU Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines were authored by student Eric Urbaniak in 2020. This was a collaborative effort between Facilities Management, Purchasing, and the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion which acted as a catalyst for the promotion of sustainable purchasing on campus. The Guidelines (attached in the optional fields section) encompass all departments, and are designed to ensure that all purchases adhere to a Life Cycle Cost Analysis that ensures the purchase of sustainable teams, contractors, and items across campus. Overall, this will have exponential benefits for the environment.
This policy in partnership with the Municipal Solid Waste Policy and Green Cleaning Policy enables purchases to help cultivate a more sustainable University through the purchasing process.
Solid Waste Management Policy: https://www.cmich.edu/office_president/general_counsel/Documents/p09003.pdf
Green Cleaning Policy: https://www.cmich.edu/office_president/general_counsel/Documents/p09004.pdf
Sustainable Purchasing Policy is attached in "optional fields."
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.