Montana State University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Kieran
Wilder Data Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:
MSU Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC)- Former president Geoff Gamble created the Campus Sustainability Advisory Council to guide the university in meeting and exceeding the requirements of the Presidents' Climate Commitment while positioning Montana State University as a true leader in energy and resource management, research, education and outreach. The committee is comprised of faculty, students, administration, and community members and has met regularly for the past year.
Charge: Facilitates continued success and recognition of MSU’s leadership in sustainability
Missions:
• Advise MSU President on sustainability efforts and opportunities, and
obligations to the MSU Sustainability Framework long-term targets.
• In recognition of the land grant mission of MSU, advocate for sustainability with the State and
greater MSU Community.
• Provide framework to coordinate & advise sustainability efforts on a campus-wide basis
partnering with MSU Office of Sustainability
• Facilitate funding opportunities for campus sustainability efforts.
• In-alignment with MSU Vision Statement, Strategic Goals, and Sustainability Framework, sponsor and guide the
development of policies to increase and promote sustainability.
• Aid in the reporting of sustainability metrics in coordination with the MSU Office of
Sustainability.
• Support students, student organizations, faculty, and staff with their sustainability efforts.
• Advocate and integrate sustainability within MSU facilities, teaching, research and learning.
• Promote and facilitate internal and external communications on MSU sustainability efforts.
Council of American Indian Programs (CAIP) - The Council of American Indian Programs (CAIP) is a consortium of administrators, faculty and staff at MSU-Bozeman whose programs support significant recruitment and retention initiatives promoting American Indian and Alaskan Native student success. CAIP is a unified, inclusive group within which members of a variety of programs share, collaborate, organize, plan, develop and implement recruitment and retention activities for American Indian and Alaskan Native students at MSU.
Members of each committee, including affiliations and role:
Member / Position / Represents
Elliott, Duke / Member / University Services
Hook, EJ / Member / University Services
Landolfi, Kara / Member / Auxiliary Services
Swinford, Steve / Member / Office of the Provost
Fitzmaurice, Nicholas / Member / MSU Student-at large
Meyer, Natalie / Member / Community at Large
Blackler, Kristin / Ex-Officio Member / Office of Sustainability
Leist, Terry / Chair / Office of Administration and Finance
Watson, Bradford / Member / Faculty Senate
Brody, Michael / Member / Faculty Senate
Sterl, Megan / Member / Campus Engineering
Gunnink, Brent / Member / College of Engineering
Knutson, Ryan / Member / University IT
Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent employee?:
A brief description of each sustainability office:
MSU Office of Sustainability: works to develop, coordinate, and promote campus sustainability goals, projects, and practices. Our office fosters a culture of stewardship and sustainability for the MSU community and supports MSU in achieving the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan and the MSU Sustainability Framework.
Strategic Plan Goals:
Steward use of student and the University's resources, ensuring these funds contribute effectively to campus sustainability efforts and engage students, faculty and staff in a meaningful way.
Provide employment, volunteer, and internship opportunities to students who wish to contribute to sustainability efforts at MSU.
Build programs that engage the campus in dialog and action.
Link students, faculty and staff to information, campus resources, and decision-makers with regard to campus sustainability.
Leverage student activism by building partnerships with MSU administration and departments to provide program continuity year-to-year.
Advocate for increased institutional commitment to sustainable policies and practices.
MSU Sustainability Framework:
- Using the sustainability rating system provided by theAssociation for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Montana State University aims to attain the highest level: Platinum.
-Montana State University’s zero-waste target is the internationally recognized standard of a diversion rate of 90%.
-Recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis and need for an immediate, rapid, and sustained response based on the best available science, MSU will reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Does the institution have a mechanism for broad sustainability coordination for the entire institution?:
A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
Office of Sustainability: The MSU Office of Sustainability has successfully developed and managed the recycling program on campus since its initiation in 2008. In the past year the program has transitioned into the responsibilities of the campus facilities waste management team. The office also works with students and university partners to develop and carry out projects and programs, such as the composting program and support for building projects on campus. These building projects include support for LEED certification of the recently built Norm Asbjornson lecture hall, American Indian Hall, and Hyalite residence hall as well as support for the recently completed Romney geothermal project. The office has also played an integral role in developing strategic plans incorporating sustainability for the university, such as the MSU Sustainability Framework, Transportation Master Plan, and Bicycle Transportation Master Plan. Through work on the Bicycle Transportation Master plan, MSU has achieved a Silver Bicycle Friendly University rating from the League of American Bicyclists. The office has also supported student efforts for sustainable investing, a sustainability leadership summit, composting studies, a refrigerant pollution study, and several other initiatives. In addition, the office coordinates events throughout the year including seminars, workshops, Earth week festivities and more. In the fall of 2020, the Green Office program was launched to create a sense of agency for MSU faculty and staff members in reducing environmental impacts on campus. From this program, the Green Cats program was created to promote a culture of sustainability throughout campus, reaching all students, faculty, and staff. The Guaranteed Ride Home program is designed to give peace of mind to MSU employees who commute sustainably. The program provides enrolled commuters a free, reliable ride home in the event of a personal emergency and comfort knowing they won’t be stranded at work. The office also partnered with the Western Transportation Institute and the Office of Planning and Analysis to conduct a commuter survey.
CSAC: CSAC has worked alongside the MSU Office of Sustainability as well as other campus and community entities to provide guidance and support for continued success in the area of sustainability. CSAC has supported numerous student and institutionally led initiatives and research projects such as:
- Unifying Sustainability Conference
- Residence Halls Reusable Bulletin Boards
- Integrated Design Lab Dynamic Lighting Project
- Student scholarships to attend sustainability conferences
- Funded graduate student research for composting
- Funded Kerry Shepard Sustainability in Higher Education Workshops
Job title of the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job description for the sustainability officer position:
Job title of the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (2nd position):
Job title of the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Job description for the sustainability officer position (3rd position):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability coordination is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.