Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.98
Liaison Jonna Korpi
Submission Date June 2, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Minnesota, Duluth
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.83 / 4.00 Mindy Granley
Sustainability Director
UMD Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) Measurable Objectives (Yes or No)
Curriculum Yes Yes
Research (or other scholarship) --- ---
Campus Engagement Yes Yes
Public Engagement Yes Yes
Air and Climate No No
Buildings --- ---
Dining Services/Food --- ---
Energy Yes No
Grounds --- ---
Purchasing --- ---
Transportation Yes Yes
Waste Yes Yes
Water --- ---
Diversity and Affordability --- ---
Health, Wellbeing and Work --- ---
Investment --- ---
Other --- ---

A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:

Sust Goal 2: Connect sustainability with student learning opportunities
D. Assist faculty and students in integrating sustainability into coursework and projects
o Provide data and guidance to students in sustainability-related coursework/projects
o Serve as guest speaker in courses
E. Upload Faculty Toolkit for Sustainability [(work with Dennis Falk (CLA), Brian Bluhm (M. Env. Ed. candidate), and Bryan French (upload/website assistance)] and promote via the UMD Sustainability website, UMD BizAnnounce, and faculty workshops.
F. Continue a revamped version of the ‘Course Design for Sustainability’ faculty workshop group
G. Utilize campus buildings, grounds, and operations as sustainability educational tools through classroom visits, internships, research projects, and tours. (Ex: Assist with low-carbon concrete demo project, campus energy studies, small wind research project at UMD SAP Farm, etc.)
H. Support integration of sustainability into existing programs, education, and research. Assist UMD staff in integrating sustainability into operations and programs:
o Housing: Explore sustainability programming/communication options in Housing within existing staff and resources. Use Sustain. Survey results from Fall 2013 social psychology project to frame energy conservation outreach/messages in Residence Halls.
o Student Life: Integrate sustainability topics into Kirby Leadership Program
o Athletics: Support integration of sustainability into messaging, marketing, and operations.
o Facilities: Support adoption of B3 Benchmarking Tool for campus buildings, to monitor energy use over time. Promote inclusion of district hot water and renewable energy systems into Master Campus Utility planning process.
o Green Revolving Fund: Manage and support the UMD Green Revolving Fund, partnered with campus community.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):

Assessment Plans for Sustain Goal 2 Objectives:
A. Track number of events/programs and attendance with a sustainability focus; where possible, gain participant feedback.
B. Additional UMD students and faculty become involved in sustainability via course work.
C. Partner with Academic Administration to create sustainability survey or entrance/exit questions related to sustainability.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):

UMD Office of Sustainability
UMD Academic Administration


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:

Sust Goal 3: Clearly communicate progress and challenges in sustainability research, operations, and education.

A. Develop and continue outreach campaigns to inspire action across campus to save energy, water, waste, and money.
o Create a Green Computing website, in partnership with ITSS
o Use annual sustainability-related events (Sustainability Fair, Earth Week, and other campus events) to engage additional students and campus community. along with making UMD Sustainability Office more visible across campus
o Strengthen social media by promoting sustainability-related events and research from across campus and in the greater community ways to promote sustainable choices,
o Use recycling, composting, and energy conservation messages as
o Utilize existing communication portals both on and off campus (External Affairs staff, Statesman, Bulldog Update, DNT, local news, UMD View, U of MN Brief, AASHE Bulletin)

B. Communicate and support sustainability progress on operational changes in all areas of campus
o Transportation: Promote alternative modes of transportation to single-car driver, including the bus (U-PASS program), car-pooling, biking, and walking
o Energy: Continue to work on adoption of a Campus Temperature Standard, use building upgrades and studies to leverage energy efficiency and conservation opportunities (ex: Library recommissioning project, Dining Center renovation).
o Energy: Support campus renewable energy projects and research
o Waste: Work with Dining, Custodial, and Events staff to promote low-waste events. Conduct compost awareness campaigns.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:

Assessment Plans for Sust Goal 3 Objectives:
A. Monitor and track social media performance monthly, using existing analytics software.
B. Lead the Board of Regents sustainability update process/submission for UMD (metrics assessed in all categories: Education, Communication, Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, etc.)


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):

UMD Office of Sustainability
UMD Facilities Management
UMD Office of Student Life


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:

Sust Goal 4: Assist community collaborations and campus partnerships related to
sustainability.
A. Serve on the Urban Sustainability Accelerator project with the City of Duluth
B. Continue to provide support for the Duluth Local Energy Action Plan, through role
on the public sector leadership team.
C. Partner with faculty, students, and community members on projects around sustainability (Ex: Georgetown University Prize)
D. Continue board member role on NE MN Clean Energy Resources Team and MN Regional Sustainable Development Partnership.
E. Serve on the University-wide Sustainability Committee (led by VP Wheelock)


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):

Assessment Plans for Sust Goal 4 Objectives:
A. Through progress report and update on the UMD Energy Action Plan,assess goals and add or modify where needed, to reflect campus changes, developments in technology and energy, and align with Student Life and UMD Strategic Plan goals.
B. Complete and publish 2013 full Greenhouse Gas Inventory results (full inventory
every 3 years, annual tracking of major emissions sources).
C. Track and assess other annual key metrics to encourage continuous improvement
D. By October 23, 2014, submit STARS reporting for a campus grade.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):

UMD Office of Sustainability
UMD Facilities Management


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:

Sust Goal 2: Connect sustainability with student learning opportunities
D. Assist faculty and students in integrating sustainability into coursework and projects
o Provide data and guidance to students in sustainability-related coursework/projects
o Serve as guest speaker in courses
G. Utilize campus buildings, grounds, and operations as sustainability educational tools through classroom visits, internships, research projects, and tours. (Ex: Assist with low-carbon concrete demo project, campus energy studies, small wind research project at UMD SAP Farm, etc.)
H. Support integration of sustainability into existing programs, education, and research. Assist UMD staff in integrating sustainability into operations and programs:
o Housing: Explore sustainability programming/communication options in Housing within existing staff and resources. Use Sustain. Survey results from Fall 2013 social psychology project to frame energy conservation outreach/messages in Residence Halls.
o Student Life: Integrate sustainability topics into Kirby Leadership Program
o Facilities: Support adoption of B3 Benchmarking Tool for campus buildings, to monitor energy use over time. Promote inclusion of district hot water and renewable energy systems into Master Campus Utility planning process.
o Green Revolving Fund: Manage and support the UMD Green Revolving Fund, partnered with campus community.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):

None specific to Energy, but B3 Benchmarking complaince will help show progress.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):

UMD Office of Sustainability
UMD Facilities Management


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
---

The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
---

Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:

UMD Parking Services completed in 2015 a complete survey of transportation options and Parking capacity for campus. Results were published January 2016 and are available at the following link: https://drive.google.com/a/d.umn.edu/file/d/0By26UJ_txwhYSEpKRkRoeEtXbDQ/view

The Transportation and Parking Plan recommends using Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies and the use of off-site parking facilities before pursuing strategies that require significant investments and resources. TDM recommendations include:
- Improve Visibility of the Kirby Bus Hub in University Maps
- Offer Longer-Term Bicycle Leasing, Start a Bike-Sharing Program
- Open a Bike Center
- Create Marked Bikeways through Campus
- Offer Locational Benefits for Carpoolers, Establish a Car-Sharing Program
- Provide a Platform for Ride-Matching
- Eliminate First-Year on Campus Resident Parking.

Other recommendations included:
- SHORT TERM: Adjust Parking Prices to increase attractiveness of alternative transportation and explore Off-Site Parking (within 1/2 mile of campus, three large church parking lots not utilized Monday - Friday)
- LONG TERM: Parking Structures are recommended in the long-term. Stacked/structured parking investments to reduce impervious surface and meet parking needs without additional land.


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):

We measure bus ridership monthly, in partnership with the Duluth Transit Authority. Current ridership during the academic semesters average around 50,000 rides from students, staff, and faculty every month.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):

UMD Parking and Transportation Services


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:

Sust Goal 1: Increase diversion of recyclable and compostable materials from the
landfill waste stream
A. Work with Dining/Catering and Custodial staff to expand and place compost bins in high-traffic areas on campus
B. Conduct outreach related to composting
C. Promote recycling and re-use of all commodities and clearly communicate how-to guides (cans/bottles, paper, books, batteries, electronics, etc.)


The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):

Assessment Plans for Sustain Goal 1 Objectives:
A. Track waste diversion rate (recycling rate) for campus.
B. Work with Custodial to gain data on volume/weight for compost diversion.


Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):

UMD Office of Sustainability
UMD Facilities Management
UMD Dining Services


A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:

Sustainability: We balance current environmental, economic, and social needs with those of future generations.


Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

Sustainability is expressed in the campus Strategic Plan as a overall Campus Value and a Campus Vision (We will create a campus that exemplifies resource sustainability, technology and information integration, global perspectives and connections, social justice, and collaboration.) In addition, Strategic Plan Goal 6 states that we will: Utilize UMD’s infrastructure; technologies; and information, human and financial resources to support the campus in a sustainable manner.
http://www.d.umn.edu/chancellor/planning/


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.