| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.04 |
| Liaison | Troy Goodnough |
| Submission Date | March 30, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Minnesota, Morris
AC-10: Support for Research
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Troy
Goodnough Sustainability Director Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability? :
A brief description of the student research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
Morris has funding to support student sustainability research projects connected to the University of Minnesota-system. Here are some recent examples: research at the Morris Ecostation on earthworm invasion, research on battery storage options for the Morris campus to store wind electricity, research on district heating options and data analysis to investigate the integration of 3 community entities (campus, schools and hospital).
We have the Morris Academic Partnership (MAP) and Morris Administrative Fellowship (MSAF) programs which help fund student sustainability research, creative work, and other administrative work in sustainability with faculty members and staff. The MAP program provides funds for students to work directly with faculty members on research.
Also, the University's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides stipends of $1450/semester. UROP actively encourages and supports projects related to sustainability.
Students at Morris have been involved in a range of research, creative and artistic efforts to advance sustainability, including work in: renewable energy policy, survey work in the community around sustainability issues, developing biomass gasification technology, studying climate change and tree populations, advancing chemistry for solar PV applications and wind-to-hydrogen techniques, antibacterial resistance, food policy and systems, and more.
Does the institution have a program to encourage faculty from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability topics?:
A brief description of the faculty research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
Within the University of Minnesota system, to which Morris is connected, there are several programs which provide opportunities for faculty and students to engage in sustainability research. One example is the Institute on the Environment. Morris faculty and students have accessed resources from these programs to pursue sustainability-related research.
Has the institution published written policies and procedures that give positive recognition to interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research during faculty promotion and/or tenure decisions?:
A brief description of the institution’s support for interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
Yes, our promotion and tenure "7-12" statement specifically acknowledges the importance of interdisciplinary work.
Does the institution have ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning?:
A brief description of the institution’s library support for sustainability research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The library provides multiple databases (indexes and full text resources) and print materials supporting sustainability research. We also have formal research guides and offer specialized instruction in use of all our resources to Environmental Studies and Environmental Science classes as well as all the other interdisciplinary classes that are taught by the list of faculty below. We also have scholarly articles, books and other resources delivered in an online format, we do. In cooperation with staff and faculty, the library assists with sustainability literacy promotion through reference and instruction services.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.