Montana State University
EN-11: Inter-Campus Collaboration
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Paul
Edlund Project Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Is the institution currently a member of a national or international higher education sustainability network?:
The name of the national or international sustainability network(s):
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
Does the institution actively participate in a regional, state/provincial, or local higher education sustainability network?:
The name of the regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s):
Sustainability Professionals of the Northern Rockies (SPNR)
Western Transportation Institute (WTI)
Has the institution presented at a higher education sustainability conference during the previous year?:
A list or brief description of the conference(s) and presentation(s):
Has the institution submitted a case study during the previous year to an external higher education sustainability resource center or awards program?:
A list or brief description of the sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s):
In the spring of 2021, a Climate Action Plan case study was submitted to AASHE for a research award. Eight students took part in an interdisciplinary climate action planning (CAP) analysis independent study class. Students first conducted a broad literature review of climate action plans from institutions across North America to better understand the components of a CAP. These students then looked at 22 universities with climate action plans as possible case studies. After creating a matrix that defined each university by emissions, utility type, enrollment, tuition and other factors, the students narrowed compatible case study universities down to four based on similarity to MSU. Once a literature review of each institution’s CAP was completed, interviews with individuals involved in the drafting and implementation of the plans at these universities were carried out. Students then created a Climate Action Plan Research Report to detail their findings and present information on how MSU can create a successful CAP of its own. This report has been presented to the Campus Sustainability Advisory Council and MSU Planning Council as the conclusion of the independent study. The final report was published during fall semester (2021).
https://www.montana.edu/csac/documents/MSU%20CAP%20Study%20-%20Final%20Draft.pdf
Has the institution had employees or students serving on a board or committee of a sustainability network or conference during the previous three years?:
A list or brief description of the board or committee appointment(s):
MSU faculty and staff serve on the City of Bozeman Sustainability Advisory Board. MSU Staff and Students serve on the Streamline Advisory Board.
MSU faculty, staff, and students serve as members of the Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC). Additionally, faculty serve on the MSU Smart Building Initiative committee. MSU is also a host institution for the Climate Action Pursuit.
Does the institution have an ongoing mentoring relationship with another institution through which it assists the institution with its sustainability reporting and/or the development of its sustainability program?:
A brief description of the mentoring relationship and activities:
The MSU Office of Sustainability reviews STARS reports from other institutions, including Gonzaga University, and the University of Montana.
The MSU Office of Sustainability also helps provide advice, support, and research to the Blackfoot Community College as they work to develop a sustainability program.
Has the institution had employees or students serving as peer reviewers of another institution’s sustainability data and/or STARS submission during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the peer review activities:
MSU Office of Sustainability employees review STARS reports from both Gonzaga University and the University of Montana.
A brief description of other inter-campus collaborative efforts around sustainability during the previous year :
MSU collaborates with colleges in the rocky mountain region through the Sustainability Professionals of the Northern Rockies (SPNR) and state wide throughout the Montana University System (MUS) on a wide range of sustainability related efforts including food and dining, climate action plan goals, procurement policies, etc.
Website URL where information about the institution’s inter-campus collaborations 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.