New Mexico State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Our 2017 Climate Action Plan is our main document for our strategic planning. The STARS report is the other way we keep track of our planning and how we are doing with our sustainability goals. We are in the process of finalizing the Campus Master Plan that includes many sustainability strategic plans and guidelines.

Campus Master Plan with existing CMP and the draft version to be completed in July 2017 http://masterplan.nmsu.edu/ Ten Sustainability Initiatives Plan 2012: https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2017/06/OoS-10-Sustainabiliy-Initiatives-2012.pdf

From our 2017-2027 Master Plan: http://masterplan.nmsu.edu/ Academics NMSU is a Carnegie Higher Research Activity university comprised of eight colleges with over 100 degree choices. College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) The tag line for ACES is “We Discover, Develop and Deliver Knowledge.” The College of ACES is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and extension programs. ACES’ programs positively impact water usage and conservation, food and fiber production, environmental stewardship, and the health of New Mexicans. College of Arts and Sciences The College of Arts and Sciences provides the core education that prepares students to be knowledgeable and responsible citizens of the world by conducting and promoting research, scholarship, creative endeavors and outreach to fulfill NMSU’s land-grant mission. The college is proud of its international reputation and leadership in scholarship and creative activities in a variety of fields, and its ability to provide interdisciplinary learning opportunities to its students. College of Engineering The College of Engineering offers degree programs in chemical and materials, civil, electrical and computer, industrial, mechanical and aerospace engineering; engineering physics; and engineering technology and survey engineering. Undergraduate engineering students have access to creative faculty members and graduate students who research and teach modern engineering problems and techniques in diverse areas including aerospace technology, information and security technology, bridge and infrastructure systems, water and energy, environment and waste management, computer engineering, and laser technology. Honors College NMSU’s Honors College was the first of its kind in the state, and has provided highly talented students with challenging courses, a dedicated faculty, and enriching research experiences. With more than 3,500 Crimson Scholars on the Las Cruces campus, the Honors College serves a student body drawn from every department and creates a vibrant and diverse community that encourages the exchange of ideas. Library NMSU Library is one of two major academic research libraries in New Mexico. NMSU Library provides access to general and specialized collections as well as a broad range of information services to the entire NMSU system and beyond. We collaborate with other research libraries within the U.S. and globally. Collections and services are housed in Zuhl Library, which opened in 1992, and Branson Library, which opened in 1950. Combined, these libraries are open to the public 112 hours each week. Electronic access to services and e-resources is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Research NMSU’s Carnegie Classification is R2: Doctoral Universities – Higher Research Activity, with sponsored award expenditures totaling $110,118,461 million in fiscal year 2016. Additionally, according to the most recently available statistics from the National Science Foundation, NMSU ranks fourth in research expenditures by Hispanic Serving Institutions. Although discovery occurs in many fields and disciplines at NMSU, several areas are research strengths: • Animal and Range Science • Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Genetics • Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering • Energy and Biofuels • Environment and Ecology • Medical and Health Sciences • Plant and Soil Sciences • Space and Aerospace • Water

The Campus Master Plan, pg. 66, supports Vision 2020’s Goals of "Academic and Graduation, Diversity and Internationalization, Research and Creative Activity, Economic Development and Community Engagement, and Resource Stewardship". Vision 2020 development process includes participation from members of the administration, faculty, staff, students, local leadership, and residents. The end product will serve as the guidance document for the next decade, derived from exploration of the past, present and future development opportunities, along with an evaluation of the campus fabric and regional context. The Office of Sustainability has documented how the sustainability goals meet those of Vision 2020. From our Climate Action Plan, pg. 6, we have noted a mere two items, of the many, that focus on campus engagement. The main goal of the Environmental Education Center (EEC) is to provide a place to learn about the many ways to be a Green Aggie. We have numerous examples of ways we can change our behavior to take better care of our environment not just at work, but in our personal lives. The EEC is a green building and has examples of ways to be environmentally conscious such as a hydration station, carpet made from old fishing net, zero VOC paint, insulation made from upcycled blue jeans, and is furnished entirely with used furnishings. In 2008 the Sustainability and Climate Change Task Force was formed. Realizing that the task of managing climate change was going to be with us for a long time, a business plan was written to transform the task force into the Sustainability Council in 2009, and it still meets every month to educate the campus and public on a wide range of sustainability topics. Monthly meetings of the all-volunteer council have brought together like-minded people across campus and the community to achieve goals to better our environment. Some of the Council’s accomplishments are as follows: creating a Teaching Academy workshop called “Greening Across the Curriculum”, obtaining a Gold rating on the STARS report in 2012, assisting in planning the annual Campus Sustainability Day, and volunteering for Earth Day activities. Also from our Climate Action Plan, pg. 19, in our vision for the future, many campus engagement activities are shown. There are, of course, many more campus engagement items, but they are not as yet in a written plan. Instead our campus engagement is shown throughout the Office of Sustainability’s Annual Reports. https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/annual-reports/ Campus Engagement is one of the Office of Sustainability's main jobs. Student activities and engagement include Aggie Move-in Day, Aggie Welcome Orientation, Aggie Fest, and working directly with green student organizations. https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/studentinitiatives/ https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/discover-sustainability-symposium/ Greening the Curriculum committee has many events during student orientations, student job fairs, and at Earth Day and Campus Sustainability Day events. Students and faculty/staff volunteer at the tabling events. By 2017 we will increase campus engagement events by 10%. These include tabling, Earth Day planning, and guest lecturing at NMSU classes on sustainability. We went up from 26 events in 2015 to 32 events to the campus community.

From our Climate Action Plan, pg. 18, we have a section on community engagement that notes a number of environmentally-related programs that occur during the year. Some of these are Earth Day Fair (planned in conjunction with NMSU students, City of Las Cruces, and Doña Ana County) and “Las Cruces Chats” sponsored by Doña Ana County where many local residents, including NMSU faculty and the NMSU Sustainability Manager, speak to the public on sustainability topics. From our Campus Master Plan, pg. 37, it states that NMSU “Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification” and “Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Innovation and Economic Prosperity” university designations will be maintained. Our Master Plan will enhance and promote community engagement activities by inviting public facilities, such as parks and fields, to take part in NMSU events. Student engagement, achievement, and retention will be advanced through the establishment of technology-enhanced spaces that combine state-of-the-art technologies with innovative building design. Further, the Campus Master Plan, pg. 66, states that all subordinate plans will support Vision 2020’s Goals of Academic and Graduation, Diversity and Internationalization, Research and Creative Activity, Economic Development and Community Engagement, and Resource Stewardship. The development process includes participation from members of the administration, faculty, staff, students, local leadership, and residents. Our university Community Engagement Committee is a committee under the Chancellor with continual outreach and engagement to the public. The Sustainability Manager is a member of the NMSU Community Engagement Committee. Community engagement is an integral component of NMSU’s land-grant mission as demonstrated by inclusion in the institutions Vision 2020 Strategic Plan. Community engagement involves the application of knowledge and skills in a context of partnership and reciprocity beyond the campus walls and makes discoveries useful beyond the academic community. https://engagement.nmsu.edu/community-engagement-plan/ The Sustainability Council is comprised of students, faculty, staff, administration, and community members. The Council meetings are used to educate these constituents on sustainability issues and to develop innovative programs that will help NMSU manage its environmental impact https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/council/ NMSU Office of Sustainability is a member of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. NMSU students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend and speak at these events.

We do the Climate Leadership Commitment greenhouse gas report when required. We must legally report our greenhouse gas emissions to the New Mexico State EPA office every year. Our measurable sustainability objective is to lower our GHG emissions by 3% by 2020 and 8% by 2025. https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/acupcc/

Our measurable sustainability objectives started in 2006 when the New Mexico governor signed a document stating that we would build all state buildings over 10,000 sf to LEED Silver. So far we have 17 LEED Gold or Silver buildings on all our campuses with several buildings that didn't go for LEED certification but are green buildings nonetheless. We have successfully met our objectives and will continue to do so with buy-in from the Higher Education Department, Board of Finance, and Board of Regents. https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/greenbuildings/

Our $12M Energy Services Agreement had monetary goals that had to be met and these were closely measured and reported. Not only lowering costs was a goal, but lowering our greenhouse gas emissions was also a measurable goal. So far, we have met and exceeded our ghg emissions reduction goal! We also lowered out energy bills in the summer by a whopping 25%!! https://facilities.nmsu.edu/we-care/energy-savings/

From our Campus Master Plan, pg. 38, the Facilities and Services Grounds Department states that "landscape designs will minimize environmental impacts, enhance the natural beauty of local environment, and provide areas for social interaction and instruction." From the Climate Action Plan, pg. 8, our goals are as follows: • Xeriscape approximately 20% of our campus grounds, thus saving water and creating a beautiful natural desert environment • Create compost from turf and plant clippings that goes back on our campus landscaping • Install flow meters on all water pumps • Install Variable Frequency Drive irrigation systems Another 2017 goal is to design and create one new Living Learning Laboratory to our new outdoor Chihuahuan Desert landscaped area with solar charging stations. This was completed May 2017.

Sustainable Purchasing document https://af.nmsu.edu/bpm/bpm-4/#46 shows that Procurement Office had a 2015 goal to find a new vendor for office supplies that has sustainable products as part of their supplies offerings. The Purchasing Office signed a contract with Staples mid-2015. Staples is a green company. They offer many green items in the catalogue so we can shop easily for items that only meet our sustainable objectives. Our purchasing department also manages the Re-Pete program (Pistol Pete is our mascot) that encourages the re-use and recycling of items on campus (http://repete.nmsu.edu/ ). In 2015 and 2016 we didn't increase our items listed on Re-Peat, so we didn't meet our goal of increasing items upcycled, but we didn't go down either. Measurable outcomes are reducing our purchasing of non-sustainable products by 5%.

From our Climate Action Plan, pg. 15, https://stars.aashe.org/media/secure/209/7/679/6093/NMSU%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%206.17.2017.pdf , we have the following measurable sustainability goals: Through conscious transportation ideals we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diminish our dependence on foreign oil, build livable communities, focusing on low carbon transportation options such as public transportation, walking, biking, and skate boarding. We are well aware how these actions improve quality of life, lower household transportation budgets, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A full range of strategies can be brought to bear to reduce transportation's greenhouse gas emissions, such as improving fuel efficiency, expanding the use of low-carbon fuels, improving the efficiency of the transportation system (such as Aggie Shuttle), and reducing the volume of travel to and on campus. Our biggest accomplishment has been getting rid of old cars, trucks, and tractors and farm equipment that have been sitting on back lots leaking oil into the environment. This has been occurring since 2011. Measurable sustainability objective is to reduce the university fleet by 6% from June 2012 to June 2015. The second measurable sustainability objective is to reduce fuel consumption by 20%. Our third measurable sustainability objective is to increase ridership on the Aggie Transit shuttle service by 25% ridership from 2012 to 2015. A. Facilities and Services (FS) and Transportation & Parking Services (TPS) Facilities and Services (FS) partners closely with Transportation & Parking Services (TPS) on transportation issues and will continue to find ways to modify our transportation services and purchases to lower our greenhouse gas emissions in the future. • The TPS office is currently infusing sustainability initiatives into the Parking Master Plan • The TPS office will continue to reduce the vehicle fleet and rental fleet and as a result on-campus fuel usage will continue to decrease • The University has a goal of purchasing more sustainable vehicles in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. In 2011, main campus NMSU fleet had 90 electric vehicles, 12 B-20 biofuel vehicles, 8 vehicles using E85 ethanol, 2 hybrids, and 27 flex fuel vehicles • We have adopted a comprehensive Vehicle Policy to more efficiently manage fleet operations, with sustainability and fuel efficiency as major goals B. Aggie Shuttle The NMSU Aggie Transit shuttle is managed by the Associated Students of NMSU (ASNMSU) in partnership with NMSU Transportation & Parking Services and NMSU Information and Communication Technologies, and the City of Las Cruces Roadrunner Transit System. It is funded by an allocation of student activity fees. Rides are free when you show your student or faculty ID. Aggie Transit system experienced a 16% increase in riders from 2010 to 2011. This reduces emissions from vehicles idling and driving around looking for parking spaces on campus. Parking Lot #30, at the far east end of campus, is free and we encourage people to park here and catch the shuttle to campus. A goal in the next five years is to shut down Stewart Street to passenger cars and make it a more pedestrian friendly campus, requiring cars to park on the perimeter of campus. C. Bicycle Friendly University On April 16, 2013 NMSU won Bronze certification for “Bicycle Friendly University” a designation granted by the League of American Bicyclists. The Bicycle Friendly University Taskforce, composed of representatives from the Teaching Academy, NMSU Police Dept., Recreational Sports, Environmental Health & Safety and NMSU faculty, in support of the goals of the Sustainability Council and Bicycle Safety Committee, worked diligently to submit the application. We took many steps to increase safe-bicycling practices on campus, including increasing bicycle traffic law enforcement, educating motorists and cyclists alike about the rules of the road and working to prevent bicycle thefts on campus. We are working on our second BFU designation, with a goal of bettering our bronze certification to the next level, with the goal of completing that in 2018. We will continue the physical improvements, made over the last few years, to include painting more bike lanes, painting sharrows on major roadways, adding and upgrading bicycle racks, and installing more bicycle Fix-It stations. D. Utility Tricycle Facilities & Services purchased four utility tricycles to get around campus creating zero-emissions. The trikes, complete with locking utility cabinet and many safety features (safety bell and rechargeable safety lights), will be used by employees under their own power to get to sites on campus and not have to take a car or truck. We are increasing the health of employees and lowering our greenhouse gas emissions at the same time! E. Future Bike Share program NMSU will work on creating a bike share program on campus and in partnership with the City of Las Cruces and Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. Currently we are planning for the bike infrastructure such as bike paths, signage, increased locations of bike racks, and bicycle education programs. From the 2017-2027 Campus Master Plan, pg. 34, Transportation and Parking Services (TPS) Parking will shift to the perimeter of the campus. Eliminated parking spaces will be replaced by planned new spaces (infill of mixed-use space). The visual appearance of surface parking will be enhanced by designing functional parking on campus. As parking moves outside the academic core, the Aggie Shuttle will serve peripheral parking lots, as well as point-to-point service, with increased routes and lowering our greenhouse gasses by lowering the number of cars on campus.

From our Climate Action Plan, pg. 10, the Office of Sustainability Initiative #3 is Waste Reduction. It includes the following ideals and goals: • Prevention: don’t purchase the item in the first place • Minimization: use products that use minimal construction or packaging • Reuse: when you’re done with an item, find it a new home, give it away, or take it to a reuse store like Habitat for Humanity or Savers or our own program on campus “Re-Pete” • Recycle: even though about 35% of items purchased in the US are recycled, recycling is still a great option if you can’t manage the first three above • NMSU “Aggie Recycling” has a contract with Friedman Recycling to pick up the large dumpsters for single stream recycling at our housing neighborhoods, Garcia Hall, Piñon Hall, and Rhodes-Garrett-Hamiel Hall • The Environmental Education Center Toner Recycling Program was started in November 2012. The Office of Sustainability provides boxes for free. NMSU departments request a box, fill it with used toner cartridges, then calls us for a pick up. We then deliver a new empty box. Facilities and Services (FS) Movers partner with the EEC by picking up the full boxes and delivering them to the FS Warehouse for UPS pickup. We keep plastic and other materials from the landfill by using this program. Our goal is to have every department recycle their used cartridges. However, don't forget that the main goal is to reduce the use of paper and toner by not printing!

In our Climate Action Plan, Section D, our plans are to update our landscaping irrigation systems to save water. Through our utilities operators, we will save water through our preventive maintenance program to re-insulate piping in our utilities system. Through our 2014 Energy Service Agreement we will upgrade mechanical systems to lower our water usage as well. A very interesting way we're saving water is by a research project that is developing a saline-resistant turf that uses less water. The measurable outcome is to decrease our water usage by 3% each year through more xeriscaping and better irrigation and preventive maintenance. In our 2017 Campus Master Plan, page 10, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), the tag line for ACES is "We Discover, Develop and Deliver Knowledge." The College of ACES is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and extension programs. ACES' programs positively impact water usage and conservation, food and fiber production, environmental stewardship, and the health of New Mexicans. Also in our Master Plan we have two divisions that are dealing with water issues. They are as follows: College of Engineering, pg. 11: The College of Engineering offers degree programs in chemical and materials, civil, electrical and computer, industrial, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and others. Undergraduate engineering students have access to creative faculty members and graduate students who research and teach modern engineering problems and techniques in diverse areas including aerospace technology, information and security technology, bridge and infrastructure systems, water and energy, as well as environment and waste management. Aggie Development, Pg. 18, deals with effective management of our water assets as follows: Aggie Development Inc. was created under the University Research Park and Economic Development Act and is tasked with real estate development, effective management of NMSU's real estate and water assets, and the creation of new public-private partnerships to benefit the University and the surrounding community.

The NMSU Climate Action Plan addresses Diversity and Affordability and Social Justice. A section of the plan is as follows: "As an institution of higher education we have promised to teach students and send them out into the world with knowledge. We make sure that the knowledge we imbue includes kindness and opening our hearts to others." In this same section we state that NMSU works to address discrimination and promote equality. We take pride in our diverse student body, faculty, and staff and that they continue to provide rich resources for learning and collaboration affordable for all. Through our Teaching Academy we continue to "teach the teacher" and diversity and equity are common topics. Some classes have been: "Exploring Diversity and Equity Issues Emerging in Higher Education Across the Nation", "Ideas for Teaching in a Diverse Classroom" and "African American Students Speak Out: A Panel About What Students Need and Desire At NMSU". These are well-attended classes since we have such a diverse international student population. The measurable outcome is to maintain the number of classes that address these and similar diversity and affordability topics.

From our 2017-2027 Master Plan http://masterplan.nmsu.edu/ : College of Health and Social Services Dedicated to providing academic programs that address issues affecting the quality of life in a rapidly changing society, the College of Health and Social Services prepares graduates with the knowledge they need to make an impact in their communities. Available programs focus on improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities with majors in nursing, public health/community health education, and social work. The Central Campus at NMSU will continue to maintain a presence of all academic programs. Its major focus will be on technical studies, and health and public services. Adult basic education will continue at the site. One of the Office of Sustainability initiatives is "Food and Health". The university has a 2-acre certified organic garden on our agriculture west-end campus and this food is sold in our student run store "Crimson Creations". The measurable objective is to increase student volunteers at the farm by two volunteers a year and adding it as a class volunteer project for Horticulture 100 class. Aggie Fit invites students, faculty and staff to take the "Healthy U Challenge" that measures weight and body fat in a seven week competition. The measurable outcome is to increase participation by 5% each year. We have a meditation class during the lunch hour that encourages everyone on campus the importance of quieting the mind. the measurable outcome is to increase participation by 5% each year.

The Sustainability Council is our all-volunteer group that is directly under the management of the university president. The chancellor approves our goals and objectives every year. The Sustainability Council https://sustainability.nmsu.edu/council/ started in 2006, when the Office of Sustainability was just a glimmer in the Sustainability Manager's eye! A. Executive Summary The Sustainability Council creates and supports an environment of sustainable practices for students, faculty/staff and NMSU stakeholders. This volunteer council is committed to education, research, operations and engagement that build an economically, ecologically and socially sustainable campus and community. B. Mission and Vision Statements Mission: The Sustainability Council will facilitate and support sustainability goals system-wide and in partnership with local communities. Vision: To be leaders in sustainable operations, education, and research; to be a resource and inspiration for future generations.

The Office of Sustainability has its own definition of sustainability at NMSU: "Sustainability at NMSU is a lifestyle and a responsibility. It relates to improving and maintaining the quality of human life while preserving the integrity, stability, and beauty of ecological systems for the future."

The 11 Sustainability Initiatives were written early in the beginnings of the Office of Sustainability in 2010 and updated to 10 initiatives in 2012 1. Relationships 2. Energy reduction 3. Waste reduction 4. Water conservation 5. Climate change resilience 6. Food and Health 7. Green buildings 8. Transportation 9. Materials 10. Social Justice